The roots play “Jamaica Dancehall Vibes” is being touted as one of the funniest and jost intriguing plays to ever hit south Florida. The play, which will be showing at the Lou Rawls Theater for the Performing Arts, at the Florida Memorial University July 30, is said to have wowed the audience on its June 11 showing at the North Miami Performance Arts Theater.

The name, “Jamaica Dancehall Vibes”, though applicable, hid the depth the show managed to possess while maintaining some of the funniest lines and actions seen in a long time. It was hard to decide at first, whether to laugh at the funny moments or to keep following the nail biting drama being unfolded. A quick glance around the theater revealed that the audience was caught in the same predicament. One woman remarked, "I was afraid to even go to the ladies room in fear of missing what's coming next.”

The show is definitely worth seeing; it tells the story of the ghetto as seen through the eyes of one who has definitely an insight as to the actual running of the ghetto, so real, so lifelike. The writer truly managed to capture the ghetto lifestyle through the skills of the actors. One particular scene was played out by Joycie (Joy Grandison) which had the audience moved with emotions as she revealed the torture she endured, at the hands of her husband, in order to save her only daughter, Keisha (Loyette Davis). The Community DJ, (Richard Johnson) added wit and humor, his very appearance had the audience in stitches. The ghetto is controlled by the suave Don, (Courtney Howell), who hosts dances in the community and quite possibly has fallen in love with the wrong woman. Appearance are made at these dances by Mr. Wackie (Horace Goode aka Blaxxx), who displays his dancing talents and original lyrics but who is begrudged by the cunning Jahlocks (Elvis Morris) who feels cheated of his inheritance and status within the community. Sta Mabel, (Ann Mckenzie) endeared herself to the audience as the nosy old woman who knows everyone business in the community (except hers).

Hats off to this Homegrown Theatre group, CountrySide Theatre Promotions for a job well done!

Reggae Grammy split between Roots & Dancehall? The National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS) have turned down a request to split the reggae category into two, dancehall and roots. "We have made this request in the past, but this year there was a huge push for it involving all members of the committee making statements on behalf of the split," committee member Roger Steffens said. According to Steffens, this decision by NARAS is not the end of the issue, as the committee will be making another attempt in 2007. There are mixed reactions from industry players in local music circles, with jost in support of the additional reggae category. The president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young, said while he doesn't have a fundamental problem with the separation of the Grammy award, he cautioned that it might make a mockery of what was seen as a victory two years ago when a push was made to recognize dancehall as reggae. Young recalled that it was this initiative, of which he was a part, which partially paved the way for Sean Paul to win the Grammy. "Just recently, to get Sean Paul qualified, we had to lobby that dancehall and reggae is the same. So we may end up contradicting ourselves," warns the JFM president.

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Jamaica's rich folk heritage will be in the spotlight as Jamaica Awareness,Inc., in association with Air Jamaica Lovebird Kidz Club will present, CULTURAMA 2006.  This year there will be one show only on Sunday, July 30th, at 7pm at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive

Culturama 2006 is a variety show with old time festival flair and flavor, showcasing traditional Jamaican folk dances, drama and oratory, and musical performance. It is premier family entertainment, presented as a part of Jamaica's Independence celebration in Florida.  The island gained independence from Britain on August 6, 1962.

Featured performers include The Clonmel Cultural Club, Bethlehem Teachers Group, Peace Makers Mento Band, Jamaica Folk Revue, The Nomads and Malachai Smith.

Based on past years' presentations, the show promises to be a raging success with a great time to be had by all. Don't miss out; don't miss it! Get your tickets early!

Culturama 2006 is presented by Jamaica Awareness, Inc., in association with Lovebird Kidz Club, with support from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and is sponsored by Western Union, Air Jamaica, Florida Arts and TropiCulture.

Tickets are $25 and $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years and are available at selected Caribbean outlets.  For more information contact Sydney Roberts of Jamaica Awareness, Inc., at (305) 891- 2944

In Steppin’ out, I commented on who will fill the shoes of some of the biggest names in soca when they decide to hang up their microphones.  Perhaps artistes like Edwin Yearwood and Machel Montano won’t ever completely stop making music, but we all know there is a point where they no longer reign like they used to.  So we went through the men of soca, so now I’m commenting on the women.

Over the last decade we’ve seen the likes of Alison Hinds, Denise Belfon, and more recently Destra, take over as the women of soca.  Alison Hinds, of Barbados, was initially in Square One for close to fifteen years before she departed to form her own band.  She has brought us some of our favorite party tunes such as, “Iron Bazodee,” her version of Suriname’s, “Faluma,” and, “Togetherness.”  She jost recently made her comeback (after starting a family), with the popular song, “Roll.”  Alison Hinds is the original diva in soca, and it seems impossible for anyone to not compare any upcoming female artiste to her. 

Denise Belfon has been performing for quite some time as well, and is soca’s rude girl with her jaw-dropping wining routine.  Her songs are usually meant to get the girls dancing and show that woman is boss. Denise’s routine puts men at her mercy.  While she may not have as many songs as Alison Hinds, Denise has a string of hits like “Panic” and “Wine and Bend Over” that keep her one of soca’s top females.

WHAT A show! What a day…and night! The first annual Jamaica Vintage Music Festival gathered some of Jamaica’s musical legends in one evening leaving the audience clamoring for more. As if the line up wasn’t on point, the venue itself was ideal for that July Saturday afternoon, when Mother Nature was showering down her glory on South Florida.

Leroy Sibbles gave a star performance belting out tunes like “Fat Girl Tonight” while John Holt gave it his all with some of his popular tunes.” Ken Boothe, who has been singing for over 40 years has only gotten better with age as he wowed the audience with hits like “Everything I Own”. Other excellent acts included Big Youth and Derrick Morgan. Gem Myers, the sole female represented well. Gregory Isaacs, who closed the show, gave a good performance and had the crowd moving “Night Nurse.” He paid homage to the great Uroy borrowing the legend’s “I’m Gonna Wear You to the Ball Tonight. Fab Five was the backing band for the night and they did an excellent job! The promoters of this event deserve credit for a well-organized show that started on time!

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