[ stephen fadda b browne's yardbritish music family] PODCAST

GANG WAR RIDDIM MIX - TO ALL TOXTETH MASSIVE'''MEMBA TOMORROW FRIDAY 23ND DEC 2011 - ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE CARIBBEAN CENTER TOXTETH LIVERPOOL,A NIGHT NOT 2 B MISSED - RED & WHITE PRE-CHRISTMAS PARTY N DANCE - FEATURING A HOST OF DJ'S & SOUNDS FROM PRESTON MANCHESTER & LIVERPOOL,PLAYING ALL YOUR FAVOURITE'S R&B REGGAE DANCE LOVER'S ROCK & MUCH MORE,TIME 11PM TILL U SEH WEN - ADMISSION £5 B4 12AM MORE AFTER COUPLES £8...ITS ANOTHER STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH HOTTIE HOTTIE LADY'S & TRENDZETTERZ FAM -

ACKEE SEED RIDDIM MIX - - FADDA B 4 HOTTIE HOTTIE LADY'S - MEMBA FAM BY LAW - THIS COMING FRIDAY - PRE-CHRISTMAS PARTY & DANCE, ITS A RED & WHITE AFFAIR -PRESTON'MANCHESTER'LIVERPOOL LINK UP -VENUE-MERSEYSIDE CARIBBEAN CENTER TOXTETH LIVERPOOL -TIME 11PM TILL U SEH WEN -THE LINE UP - DJ MARCUS - DJ JAY C - DJ FEEGO BLACKS - DJ RAS FLEXX - DJ BUBZY DAN - DJ BARRY GEE -DJ GAVIN - DJ FADDA B - DJ LIKKLE BILLY - PLUS ONE A PENNY & GOVERMENT SOUND.ADMISSION £5 B4 12AM MORE AFTER COUPLES £8.SPONSORED BY HOTTIE HOTTIE LADY'S & TRENDZETTERZ FAM IN ASSOCIATION WITH STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS [ TO ALL THE MASSIVE & FAMILY YB FAM YARD&ABROAD,TOXTETH FAM'JAH GUIDE W B FAM,XZIBIT FAM,PEACE FM DJ'S,MANDY & PHINA RADIO MERSEYSIDE,DJ TWO KIND & 7WAVES RADIO,DJ BUDDA & CORE MEDIA PRODUCTIONS.[ WANNA SAY A SPECIAL BIG UP TO LIKKLE BILLY & HIS BROTHER MICHAEL THA GENARAL LEWIN MEMBA BY LAW A YOU'S SET D TREND DA YEAR NUFF ROAD'S ONE-A--PENNY INTERNATIONAL DEH PON YARD&ABROAD -SOITSET

2 TRACK'S - THIS IS THE RETURN OF SUPER MORRIS,BACK TO RECORDING NICE N CLEAN LYRIC'S,WHICH IS A TRADE MARK OF SUPER MORRIS'S MUSICAL WORK'S,ALWAY'S SINGING ABOUT THE LADY'S OR REALITY TUNE'S,SUPER MORRIS WILL ALSO BE PERFORMING TONIGHT,OPENNING THE SHOW FOR MR EASY,

MEMBA MASSIVE MR EASY HAS BEEN TOURING ENGLAND IRELAND & SWITZERLAND OVER PAST 4 WEEK'S,WITH STOP'S IN PLACE'S LIKE,SLOUGH-NORTHAMTON-LUTON-MIDDLESBROUGH-TELFORD & NOW WILL BE HEADING TO LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER BEFOR LEAVING OUT FOR JAMAICA TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH HIS FAMILY,SO THESE LAST 2 SHOW'S ARE LIKE HIS GOING AWAY PARTY'S,MR EASY SELECTED LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER,BECAUSE HE WANTS TO MEET THE PEOPLE & FAN'S WHO HAVE SUPPORTED HIM OVER THE YEARS,AND BECAUSE HE'S NEVER PERFORMED HERE BEFOR,SO MASSIVE LETS GIVE MR EASY & THE CREW A TOXTETH RECEPTION & A NIGHT TO REMEMBER,LADY'S A YOUR TIME TO COME OUT AND FULL,JOY A NIGHT OF MUSICAL GREATNESS,,,,,MR EASY WILL BE SINGING ALL HIS HITS INCLUDING DRIVE ME CRAZY RAIN AGAIN AND MANY MORE PLUS NEW SONGS JUST RECORDED,EVERY MAN FI TAKE OUT THEM QUEEN TO DA SHOW'''''MEMBA BY LAW-----------------------STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH SKULLY....................................................................................................................................................................................some mix up ting................................Puppa Jeezas!! Unu roll out wicked pon di Phone Mix Up fram Thursday. Mi nuh have much space fi mi column, so mek mi just get straight to some a unu responses. Of course, mi couldn't put all a di response dem, so nuh vex if yuh nuh see your own. An where unu see italics is where mi change some a unu outa orda words dem, lol. Mix-up response time now:

Yo Raga, me a yard man living in St Kitts. Bwoy we miss the thing pon radio still. But u done know me know the man from TVJ ManTalk days and trust me, me original, me love me yard thing. But to the phone mix up. Me get ketch same way but me polish it off decent. Da man deh nuh have nuh style, him slow bad. But me woulda confront me woman same time weh she did go same morning. Him left it too late. Man who nuh know fi roll must just stick to the wife alone and leave real gallis fi roll out. Big up to u Mr Stewart. Your ratings tall up. More life and a safe Christmas.

Big up yuh self bossy.

Him nuh fi tell her nothing. It simple, she lef a note that means she know bout it, and she still nuh seh nothing to him. Him fi just bill and easy him likkle self. A ova one year that, so him fi just chillax and easy. Look @ it this way, if she really go sort out pon him that day, she dida sort out pon him long time. Is just now him find out. And if she neva sort out pon him before that day, mi nuh think she did it that day. Him nuh have nothing a lose. Mi know man tek bun harda than women, but the man fi just bill, cause him dida sort out pon her. A man can have 15 women but one 'wifey'. It wouldn't matter if any one out of the 15 cheat on him but if the 'wifey' cheat he will lose it.

PS: Him shoulda go back @ the bunna gal yard and guh sort out cause at least him wouldn't feel so bad! Ha ha ha it sticky pon him still eno.

Raga a Don Vado (#DV) seh that.

DWL@15 bunna girl an one wifey.

Raga, first of all mi nuh think di wife did du nutten deh nite deh. A just di guilt pon fi him side mek im a dead. But if afta a year im stil nuh dead, im will survive any ansa im get from di wife. So mi feel im fi ask ar.

But probably him still alive now because him tink shi neva do nuttin, an probably woulda drap dead if shi CONFIRM say shi did dash out.

Raga, big up yuself. About the Phone Mix up. No decent wife would just go out to find a man to have a one nite sex. She don't need that. What she did was premeditated to hurt up har husband head. My best bet is that she was at a fren or family house.

Blessed.

A dat nuff people tink, mostly women, interestingly.

Uncle Raga, You nuh see the man dead already. Him wah fi tell her. Memba sah she go bring up wah she hear on the phone call from him and him nah guh wah ansa her at all cause him guh feel more like crap than how him feel now. So him fi bill a vibes an do him thing. Memba a nuh everybody bunning make fah. Raga, yuh can give bun.

Wait deh, a tell yuh a tell mi, or a ask yuh a ask mi?? I don't know how to give bun.

Just read your piece in the Star about the bunna man who called back his wife's number by mistake, thinking it was the bunna girl. Too easy to get out of that, if he is a yard man. Yes, he did make the call, but it was a mistake. He was calling the office from the parking lot, because he had left his key in there. He could have explained that. But now it has gone too far, because he has not asked her where she was that night. Now she thinking he was out, being unfaithful and that's why he has not said anything to her. She now has the upper hand. Did he not take heed of Shaggy's song It Wasn't Me? Man got caught on top the woman by his woman he denied it was him. Tell the man he is not a true yard man. And if him can't stand bun, don't gi bun. Nuff said.

But shi would have known if a woman or work colleague him did a talk to by how him did a talk wen him say 'open di door'.

WANT DI MASSIVE FI LISTEN LYRIC'S,,,,NO'YOUR BODY GOOD,,,,DA MIX READY FI D ROAD'''''TUN IT UP LOUD,VARIOUS ARTIST MIXED BY FADDA B 4 STREET VIBES LADY'S,TOXTETH LIVERPOOL & OCHO RIOS ST ANN'S JAMAICA''''''''In this world, where everything seems uncertain, only one thing is definite. You'll always be my friend, beyond words, beyond time and beyond distance auto-matic 1/ten......................................................Get into the music of silence at some time this weekend, if possible, for spiritual upliftment, clarity and courage - THEN get into some uplifting music!: “Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods.” Emerson “In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. .” Gandhi “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”Huxley. One Musical love!...........................................As sung by Shinehead: "Sometimes it’s hard, but try and you’ll make it, believe you me.In order to achieve, go forth and take it, set yourself free.With, obstacles in the way you may fall before you rise.But if yuh really want good yuh nose affi run, so get up and keep your eyes on the prize..So STRIVE, step up in life and go for what you know. You’ve got to STRIVE..REMOVE THE DOUBT from out your mind and let good flow." Can it be said any plainer than that?! Elevate yourself. One love

..‎3 things on FORGIVENESS: 1.“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” Ponder. 2. “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”Smedes, 3.“We achieve inner health only through forgiveness - the forgiveness not only of others but also of ourselves” Leibman. BE FREE y'all. One love. FADDA B STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS''''''''''''MUSIC IS A BLESSING'S.........................................Father Ho Lung Takes A Musical Journey
Published: Tuesday | September 13, 20110 Comments

Father Ho Lung (centre) and Friends from a 2005 production. - Contributed
Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Against the background of pouring rain and intermittent lightning and thunder, and in a spacious living room so labelled because its only furniture came in the form of a number of settees, nicely arranged, The Gleaner spoke with Father Richard Ho Lung, founder of the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP).

The conversation was insightful, as he told of his sojourn into the music ministry, the source of his inspiration for his writings and a preview of MOP's upcoming production, Acts of the Apostle.

It would be amiss to begin this story without describing the simplistic beauty of Missionaries of the Poor Sacred Heart Monastery, located downtown.

The brother's love of nature and open space was one of the first things to have registered once inside. The living room opened into a library with an adjacent chapel a few steps away. A beautiful flower garden spreads from the front of the building, down the sides and is supported by more flowers planted at various areas.

Thus was the setting in which Father Ho Lung, wearing his customary long white robe with blue sash, shared his story.

He has written a large volume of songs that have made their way into schools at different levels. Father Ho Lung has also written well-known theatrical works.

But what many persons do not know is that the Father has no musical training. In fact, he was not allowed to do music class at school.

"I was kicked out of music class because I could not read the notes, did not sing well and could not play the instruments," said the gentle-speaking Father Ho Lung.

Perhaps that was why, as a young priest, he was able to recognise the boredom of the children at Mass, and decided to do something about it. So he "wrote some Jamaican songs, because I was hearing some melody in my mind". Some were written with a mento rhythm. The first song was Jesus Born on the Land, and included words such as "tek yuh mawga soul ... and run to Massa God and cry out for mercy". "The children began to pay attention," he said.

Building a catalogue

With a love for music and the melodies that he kept hearing in his mind, Father Ho Lung said he associated with others who, like him, love music, and they built up a catalogue. That led to the creation of their first album.

Then he moved to themes and, along with his friends, staged A Christmas Show Oratory. Subsequently, little dramatic pieces such as The Story of Peter were included at concerts.

Soon, what began with a few concerts has led to major dramatic productions, with helping the poor the ultimate goal.

His first full-length dramatic piece was written in 1972 or '73 with the trilogy Sugar Cane. Like some of his later writings, it was based on a real story, juxtaposed with a corresponding Biblical one. Then came Ruby, followed by Amazing Grace, all based on his experiences and those of persons with whom he had interacted.

These stories highlight the ordinary man, hope, strength and forgiveness. "I love the ghetto and love the poor and I am fascinated by good and evil," Ho Lung explained.

Clear inspiration

With a master of arts in literature, Father Ho Lung said his style of writing is influenced by the ancient Greek tragedies and the structure of William Shakespeare pieces such as Othello and King Lear.

So how difficult is it to write a script?

"The basic script where the inspiration is clear, the line of the story is clear, and the characters are clear in my mind, usually comes fast, once I meditate, spend a lot of time praying about the characters, and see where they are going - they take on a life of their own in your mind," Father Ho Lung explained.

And how long did it take him to write Acts of the Apostle?

He wrote the basic story in about three days, "as the story came fast, but the music took longer, the harmony has to be right, and rhythm express the situations."

Father Ho Lung said he does not like to repeat his works. So Acts of the Apostle is not only a new script but will depict something different. The two-hour long story is based on the biblical figures Peter and Paul, and will depict heaven and hell. However, hell will be more symbolic in the struggles and the celebration of emptiness. Ho Lung admitted it was a challenge to create hell. Both the depiction of heaven and hell will be mainly presented through songs. He has also created a mystic female character. Susanna has been created in the story because he does not want the musical to be male-dominated.

Productions of Father Ho Lung and Friends are often seen by a large number of Jamaican children. Father Ho Lung wants to, in Acts of the Apostle, teach them "there is a way of maintaining values, standing up for what you believe in, never running away. There is courage and heroism in all of us once we believe."

In this world, where everything seems uncertain, only one thing is definite. You'll always be my friend, beyond words, beyond time and beyond distance'wi no av fi call no name'auto-matic blessing's 1/ten..Get into the music of silence at some time this weekend, if possible, for spiritual upliftment, clarity and courage - THEN get into some uplifting music!: “Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods.” Emerson “In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. .” Gandhi “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”Huxley. One Musical love! MD FADDA B STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS.......................NEW MIX 10TH SEP 2011......................FEATURING THE PASSOVER RIDDIM & SMASH DEM RIDDIM VARIOUS ARTIST MINI MIXED BY FADDA B 4 STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS.......................& MEMBA FADDA B WILL BE REPRESENTING TONIGHT SATURDAY 10TH SEP 2011 AT THE BOUNDRY FROM 9PM TILL U SEH WEN'''''NUFF NEW RIDDIMS & CD'S FI GIVE WAY.......................Tilling The Soil At 101: Centenarian Still Enjoys Farming, Swimming, Independence
Published: Saturday | September 10, 201111 Comments

Uncle Zeke browses a magazine in the company of his daughter Rita (right) and neighbour Stacia Wright.
1 2 3 4 >
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

ORANGEFIELD, St Catherine:

HIS PASSION for farming is deeply embedded in his soul. So much so that at 101 years old, Ezekiel Marshall still tills the soil - not as much as he used to though, as his children forced him to scale down his activities some six years ago. It was a union with his late wife, Inez, that produced 11 children, the youngest of whom has died.

"Is farming mi do and send all a dem go school," he related to The Gleaner, from the veranda at his home in Byndloss Garden, Orangefield district in St Catherine, recently.

"Mi plant coffee because mi love coffee, orange, coconut and banana, yam and all kind a vegetables. Higglers used to come buy from mi and sometimes mi carry some to Coronation Market to sell," says the small-bodied, bubbly centenarian, affectionately called 'Uncle Zeke'.

Notably, several thriving coffee trees still stand at the back of his house, emphasising his love for the crop. He still cultivates and reaps yam as well.

"Him love the farming bad, bad," his daughter, 53-year-old Rita Marshall-Blake, attests.

Likewise, she says, his love for his family is unparalleled.

"He is a loving person, generally, and him love him family too. Although he never had any big money, he used to take care of us with what him get from his farm. He always tried to provide for us the best way he could," Marshall-Blake recalled.

Talking point

And, as a golden ager, she says his level of independence has become one of the talking points among community members, and even those outside.

"Him go to the post office in Linstead by himself. Him go market, him do him little shopping and other little things for himself," Marshall-Blake points out, adding that he has no physical limitations, except being hearing impaired.

Besides, the vibrant member of the Orangefield Senior Citizens' Club rarely misses a meeting or a beach trip.

"Mi go Puerto Seco and Hellshire Beach. I can swim, even now when me go beach me swim," he shares with a sense of achievement.

His easy-going and inviting personality has won the admiration of many, even the young.

"He is like a granddad to me. He would give us jokes," 18-year-old Stacia Wright, who lived with Uncle Zeke for three years, reminisced. "He doesn't like card games because he says it's gambling. So if he sees us with the cards, he would say, 'Me no like dat', so we would just put them away," says Wright.

To her mother, Josephine Richards, Uncle Zeke is kind-hearted.

Generous

"Every time he digs yam, he always calls me and gives me the biggest and the best piece," Richards relates, bursting into laughter. "So my sisters would say, 'Is you him love because him always give you the best and the biggest piece of yam'," she told The Gleaner.

Richards' mother, 82-year-old Ivy Richards, Uncle Zeke's neighbour for more than 60 years, describes him as sharp and witty. She notes that he is always sharing a scripture from the Bible.

Furthermore, Uncle Zeke says he reads the Bible a lot and doesn't allow being hearing impaired prevent him from spreading the gospel and sharing thoughts with neighbours and friends. A lover of nature, he enjoys planting and caring for flowers. And, of course, he eats a variety of food.

"Me love yam, banana, potato, rice - but me no really love plain rice - and dumpling, me don't go far with that," the oldest member of Orangefield says laughing.

Many are still wondering how he has managed to maintain his youthful look and agility. And, according to Josephine Richards: "Uncle Zeke says in the days when you get that afternoon rest, it helps you to keep fresh. So him say these young guys not going to look like him because them bleach themselves and them don't get them rest."

At the same time, Uncle Zeke attributes his longevity to his fear of God.

"I go church. God said honour yuh father and yuh mother, and that's what I do and it is why I live so long," he assures.

He has 36 grandchildren, 55 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Reggae meets country in Negril
BY HORACE HINES
Monday, September 05, 2011

NEGRIL, Westmoreland — It was a party-like atmosphere during the recent launch of VP Records' Reggae's Gone Country album at the Breezes Negril Resort.
The evening was highlighted by outstanding performances from Dean Fraser, Romain Virgo and Larry Gatlin, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Duane Stephenson, Freddie McGregor, LUST and Busy Signal -- some of the 14 artistes involved in the project.
Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler is interpreted by Busy Signal. At right: Veteran reggae act Freddie McGregor sings King of the Road.
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Both the guests staying at the resort, and specially invited local music lovers screamed, clapped and danced in a show of appreciation of the artistes delivery of their fusion of reggae and country music.
The audience could not get enough of the artistes, who were all allowed to perform one of their songs, plus the popular country songs they recorded in reggae on the Reggae Gone Country album.
Closing act Romain Virgo who teamed up with American country and western legend Larry Gatlin to deliver the latter's smash hit California, was the only act allowed an encore. After performing with Gatlin he went solo to perform Rain Is Falling after which he was called back on stage.
Tarrus Riley did his rendition of Straight Tequila Night, Busy Signal sang The Gambler, Etana sang out Crazy, Duane Stephenson did Suspicions, Freddie McGregor sang King of The Road, and the four member LUST combined their melodious voices in their rendition of Flowers on The Wall.
Veteran reggae crooner Freddie McGregor was one of the artistes who expressed confidence that the album would provide a boost for the reggae industry.
"I think this is a move in the right direction, one that could surprise us because I think our music needs a lift right now and this could be the move. I did not believe that we could get involved with a market like country," the seasoned reggae performer argued.
He added: "I think it will be of all the projects we are doing now this will be gain the most international attention and coverage and I certainly hope this will do well for us and for the industry on a whole."
Meanwhile, Cristy Barber vice president of marketing and promotions at VP Records, envisioned the project two years ago and teamed up with John Rich of the multi-platinum selling country duo of Big and Rich and renowned Jamaican saxophonist and top reggae producer Dean Fraser and others to produce the album.
"I had the idea to take the country classics which everybody in the Caribbean knew and do reggae versions," Barber told the Observer.
"I grew up on country music and been in the reggae industry for 20 years. I realise how the country classics were popular down here which is great.

YES MASSIVE & CREW YARD AN ABROAD'DA MIX COUNTRY MUSIC IN REGGAE IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE ELDER'S,BIG PEOPLE TING,FEATURING ARTIST LIKE BERES HAMMOND TARRUS RILEY RICHIE STEPHEN'S JOHN HOLT LEROY SIBBLES ERROL DUNKLEY ETANA ROMAINE VIRGO LUCIANO TESSANNE CHIN GRAMPS MORGAN FREDDIE MCGREGOR SANCHEZ L.U.S.T BUSY SIGNAL ED ROBINSON.MIXED BY FADDA B 4 STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS & 4 STREETS MARKET STALLS.AUTO-MATIC BLESSING'S & RESPECT,MEMBA TODAY SATURDAY 3ND SEPTEMBER 2011 IS THE LAST 4 STREETS MARKET OF THE YEAR,,,WANNA SEE ALL THE TOXTETH FAMILY AND FRIENDS,COME FULL'JOY A DAY OF 2GETHER,NESS WITH MUSIC BEING PROVIDED BY THE MIGHTY ONE-A-PENNY INT SOUND WITH LIKKLE BILLY & FADDA B STREET VIBES MUSIC MACHINE,FOOD & DRINKS ON SALE,ITS A FREE EVENT EVERYONE WELCOME,FROM 9.30AM TO 4PM,MUSIC FROM 12NOON TILL 4PM FREE CD'S WITH THE LATEST REGGAE RELEASES,FADDA B MIX'S..........Can you relate? “As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery… we have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion, while love and compassion and a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness.” Dalai Lama. Have yourselves a merry little weekend : ) be safe, be kind, show love. One love MD FADDA B........................ON GIVING, contemplate this:“Do not stand on a high pedestal and take 5 cents in your hand and say, "here, my poor man", but be grateful that the poor man is there, so by making a gift to him you are able to help yourself.It is not the reciever that is blessed, but it is the giver.Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect.” Swami Vivekananda. One Love STREET VIBES PROMOTIONS

RE-MIX IN REGGAE MINI MIX 15 MIN FEATURING TREY SONGS CHRIS BROWN RIHANNA DELLY RANKS 25TH AUG 2011,FOR MORE RE-MIX'S MIXED LINK FADDA B'''MEMBA TONIGHT AT THE BOUNDRY 8PM TILL 12AM FADDA B WILL BE REPRESENTING'LOTS OF CD GIVE AWAY'S.

YES FAMILY BIG SHOUT 2 ALL D MASSES YARD&ABROAD DA MIX FREN'ENEMY A FI WI TIME,IS A SELECTION OF NEW TUNE'S,25TH AUG 2011 & MIXED BY FADDA B YARDBRITISH MUSIC FAMILY FEATURING CHAN DIZZY CHILANDO DANE RAY DENNO POLKADAT BUSY SIGNAL DEMARCO wayne marshall & MAN MORE.CLEAN MUSIC READY 2 DOWNLOAD,

LONG TIME MI FI DO A REGGAE LEGEND'S MIX FEATURING SOME OF THE HEAVEY WEIGHTS OF REGGAE,STARTING WITH THE BIG MAN,LEROY SIBBLE'S, & RICHIE STEPHENS CORNEL CAMPBELL ED ROBINSON DENNIS WALK ERROL DUNKLEY JOHN HOLT,THIS MIX IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE ELDER'S & REAL REGGAE MUSIC LOVER'S RIGHT ROUND DA WORLD,BIG SHOUT 2 MY GOOD FRIEND MARCIA OVA NEW YORK, YOUR RESPECT HIGHER DAN D STAR'S & TO MUMMA CORBY FROM AUSTRAILIA'BIG REGGAE MUSIC PROMOTER & RADIO PERSONALITY FROM FREE MANTLE RADIO AUSTRAILIA'GETTIN READY 2 VISIT THE UK & SOME OTHER PLACE'S OVER IN EUROPE,ALSO PREPERING 4 THE BIG SHOW'S IN AUSTRAILIA FEATURING GAPPY RANK'S OCTOBER 2011'CORBY PROMOTIONS MORE BLESSING & GIVE THANK'S 4 D LINK - LUV DA ENERGY YOUR PUTTING INTO THE MUSIC BUSINESS'AUTO-MATIC RESPECT 1/TEN...........FADDA B YARDBRITISH MUSIC FAMILY & STREEET VIBES PROMOTION'S

THIS IS VYBES KARTEL-NUH MORE DAN MI,,,,LOOKS LIKE ITS THE ANSWER TO SHABBA RANKING SONG NONE A DEM ON THE PEPPER RIDDIM.LISTEN TO THE 2 SONGS''.................................................................................................................................................................................................US$6.2-m budget to restore Kingston’s Ward Theatre

Ward Theatre Foundation looks to 2012 re-opening

Friday, May 06, 2011

SHE has stood watch since 1912, and now the grand lady of North Parade is badly in need of a facelift.

Efforts are currently afoot to feverishly raise funds — more than US$6 million — to refurbish Kingston's Ward Theatre in time for its centenary in December of next year.

Ward Theatre
The Ward Theatre’s famous stage.
Chairman of the Ward Theatre Foundation Ruby Martin points to the damage to the theatre’s ceiling. (Photos: Karl McLarty)
Ward Theatre 1/3

Charged with the duty of raising the funds and restoring the cultural landmark, is the Ward Theatre Foundation, a group of civic-minded Jamaicans who are passionate about the theatre and its place in Jamaican history.

Ruby Martin, the chairman of the Foundation, explains that although the 100-year-old structure had suffered from wear and tear, Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dean in 2007 did major damage to the theatre.

"Those hurricanes damaged the roof, and with that came damage to the ceiling, interior walls, seating and floors. The Foundation received an urgent $20-million drawdown from the government, which was able to fix the roof to halt the damage. This funding also helped to repair the theatre's famous stage," she explains.

But that was only a drop in the bucket, as since 2007, when the last event was held, the theatre has remained closed.

"With it being an old building, the entire structure is in need of an overall," Martin states. Therefore, the Foundation has just completed the budget — US$6 million — to repair and restore The Ward to its former glory.

What will this restoration entail?

Martin says the electrical work inside the theatre is nearly as old as the building and must be upgraded; the plumbing also needs upgrading; seats have to be replaced; flooring, carpeting and the public bathrooms repaired; dressing rooms upgraded; air conditioning unit replaced; standby generator installed; interior and exterior painting done, as well as the replacement of windows and doors.

The Foundation is adamant the restoration of The Ward is intrinsically linked to the development and rehabilitation of downtown Kingston.

As a member of the Foundation, Ricky Chin explains, "One only has to look at Harlem in New York. The community has become one of the prized pieces of real estate in that city, due to the presence of the famous Apollo. We have to see The Ward as our Apollo," Chin stresses.

Martin agrees, pointing to the Simon Bolivar Centre, just next door The Ward, and the Digicel headquarters under construction on the Waterfront, as positive signs.

In addition to government assistance, the Foundation has been working aggressively at raising funds of its own, while seeking the assistance of the private sector in order to fund the