Staff Writer – Latoya Wakefield
Known for its hosting of many entertainment events from Bingo Part to Roots Plays, the Ranny Wiliams Entertainment Center was the place to be on Saturday, 28th of March. The event was the annual Earth Hour Concert, the third staging.
Earth Hour is dubbed “the single, largest, symbolic mass participation event in the world”. It was conceptualized out of hope that people could be mobilized to take action on climate change, and is believed to now inspire a global community of millions of people in 7,001 cities and towns across 152 countries and territories to switch lights off for an hour as a massive show of concern for the environment.
The event was put on primarily by the collaboration of The Gleaner Company and Jamaicansmusic.com and was further supported by a contingent of other sponsors. As patrons entered the venue they were greeted by a stall with artistic jewelry made from shells, beads and coconut husks among other natural earthenware.
There were also T-shirts and scarves all of local design and manufacture. The venue was further saturated with booths all displaying and selling items which corroborate the promotion of action against climate change. Items such as solar lightings of varied assortments were chiefly on display. As per the norm at just about every event in Jamaica that attracts a public gathering, a variety of food items were available to satisfy the pallets of the patrons.
There was a mixed crowd. People of just about every echelon of society, locals and foreigners alike all came together in unison to show their support for the cause and to soak up the performances of the artistes that were to perform. It was an acoustic concert and the lineup of artiste were the likes of Ras Muhamad, Rootz Underground, Black As Cole, Kabaka Pyramid, Kelissa’s Music, Keznamdi, Conkarah, Micah Shemaiah, Runkus and the Old Skl Band, Yung JR, Mario Evon, Conscious Rebels, URIM7 Band, JJ Dunkley.
Some patrons had no reservation about sitting on the ground in front of the stage so as to intimately savor the musical entrée and much to their delight they were not denied as each artiste delivered potently from their catalogues. Pretty much the majority of the musical messages were geared towards climate change and protecting the Earth. Chronixx, who was not billed among the list of artists to perform, gave the crowd a pleasant surprise when Keznamdi called him on to join him in song titled “My Love For You”. He was then called on when Kelissa came on stage, in the background he stayed and supported her.
In conclusion, it was an awesome event; well worth one’s time and gave you reason to pause and reflect on Mother Earth’s current condition. The artists did a phenomenal job and had the patrons intoxicated with mellowness. The organizers are hoping to make this event even bigger and better next year so spread the word! And let’s continue to celebrate Earth even after the hour has passed.
