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Archive for July, 2010

Celebrate the emancipation of African slaves at what will hopefully become one of Jamaica's UNESCO World Heritage sites!

The Emancipation Jubilee at Seville Heritage Park is a fun and educational family affair; admission is $1,000 for adults and $400 for children (US visitors: $15 for adults, $5 for children). Gates open at 6 p.m. and activities continue into the morning, including the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation at midnight.

The JNHT has created a simulated African village at the entrance; you will progress through the arrival of the Europeans and the "Gates of No Return" to a slave ship which transports you to Seville Plantation. Very creative! You'll also have the opportunity to learn and participate in traditional folk music and dances like Dinki Mini, Kumina and Mento.

"Member yuh enamel mug... no mug no chocolate tea"!!

Seville Gears up for Emancipation Jubilee

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Plans are in high gear for the staging of the St. Ann Emancipation Jubilee 2010 at the Seville Heritage Park, St. Ann's Bay on Saturday, July 31.

The event is being hosted by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) and is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and run through to Emancipation morning, Sunday, August 1.

"Emancipation Jubilee at Seville is an event that persons look forward to. It gets better every year and we are expecting an even larger crowd this year," Operations Manager at the Seville Heritage Park, Claudette Anderson, told JIS News.

Focusing on the theme for event, "Ancestral Reflections. A Bridge to the Future," Mrs. Anderson said that it was most significant.

"The event brings to light the emancipation of our African ancestors from enslavement and focuses on all aspects of their lives, so a learning environment is being created at Emancipation Jubilee for all who attend," she says.

"It is an event that provides a wealth of historical information to educate our young people, especially, because it is good when they know their roots and where they are coming from so that they can have a clear understanding and a vision as to where they want to go," she told JIS News.

Entertainment will include performances by Etana, Ernie Smith, Leroy Sibbles, George Nooks, Stranjah Cole, Gem Myers, Lady G, Romaine Virgo and Gee Whiz.

There will also be performances from various groups such as the Manchioneal and St. Ann Cultural Groups, Port Morant Kumina, Energy Plus Mento Band and the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble.

There will be prizes and surprises. Traditional foods and other items will be on sale and patrons will be served the usual Jamaican Hot Chocolate all night.

From Jamaica Information Service.

The Ocho Rios Seafood Festival has joined a growing list of food festivals held annually across Jamaica and focuses on fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, eel, scallops and octopus. Wish I could go - I BADLY need some shrimp, crab and octopus!!

Ochi seafood event rocks to festival beat

Friday, July 30, 2010

THE winner and the top two runners-up in this year's popular festival song contest will be making their first out-of-competition appearance at the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has announced.

According to Grace Silvera, the agency's executive director, the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival "is a natural fit" for the festival winners to showcase their talents, promising that fans would be in for a real treat from "some extraordinarily talented performers".

"This is a great demonstration of private and public sector partnership toward the advancement of the country's cultural development. The Ocho Rios Seafood Festival has provided a platform for the JCDC to showcase the talents we have," she said.

The event is slated for Sunday, August 1, at the Urban Development Corporation's (UDC) Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios.

"Our goal this year is to come bigger and better," explained Camille Miller, marketing manager for the festival.

Artistes who will be performing include Busy Signal, I-Octane, Mr Vegas, D' Angel, Dada, Hero, Determine, Captain Barkey and Wickerman, Jimmy Riley, Prezident Brown, Junior Cat, PZ, Chuckle Berry, Ken Boothe, Kontractor, Toya, Baby Chris, Mikeylous, Viper and Food Kartel.

Gates open at 10 am.

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Looks like Beres has done it again!! Due to overwhelming demand, a second show has been added for Saturday, August 7th at Brooklyn Academy of Music.

THE LONG AWAITED TOUR FEATURING BERES HAMMOND, INNER CIRCLE AND CULTURE IS COMING TO NEW YORK IN AUGUST

PRESS RELEASE, NEW YORK – The long-awaited, unprecedented and extraordinary live concert themed “For the Love of It” Tour 2010 is making its stop in the New York area with performances by an all-star line-up of legendary and prolific reggae idols. New York is all set and ready to sing and shout for two wonderful nights at BAM – Brooklyn Academy of Music and Lehman College/Lehman Center which are the venues of choice as people of all ages come out for two heart stopping concerts.

On August 6th and 8th, 2010 respectfully at BAM and Lehman College, the world renowned, ever popular and lovers' rocker himself, Beres Hammond returns to the tri-state area where he performed to sold-out, standing room only audiences the previous year. In an unheralded event never seen for a reggae artist at BAM’s landmark venue, Beres Hammond filled the venue capacity for two straight nights. Read the rest of this entry »

NOTE: This was the 2010 party schedule. For 2011 dates & party updates, please visit our latest ATI Weekend & Smirnoff Dream Weekend post and watch for new posts on the KeepItJiggy home page!

Appleton Jamaica Rum once again sponsors Appleton Temptation Isle (ATI) celebrating 10 years of high energy and wild abandon!

Enjoy 18 hours of partying with 6 hours of sleep, spread out over 3 days during the Emancipation Day Holiday weekend in the most idyllic spot in the Western Hemisphere, Negril, Jamaica! ATI is one of the summer’s most anticipated and celebrated party series and pulls thousands of Jamaicans and overseas visitors together in party unity, with each party bearing a distinct theme and flavour.

Purchase season armbands at the official ATI Weekend website.

There is NO parking on the strip. Norman Manley Blvd. will be closed from 6PM to 4AM. Use the designated parking lots and courtesy shuttles.

Friday, July 30th
Impy Skimpy "Bare as You Dare"
Waves Beach, Negril
10PM-4AM
Music by: ZJ Chrome, ZJ Karyzma, DJ Sani, DJ Kentucky
Admission: Free with ATI Season Band; $1500 at the gate; VIP: $2000
Read the rest of this entry »

Bolt set for Gay, Powell showdown in Stockholm

First "Big 3" clash since World Champs final

AFP, Wednesday, July 28, 2010

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — World 100 metres record holder Usain Bolt will take on US sprint rivals Tyson Gay and fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell in the IAAF Diamond League meet here on August 6, organisers confirmed today.

The race will mark the first time that history's three fastest men will compete together since the 100m final at last year's world championships in Berlin where Bolt set the world record, clocking 9.58, with Gay second in 9.71, then a US record, with Powell, the former world record holder, taking bronze.

"It is a great pleasure to confirm and host this exciting race," said meeting director Rajne Soderberg.

"It will strengthen the meeting's positioning within the world of sports."

The race will also be the first of just two meetings between "The Big Three" this year, with the second clash set for the Diamond League final in Brussels on August 27.

The Stockholm meet is the 11th of the 14-leg IAAF Diamond League series

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Haven't got your armband yet?? To take advantage of this new "limited armbands offer", visit PremierTickets.bm, place your eticket order beginning at 12:00PM on Friday, July 30th (thru August 1st if they last that long) and pick up your armband at Margaritaville Negril. Be sure to bring your ID, credit card and eticket. For the latest information on dates, times & party info, visit this post!

Dream weekend's season bands sold out

According to a release sent to THE STAR the season bands, which allows a patron access to all seven parties, have been sold out much earlier than expected.

PJ Wright of the Dream Team says the bands have gone very quickly with many outlets reporting that they have run out.

Wright said, "last year all our armbands were sold out before the first day of parties. We expected it this year and actually printed additional bands to cover the extra demand, however, those are now also sold."

He added, "based on the overwhelming demand, we will be providing a few extremely limited season bands at our redemption centre at Margaritaville, Negril." The limited tickets will be made available from Friday, July 30, and will be sold during the course of that day as long as supplies last.

"These season armband tickets will not be presold but rather be sold on the "day of", therefore, we will not be able to offer you our heavily discounted price of $10,000. These bands will retail for $12,000," he explained. Read the rest of this entry »

The thingsjamaicanslove.com Guide to Human Anatomy

Thursday, 16 July 2009 20:09 by Prometheus

Jamaicans, being truly original people, will always find their own ways of doing things. This even includes finding new ways to describe body parts. We’re sure that many a young doctor, fresh from medical school and spending their first few days at Kingston Public Hospital, has been puzzled by the names used by ordinary Jamaicans to describe their “bits and pieces”. So, in the spirit of public service (for which thingsjamaicanslove.com is so well-known), we now present our guide to human anatomy – Jamaican style.

(We apologise if persons find any of the references included herein to be vulgar. Alas, the language of the Jamaican man-in-the-street is not always known for its subtlety. We’ve also included, in italics, medical terms for the relevant body part where that term is different from the ordinary English reference)

Aise: Ears. What your man used to fill with sweet lyrics when he was still courting you.

Batty: Bottom. Gluteus maximus. In better times, your “round-batty” is what your wutless man used to call your best feature. Read the rest of this entry »

New twist to "Dudus" case

Published: Sunday | July 25, 2010

There is growing speculation surrounding Christopher "Dudus" Coke in the United States after news surfaced last week that prosecutors have filed a new sealed document with the courts.

Prosecutors gave no indication of what is contained in the document filed on June 20 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York where Dudus is to be tried on gun and drug-running charges.

"Possibly an indictment of those individuals who assisted Coke during the 10 months that the Government delayed his extradition from Jamaica," a US-based lawyer told The Sunday Gleaner.

"It could also be a product of the Department of Justice investigation into the Manatt FARA filings," the attorney said.

However, the attorney was quick to dismiss speculation that the sealed document could be a statement from the man the US authorities claim led the notorious Shower Posse. Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, I admit it, I've been stopped for speeding between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay... it's so easy to do on that lovely new North Coast highway.

Driving in Jamaica can be a adventure but, as you can see from the following article, it can also be dangerous. NEVER take your eyes off the road. Besides the potholes (yes, there are some even on this new highway), sometimes you have to share the road with people and animals who jump out in front of you and, most frightening of all, huge trucks that own the road. I can't tell you how many times one of these behemoths barreling along has made me say a quick prayer!

If you decide to drive, please be careful! There are some Jamaicans who don't belong behind the wheel any more than disoriented tourists. And passing vehicles, or "overtaking" is a well-established sport in Jamaica. Don't do battle; just slow down or move aside and let them pass - you may be saving your own or someone else's life. Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer!

BTW, I was able to sweet talk my way out the the ticket! I know it's not gonna work the next time.

Speeding claims 17 on North Coast highway

Friday, July 23, 2010

TRAFFIC authorities are urging caution on the north coast highway as the death toll mounts on the recently completed corridor linking Negril in Westmoreland with Port Antonio in Portland.

"The major factor for crashes along this roadway is excessive speeding," Kenute Hare, director of the Road Safety Unit (RSU) told Auto. Read the rest of this entry »

I realize this Wilton Armetale "Reggae" pattern was introduced years ago, but I only recently saw it and fell in love! What a fun, funky and whimsical pattern! I need a few of these pieces to decorate my tables. They say the design was inspired by the popular music of Jamaica and evokes "the rhythms of the Caribbean" and I have to agree. But I think it would fit in with all different types of decor.

According to Cooking.com - "Armetale metal is a food-safe alloy that was originally developed for the demanding stress of restaurant use, but its beauty and versatility make it perfect for home use. Armetale products will not break, chip, crack or dent and they will never rust, tarnish or require the delicate handling that silver and china need. The serveware can go directly from your oven or stovetop to your table. Armetale metal can withstand temperatures up to 1000F and the heat it holds after only a few minutes in your oven will keep dishes warm throughout your meal. The metal holds cold as well as it holds heat, making it an excellent choice for serving cold dips and salads. Every Armetale piece is handcrafted in Pennsylvania by skilled workers, not mass produced."

Wilton Armetale Company is a family-owned and family-run business founded in 1892 by Ralph P. Wilton, Sr. in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Apparently you can also use their Armetale to defrost meat in less than an hour by placing the meat on a platter in the fridge. The metal will draw the cold from the meat. Can't beat that. I think these will become my new bridal shower/wedding gifts too for a little KeepItJiggy touch!

Here are some selections from Amazon.com, if you're interested.