High hopes for Blue Mountain Music Festival
Davina Henry, Staff Reporter
Intending to use entertainment as a pull for more tourists visiting Jamaica, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment has officially listed the Blue Mountain Music Festival as a Reggae Month event.
The festival, which will run from February 22-23, will take place in the Blue Mountain and John Crow Mountains National Park. It is organised by T.O.K.’s Roshaun ‘Bay C’ Clarke and his Bombrush Record label, in partnership with the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT). The event is rooted in Misty Bliss, an annual cultural festival, and has now grown into a two-day affair featuring a host of artistes.
Sharing his vision for the Blue Mountain Music Festival during Tuesday evening’s launch at Listen Mi Caribbean and Telegens, South Odeon Avenue, St Andrew, Clarke said he sees it evolving to become “one of the premier music festivals in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Diversifying the genres of music presented and offering innovative attractions will be key to achieving this”.
“The concept was to bring a high-level performance festival, as seen in European countries. Personally, I moved in the hills and up there I produced the rhythm for Tarrus Riley’s Shaka Zulu Pickney. I realised that I was inspired when up in the mountains and I knew I wanted to put on a festival there. JCDT already had Misty Bliss, so we combined my concept with that and came up with the Blue Mountain Music Festival,” Clarke told the audience.
Along with the performances from top-notch artistes, including Third World, Tanya Stephens, Chronixx and Jesse Royal, the festival will also feature yoga, hiking, camping and other entertainment activities for the entire family.
During his presentation at the launch, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Damion Crawford, extended gratitude and congratulations to the festival’s organisers for creating a premium event that will lure visitors who want to experience more than “sand and sea”.
“In three to four years we will hopefully not just be filling hotel rooms, but also homes. I hope this festival will be a staple. I’m urging everyone to support the new activity. Nuh badda beg out the tickets. I’m happy to see a festival positioned in the hills,” Crawford said.
party line-up
On Saturday, February 22, gates to the first Blue Mountain Music Festival open at 2 p.m. The reggae party begins at 7 p.m., featuring the legendary Third World band, Tanya Stephens, Chronixx and Kabaka Pyramid, among others. On Sunday, February 23, gates open at 11 a.m. and the Misty Bliss concert starts at 2 p.m., featuring T.O.K., No-Maddz, Ity and Fancy Cat, Kelissa and Jesse Royal.
“The Blue Mountain Music Festival is the first in a week-long series of events celebrating the 21st anniversary of the designation of the Blue and John Crow Mountains as a National Park,” stated Dr Susan Otuokon, executive director of the JCDT. “The festival will raise awareness and funds for the park, while encouraging Jamaicans to visit and enjoy the ambience at Holywell.”
Tickets start at $2,500 for day passes and $5,000 for season passes, which are available at Woolworth, Xtras (both in Kingston), Cove Cinema Ocho Rios and online at TouchTix.net. Proceeds from the Blue Mountain Music Festival will benefit the JCDT and T.O.K.’s Guardian Angel Foundation.
Sponsors include the JCDT, Bombrush Records, RJR Communications Group, Anubis Communications, Telegens, Got Creative Design & Photography and Listen Mi Caribbean.
