WASHINGTON, D.C. – In what is billed as “An Evening of Elegance,” reggae veterans John Holt and Winston “Merritone” Blake will headline a concert to celebrate Jamaica’s 46th anniversary at the swank Zanzibar Night Club. This semi-formal event will take place Aug. 2, and doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.pumpstn.com for $25 and $30 at various tickets outlets.Presented by Pumpstation Entertainment, this “Evening of Elegance” is a first-of-its-kind event catering to a broader Caribbean and urban base audience. “We plan to take people back down memory lane, particularly Jamaican people,” says Omar Stephenson of Pumpstation Entertainment.

The event coincides with Jamaica’s 46th independence celebration, where traditional celebrations “back-home” are often laced with sweet reggae music, delicious Jamaican food and beautiful people.

Zanzibar On the Waterfront will provide drink specials and a complimentary Jamaican style buffet. Reggae crooner John Holt, backed by Ruff Stuff Band, will deliver a sweet serenade of classic tunes like “Dusty Road”, “Further You Look,” “The Tide Is High” and the unforgettable “Stick By Me.” With well over 50 years in the reggae music business, both Holt and Merritone carry equally a sense of pride and tradition, representating what can be claimed, as truly Jamaican. After all, that’s what it’s about, as an important milestone in Jamaica’s history is celebrated 46 years from British rule. Additional music will be presented by Pumpstation Sound System and Caribbean Vibes Radio’s own PauL MacK, who promises to dig deep into his musical vault to keep the vibe right. For more information and store locations, visit www.pumpstn.com.
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”An Evening of Elegance” celebrating Jamaica's 46th year of Independence with JOHN HOLT and Winston "MERRITONE" Blake in concert is set for Saturday August 2, 2008 at Zanzibar on the Waterfront – 700 Water Street SW Washington DC. Admission: $25.00 online, $30.00 at Ticket Sale Locations. Event sponsored in part by Western Union, Grace, Island Marketing Group, Pumpstation Podcast, Golden Krust, EMD International Foods and www.CaribbeanVibesRadio.com. Logon to: www.pumpstn.com for tickets and additional information.

A FUNDRAISING CELEBRATION OF JAMAICA'S 46^TH YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE

Proceeds to benefit Jamaica House DC

Washington, DC ¾ On Saturday, August 9, 2008, the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel located at 480 L'Enfant Plaza in South West, DC will be elegantly transformed and alive with excitement as the Jamaican Nationals Association celebrates and hosts Jamaica's 46th year of Independence. The guest of honor will be Jamaica's Governor General, the Honorable Kenneth Hall and invited guests include keynote speaker, Dr. Oswald Harding, President of the Jamaican Senate and His Excellency Anthony Johnson, Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States.  Popular Channel 7 award winning anchor, Maureen Bunyan will return again as Mistress of Ceremonies and the wives of Jamaica's Prime Minister and Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States ─ Mrs. Lorna Golding and Mrs. Pamela Johnson will serve as honorary chairs. 

She was witty, energetic, sexy, inspiring, professional, warm, charming and extremely entertaining as this true princess of Reggae music continued her love affair with what some call the fastest growing Caribbean community outside of the Caribbean, Georgia. Nadine Sutherland came, she entertained and she conquered!

            The Reggae Dancehall star, TV star (Rising Star) and Journalist went through her hits like; "Action", "Babyface", "I'm In Love (Rainbow)", "Anything For You", "Big Tingz" and more. From the moment she stepped on stage at the Vibes Night Club in Decatur Georgia, the air was filled with electricity, and the venue was filled with energy. Sutherland commanded the stage as she bounced and danced all over the stage, never missing a beat, always hitting the right notes and exciting the crowd with her great performance.

            On stage she went through many personas, she was the girl next door, she was your little sister, she became your older sister, your adviser, the sexy lady you fall in love and multiple other powerful yet comforting roles, all in one night! She showed an extremely diverse repertoire that showed an experienced performer, singer and entertainer that belied how young she looks on stage. The beautiful, strong, high-energy person on stage could easily pass for a teenager, however the same person on stage gave words of advice and commentary (without being preachy) that demonstrated the existence of an old soul.   

Etana's highly anticipated VP debut The Strong One is here and critics have already begun their praises.  Arguably the most prolific female vocalist in reggae today, Etana has struck a chord with the masses and is winning the hearts of the people one song at a time.  She made her debut with the hit "Wrong Address" in 2006, "Roots" in 2007, "Warrior Love" in 2008, received numerous awards in her native country, rocked major stage shows and will now unveil her first studio album boasting production by reggae legends Dean Frasier, Carl James and Robert Livingston on June 17, 2008.

Jonathan Cunningham from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times says, "She's the Jamaican equivalent of an India.Arie. Her lyrics are a refreshing push against the mainstream, and the musicianship behind them is strong and original enough that her songs can't be denied."

Popular music site Pitchfork Media chose Etana's upcoming album as their dancehall pick of the month. "Etana has been around for a little while now, dropping fulsome and soulful voicings on a variety of riddims…. This album is worthy of such high praise at least in part because it's important to remember that syrupy love songs have as much of a place in Jamaican culture and the dance itself as conscious or badman tunes," states Dave Stelfox.

BERES HAMMOND TO HEADLINE FIRST ANNUAL REGGAE SUMMER FEST FOR CANCER RESEARCH SHOW SEPT. 7 AT RFK STADIUM

Washington, DC – The National Alliance Foundation, a non-profit network committed to promoting peace and harmony while raising funds and awareness for cancer, announced today plans for the First Annual Reggae Summer Fest For Cancer Research reggae show. The inaugural concert will bring top-flight reggae and entertainment to RFK Stadium, home of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United team.

Reggae Summer Fest For Cancer Research, as it is billed, hopes to attract West Indians, reggae music lovers and people who have an affinity for Caribbean culture to the DC area on Sunday, September 7. Part proceeds from the event will benefit the Jamaica Cancer Society Clinic.

“This much-anticipated reggae festival has been artfully planned and was launched to raise funds and awareness to cancer,” said Orville Dixon, a representative of the National Alliance Foundation. “Our intention is to educate the masses about cancer, while bringing together people through the universal language of music.”

Shows of this magnitude have been attempted before in the Nation’s Capital, but NAF officials claim that this festival will be different, in that, there is a cause behind the anticipated revelry."BERES HAMMOND TO HEADLINE FIRST ANNUAL REGGAE SUMMER FEST FOR CANCER RESEARCH SHOW SEPT. 7 AT RFK STADIUM"

"THE BAN ON BONNER"

RICHIE SPICE LEANS ON BONNER CORNERSTONEIt's official; Richie Spice and his long time management company Fifth Element Records have parted on amicable terms. After months of speculations, company officials are now confirming what has been thought true, and reminds fans and media members that it was a consensual decision taken in the best interest of Richie Spice's career. Fifth Element Records can be credited with shaping the career of Richie Spice; one of the world's most critically acclaimed reggae artistes, and has expressed their blessings for him on his journey. After spending so many years atop charts around the world, Richie Spice has taken a decision to invest more time and energy into his own previously formed family based management company, aptly titled Bonner Cornerstone Music. Bonner Cornerstone Music currently handles the affairs of family members, Spanner Banner, Snatcha Lion including Richie Spice himself.
According to Richie Spice, the change was necessary, as he desires to take his career on a different path.

Immigrants’ Comedy Productions is currently seeking actors and actresses to audition for roles in an upcoming, long-running television dramatic production.

So this month some 25 million Caribbean Americans will celebrate the second annual Caribbean American Heritage Month (CAHM). You’ve seen the list of Caribbeans—from Colin Powell to Harry Belafonte to Diddy and Nia Long—who are movers and shakers, mashin’ up the place in their respective circles. But being of Jamaican heritage, I must resist the temptation to brag because Caribbean American Heritage Month isn’t about who’s got the biggest this and the baddest that (at least it shouldn’t be).

While we should all take pride in our island-homes, we should also know that the Caribbean is under serious attack by HIV/AIDS. In 2007 around 17,000 people in the Caribbean became infected with HIV, and more than 11,000 died of AIDS, according to AVERT, an international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK. After sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean has a higher HIV prevalence than any other area of the world, with 1.6 percent of the adult population infected. (Read that sentence again…) Now that we have our own month—it was introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, approved by the US Congress in 2005 and signed by the President last June—perhaps our plight will start to become front page news.

Jamaican, MaryKay Mullally is one of the five finalists selected by Prevention and ABC News to find the woman over 40 who best embodies the "Picture of Health." The five women were announced on May1st on ABC's Good Morning America and are profiled in the June issue of Prevention Magazine.

MaryKay Brandon was born in Kingston in 1961 and has 2 brothers, Peter and Chris. Chris now lives in Miami and Peter unfortunately passed away in 1996. She moved to San Diego in 1999 with her husband Rob and their two children Ryan and Tara.

She was inspired to start running at 40 by the Jamaican running club the Jamdammers who came to San Diego in 2000 to run the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. If they could train and compete in the hot Jamaican climate then she could too in the ideal Socal. sun.

She decided to run a marathon before turning 41 and in January of 2002 - 2, months before her 41st birthday she achieved that dream by running the San Diego Marathon. “It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment to cross the finish line. I felt so empowered” Said MaryKay.

NEW YORK, NY (RHONA FOX, INC.) -  Culture reggae star Richie Spice is heading into the summer on a high note as he sees the release of his newest catalog of hits, Gideon Boot. The VP Records release hits store shelves today and plans are in the works for a media tour in early June.

"This album is to let the people know the realities of life, of what's taking place in the world right now," reveals Spice. "We have to stand up for the youths, and we have to share with them what we can right now so we can move over and let them take over."

Richie Spice has been consistent with putting culture reggae on the charts with his buttery baritone, addressing social issues and also blending romantic ballads to keep his female fan base satisfied.

New Yorker Launches online petition appealing to the Prime Minister of Jamaica to Award Bob Marley the Country’s Highest Honour

NEW YORK, NY – New York based publicist and freelance writer, Falana Fray, recently launched a global online petition, (www.ipetitions.com/petition/bobmarley), to call on the Jamaican government to reopen and reconsider the issue of naming reggae superstar Bob Marley a National Hero in his country of birth that he loved so much, Jamaica. This petition is seeking 1,000,000 signatures by October 2008.

In a recent article published on ItzCaribbean.com, Fray offers a persuasive and compelling argument on the King of Reggae’s extraordinary contributions to Jamaica and the world through his spiritually uplifting and politically conscious music.