The second night of a two-part stage show tribute to the memory of reggae icon Bob Marley, scheduled for tonight at the White River Reggae Park in Ocho Rios has been cancelled.

Billed as Dem A Go Tired Fi Si Mi Face Part II, the show was supposed to feature US rap star Fat Joe alongside several Jamaican artistes including Coco Tea, Luciano, Turbulance, George Nooks and Ninjaman, but on Thursday afternoon, the promoters of the show sent out a release advising of the change and apologising to would-be show goers.

According to June Hayles of Prime Time Entertainment, the tribute had to be aborted at the last moment due to the enforcement of the Night Noise Abatement Act by the Ocho Rios police.

"We got permission to hold the first part on Friday night in Nine Mile, so that show will go on, but our request for permission to hold Saturday night's show at White River was turned down," Hayles explained yesterday.

Local hoteliers, she said, had complained that the noise would disturb their guests and were steadfast in their resolve to stop the show from taking place.

"We even went down there (to Ocho Rios) to talk to them to see if we could have a compromise, but they insist that the noise causes them to lose business. They say they don't want any show, sound system or any of that sort of loud noise in the vicinity," added Hayles.

The White River Reggae Park, years ago a very popular stage show venue and for years the home of the internationally-known White River Reggae Bash, is located on the eastern edge of the resort town of Ocho Rios. In close proximity to the park are the luxury resorts of Jamaica Inn, the recently reopened Shaw Park Beach Hotel and the Royal Plantation, among others.

Although tonight's show has been cancelled, patrons will still be able to see the performers onstage next month, when Prime Time Entertainment is planning to stage a show at the Negril Beach Park on March 17, in the middle of the Spring Break tourist season.

"We just sent a new contract to Fat Joe's people, and they have been very understanding, so once he confirms, we know he will definitely be there, and so will Akon, another popular hip-hop artiste."

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