MICHAEL Dawson, organiser of Winter Splash, has set the ambitious task of replacing Sting as the premiere Yuletide calendar event.

Dawson was speaking with Jamaica Observer at Winter Splash’s launch at House of Dancehall on Cargill Avenue in St Andrew on Tuesday evening.

“In terms of artistes that we have, the concepts that we have, I think it can. With all due respect to Sting, we have some artistes that don’t really perform that often in Jamaica. Many people don’t see Yellowman, Pressure Buss Pipe, and the combination of Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, and Admiral Bailey on one night,” said Dawson.

Known for its hardcore dancehall clashes, Sting made its debut in 1984 and was last held at Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St Catherine in 2015. Top-shelf acts, including Shabba Ranks, Ninjaman, Super Cat, Lady Saw, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and Vybz Kartel, have appeared on the show.

Winter Splash will see four events held over as many nights, 15 sound systems, and 17 artistes. The event will start on December 29 at House of Dancehall’s Cargill Avenue headquarters.

“The purpose of Winter Splash is to bring back the best of our entertainment,” he said.

To accomplish the task, the organisers have reached back to the golden age of dancehall — the 80s and 90s. Dance of the Year: Tribute to Legends of Dancehall is scheduled for December 29 and will see three sound systems: King Jammy’s, Black Scorpio and Killamanjaro, backed by performances from Yellowman, Josey Wales, Admiral Bailey, General Trees and Charlie Chaplin.

The following night, the theme continues with 90s Reunion Link-Up.

December 31 sees A Clean and Sexy Affair hosted by Dr Kingsley “Ragashanti” Stewart. Winter Splash culminates on January 1 with Inner City Dub headlined by Sizzla. Pressure Buss Pipe, Aza Lieage, and Kabaka Pyramid are also included on the bill.

Dawson said he hopes to make Winter Splash an annual event.

“I reside overseas and I used to come back during the Christmas holidays because there was Fresh, there was Sting, there was Eastfest, the list goes on and on. So part of the reason for doing this is because we felt that there isn’t that much live entertainment anymore,” Dawson added.