YVAs — A Celebration Of Rock Culture
Karen Clarke was the woman who introduced Mind, Body & Soul weekend wellness retreats, yoga empowerment sessions, to Jamaica with ‘sisterfriends’ Hollywood actresses Malinda Williams of Soul Food fame, Gabrielle Union and Gina Torres. Who remembers those soul-searching Jewel Diamond Taylor retreats? The Los Angeles-raised fabella, whose retreats always featured memorable entertainment, turned her sights on the local entertainment scene and in one fell swoop elevated the narrative around an entertainment awards show. That was the Youth View Awards, which stood unrivalled for a decade. Never one to rest on her laurels, however, and mindful that her tweens were growing up, Clarke switched gears and ushered in on Saturday, February 24, the rebranded Your View Awards at the National Indoor Sports Centre. The glitz, glamour and anticipation were further amped. Eyebrows were raised as many, stepping onto the ‘other’ YVAs carpet for the first time, were suitably impressed. Indeed, Robert Livingston, one of the most successful producers in dancehall, told SO that the YVAs “is an award show that has certainly raised the bar and shows us the potential of where we could be.
“She (Clark) has put in the work, the look; the production is way up there. It is now for the industry to really get behind it and to paint a different perception for the next generation. A decade is a long time and she deserves to be honoured. I was truly impressed with the YVAs”.
Livingston was not the only one singing Clarke’s praise. Industry icon Sly Dunbar, one half of the most celebrated Jamaican rhythm section of all time, who was honoured that night with the Lifetime Achievement Award and who accepted the award on behalf of himself and Robbie Shakespeare who was unavoidably absent, had this to say: “We are very pleased, honoured and humbled to have been presented with the YVAs Lifetime Achievement award. It was indeed a pleasure to have been so wonderfully received and recognised on this grand platform. We must also use this opportunity to commend the YVAs team on an exceptional job; the overall presentation and production of the night was superb.”
Still powered by the voice of the people, the YVAs has expanded into a weekend-long experience. Its focus has transitioned into the inclusion of a more mature audience to mirror the growth of its millennial supporters, and a wider pool of talent with the inclusion of award categories such as favourite theatre actor/actress, favourite play, favourite male and female ballet/modern/contemporary dancer, and favourite music album of the year. Clarke maintains that the YVAs are and have always been a “show that fully embraces and incorporates the views of our target demographics — the youth — to celebrate artistes and celebrities… We become their voice!”
Abigail Fisher, a New York-based hairstylist and long-time supporter of the Awards, flew in for the weekend and had this to say about the expansion: “I’m pumped for not only YVAs…but for the whole YVAs experience. I love how it was changed from just an awards show to a whole weekend of music, dancing and excitement. Furthermore, [Clarke’s] initiative to bring the arts, not typically represented at the forefront of Brand Jamaica, like theatre, for example, is something that was long overdue and very much needed. I must applaud her efforts to pour her all into a resource that so many [Jamaicans] underestimate — our culture.”
The celebrations began Thursday, with a reception dinner for YVAs ambassadors and international guests at Opa’s Reggae Mill Bar located at the Devon House heritage site. The intimate setting allowed something of a meet-and-greet atmosphere for the star-studded guest list that included Skip Marley and his mum Cedella. If that wasn’t enough of a cultural baptism for the group, many of whom were visiting Jamaica for the first time, Clarke treated her guests, the next day, to a Loose Cannon catamaran cruise and beach trip to the beautiful, boat-accessible-only Maiden Cay.
A live-music show dubbed Vibrations followed that same evening at the Sunken Garden of the Hope Zoo and Botanical Gardens and featured headliner, international reggae, soca and hip-hop violinist Mapy, who energised fans with her performance of Jamaica’s national anthem and several regional favourites including Vybz Kartel’s Fever, Popcaan’s Ova Dweet and soca star Machel Montano’s Like Ah Boss. The Moneymusk Rum-powered event wound down with mixes from the Rebel Sound group as patrons danced well into the last hour.
The red carpet was rolled out Saturday evening for the much-anticipated Your View Awards (YVAs) with local and international celebs and showgoers alike all seeking the spotlight. Stopping intermittently for on-screen interviews with YVAs ambassadors Rohan “Quite Perry” Perry and Kaci Fennell before taking their seats in the National Indoor Sports Centre for what soon became a night of high-energy performances and award presentations.
The weekend came to a perfect close Sunday evening at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel where guests chillaxed at Saphed, the all-white cabana and day party, complete with Häagen-Dazs ice cream. There was, too, on-site caricaturist Claudius Samuels, and bohemian-themed décor created by White Light Events with music by Chromatic and Coppershot. YVAs dancer Samantha Strachan took the reins on an impromptu dancehall crash course with international guest performers the Kinjaz, with several other patrons eagerly following suit.
Plans are already on the drawing board for next year. “We will be changing our venue next year to tie in with our new brand direction of more of a Golden Globes feel that still has the same great party energy — just a smaller venue,” shared Clark exclusively with SO who now shares highlights of the magical weekend.
Photographers:
YVAs Dinner
Joseph Wellington
YVAs Catamaran Cruise
Antonio Graham
YVAs Vibrations (Live Show)
Norman Thomas
YVAs Show
Antonio Graham
YVAs Saphed (All-White Cabana Party)
Naphtali Junior