Boston Jerk celebrations get nod
ORGANISERS of the recently concluded ‘Trang Back Boston Jerk Celebration’ are hailing it as a success. The occasion — formerly Boston Jerk Festival and which was returning after a two-year absence due to novel coronavirus pandemic — was held at Boston Beach in Portland on Sunday, July 10.
“The Trang Back Boston Jerk Celebration’s return after a two-year hiatus was really a successful one. I want to give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ and give thanks to our sponsors… and all the staff who really worked hard to make this a success. We had our challenges at the beginning as we were a bit tentative, wondering if the country would go back into a lockdown — but after we started to roll and started to pay the deposits we needed to pay we realised that we are in this and it is full steam ahead,” Colin Bell, managing director of organisers Bright Light Productions Company Limited, told the Jamaica Observer.
“We pulled out all the stops, and we had challenges as it relates to the road conditions in eastern Portland where the southern leg northern coastal highway is under construction, which is a well-needed development for the road network. We had to live with it. I realised that was a turn-off to some people but for most people, they came out and they really had fun,” he continued.
According to Bell, the highlights of the concert were the performances from Gem Myers, George Nooks, Agent Sasco, Jermaine Edwards, Laa Lee (who was a hit with the children), Brother Gary, and backing band Fab 5.
In addition to a variety of jerk offerings — including rabbit, reindeer, fish, pork, and chicken — the musical delights covered reggae, lovers’ rock, gospel, soca, and ska.
Songbird Gem Myers had the audience spellbound with songs including My Boy Lollipop, Breakfast in Bed, and Baby — a cover The Heptones original. Agent Sasco closed the show with hit songs including Banks of the Hope, Winner and Stronger, which resonated with patrons.
Portland artiste Night Hawk, Vennica Nicholas, Border Cat and Venon also performed.
Nikay Brown, marketing and communications coordinator for Trang Back Tonic Wine, also gave the event the thumbs up.
“It was going good. We got a lot of positive feedback from the patrons at Boston Jerk Celebration. They were enjoying the Trang Back Tonic Wine and loved the entertainment and the different products we had, while having a great time,” she added.