Tribute to Alton, Hortense Ellis postponed because of SOE
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Tribute to Alton Ellis & Hortense Ellis was not held on Saturday in Trench Town, Kingston, as initially planned.
The organisers of the Reggae Month event, entitled ‘Remembering Alton and Hortense Ellis’, had to postpone the show because of a State of Emergency (SOE) currently implemented in the Kingston Western Police Division.
There are to be no gatherings in any area under a SOE.
The organisers said Culture Minister, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange had stepped in and offered the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, but new challenges and expenses caused by the move would make it burdensome.
“We are extremely grateful to Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange who jumped in and facilitated an alternative venue when the sudden declaration of a State of Emergency meant the show couldn’t take place in Trench Town. However, a number of other challenges emerged. Not least of which is the fact that moving the event uptown would deprive hundreds of Trench Town residents of the opportunity to enjoy the show in their community,” the organisers said.
“The plan now is to wheel and come again and look towards a later date. Alton’s birthday is September 1. A great deal of preparation work has been done by a large number of people and everyone is disappointed. But such is life…” they added.
