Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange says she is pleased with the level of world-class productions the local entertainment management teams have managed to execute over the past few years.

Highlighting events such as the recently concluded Live & Direc, Chris Brown and Friends, Freedom Street, Long Walk to Freedom, and Reggae Sumfest, Grange says Jamaica continues to stamp its class on the live entertainment scene.

“There are some things that, in a way, take me back to a time when I was producing shows. I loved every minute of being able to push Jamaica forward as a country capable of producing events of the highest standards. Recently, we’ve really done a wonderful job at showing the world that we don’t just produce top-class artistes but we also produce top-class entertainment events,” she said. “Entertainment and culture is one of the fastest-growing portfolios in the world, and in Jamaica it is growing that much more. We have to make sure that we create the environment to foster that growth, and that’s what we do when we produce these world-class shows.”

The minister was speaking at the recently concluded Live & Direc event held at Constant Spring Golf Club. The event saw appearances from international R&B crooner Brian McKnight as well as 90s heartthrob boy band Dru Hill. The show, which ran on schedule, was well executed according to the minister and is a testament to the talent Jamaica possess on and off stage.[(Live & Direc) was well put together, and other events we’ve had over the years, the standard continues to be elevated to the next level,” she said. “When we have a show that highlights US talent or talent outside of Jamaica it helps to create that nice mix of Jamaica being able to hold concerts of all genres. Yes, we’re reggae and dancehall, but we have shown that we can also be hip hop and R&B. I am extremely proud of that.”

The minister gave her assurance that the Government will continue to play its part in ensuring the industry’s growth. She said that her ministry will continue supporting the live events scene as the country seeks to execute even more major events.

“We have to continue supporting the infrastructure, and so we have the National Stadium that when it is refurbished will be able to hold 10,000 more patrons and that will make a big difference in terms of spots to host major events and we’re now working towards building a concert hall,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “We are also creating the entertainment zones across the island. We have Fort Rocky, JamWorld, Seville Heritage Park, and we’re gonna have one in St Thomas as well — that’s major. We have already identified the land, and that’s going to be something. We’re getting there. Big things ago gwaan because we’re committed to growth.”