NOW 10 years old,GT Taylor Christmas extravaganza, sponsored byJagra and held in the bread-basket parish of St Elizabeth, had promised an exciting musical feast on Christmas night, but did not live up to expectations.

It was not clear, however, if it was the recession or poor organisation that caused the near downfall of one of the most highly anticipated stage shows of 2009. It was obvious, first of all, that no real preparation was made for the media. Stone-faced security personnel informed us that our armbands could not get us pass backstage and this left us for more than an hour listening to and not seeing the performances of the young talents.

Amidst several long band changes, reggae ambassadors Leroy Gibbon, Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Iley Dread, Peter Metro and fast-rising act Khago and Romaine Virgo thrilled the little over half-way-packed venue. The cultural exposé continued with almost every artiste showing their respect to veteran dancehall artiste Buju Banton who is detained in the USA on drug charges. Banton had been booked as the headline act on the Christmas Extravanganza.

Dancehall was well represented by Chino, Delly Ranx, Lady G, Chuck Fenda, D’Angel, G Whizz, and Laden, while standout acts included Beenie Man, Baby Tash, I Octane and Stacious.

Baby Tash got the crowd on their feet, especially the males, with gyrating hips and singles such as Now Him Believe Mi, Facebook, and Mix Up. Stacious was in a no-nonsense mood as she performed her set with harsh words for fellow artiste Lisa Hype. MC Nuffy did not escape as he too got a tongue lashing from the fiery singjay.

“Mi bun out di man dem whe buy di woman dem war. Nuffy you fi chill,” she declared. As for a clash with Lisa Hype, she explained that she would not be performing at Sting but at Pepsi Teensplash because “Laing nu love pay people and mi wi only clash wid artiste not porn star.”

Stacious exited the stage to a host of lighters and screaming patrons.

The musical doctor, Beenie Man, could do no wrong as he danced and performed hits such as Mi Woman A Call Mi, Gaza Mi Sey, Ole Dog, Wine Gal and a host of other hits to close the 10th staging of Jagra GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza.

Although pleased with the performances of Beenie Man and some of the other artistes, patrons were visibly upset that acts such as Flippa Maffia and Vegas, although they were in the venue, did not perform.

They named “unresolved issues with the promoters” as the reason for their decision.