James Bond flick promotes Jamaican
music – Buju, Sister Nancy, Shaggy
By Vinette K. Pryce
Of all Caribbean nationals
who waited with anticipation
to see “No Time To Die,”
the new James Bond feature,
Jamaicans were first in line
for the premiere screening
Thursday at Kingston’s Carib
5 cinema in Jamaica.
Curious to see and hear how
the island would be depicted
in the 25th episode of the
British spy series they clamored
to cheer the adventures
of British secret agent 007
and also because familiar, scenic
locales and reggae music
would be in the spotlight.
Spontaneous applause
erupted when Sister Nancy’s
1982 hit “Bam Bam” blasted
the sound system. Buju Banton’s
1995 “Champion,” a 2019
collaboration with Noah Powa
and Shaggy titled “Money Dip,”
Teacha Dee’s “Rastafari Way
from 2016, Jah Buzz “Love
In The Arena” from 1978 all
received ovations.
That Nancy’s reworking
of Toots & The Maytals 1966
“Bam Bam” made the cut
seemed cause celebre.
Her recording remains a
favorite after quickly becoming
a classic soon after its
release to now being regarded
reggae’s most sampled song.
The infectious dancehall
track was recently featured
on Netflix’s much acclaimed
“Maid” series.
And of all the popular hits
Banton has amassed throughout
his storied career, his biggest
hit here was chosen to
list among 20 compositions by
Hans Zimmer along with popstar
Billie Eilish’s title theme
from the Decca Records
soundtrack.
In addition to interspersed
reggae music, action scenes
shot in Kingston and Portland
delighted viewers seeing landscape
Olivia Grange (2nd right) led applause after the screening of the new James Bond fi lm,
“No Time To Die,” on Thursday at Carib 5. Also pictured are Minister of State, Alando Terrelonge
(right); adviser to the minister, Ali McNab (2nd left) and Permanent Secretary, Denzil
Thorpe (left). Courtesy Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Entertainment
Groovin’ The Theatre Leadership Project
Caribbean L 42 ife, OCTOBER 15-21, 2021
familiar to patrons on
the island.
The film “has really promoted
destination Jamaica,
location Jamaica, the culture
of Jamaica — its warmth, its
people, its vibes, its music,
it’s just wonderful,” Olivia
Grange, the island’s minister
of culture and entertainment
said.
She joined a packed audience
on the premiere showcase.
“I’m so happy that the Bond
film has now been released.
I’m so happy because what it
has done is showcase Jamaica
in so many ways.”
“I’m proud to be Jamaican
when I look at this film…
The minister raved her
approval boasting the many
connections the film made
with the eclipse of Daniel
Craig fifth and final portrayal
in the starring role.
“The new Bond girl (Lashana
Lynch) is of Jamaican heritage;
it also featured another
Jamaican actress, Naomi
Harris; it featured the beauty
of Jamaica; and it created
employment for our crew in
Jamaica in the various disciplines
and skills that are necessary
in making a film.”
Jamaicans here also
expressed similar pride.
anticipated events on the New
York Summer entertainment
calendar,” Anthony Turner, a
Jamaican entertainment publicist,
told Caribbean Life on
Monday.
The flagship New York area
concert — which attracts
patrons from the tri-state area,
Boston, Washington, D.C.,
Jamaica and Toronto — was
last held in June 2019, attracting
over 25,000 plus music
fans, the largest audience to
have attended a festival at Roy
Wilkins Park, Turner said.
“Organizers are keenly
watching how things unfold
with the pandemic with plans
to announce its artist lineup in
early 2022,” he said.
In a strategic move to kick
off the 10th anniversary celebrations,
Chris Roberts, chief
executive officer and founder of
Groovin’ Inc. announced that
corporate sponsors Colgate-
Palmolive, Grace Foods USA,
JTB, Shirley Biscuit, TD Bank,
Caribbean Food Delights, JN
Money Transfer; BIGGA Sodas/
CranWata, among others, will
partner with Groovin Radio,
93.5FM; The Door Restaurant
and Bullzii Marketing to host a
Groovin’ Community Appreciation
Day and The Door Annual
Breast Cancer Awareness event
on Sat.,, Oct. 16, 2021 at the
Door Restaurant Parking Lot,
163-07 Baisley Blvd., Queens.
All COVID-19 protocols will
be observed at the event, Turner
said.
“We are cautiously optimistic
as we move forward with
plans for the festival in 2022
and the upcoming Groovin’
Community Appreciation Day
and Breast Cancer Awareness
event,” Roberts said.
“The concert not only provides
quality entertainment for
thousands of patrons each year,
but the economic impact in
the Jamaican/Caribbean community
here in Queens, New
York is immense,” he added.
Roberts said sponsors such
as Colgate-Palmolive, are eager
to support community initiatives
with care packages and
samplers from among their
“very diverse product range, as
they recognize there are many
who have struggled during the
pandemic.”
Company representative Jenown
and adding a unique perspective
and new flows that
bring more depth and scale to
the Spartan empire.”
“This collaboration also signifies
a passing of the baton to
the next generation of artists
who have a different vision of
the future,” Thomlinson said.
She said “Dior Kicks” is “a
light-hearted but entertaining
celebration of the magnetism
that comes with the lifestyle
of being an artist – something
Tommy Lee is far from
a stranger to.
“And though young Skirdle
is not quite as experienced
as his father, he manages to
relate in a real way that shines
on this track,” Tomlinson said.
“It’s a great track, a great symbolic
moment for dancehall
and a great father son interaction
that we don’t get often
enough in dancehall.
Continued from Page 41
Continued from Page 41
and mentorship.
“TTLP seeks to create lasting
change in American theatre
by installing BIPOC leadership
in the industry,” said
TTLP in a statement.
It said the goal of the program
— which was launched
in April by Broadway producers
Barbara Broccoli, Lia Vollack,
Alecia Parker, Patrick
Daly and Travis Ballenger —
is to equip BIPOC arts leaders
with the practical skills,
knowledge and professional
networks within the commercial
management sector by
administering three-year fellowships
in general management,
company management
and creative producing.
“The program helps to eliminate
barriers to participation;
provide sustained funding and
support over three years; and
works towards permanent job
placement of its fellows,” TTLP
said.
“TTLP looks forward to
working with Broadway productions
to actualize our
efforts towards a more diverse
and equitable field that will
strengthen our industry for
years to come,” said TTLP Program
Manager Leah Harris.
Productions interested
in working with TTLP as an
approved tax credit program
should write to info@ttlp.org
to request an application.
TTLP said it “will work collaboratively
with the producer
and their new hire to map
out learning goals and design
a bespoke fellowship for each
individual that identifies and
addresses areas of growth and
ensure their continued development.”
For more information on
TTLP, visit https://www.theatreleadershipproject.
org/.
Continued from Page 41
Father, son release dancehall single
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