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Dancehall stars bring life to Mandeville at PNP-organised show
Elliot Blake, Observer writer
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Deejay Munga Honourable on stage at the PNP-organised show in Mandeville on July 26.
Mandeville, Manchester - The typically slow nightlife of Mandeville suddenly came alive on July 26 when some of the island's top dancehall artistes performed in front of hundreds of People's National Party (PNP) supporters as Parliamentary candidate for Central Manchester, Peter Bunting, continued his campaign to win the seat in the August 27 elections.
The star-studded event, dubbed 'Youth Link-Up', organised by Bunting in conjunction with Central Perspective, an organisation that focuses on political issues both locally and nationally, boasted a bill of dancehall artistes including deejays Munga Honourable, Mavado, D'Angel, Chuck Fenda, Niney, Danger Man, B Steppa, Shorty Legg and Crazy P, as well as cultural musician Tarrus Riley.
Hundreds of orange-clad PNP supporters bearing pictures of Bunting and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller arrived in a party mood at the venue, Fayor's Entertainment Centre, chanting 'Peter B and Sister P'.
"I love the vibes of the people here this evening and I want to thank all the artistes for coming out," Bunting said in an address to his supporters. "I know youth want two things - jobs and entertainment - and you get a touch of the second one tonight, for I man on ya, and I nah leave ya, because I love Central Manchester." The speech elicited chants of "power", "power", the PNP's trademark refrain.
PNP candidate for Central Manchester Peter Bunting (left) greets singer Tarrus Riley.
Sound systems Stone Love and Black Love provided music, while MC Reggae Rogers's sense of humour and positive words added to an already entertaining night.
Despite her marital status being the focal point of some local media, D'Angel was able to give a solid performance, leaving spectators demanding an encore. However, her husband and self-proclaimed king of the dancehall, Beenie Man, provided perhaps the only damper on the night's proceedings as the billed deejay failed to turn up.
Following the show, Bunting told the Observer that the event's main purpose was to provide a means through which the government can connect with the youth and at the same time build a platform for positive development among youth and adults alike.
"Well, I have been told that there is a lack of entertainment in Mandeville," Bunting said. "Tonight's show was orderly and high in entertainment, but more importantly we can connect with the youth and adults too, through music, steering them towards training and constructive growth."
Bunting's opinion of the event was shared by chairman of Central Perspective, Dr Devon Gardner, who also pointed to the positive benefits such events can have on society's youth.
"I think tonight's event was a success, but I think that apart from that, we were able to get across to the youth that this event will bring them together and help them realise Mr Bunting is the candidate for them, and I think we pulled it off," Gardner said.
When asked about his chances of being elected to Parliament on election day, Bunting replied: "I won't become complacent. I have been working hard and I will continue to do so as I'm trying to just energise the constituency."
Elliot Blake, Observer writer
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Deejay Munga Honourable on stage at the PNP-organised show in Mandeville on July 26.Mandeville, Manchester - The typically slow nightlife of Mandeville suddenly came alive on July 26 when some of the island's top dancehall artistes performed in front of hundreds of People's National Party (PNP) supporters as Parliamentary candidate for Central Manchester, Peter Bunting, continued his campaign to win the seat in the August 27 elections.
The star-studded event, dubbed 'Youth Link-Up', organised by Bunting in conjunction with Central Perspective, an organisation that focuses on political issues both locally and nationally, boasted a bill of dancehall artistes including deejays Munga Honourable, Mavado, D'Angel, Chuck Fenda, Niney, Danger Man, B Steppa, Shorty Legg and Crazy P, as well as cultural musician Tarrus Riley.
Hundreds of orange-clad PNP supporters bearing pictures of Bunting and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller arrived in a party mood at the venue, Fayor's Entertainment Centre, chanting 'Peter B and Sister P'.
"I love the vibes of the people here this evening and I want to thank all the artistes for coming out," Bunting said in an address to his supporters. "I know youth want two things - jobs and entertainment - and you get a touch of the second one tonight, for I man on ya, and I nah leave ya, because I love Central Manchester." The speech elicited chants of "power", "power", the PNP's trademark refrain.
PNP candidate for Central Manchester Peter Bunting (left) greets singer Tarrus Riley.Sound systems Stone Love and Black Love provided music, while MC Reggae Rogers's sense of humour and positive words added to an already entertaining night.
Despite her marital status being the focal point of some local media, D'Angel was able to give a solid performance, leaving spectators demanding an encore. However, her husband and self-proclaimed king of the dancehall, Beenie Man, provided perhaps the only damper on the night's proceedings as the billed deejay failed to turn up.
Following the show, Bunting told the Observer that the event's main purpose was to provide a means through which the government can connect with the youth and at the same time build a platform for positive development among youth and adults alike.
"Well, I have been told that there is a lack of entertainment in Mandeville," Bunting said. "Tonight's show was orderly and high in entertainment, but more importantly we can connect with the youth and adults too, through music, steering them towards training and constructive growth."
Bunting's opinion of the event was shared by chairman of Central Perspective, Dr Devon Gardner, who also pointed to the positive benefits such events can have on society's youth.
"I think tonight's event was a success, but I think that apart from that, we were able to get across to the youth that this event will bring them together and help them realise Mr Bunting is the candidate for them, and I think we pulled it off," Gardner said.
When asked about his chances of being elected to Parliament on election day, Bunting replied: "I won't become complacent. I have been working hard and I will continue to do so as I'm trying to just energise the constituency."
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