New Wave Block Party returns to Kingston on Sunday
Published:Saturday | October 7, 2023 | 12:06 AM
Music, art, food and culture will take centrestage at the New Wave Block Party at Summit Kingston on Sunday.
This year’staging will feature music by popular local DJs Nico Lee, Anash, Fatalic, and the inimitable Franco & Brush1. To top it all off, two-time Grammy-nominated reggae artiste and New Wave founder, Protoje, will be at the event shooting a special closing party scene for the music video for his song, Legend, off his most recent album, Third Time’s The Charm. Patrons will have the unique opportunity to cameo in the special music video scene, all while partying with the star on Sunday night.
New Wave Block Party is a celebration of all aspects of Jamaican culture and the new wave of creatives making a splash across the creative and cultural industries. Lindsey Lodenquai, principal, New Wave, shared her excitement, saying, “We are always so excited each year to put on Block Party. Not only is it a crowd favourite but it really is one of the team’s favourite events, because it allows us to create a 360 experience that celebrates several of the things we love about our island in one place, one night, altogether. The food, the music, the art, the people!”.
This year’s staging will feature a food village sponsored by household name, Grace Foods, featuring culinary delights from popular local vendors Istry, Veggie Campus, as well as special selections from Grace Foods - including options for vegetarians and vegans - all enhanced by the local spices and flavours we all know and love from Grace’s line of products.
In an effort to consistently create a diverse and dynamic environment, Block Party will feature a series of collaborative visual art installations by local creatives Courtney Payne and Lodenquai. Attendees can also indulge in some exclusive New Wave and Very Culture merchandise on sale at the event.
This staging will be New Wave’s first partnership with Summit Kingston. “Summit Kingston is the perfect setting for the kind of atmosphere we like to create for Block Party. An open-air, garden vibe with a big space for crowds to flow through comfortably, and ample parking on site to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, which is super important for us to provide for our patrons. They’ve been incredible partners in the planning of our event so far and we’re excited to execute there on October 8th and for other future events and partnerships!” Travis John-Bailey, director of New Wave parent company Very Culture, shared.
Summit Kingston principals David Walcott and Kevin Donaldson shared their enthusiasm for working with the New Wave team. “With Summit Kingston, our aim is, and will continue to be, to shake up the entertainment scene in Kingston, and New Wave is the perfect partner for this goal - to bring a unique, youthful and vibrant energy to our space,” Walcott shared.
A cultural and creative event and digital media platform, over the past seven years New Wave has become known to curate spaces and experiences that highlight the boldness and vibrancy of Jamaican and Caribbean culture, with a focus on current, new and emerging creatives.
The event will begin at 5 p.m.