Sumfest expected to spark more international interest

Reggae Sumfest has travelled a great distance since that fateful night on August 11, 1993 when the first show was held.

The concert has grown, matured and developed into a giant on the Jamaican entertainment landscape, to the point where the world has recognised and honoured the achievements.

Each year, several of the world's more popular magazines, websites, and newspapers discuss, analyse, and shower praises on the festival for its ability to attract leading performers and package them with great food, good music and Jamaican culture into an inspiring show.

The festival has won awards from The International Reggae and World Music Awards. It won the category 'Concert of the Year' in 2008 and 'Promoter of the Year', in 2008, '09 and '10.

"This is evidence that we're doing something right with Reggae Sumfest," said Johnny Gourzong, executive director of Summerfest Promotions, after collecting the award.

"The trophy serves as extra motivation to provide entertainment value like Jamaica has never seen."

For this year, the 18th staging, the organisers plan to present another memorable event worthy of other awards.

Stellar line-up

They have begun with the stellar line-up that features R&B superstars Usher and Chris Brown, and Jamaica's finest acts such as Shaggy, Mavado, D'Angel, Beenie Man, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure and Bounty Killer, among others.

Reggae Sumfest began putting its world-class production on display on July 17 with a beach party at the Cornwall Beach. Dancehall Night kicked off festivities on Thursday, while there will be International Nights on Friday and Saturday.

Reggae Sumfest is the most celebrated and supported reggae festival in Jamaica, and attracts the world's leading musicians and performers.

In its near-20-year history, the show has boasted a superb entertainment package loaded with the best performances, food, music, and culture.

Tickets for dancehall night (Thursday, July 22) cost $2,800 presold and $3,000 at the gate, and for International Night one and two (Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24), advance tickets cost $4,700 and $5,000 at the gate.

In Montego Bay, tickets are available at El Paso Records, Pier One, Fairview Texaco, Fontana Pharmacy, Wexford Hotel, Pier One, MoBay Proper Ltd. and Parkway Supermarket. In Kingston, they are available at York Pharmacy, LG Service Centre, Rory's Texaco, Acropolis and Sportsmax Zone. Tickets are also being sold at Pierview Vacation Inn, Ocho Rios; Times Square Shopping Mall, Negril; Travel Mania, Portmore; and at Fontana Pharmacy in Mandeville.