Entertainment quickies

Versatile making progress

Versatile's single Give Thanks Fi Life, which rocked the airwaves earlier this year, vividly conveys his appreciation for the simple things we are blessed with daily. Songs such as Bank Iinna Mi Pocket, Nah Eat (featuring I-Octane) and I Love the Girls (featuring Beenie Man) have helped to propel his career into the limelight since last year.

Summer 2012 found Versatile performing in different countries, starting in Jamaica where he made an appearance at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest after being called on stage by Popcaan. The two acts made a repeat appearance at the Independence Dream Weekend in Negril to eager fans. Versatile then made his way to the USA for other celebrations and performances.

Versatile delivered an energetic set to fans in Rochester, New York, New Hampshire, California and Florida, dispelling all notions or doubts that his name is not well earned and that he is indeed full of versatility.

Now back on the island, Versatile is energised and ready to end the year on an even higher note. He is armed with releases such as Dutty People by Hit Maker Muzik and Baby Girl and In Your Arms, produced by Track Star Records which will be distributed by digital giants 21st Hapilos.

Mecoustic from Tarrus Riley

Tarrus Riley's latest full-length project, Mecoustic, is to be released in the Caribbean on September 25. The 15-track album will be a welcome treat to the palette of his established fans and will certainly whet the appetite of those who have not yet fallen under his spell.

Mecoustic is raw, soulful, and skillfully works the artiste's sweet, nuanced tenor with the pure and authentic sounds of instruments like the acoustic guitar, keyboards, and Dean Frasers' unforgettable saxophone.

"I've always loved music. I used to deejay, but everyone used to encourage me to sing. They used to call me 'Singy Singy', because I was always singing," Riley commented.

In 2004, Tarrus released his debut album, Challenges, followed by his sophomore album Parables in 2006. It earned widespread acclaim and spawned the hit singles Stay With You, Beware, She's Royal and Lion Paw.

Mecoustic, again a partnership with the venerable Dean Fraser, is a daring and original bet which Tarrus is making as he reaches to develop successfully a new style closer to gospel music and keeping thematically to what he has defended all his life.

Jahvinci releases Braawling Mix

After much deliberation, collaboration and coordination, the Braawling mix CD, produced under the Tripledose Production label and skilfully mastered by DJ Metro, is finally available to eager fans.

This exclusive mix tape is set to unleash and showcase the dynamic musical prowess of reggae/dancehall singer Andre Rhoden, more popularly known as Jahvinci. He is internationally known for hits such as Watch Yuh Friends, Remedy and Money Dream, to name a few. Jahvinci is currently on tour in Europe.

This exclusive mix will highlight some of his past works such as Momma Love, In My Life and Mi Know, as well as introduce new material such as Amazing Grace (Black Spider label), Rich Two Time (Frenz 4 Real Production) and Drop A Night (Tripledose Production). The mix also features collaborations such as Weh Mi a Guh Duh, featuring IQ, and Let's Rock, featuring the Rapper Scantana.

The CD is available for free and will hit the streets as part of a pre-promotional campaign while Jahvinci tours Europe. The full-scale promotion will take place when he returns.

Pomedy at UTech

Yasus Afari and Edutainment Promotion will be presenting the increasingly popular Pomedy Show at the University of Technology's (UTech) Alfred Sangster Auditorium this evening, starting at 7 p.m. The Pomedy Show is designed to create an eclectic blend of poetry and comedy which celebrates 'Laughter, Love and Learning'.

UTech's president, Professor Errol Morrison, is the patron and special guest of honour.

Yasus Afari is throwing out a challenge and offer to the medical practitioners in Jamaica and beyond to be engaged with and use the Pomedy experience with a view to evaluating, documenting and analysing the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of the Pomedy Show. The thinking is that this can be done by measuring medical indicators of the attendants before and after the events.

The performing 'Pomedians' are all pumped up to give unique and intriguing performances. Special guest Oliver Samuels, Oral Tracey, Joan Andrea Hutchinson, Dr Michael Abrahams, Rohan Gunter, Richie Innocent, the UTech Drummers and Yasus Afari, are expected to be at their best. The Pomedy Show is being staged in support of UTech's Arts Programme and is being supported by UTech's Sports Programme. Part of the proceeds will be used to install a life-size chess board in UTech's Sculpture Park.

The Pomedy Show is being sponsored by JIIC, Visual Vibe, Mona Graphic Printers and VMBS. Tickets are available at UTech's Student Union, New Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant (Lane Plaza in Liguanea) and Bookophilia, 92 Hope Road, as well as other institutions and individuals related to the event.

The Pomedy Show is being staged in association with the UTech as part of its Jamaica 50th anniversary celebrations, and is an officially designated Jamaica 50 event.

Skyy's the limit at Privilege

Following the huge success and immediate impact of Skyy Vodka PURE 'The All White' Edition in June, Club Privilege, Skyy Vodka & Pure Heaven Juices, in association with Club Privilege, decided to again partner for the Deluxe Edition of Skyy Vodka P U R E 2.0 tomorrow night.

'Deluxe' suggests special elegance, sumptuousness, or fineness, high or highest in quality and luxury, and the promoters of PURE 2.0 have pulled out all the stops to ensure this is achieved. "We will match a fleet of world-class entertainment by DJ Flabba Dabba, DJ Kitt from 007, DJ Menace featuring Blade and Coppershot, with a variety of premium cocktail mixes. We will also introduce to Club Privilege the Skyy Deck Food Pavillion by Skyy Vodka, TGIF, Loriah's Restaurant and Delectable Delights, all for the very economical value of only $1,200 on the guest list (email full names to pureheavenpure@gmail.com) or $1,500 at the gate. Plus, for your convenience tickets can be purchased online; visit Yardticket.com," said Romaine 'Luigi' Brown, one of the promoters from Portmore Society.

The event is food and drinks inclusive and patrons can come out expecting to go home in total satisfaction as they did in June, said O'Neil Forbes from Flynation Entertainment, another promoter of the event.

MAHIMA Hope4Hope Concert Expo at Hope Gardens

In reflecting on the impact of breast cancer on her life, the late Monique 'Mahima' Geourzoung wrote: "It has, in the words of Avalon, emptied me of all the empty things that I hold on to - like looks, and status, and quite frankly, money. As a result, I could better experience the beauty, worth and generosity of others."

This generosity which she experienced, she wanted her friends and family to continue to provide to other cancer patients and encouraged them to continue to raise funds for the Hope Institute, Jamaica's only hospice for the treatment and care of terminally ill cancer patients and which Mahima held in high regard.

Now two years after Geourzoung's passing, the Mahima Foundation, which was set up to carry out Monique's wishes and to raise awareness of breast cancer, will host and produce the fourth Mahima fund-raising concert. The event has been expanded to include a wellness expo.

MAHIMA Hope4Hope Concert Expo, presented by BMW, will be hosted at Hope Gardens on Sunday, September 30. Gates open at 2 p.m. It will be a full-moon music experience, with proceeds from the event to be shared between the Hope Institute and Hope Gardens.

Tickets are available at Bridget Sandals (1 Abbeydale Road), Monarch Pharmacy (Sovereign Centre), Xtra (Mall Plaza), Base Kingston & Belle (Manor Park) and Azmart (Barbican).

To date, over $1,000,000 has been donated to the Hope Institute for the renovation of its kitchen. Other improvement projects being supported by the Mahima Foundation include a sustainable backyard garden to supply fresh produce to the kitchen, meditation space, outdoor patio, general refurbishing of the facility, and landscaping.