Up-and-coming MoBay acts for peace concert

Entertainers Against Crime and Violence (EACAV), a St James-based association formed with the aim of encouraging peace through music, is hosting its third concert in February, which will highlight some of the entertainers from the troubled communities in the parish.

Dubbed a 'Celebration of Peace Concert 2020', the free event at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall will feature established as well as emerging acts in both the secular and gospel arenas. Popular Montego Bay entertainer Mackie Conscious, who calls himself the main instigator behind the formation of EACAV, told THE STAR that he has already contacted two artistes whose presence will make a different kind of impact on the stage.

transformation

"We have an artiste from Flankers, right here in Montego Bay, who is a really great singer, and he has a story that speaks to transformation. His stage name is Smokey. We spoke to him and he is on board. He was on a wanted list at one time, but he has since cleared up all of those issues and now he is a member of the Peace Management Initiative. And on February 23, he will be on the Celebration of Peace Concert," Mackie shared with THE STAR.

The other performer whom he has singled out is a deejay from the hotspot community of Norwood.

"His name is Ashlavish, and he is a great deejay and he will definitely be on the show," he said.

The Celebration of Peace Concert was first held in 2016 and then again in 2017, but took a hiatus subsequently.

"We didn't host it in 2018 and 2019, owing to lack of sponsorship. But we have moved it from the busy December period to February, and requested that it become a part of the official Reggae Month activities. This was granted by the minister of culture and as a result, we have received sponsorship for light, sound and stage, and the parish council (municipal corporation) gave us the venue," Mackie explained.

He also disclosed that the Tourism Enhancement Fund is on board.