Fun in the Son organiser sees changes coming for staging of big events
Published:Sunday | March 22, 2020 | 12:00 AMYasmine Peru - Sunday Gleaner Writer
The arrival of coronavirus on a global scale was the catalyst that prompted a tsunami of cancellations of entertainment events worldwide, and in Jamaica, it started intense conversations about the staging of two major calendar events: carnival and Reggae Sumfest. With carnival being postponed until October, there is still much talk about Reggae Sumfest.
However, there is another huge summer event, Fun in the Son Gospel Festival, which conceptualisers and producers Glory Music tag as “perhaps the biggest event in the English-speaking Caribbean territory”, which seems to have been sidelined in these discussions. The Sunday Gleaner reached out to Glory Music for an update on the future of this significant Christian celebration and festival,which has, since 2002, ‘edutained’ audiences of between 80,000 and 100,000.
Tommy Cowan, Glory Music CEO, is hopeful that by July, there will be a return to normalcy as far as the staging of concerts – the financial lifeblood of the music industry – is concerned. But Cowan is looking beyond the mere staging of the concert and is also focusing on how promoters will be required to operate in what he anticipates will be a new paradigm in the post-coronavirus era. “We believe if we follow strictly what the Government has laid out, by July, we should be able to return to the staging of events,” a hopeful Cowan shared before going into caution mode.
“I expect that there will be new policies and legislation and those new guidelines will come about from the relevant authorities. Much more attention will be placed on hygiene, for example, and we will all have to follow new protocols that will be put in place,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
He explained that Fun in the Son has always complied with strict guidelines placed on vendors, food handlers, sanitary handlers, and gave the assurance that his organisation intended to continue upholding the standards of the Ministry of Health by ensuring that all persons who handle food or work in sanitary areas are trained and certified by the ministry.
“In the past, we’ve always followed the rules and guidelines as it relates to food handler’s permits, adequate wash basins and toilets, proper plumbing, dispensers, and disposable services. We are particularly happy that Manpower & Maintenance Services Group, a very efficient essential-services provider, has always been our sponsor, and it is expected that their role going forward will be even more vital,” he noted, adding that his sponsors are caring people who have always adopted best practices.
Cowan outlined modifications that would be made for the 2020 staging of Fun in the Son. These will include sanitising stations throughout the venue for patrons, stations front of stage and backstage for performers, and also the continuous cleaning of microphones between performances. “We will also have misting for diminishing the chances of sun stroke. The health and safety of everyone has to take priority,” he emphasised.
Spiritual guidance
It was expected that Cowan would also focus on spiritual guidance during and after the coronavirus as the motto of Fun in the Son, which he lives by all year round, is to “win this generation for Christ”. He believes that those who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter and not just do what is most convenient.
“Taking care of those who are weak is a priority. What we are doing is not out of fear, but out of love. We love the elderly. We love those who might have underlying illnesses. We love the unsaved. It is a time to help our brothers and sisters who are struggling in their faith and help carry the burdens of their doubts. We can pray with each other, care for our neighbours, and make a difference. We have to work as one to fight the virus,” Cowan stated.
Fun in the Son, which attracted sponsorship from The Jamaica Broilers Group and was renamed ‘Best Dressed Fun in the Son’, a reference to the Group’s Best Dressed Chicken brand, was first held in March 2002 as a free event. In 2012, it was staged at National Heroes Park in Kingston and was one of the official events held as part of the celebrations of Jamaica’s 50 years of independence.
As well as musical performances, the event includes religious ministry and has expanded to include fairground rides and other attractions. Headline artistes over the years have included Papa San, Carlene Davis, Kirk Franklin, Goddy Goddy, Lieutenant Stitchie, Prodigal Son, The Grace Thrillers, Hezekiah Walker, and Ron Kenoly.
Cowan’s parting spiritual nugget was: “Overlaying everything that’s happening, we are assured that with God’s divine order, He has the last say. We will all get through this together.”