Calls renewed for performing arts centre in Montego Bay
Published:Friday | July 28, 2023 | 12:07 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
One of the country’s most respected voices in entertainment, Howard McIntosh, has added his voice to the cry for the construction of a performing arts centre in the tourism capital, Montego Bay.
McIntosh, chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Council, made the call during the launch of International Dancehall Queen at Coral Cliff in Montego Bay, last Wednesday.
His appeal follows calls made by actor, producer and director, Douglas Prout; First Dance Studios’ Jody-Marie Smith and ShowJam’s Alex Foster, who all reside in the Second City.
McIntosh’s plea comes against the background that events, such as Big Head Promotions’ International Dancehall Queens, not only struggle to get significant buy-in from corporate Jamaica over the past 21 years, but staging the event becomes even more costly owing to the tremendous effort needed to build a venue from scratch.
According to him, the latest statistics shows that the entertainment, culture and creative industries are contributing $200 billion or 10 per cent to Jamaica’s GDP, employing approximately 100,000 people in the process.
“The truth is that we need more support. We cannot be a country with the type of dance, with the type of culture, the type of artistic expression and creativity, and don’t have a performing arts centre,” he stated.
Revealing he knew there was a lot of discussion surrounding Catherine Hall, he noted that something urgently needs to happen, owing to the lack of proper venues and infrastructure.
“Promoters of events will tell you the challenges that they have in order to put on events. [That there is] required to be a plumber, a builder, because they have to spend that investment first and foremost to try and develop the venue,” he lamented.
We need some ready-made venues so that we can have more people in the business, so that we can have more people employed in the entertainment, cultural and creative industries, contributing more to GDP.”
Making reference to bauxite, tourism, agriculture, he said they all have a chance at survival and all the entertainment industry need is a chance too.
McIntosh also argued that Jamaica’s best-kept secret was the fact that the country has from the start of Reggae Sumfest annually, 21 days of ongoing culture, festivities, dance competition, and parties. From July 16, when Reggae Sumfest kicks off, as soon as it ends, Dream Weekend commences days later on July 27 in Negril; International Dancehall Queen, Saturday, July 29, moving straight into Independence activities which goes on until the Grand Gala on August 6.
“And guess what?” he questioned rhetorically. “We don’t promote it. We take everything for granted. We take our athletes for granted; our entertainment and culture for granted because we are so blessed as a country.”
He lauded promoter Brian ‘Big Head’ Martin for keeping the faith and not giving up on such a necessary part of the culture.
“Dancehall Queen has become an incredible platform for dancers to express themselves, showcasing their exceptional talent and passion for dancehall. It’s an electrifying celebration of our rich cultural heritage and the universal language of dance,” said Martin, the competition’s founder.
On Saturday, at the Pier One venue, where the event is being staged, some 20 women from as far as Japan and as close as Kingston will converge on Montego Bay vying for cash and the coveted trophy.
“The 2023 edition promises to be a spectacle like no other, featuring mesmerising performances, jaw-dropping choreography, and the explosive energy that dancehall is known for,” promised Martin.