Quickies

Autumn poets make Ja stop

The Poets in Autumn Tour made its stop in Jamaica at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church, Slipe Road, on February 4. The US-based spoken-word group ministered through skits and music. They were supported by Jamaicans Latoya Hamilton and Rondell Positive.

The show, sponsored by LASCO iCool, opened with a performance of Dusty Shelf by up-and-coming Jamaican gospel artiste Victor Green. A powerful set by Rondell Positive followed, including crowd favourites More Than A Conqueror, I'll Never Change, Sticks Nor Stones and Goodbye World.

Closing the show's first half was popular gospel poet Latoya Hamilton, who had the audience chanting along her four-item set, keeping rhythm for her culturally relevant pieces, such as Balance the Scale.

The second half saw the poets of Poets in Autumn Tour ministering.

Chris Webb opened with 'The Gate', followed by Preston Perry and Jackie Hill Perry with The Fall. Janet Watson more popularly known as Janette...ikz (pronounced genetics) followed with I Will Wait.

Preston Perry did Jesus Is God. His wife, Jackie Hill Perry, then told the transformational tale of Life As A Stud.

Ezekiel Azonwu was the crowd favourite with his delivery of Almost Saved. And Chris Webb returned to the stage to resounding applause for his performance of The Mattress. The group closed with Conviction, a mock trial on what makes a Christian.

Jonathon McReynolds closed the festivities. His set incorporated tracks from his one EP and two albums, ending with Maintain, for which the audience contributed harmony, and Pressure.

Angelique's Project plans Magic

Tomorrow, Angelique's Project presents A Night of Magic at Redbones Blues Cafe, New Kingston. Some of the featured performers are Karen Smith, Valton 'VC' Craigie, Della Manley, Rupert Bent, Wayne MacGregor, Colin Young and Omar Francis. The event starts at 8 p.m.

Angelique's Project aims at shattering the facade of not having issues, but affirms that as a community, regardless of sex, race, class and other categories, stigma will be shattered.

The project seeks to bring inspiration to those who have lost hope, encouraging persons to have faith and to believe that there is actually a light at the end of the tunnel. For, as Bobo of the band U2 said, "Music can change the world because it can change people."

First Chevelle concert in Ja since 2012

After a string of successes in Africa, the UK and the US, Chevelle Franklyn is hoping to receive the same kind of love from Jamaicans when she kicks off the local leg of a year of praise tomorrow at the Swallowfield Chapel, St Andrew.

In her first home performance since 2012, she will perform on The Gospel Link's Revive, set to start at 7 p.m. Franklyn will share the stage with Jermaine D Gordon, Prophet Glenford Thompson of Shekinah Intercessors Outreach Ministry, David 'Strongtower' Foreman, and the gospel group Perpetual Praise, among others.

"My ministry here has been long overdue ... . This is the right time and I'm well prepared for it. So they can expect to experience the presence of God and also experience my journey in South Africa," Franklyn said.

Bursting on the scene at 16 years old with the ballad I Don't Know, which chronicled an off-limits affair, Franklyn later collaborated with Beenie Man on Dancehall Queen.

Children's gospel contest into eliminations

The Jamaica Children's Gospel Song Competition is moving into its elimination round, with four regional eliminations slated to be held across the island. The eliminations, which begin today, will take place over four consecutive Fridays.

Organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Children's Gospel Song Competition is on the hunt for Jamaica's most talented junior gospel singers.

Eliminations for the western region, which covers the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover, St James and Trelawny, will be held today at 11:00 in the Hollis Peter Lynch Hall, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Westgate, St. James. Next Friday, the northern region, which covers St Ann, St Mary and Portland, will have its elimination at the St. Mary's Anglican Church Hall, Port Maria, St Mary, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The central region, which covers St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon, will host their elimination on March 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Mark's Anglican Church Hall, Mandeville, Manchester. The final elimination will be on March 24 for the eastern region, which covers St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Thomas. It will be held at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church, St Andrew, starting at 9:30 a. m.