Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 May 1992 — Page 22

The Muncie Times, Thursday, 7 May, 1992, Page 22

’92 Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica to be Bigger, Better

by Roger Conatser “Uniting the world through music” is the theme for the Reggae Sunsplash ‘92 concert that will be held Aug. 3 to 8 at the Bob Marley Performing Arts Center, Montego Bay, Jamaica. This will be the 15th year for the concert that is produced by Synergy Productions Ltd., of Jamaica. Having attended last year, I can tell you that if you like reggae music, sun and water, or beautiful people, this is the place to be in August. This event is six nights long. Performers will be on stage from about 8 p.m. each night until 7 a.m. the next day. Each night has a theme: Monday, “Reggae Beach Party” is at Cornwall Beach. The others, Tuesday, “Caribbean Night,” Wednesday, “World Beat Night,” Thursday, “Dance Hall Night,” Friday, “Singers Night,” and Saturday, “International Night,” will be held at the Bob Marley Center. For the first night of Sunsplash ‘91, this was a warmup for those in attendance. Starting earlier than the nights to follow, at about 6 p.m., the show was held at Cornwall Beach, just off the main street of downtown MoBay (tourists call it Montego Bay). Included were dance troupes, a fashion show and some of the up-and-coming reggae groups, DJs and singers. Not only was the beach area alive with people, but the streets in MoBay were filled with those ready to party. There were plenty of vendors with food, drinks and an assortment of handmade articles for sale. The show ended shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday’s festivities moved to the Bob Marley Center, which is about 10 minutes by. car from downtown MoBay. There are

Rasta Man Cocoa Tea

plenty of taxis available, but many people can be seen making the 30 to 40 minute walk. The Bob Marley Center is about the size of a football field, with a large stage at one end and vendors booths along

both sides. Many people brought their own blankets or even cardboard to sit on. But if you forget there are vendors who will sell you cardboard to sit or sleep on. Wednesday night was

labeled “World Beat Night.” That it was. Joining Jamaican artists Gregory Isaacs were the Itals, Native and Edi Fitzroy. Lucky Dube from South Africa really got the crowd going. Spice & Co. from Barbados and P.J. from Japan gave a good performance also. Thursday’s crowd arrived much earlier, to see “Dance Hall Night,” which might be the most popular night for the Jamaican people. Maybe 40,000 people came and went through the night, enjoying Yellowman, Charlie Chaplin, Tony Rebel, Tiger, Papa San and several others. Finally, Friday arrived and it seemed the week had flown. It was “Singer’s Night” and out came more of the super stars, Cocoa Tea, Third World, Beres Hammond, Sanchez and one of my favorites, Freddie McGregor. It was a beautiful Jamaican night, warm but with a cool breeze. As the nights have gone by, the crowds seemed to have become more comfortable with each other or even seemed to form a bond with

each other. Saturday was “International Night.” It was a night for Jamaica’s musical ambassadors to come home for a celebration and a salute to Bob Marley. Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Andrew Tosh, Shinehead, Mutabaruka, I-Three and Carlene Davis performed to the delight of the crowd. Doug E. Fresh was on stage and got the crowd going, Shabba Ranks made an explosive entrance onto the stage and was joined by Maxi Priest. The crowd went wild. Dennis Brown closed the show. I had booked my flight for Sunday at 2 p.m., so I had to leave early. Synergy also produces a reggae festival that makes its way through the United States and Japan. Try the show and see what you think. Maybe you will find yourself making arrangements to attend Jamaica’s Sunsplash, the largest reggae festival in the world. If you plan to go this year, here are a few tips that might help. Don’t plan your return until Monday or Tuesday. If you don’t mind a challenge, rent a car and drive on the left. This will give you the freedom to see some of the island. There is a lot of beautiful scenery and people in Jamaica. Do as much as you can, because if you don’t you will wish you had after you get home. For those who have been to Jamaica, this is a good excuse to go back. For those who have never been, this is a great time to go. The concert is well-pro-duced by Synergy. A very warm feeling of security is provided by the Jamaican police and militaiy units. I have been to Jamaica several times in the last 2 (cont. on pg. 23)