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Best Dressed 50Fest Review - (Kingston)

Written by Khimani A. Williams

Thursday, 29 May 2008

History was made in the beautiful island of Jamaica when the Caribbean Broilers Group of Companies staged a momentous celebration for their 50th anniversary, dubbed the 'Best Dressed 50Fest'. It was a melting pot of fun-filled, family-oriented activities which included daring stunts, entertainment by the Veggie Tales, ministry in word, singing, and more. The event covered virtually the whole island as it was staged at three strategic locations: Manchester High School, Manchester; Dump Up Beach, Montego Bay; and Kings House, Kingston.

The anticipation for the Fest was high and the crowd turnout at each leg ballooned, dwarfing the one before it. Manchester averaged 20,000 for both Saturday and Sunday nights combined, Montego Bay 37,000 and Kingston, where it all culminated, averaged a gargantuan 75,000 (that's an estimated total of 264,000). Wow! With good reports coming out of both Manchester and Montego Bay, Kingston was all set to close the final leg of the Festival with a bang. Expectations were met as Kingston delivered with a knockout punch. International outdoor minister, Luis Palau preached to the multitudes on both nights and various sensational gospel artistes ministered in song.

The first night saw Dj Nicholas, Sherwin Gardener, Chevelle Franklin and internationally recognized gospel sensation, Israel Houghton serving up a spiritual feast to the masses. On the final night it was Prodigal Son, Carlene Davis, Papa San and the 'White Boy' TobyMac. Patrons were treated to a variety of genres, as artiste after artiste came.

50Fest Thrills on First Night

The concert, which got underway at approximately 5:16 p.m. on Saturday, opened with the Salem Baptist Church Choir (Chicago) engaging the already packed audience in a lively praise and worship session. By the time Master of Ceremony Nadine Blair got around to introducing the second minister it was clear to all that if you moved it would be at your own risk as patrons continued to roll in by the hundreds and from every angle. When Nadine said "This minister is originally from Trinidad", it sent shockwaves through the crowd as the veteran minister Sherwin Gardener strolled onto the stage. The little dynamo rocked the house with several of his newer songs. Chevelle Franklyn was up next and staying true to her convictions, she led the crowd in deep worship making sure that everyone knew that their purpose on earth is to worship the Most High.

Louder than ever, was the word from DJ Nicholas. Attacking the stage with an arsenal of the Word, he put the flesh ‘Under Subjection’. He then proceeded to ‘Pop Off Di Word’ and let the devil know that he was vexed and wouldn't ‘Miss Dis Time’. After Nick, Minister Luis Palau came and brought the Word, after which there was an altar call. The large number of people who responded presented a pleasant challenge in finding counsellors to minister to them.

Jamaican Connections

One would think that after the altar call would come the benediction. Not so! The real Gospel concert fans knew something special was up next. After a resounding introduction from Nadine Blair, a short man armed with a guitar and dressed in white stepped up to the microphone. Israel Houghton, whose songs are well known in Jamaica, opened his set with ‘Rejoice in the Lord Always’ which had people from front-to-back and side-to-side jumping, singing and worshiping along. The tempo did not abate as Israel, backed by New Breed, kept the hits coming. He did pause for a short while to make us aware that he has Jamaican connections, as his father is a Jamaican. When his set was through he exited, but the multitude would have none of it. "We want more! We want more!" they demanded, and their call for more was met as Mr. Houghton encored with ‘Turn It Around’ and ‘I Know Who I Am’. I experienced great difficulty getting from east to west of the crowd as it was like a tin of sardine - jam packed. There were people everywhere!

50Fest's Spectacular Closing Night

If anyone had expected the final night to exceed the penultimate night, their expectations were met. Again, the Salem Baptist Choir from Chicago opened the show, and they were followed by the Kencott Seventh Day Adventist group who thrilled harmoniously with ‘Lord You Are Holy’ and ‘Hallelujah’.

It was 5:30 p.m. when the 'Radikal Boy', Prodigal Son came to the stage. Opening with ‘Blessings’, he had the crowd dancing and singing excitedly, his set climaxed with the controversial hits ‘Bongo Town’ and ‘Lava Ground’. After Myles McPherson, who preached at the Manchester leg, came and greeted the crowd, Carlene Davis came to the stage as the sun was in the process of setting. However, the patrons proved that they were not solar powered as they joined her in worshiping Jesus Christ with tunes like ‘Rock Me Jesus’ and ‘No God Like Jehovah’. The forever-loved ‘Forever Friend’ was next and by this time it was nightfall. She closed off with a flurry of Sunday morning church choruses which had everyone in a hand-clapping, foot-stomping frenzy.

Crazy Stunts and More Jamaican Connections

The hearts of many almost stopped (well mine almost did) when the 'Live It 'stunt ministry came to the platform to daze the crowd. "Someone will get hurt", I thought, but they proved me wrong. Just imagine a man lying on his stomach and allowing a cyclist and two skate boarders to jump over him…better yet don't imagine that! Well, next was the president of the Caribbean Broilers Group of Companies, Mr. Robert Levy, and he had with him, Member of Parliament, Delroy Chuck. They both greeted the masses, and Mr. Levy bragged a little that no politician could ever gather this number of people at a single event. He then temporarily took the Master of Ceremony, Olecia Wedderburn's, job and introduced the husband of his daughter, rap/rock/hip-hip sensation, TobyMac, to the stage.

It was indeed something quite unusual to the Jamaican mass as some 'funky' music came leaking through the speakers. The self-proclaimed 'White Boy' got things going with ‘Ketch A Fire’, and things indeed got hot with smashing hits like ‘Made To Love’, ‘Jesus Freak’, ‘Irene’ and ‘Lose My Soul’. Just before he made his exit, TobyMac committed the 'Whitest' act I've seen with my own eyes; he jumped off into the crowd! That was a first for many Jamaicans!

The Word was next by international outdoor evangelist, Luis Palau. After Mr. Robert Levy's request to have the national anthem sung was met, Mr. Palau opened up his message which bore a theme of the "Prodigal Son". He testified about his own son, Andrew, who decided to go his own way, having nothing to do with God and His Church. But 15 years ago he came home to God. The scripture reading was taken from St. Luke 16: 19–31. Silently the tens of thousands listened to the Word being preached and at the end of it he gave an altar call. There were many, many respondents, as backsliders and sinners gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. Amen? Amen!

Well, after the preaching it was time to go into the purses and back pockets for the kerchiefs and rags to 'get something and wave'. Like propellers patrons waved with affection from the time Papa San entered the stage and right throughout his performance. First, he sang a couple new songs from his upcoming album, ‘Higher Heights’, and then he rolled back the curtain more than a decade, reviving gospel classics like 'Love Inna Mi Heart'. "Papa San" closed his set in "Pop Style" and had everyone grooving, jumping and singing along!

Many Thanks

Following the event, The Caribbean Broilers Group of Companies gave thanks via various media houses for the support of the nation, and also for a terrific incident-free event. I am definitely looking forward to ‘Fun in the Son’ next year (or whatever event Best Dressed wishes to sponsor). Much thanks to Dhane Brown, Carmen Patterson from Innovative Ideas, Nadine Blair from Love 101 and Tommy Cowan.

God bless you all!

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