JamaicaTripper Travel News

Sixth Annual Jerkfest Festival To Be Held October 17 - 20

Spice up your stay in Jamaica at the 6th annual Jerkfest festival, running from October 17 - 20, 2008. Held at Hedonism III, visitors to the all-inclusive, all-adult sanctuary for pleasure seekers will be transported back to the days of the island's founding during the four-day fete, which takes place on the National Heroes holiday.

As guests stroll among a bamboo village, the sound of steel drums and reggae riffs will echo in the air, which will be thick with the succulent smells of Jamaican cuisine prepared by local chefs at a cooking demonstration. The flavor of the island will also be captured on canvases displayed by local artists.

Price: Rates begin at $1,134 per person, per night, based on double-occupancy for a four-day/three-night stay at Hedonism III.

For more information:

• visit www.hedonismresorts.com
• call 1-800-GO-SUPER

Labels: festivals

posted by Grace Sydney @ 3:33 PM

WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival in October

Although the Olympic flame which burned bright for 16 days in Beijing has been extinguished, sports enthusiasts inspired by the experience have the opportunity to compete side by side with athletes who have made their countries proud in the upcoming WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival, taking place from October 23 - 26, 2008. Held at Jamaica's Rose Hall, the event-- celebrating its inaugural year-- welcomes Triathlete of the Year Greg Bennett and his wife Laura Bennett, who placed fourth during the recent Beijing Olympic games, US Olympic team member Julie Ertel Swail and Ironman participant Jordan Rapp.

The triathlon will take participants through some of the most scenic portions of the "Elegant Corridor," from the 18-hole Robert von Hagge, Cinnamon Hill golf course to the area's newest addition-- the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort-- and along the new North Coast Highway. Amateur athletes can challenge themselves like the champions as they tackle a 1500 m ocean swim, two laps on a bicycle course and two laps on the Cinnamon Hill course dubbed "The Witch" before a final race toward the finish line on the grounds of the Rose Hall Great House, where a party awaits those who pushed themselves to the limit.

For those looking to balance body and spirit, the four-day event also features a Wellness Festival, where holistic healers, Medicine Men and spa personnel explain such transcendental treatments as Reflexology, Reiki and Yoga while nutritional experts expound the benefits of healthy eating through Jamaican "Ital" and vegetarian meals.

Package deals are available through Island Resorts & Tours, which include roundtrip airfare, a three night stay, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, and all hotel taxes and surcharges. The Rose Hall Resort & Spa package begins at $303 (EP), with $605 for the all-inclusive option; Ritz Carlton Rose Hall package, with accommodation in a Gardenview room, starts at $401 (EP), and the Iberostar package, which includes all drinks, meals and select activities, stars at $643.

For more information regarding packages to the event:
visit www.islandresorttours.com.

For more information regarding the WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival:
visit www.rosehalltriathlon.com.

Labels: festivals

posted by Grace Sydney @ 3:01 PM

Faith Tourism Events, Festivals Planned

Former National Football League (NFL) player Miles McPherson, the founder of Miles Ahead, and close to 300 volunteers from the San Diego-based organization will visit Jamaica between April 24 and May 5 to work on projects that range from health screenings to sports clinics and from deaf interpretation workshops to rebuilding local elementary schools.

The visit forms part of Jamaica Broilers Group's 50th anniversary celebrations and three major family-oriented festivals, under the Best Dressed 50Fest banner, which will be presented in Mandeville, Montego Bay and Kingston between April 26 and May 4.

The Festivals: The festivals - put together by Jamaica Broilers in partnership with churches across Jamaica, the Luis Palau Association and Miles Ahead - will feature both local and international gospel musicians, including Papa San, Carlene Davis, Prodigal Son, Toby Mac, and Israel Houghton & New Breed, as well as messages of hope from evangelists Luis Palau, Andrew Palau and McPherson himself.

• April 26- 27: Andrew Palau will present at the Mandeville Festival to be held on the Manchester High School grounds
  
• May 2-3: Miles McPherson will be at Montego Bay's Dump Up Beach
  
• May 3-4: Luis Palau will be on the King's House grounds in Kingston
  

"We are so excited to be in a position to make evangelistic, social and economic contributions to a culture that has influenced my upbringing and has helped shaped my faith," said Miles McPherson, senior pastor of the 10,000-strong Rock Church in San Diego. His father and grandparents are from Jamaica.

For more information:
• visitwww.milesahead.com and www.bestdressed50fest.com

Labels: festivals, Kingston, Montego Bay, South Coast

posted by Paris & John @ 1:05 PM

Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival Announces Lineup

Scheduled for January 24-26, 2008 at the Aqueduct at Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival has announced its lineup. Headliner Diana Ross, dubbed the ‘female entertainer of the century’ by Billboard magazine, will be joined by eight-time Grammy singer Anita Baker, Trinidad-born Billy Ocean; and reggae great, Beres Hammond.

“This is perhaps the best lineup that I have heard of in recent times,” commented Minister of Tourism, Ed Bartlett.

“This event is magical,” stated Executive Producer of the Festival, Walter Elmore. “The audience is the biggest heart of the magic. And the artists give back with a performance that they just don’t do anywhere else.”

Called the ‘Art Of Music,’ the festival is a three-day musical event that welcomes 40,000 guests each year. It has become the showcase for music on two stages, Jamaican and international cuisine and an overall great time.

Previous Performers: The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, since its introduction in 1986, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica. International artistes that have performed at the festival include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Kenny G., Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Kool & the Gang, Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Brian McKnight Harry Belafonte, Babyface, Stephanie Mills, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, and many more. And to bring the Jamaican flavor well known names such as Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Toots Hibbert, Shaggy, Sean Paul Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Monty Alexander, Ritchie Stephens and many other Jamaican talents have made their mark on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage.
For more information:

• visit AirJamaicajazzandblues.com

Labels: festivals, Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 1:09 PM

Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival Honored by NYC

Jamaican-American New York City Council Member Leroy Comrie (right) reads the proclamation from the City of New York honoring the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival for its outstanding contribution. The occasion was the kick-off launch event for the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in New York City on Thursday, November 1, 2007. The national airline, Air Jamaica, as a title sponsor has lent its name to the event since its inception more than a decade ago. On hand to accept the award is Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (third right), Joy Schaaffe, Director of Marketing, Air Jamaica and Walter Elmore of Turnkey Productions, organizers of the Festival.

Photo credit: Bill Cancelare

Labels: festivals

posted by Paris & John @ 11:15 AM

Jake's Planning Hook N' Line Fishing Tournament and Fish Fry

From October 13-15, Jake's in Treasure Beach will be co-sponsor of the annual Treasure Beach Hook N' Line Fishing Tournament, Fish Fry and Fun Day on the Calabash Bay fishing beach in St. Elizabeth.

Now in its 11th year, the Hook N' Line Tournament sees local fishermen vying for prizes by catching the largest fish using only the traditional fishing method of a simple hook and line. A three-day competition, the fisherman with the weightiest fish at the end of the weekend wins the tournament. Other events include a boat race, local talent show, fish fry and community beach party.

Guests are welcome to go fishing with local fisherman to test skills in catching the biggest King Fish, Barracuda, or Jack Fish.

Giving Back to the Community: Proceeds from this event (through the tournament's entrance fees and purchases of souvenir t-shirts) go toward various projects supported by Breds The Treasure Beach Foundation, the local community based non-profit. This year's fundraising efforts are in aid of repairing the community's ambulance, an integral part of the volunteer emergency response system BREDS and a team of New York emergency doctors established in the small fishing village over five years ago. For more information visit www.breds.org

Island Outpost's fishing tournaments are the latest in its long roster of charitable initiatives. Giving back to the culture he so highly regards, owner Chris Blackwell established Island ACTS (Assisting Communities Toward Strength), which serves as an umbrella for Island Outpost's many charities throughout Jamaica and works towards the advancement of education, healthcare and community development. The charities created and supported by Island ACTS represent a cross section of Jamaica communities and lifestyles. They include: Oracabessa Foundation, established by Chris Blackwell to promote the sustainable development of Oracabessa and its environs; The Mary Vinson Blackwell Foundation in the Parish of Trelawny, dedicated to the renowned fashion and home furnishings designer; and BREDS, a non-profit organization formed in 1998 by Henzell and Peace Corps volunteer Aaron Laufer to promote sports, education, culture, emergency health care (Breds-run community ambulance service), and environmental awareness in Treasure Beach.

For More Information:

• call 1-800-OUTPOST or 44 (0) 1895 450 731 in the UK
• visit www.islandoutpost.com

Labels: festivals, South Coast

posted by Paris & John @ 4:31 PM

Goldeneye Planning 10th Annual Marlin Fishing Tournament

Goldeneye will stage its 10th Annual Oracabessa Marlin Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Oracabessa Bay/James Bond Beach. Million dollar boats? Not here. What can be found is a celebration of indigenous fishing culture as local fishermen (and women!) test their skills with nothing more than their boat, a length of fishing line and the strength in their arms.

About the Event: The Oracabessa Marlin Fishing Tournament is a non-profit, community-based event, free for all participants and spectators. It is the result of an active partnership between Goldeneye, St. Mary Fisherman's Cooperative and the Oracabessa Foundation. The events goals are to create a family-oriented community day, to promote environmental awareness and sustainable fishing practices and to raise funds for the purchase of safety equipment needed by the St. Mary Fisherman's Cooperative.

The Schedule: Fishing boats set to sea at 7:00 am in hopes of hooking the biggest marlin. Landlubbers can take part in an array of activities to test their own fishing skills:

• the "Reel in the Marlin" contest replicates the haul of a 150-pound fish
• the "Precision Casting" tests casting skills
• the "Team Boat Landing" race will see teams of four competing to land a boat the fastest

Environmental education booths come courtesy of local organizations Friends of the Sea, National Environmental and Planning Agency, the Maritime Authority, Institute of Jamaica and the Natural History Department. Other activities include face painting, bounce-about, trampoline and crowd favorite the St. Mary BMX Stunt Bicycling Jam. New this year is an exhibit from the Reggae Xplosion Museum in Ocho Rios.

The Prizes: After the weigh-in station closes at 5:00 pm, prizes will be awarded to: Biggest Marlin, Biggest Nonbill Fish, Most Weight Total Catch, Most Courageous Fisherman and Best Fisherwoman. Also up-for-grabs is the "Prettiest Boat" Award open to entrants who participate in the boat painting day prior to the Tournament. Once the Awards Ceremony finishes, the "after-tournament" fun begins with vibes provided by Teflon Sound.

For More Information:

• call 1-800-OUTPOST or 44 (0) 1895 450 731 in the UK
• visit www.islandoutpost.com

Labels: festivals, Ocho Rios

posted by Paris & John @ 4:28 PM

Port Royal Music Festival Deemed A Hit

We've just received word that Jamaica's Port Royal Music Festival was a real hit. Held September 7 through 9 in the community of Port Royal, the former pirate's lair that's just a short drive from Kingston. The Festival, endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board, consisted of three shows: The Celebrity Party, The Main Show and Jazz on the Harbour, during which international artists joined local performers to thrill and delight music lovers with a mix of genres.

Photo courtesy Jamaica Tourist Board

Labels: festivals, Kingston

posted by Paris & John @ 8:29 PM

Jamaica Reports Successful Sumfest

As July comes to an end, Jamaica reports that the 15th Annual Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, held earlier this month at the Catherine Hall Complex in Montego Bay, was a success.

The event featured American multi-platinum rapper LL Cool J, Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, Shaggy, Beenie Man and Beres Hammond.

LL Cool J's hour-long set featured hits like Phenomenon, Radio, Number One (Love You Better), I Need Love among others. While declaring he was “King of Hip Hop”, LL Cool J paid tribute to the “King of Jamaica” - the reggae legend, Bob Marley - belting out Could You Be Loved and Jammin’.

The hip-hop soul queen, Mary J. Blige, performed an hour-long set included I’m Goin’ Down from 1994 studio album My Life and Take Me As I Am and Be Without You from her 2006 Best Selling Album The Breakthrough. She closed her set with No More Drama.

Earlier in the week (Thursday) thousands of guests attended Dancehall Night, dubbed Explosion, to see favorite acts including Beenie Man, Bounti Killer, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Assassin, Vybz Kartel, Ninja Man, Anthony B, Cham and Chuck Fenda. This year's record attendance saw more than 15,000 patrons.

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism Basil Smith was pleased with the quality of this year’s event. “The Jamaica Tourist Board is delighted to once again be a partner in the staging of this remarkable event. An event such as Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest represents an important part of the culture of Brand Jamaica. Our rich music heritage transcends international barriers and is another part of the Jamaican experience we are proud to share with the world.”

During the week, most of Montego Bay’s hoteliers and villa operators reported full occupancy and with the dates a fixture on the music calendar patrons are encouraged to book in advance.

If you're already thinking ahead to next year, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest is usually held at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay during the third week of July.

Labels: festivals, Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 1:23 PM