Jamaican artistes partner with local entity for fund-raising concert tonight in Linden

Jul 31, 2018 News

By Sean Devers

Duane Stevenson (sitting, centre) is flanked fellow Jamaicans Mackeeham (left) and DJ Denvo, with the local artists and Clive Atwell (standing at far right) at yesterday press conference at GCC. (Sean Devers photo)

All roads lead to the McKenzie Sports Club ground in Linden tonight for the second version of the ‘Jamaica meets Guyana’ fund-raising concert for what is anticipated to be a night of fun and frolic for those in the Mining Town.

Three Jamaican entertainers, in collaboration with the Guyana Committee of Service (GCOS), have joined forces to stage the concert, headlined by recording artist and songwriter Duane Stephenson.

The event will start at 21:00hrs while gates will be opened from 19:00hrs. Tickets cost $1,000.

The dreadlocked Stephenson, whose hits include ‘Cottage in Negril’ and the uplifting ‘August Town’ – in which the opening verse of ‘A word from the wise, don’t try to make life on your own.…Remember that Jah Jah’s by your side’ is a moving reminder to youths to stay focused – said it was in New York that he first met some members of GCOS.

In August 2016, a group of entertainers came together with support from the Payless Variety Store and began to garner assistance for Guyana’s world rated boxer Clive Atwell, who suffered a life-changing head injury during his Junior Welterweight WBC FECARBOX Title bout against Dexter Gonsalves in 2015. And that was how the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS) was born.

Since then the humanitarian committee has grown from strength to strength, with the main aim of helping sportspersons and those in the Performing Arts. Last GCOS helped Guyana’s Junior Carifta Games team.

“We kept in contact with them (the GCOS members) and they asked if we would do three fund-raising concerts to help assist sportspersons and artistes. This is a great idea! We came here to do a show and we had an extra week until going to UK and don’t regret it. The people in Berbice had a great time,” Stephenson said.

Last week the Jamaican trio with local entertainers assisted GCOS in the launching of an athletic club in Berbice.

Today at 16:00hrs another similar launching will be done in the Mining Town, before the final fund-raising concert that will be held on Saturday August 4 on the tarmac of the Bartica Community Centre ground, to aid in the development of youths in Bartica.

Young Bill Rogers, winner of Guyana’s Chutney in 2013, speaking on behalf of local performers said that GCOS is doing great things.

“It’s good to be giving back and everyone is contributing to all the activities and preparations” informed Rogers, who took part in Trinidad National Chutney competition.

Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones, spokesman for GCOS, noted that apart from Rogers, Granny Ivelaw, Alabama, Rajen Tiwari are among the local performers.

“All of the funds from these shows will go back to your community, so it’s like your community bank account. We were selling tickets for $2,000 but with the help of Minster Harmon and the Government we been able to reduce the cost to $1,000,” Jones explained.

Atwell was also present at the press conference at GCC, Bourda. Fly Jamaica, Star Party Rentals, Ansa McAl and Payless Variety Store are among the major sponsors.

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