Sanchez and Derrick Morgan to be honoured with Music Icon Award

Approximately 30,000 spectators are expected to attend the National Stadium in St Andrew on Independence Day (August 6) for the Grand Gala, which is part of Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The cultural showcase, which is slated to begin at 6:00 pm, will feature presentations in music, drama, song and dance, by costumed and uniformed groups alongside popular local artistes.

Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, briefed the House of Representatives about the preparations for Grand Gala on Tuesday.

She disclosed that members of the public, who wish to attend the Grand Gala may get their tickets at Sangster’s Bookstore locations in Cross Roads, Spring Plaza, Portmore Pines and Montego Bay. Tickets can also be picked up at World Net Microfinancing branches and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) offices islandwide.

Minister Grange added that tickets will also be distributed at the Jamaica 60 Independence Village inside the National Stadium and at other locations, which will be announced shortly. “Those who are not able to get tickets, it will be live on television, electronic boards across the island and we will be streaming right across the world,” Grange advised.

Big performance line-up planned

She said that about 2,500 performers and crew drawn from communities across the Corporate Area and St. Catherine will perform at the Independence Grand Gala. Some of the special guest performers include Beenie Man, Barrington Levy, Teejay, Toni-ann Singh, Glacia Robinson, and Tessanne Chin.

During the event, Sanchez and Derrick Morgan will be honoured with the Music Icon Award for their sterling contribution to the popularity of Jamaican music on the world stage. “It is going to be extremely grand and there will be a special high-profile guest from overseas, who will be present,” the Culture , Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister promised.

Ms. Grange noted that in addition to the fireworks display, there will be a spectacular drone show. The drone show will also be a feature at the Western Gala on August 7.

“We will also have a flyover by a friendly country and we are going to have paratroopers from Guyana participating in the event as well,” she said.

Grange stated that the celebrations on Independence Day will be held islandwide and include flag-raising ceremonies, sports festival, mini gala, gospel concerts, street dances, among others.

She informed that the Western Mini Gala will be held on August 7.

“So, it is not competing with the gala in Kingston on the sixth, but they will have their own space and time on August 7,” she said.

The Western Gala will feature Jermaine Edwards, Govana, Tessanne Chin, Teejay, La-lee, among others.

“As we celebrate our Diamond Jubilee and we reignite our nation for greatness, we also want to reignite our nation for togetherness,” the minister said in conclusion.