In order to organize a series of concerts in the White River Valley of Ocho Rios in St. Ann, entertainment entrepreneur Maxine Stowe and reggae artist Sizzla Kalonji have teamed up in a musical partnership with Hoseazana Ezekiel Angus, head of Livety Promotions.
The three stated they are hoping to spend a portion of the money earned from the business to improve the technical capabilities of basic and elementary schools in the public education system across the island. The inaugural event, known as Blue Hole River Splash, will take place at the Blue Hole Spring Paradise in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Saturday, March 11.
The White River Valley in Ocho Rios, according to Stowe, “holds such a unique place In Jamaican music entertainment and event history and is community-driven,” therefore she is happy that Livety Promotions and Sizzla Kalonji have come together at this ideal time.
She remarked, “I am looking forward to collaborating with Livety Promotion and Sizzla Kalonji as the focus and opportunity to impact the Ocho Rios entertainment business has been opened.”
“This is a music enterprise collaboration that highlights and is interlinked with Sizzla’s music culture museum & entertainment complex at Judgement Yard in August Town which will be operational by year’s end,” she continued.
Music promoter Hoseazana Angus, on his part, is committed to the idea of using reggae music to improve society.
Throughout the history of Jamaican music, entertainment, and events, “The White River Valley holds a unique place in Jamaican music entertainment and event history and is community-driven,” Angus stated.
“We have to use music to liberate and elevate our people and with this venture, we have a unique opportunity to heal hearts and reach minds and use the hard cash to uplift our schools and communities,” he added.
Angus attended Newstead Primary School, which is located on the boundary of St. Mary and St. Ann when he was a youngster. As the nostalgia has worn off, he was startled to see that the school had little changed since he was a child.” I came back 20 years later and the school didn’t change, there were no computers, no computer room, and the school still had many basic needs, I was like ‘you got to be kidding me!” he exclaimed.
He has promised to use the money from the next event to give 33 computers to the school in light of this.
Angus further disclosed that, in addition to the other planned events that will be hosted frequently throughout the year, he will be focusing his charitable efforts on Exchange Junior High and Ocho Rios High School. There will be additional activities on July 15, August 5, and November 18.
“I want to help as many people as possible but I want to begin at home. I will be going to individual schools in the public system and asking them: ‘what is your most urgent or important need that you have right now?’. If that is fencing or a roof, then I want to address that,” explained Angus.
