Eastern Extravaganza on a mission to bring peace

Eight years since its inception, Eastern Extravaganza has stamped its name in communities in and around Mountain View as a peace initiative, and Judah Nugent, director of the organisers Eastern Entertainment Promotions, anticipates that the show will get a warm welcome on its return on New Year's Day.

"We have managed over the years to provide a platform for the communities and the youth of all ages within eastern Kingston to express themselves and showcase their talents, while at the same time using it to garner peace in the areas by bringing the people together," he told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Nugent opined that the show has contributed to the reduction in violence and fighting among warring factions.

Nugent said, "I can proudly say that there has been peace in the Hampstead Park Community (Back Bush) and areas surrounding. It is an event all residents look forward to each year with high anticipation, and this year we have confirmed the likes of Queen Ifrica, Bugle, Munga Honorable, Ding Dong, Laa Lee and Josey Wales, among so many other top acts, to come share their message of peace inside the Mountain View Oval."

The organisers have also taken an interest in Black Music Promotions' artistes Joshua and King Oxxf4rd. The St Catherine artistes have released singles over the past year which urge persons to refrain from violence and to value life.

"The artistes are extremely talented, and in their development, we must afford them the opportunity to be heard. The message in their music is in total compliance with our event, and I believe our platform gives them a chance for other communities to hear them," the organiser said.

Joshua's track, Gun or Life, was written following an incident where he lost a friend violently, hours after offering advice to "desist from engaging in illegal gun activities".

"That friend refrained from taking heed to my advice and was killed in an altercation with lawmen, the same day. I want to use this lifetime experience to reach out to others to [let them] know their life is much more valuable, despite what they may be going through," Joshua said.

The artiste-songwriter said that oftentimes persons attend stage shows and miss the message of the positive music.

"It's not about who mash up a stage show, which is what the Jamaican culture seems to be focused on. It should be the raising of awareness and inspiring good things, so I'm going to do what I always do and deliver that," Joshua said. King Oxxf4rd hopes the message of his track Catastrophe can have a similar impact.