News: Sumfest '05 off to rocking start

"FOR PARTICIPANTS, it was fun and frolic galore as after soaking up the early afternoon pleasures of the scenic white sand beach, they were treated to music from sound systems such as Code Red, Soul Faith Hi Fi and Soul 2 Soul. There was also riveting live band music from the Ocho Rios based PACE band.

HAPPY TO BE SPARED

"We are happy that the hurricane did not affect us as we were quite worried two days ago," said Johnny Gourzong, executive director of Summerfest Productions, the promoters of the annual music festival. "We are hopeful that we will have good weather for the remainder of the festival."

With DJ Squeeze (Mega Jamz) and Arif Cooper (Fame FM) manning the turntables during the early segment, it was like a journey through Jamaica's music as patrons were treated to a wonderful mix of ska, rocksteady, roots rock and hardcore reggae.

In one of the hardcore reggae segments, several florescent bulbs fell from the roof of the main building as the drum and bass in the rhythms engulfed the beach.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the sound systems made way for the PACE band, which was positioned on an exquisitely decorated stage mounted in the sand close to the main building."

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--Knockz