SUNRISE – At a lively and intimate event to close the Pieces of Jamaica exhibition in Sunrise, a large number of persons came out to see the photography of David I. Muir and a powerful and diverse line-up of Jamaican talent. The event was held at the City of Sunrise Civic Center Art Gallery on Wednesday (February 21).
The exhibition, which has been running from January 6, showcases the natural beauty of the Jamaican people and culture as seen through the eyes of Muir. He said, “I wanted to highlight different pieces of Jamaica that you don’t often see with my photography. Likewise, the performers this evening represent different sides of my country.”
As diverse and interesting as the art, was the group of performers — from instrumentalists and reggae singers to poets and even a hip hop artiste and a rock singer — all of whom were born and raised in Jamaica or are of Jamaican parentage.
Host and poet Damali Adele Ife opened the show with one of her poems before introducing saxophonist Randy Corinthian, who captivated the audience with some soothing jazz.
Artistes like Jo Benjammin delighted the audience with his musical prowess on the keys and Righteous Rebel sang his way into the hearts of guests – staking his claim as a young reggae crooner to watch. Rising hip hop artiste from Kingston, Jamaica, Five Steez followed with songs about everyday life in intricate rhyme form. The beautiful and talented Crystal Alexander took to the stage and blew the crowd away with her harmonious vocals.
Five Steez Performing
Photo by: Roy Sweetland
Published writer and dub poet Malachi Smith shared his staple style of poetry and made way for the Jamaican-based pioneering poet, Yashika Graham who displayed clever wordplay and vivid imagery in her performance. Damali eventually joined her on stage and both went back and forth in a smooth and potent collaborative set in which both also sang beautifully.
Paul Campbell, Ghenete Wright Muir and David Muir
Photo by: Roy Sweetland
One of the highlights of the night came from the photographer’s wife, Ghenete Wright Muir, who had been touted all night as a “special guest performer.” Before reading a poem she wrote with the help of friends, she announced that she is a lawyer, not a poet. However, by the end of her performance, the audience, and her thoroughly surprised husband, thought differently as they delivered resounding applause.
Kristine Alicia
Photo by: Roy Sweetland
The Prodigy Mix Band provided live music with performances by Kristine Alicia and Kary Diamond. Randy Corinthian returned to the stage and took the crowd away into musical heaven.
Five Steez and Yashika Graham took the opportunity to introduce two Jamaican organizations of which they are a part — Manifesto Jamaica and the Poetry Society of Jamaica both of which are steeped in the arts.
As the host and exhibiting photographer, Damali and David, thanked the guests, the performers: Malachi Smith, Yashika Graham, Righteous Rebel, Five Steez and Kristine Alicia returned with a song each one after the other and then brought on Nia Divine who closed the show with the Prodigy Mix Band.
Those performances brought the night to a climax, giving guests a true night of celebrating the arts, both visual and performance.
