Friday, December 11, 2009

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Peace and love at FamFest By Chakara Bennett ~ Guardian Intern: It's the one concert that most people look forward to every year, and it's on the cards this weekend. The 13th FamFest — the annual two-day family-based Christian concert — takes place this weekend with over 40 Christian groups and artists lined up to perform on Friday and Saturday. This year, popular international performers Kenton Jones, Nigel Lewis, DJ Nicholas of Jamaica, Shawn Daniels of Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas' very own Monty G are the headliners set to rock the show. Other local artists that will be setting off the stage with "spiritual fire" will be Christian Massive, Manifest, Ricardo Clark. Mr. Links, Shaback, Landlord and Ryan Jupp & Lyrically Blessed to name a few. FamFest could not come at a better time, with the crime wave that's gripping the country and the murder count at 72, according to educator Ariel Deveaux, 28. This event she says will certainly have everyone in better spirits and out of the house having a grand old time. "I am glad that Famfest is here and this weekend will be filled with peace and love. Things are getting too bad but this should lighten the load and still the evil minds and hands of these young — and even old folk out there. I have high hopes for this weekend that the good vibes that will be generated will spill over into the rest of the year and more young people just have fun without violence. This is a good thing . . . a very good thing," she said. FamFest coordinator Reubin Heights, says event attendees will see a number of things done differently at this year's concert. "We're getting the artists to be a part of the movement of living in love to live in peace by getting them to go out into the local communities and talk with young people, participate in community activities and just be an encouragement. This is something we hope to do for the remainder of the year. It is something we desperately need," he said. Heights also says it will be exciting to see all the Bahamian gospel artists on one stage at one occasion. He also is glad to know that FamFest continues to attract people to the country, and shows them that Bahamians are musically talented as well, and show off the island in another way besides sun, sand and sea. In fact, to celebrate the rising gospel music talent in the country, there will be a special hour-and-a-half dedicated to their performances. "I feel great about it, because FamFest brings out not only young people but old people, who all feel that we need to live in love and who feel that we don't need the violence. I hope that the people who come will get closer to God listening to the message I am telling because peace begins with love and that's what we need," says Najie Dun, who will be one of the performers, and who has performed at FamFest for the past eight years. Mark Cartwright, the original founder of FamFest, hopes that the event attracts even more than the 15,000 persons it did last year. The event has been so successful in the past that it has attracted three additional popular television stations, BET, BET Gospel and Tempo Rise & Shine to broadcast it besides the Bahamas Christian Broadcast (BCN). "I am excited simply because the event has grown so much. It also makes me feel good that we have so many international artists who are so willing to give up their time. This is also the largest family festival in the region that I know of. But simply, I am excited about the excitement that people I meet have about the entire event," he said. Friday night's first evening will be dedicated to music and song, with prayers offered for the country and worshipping God traditionally. Most of the local gospel praise teams and choirs will be in attendance. On Saturday, the festival and concert will rock the place with family-oriented activities including games, rides and face-painting for the kids. Vendors will be selling food to ensure that people maintain their strength while enjoying the festivities. But the main event, the concert by the international artists and local performers will kick off at 3 p.m. and go on until it is over. FamFest is expected to be "hot and spiritually overwhelming," and a true weekend of praise and love. FamFest Gospel & Worship When: Friday, Nov. 13 Where: Arawak Cay Festival Park Time: 6 p.m.-midnight Cost: Free FamFest- Festival and Concert When: Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Arawak Cay Festival Park Time: Noon. Concert - 3 p.m. until Cost: Free Thursday, November 12, 2009