Vibes, familiar landmarks, Moko Jumbies, serenades, everyday hero profiles, and entertainment galore were just some of the aspects featured during ONE YARD Caribbean. The virtual benefit concert, hosted by ANSA McAL Limited, was organised with the aim of soliciting donations for children and assisting in their access to remote learning platforms.
Artists from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica, all touched down in virtual venues throughout the Caribbean to encourage viewers to donate, rock back, and share love in these difficult times. For those who may have missed it, here are some of the highlights of Friday night’s resounding success.
The show kicked off with an explanation of the name and concept of ‘ONE YARD’. As Wendell Manwarren explained, “The yard is our cultural crucible.” It truly is the traditional source of our creative and cultural expressions. Think of pan, mas, calypso, dancehall, soca, and reggae music. All these vibrations originated in the yards of our various Caribbean countries and communities, which is why it is so imperative to maintain, nurture, and promote the atmosphere that we all know as ‘yard’.
Giving back and donating to help children across the region was at the forefront of discussion for interviewees and artists alike. Coming together, despite us having to be apart, to give from our heart and our pockets was the running theme of the night.
The performances opened with Romeo Mystic at the auspiciously lit location of the “I LOVE GUYANA” sign in Georgetown, Guyana. His performance focused on unification of the people despite the many forces trying to divide us all over the Caribbean. Freetown Collective wrapped up the pre-show with hits ‘Feel the Love’, featuring DJ Private Ryan, and ‘No Millionaires’ in Downtown Port of Spain to set the tone of positive vibes for the main event.
King Bubba FM brought down the ‘House of Bashment’ in Barbados, followed by ‘Miss Tiny Winey,’ Timeka Marshall’s vivacious appearance on our return to Guyana.
Back in Trinidad, Ravi B treated viewers to a lively medley of his latest and greatest hits, accompanied by the Brian Mangaroo Dancers at the Savannah Grand Stand. Following Ravi B came the original ‘Trending Gyal’ herself, Shenseea, with powerful renditions of some of her most popular singles including ‘ShenYeng Anthem’, ‘Love I Got For U’, ‘Nothing Dem Nuh Have Ova Mi’, and her latest smash collab, ‘Lighter’ with Tarrus Riley (produced by Rvssian). Lil Natty & Thunda followed to bring the hype from Club Bananas, Grenada with ‘Top Striker’, ‘Get In Your Section’, ‘Pandemonium’, and more.
From Trinidad came Voice, with a collection of his most uplifting, vibsey, rocking tunes inclusive of ‘Year For Love’, ‘Far from Finished’, ‘Cheers to Life’, and ‘By Any Means’ alongside the Nutrien Silver Stars Steel Orchestra whom he revealed from behind streamers and a curtain of glitter with a flourish. He then headed out of his ‘yard’ and down the road to join Kes The Band for a rousing version of ‘Dear Promoter’ at a cordoned off intersection in Downtown Port of Spain.
This transition segued into a set that was reminiscent of an exciting Tuesday on The Rocks, where Kes and his band parlayed hit after hit after hit in their repertoire. Moko Jumbies danced through the street, and Jimmy October made an appearance to perform his song ‘Magic’ alongside the band.
Jamaican ‘King of The Dancehall’ Beenie Man took the stage to begin wrapping up the show with many of his most familiar tunes including ‘Let Him Go’ and ‘Miss L.A.P.’ Finally, Chronixx & ZincFence Redemption came to conquer the concert’s final minutes with positive, rocked back vibes in a tropical set filled with tunes that surely left viewers feeling ‘Cool As The Breeze’ on a ‘Friday’ evening. ‘Same Prayer’, ‘Likes’, and an uber-smooth transition into a cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Concrete Jungle’ served as the show’s resonating chords. The highly anticipated performance didn’t disappoint, as the audience played happy witness to Chronixx’s enjoyment of the music that he and ZincFence shared with the Caribbean to close the night.
Throughout the concert’s duration, there was an interview segment called “Everyday Heroes” in which ‘ordinary’ persons were highlighted for their extraordinary contributions to their communities and the cause for which the concert was created. This section featured a Trinidadian mother, a Barbadian community leader and music teacher, and a Jamaican primary school teacher who all detailed the day-to-day challenges they face as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the effects that these difficulties have had on children within communities throughout the Caribbean. This segment was of utmost significance as it served as a reminder throughout the concert of its truly-intended purpose, and kept in sight the persons whose benefit the donations would serve.
All in all, the night was definitely one to remember; with its stunning views, prolific line up and very worthy cause, this one will go down in history as the Caribbean’s first virtual concert, coming together to form One Caribbean, One Future, ONE YARD.
Donations to the cause continue online until November 13 at the ONE YARD Caribbean website
