分类： entertainment

MIAMI – Bal Harbour Shops has elevated its seasonal celebrations through an exclusive collaboration with the iconic Italian luxury brand Ferragamo. The upscale Miami shopping destination now features a spectacular holiday tree installation in its Center Courtyard, reimagined through Ferragamo’s distinctive design lens.

The innovative display transforms the traditional holiday tree into a sophisticated art installation where signature Ferragamo silk scarves float as balloon ornaments. This creative approach turns the tree into a vibrant canvas that showcases exceptional color harmony, artisanal craftsmanship, and whimsical elegance. Located at 9700 Collins Avenue in Bal Harbour, Florida, the Ferragamo Boutique has orchestrated this immersive experience that seamlessly blends high fashion with holiday tradition.

The installation represents a growing trend among luxury retailers to create immersive, Instagram-worthy holiday experiences that transcend conventional shopping. By integrating their signature textiles into the holiday display, Ferragamo has demonstrated how luxury fashion houses can creatively engage with customers during the festive season. This collaboration follows similar high-profile holiday installations at other premium locations including L’Ermitage Beverly Hills with Vera Wang and New York’s Bergdorf Goodman, though each maintains its unique artistic interpretation of seasonal celebrations.

This artistic holiday presentation offers visitors an opportunity to experience the intersection of fashion, art, and seasonal tradition, providing a sophisticated alternative to conventional holiday decorations while maintaining the joyful spirit of the season.

The festive season commenced in spectacular fashion at St. Augustine’s Chapel on Kingston College’s North Street Campus last Sunday, as the renowned Kingston College Chapel Choir (KCCC) delivered a breathtaking Christmas concert that perfectly captured the spirit of ‘Tidings of Comfort & Joy’.

Under the masterful direction of Choirmaster Audley Davidson, the 35-strong choir, adorned in purple vests and bow ties, opened the 17-piece program with a powerful rendition of Franz Joseph Haydn’s storied ‘Te Deum in C.’ This canticle of praise, composed around 1799, featured two ebullient outer sections contrasting with a serene middle, leaving the audience in awe and responding with thunderous, continuous applause upon its 15-minute conclusion.

The musical feast seamlessly blended classical masterpieces with modern compositions and works by local Jamaican talents. The program featured Clyde Hoyte’s ‘O’er our Blue Mountain,’ delivered by soloist Matthew Hylton, Andrew Marshall’s ‘Fanfare’ introduction to ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing,’ Noel Dexter’s ‘Sing de Chorus,’ and Richard Beckford’s ‘Joy,’ a piece dedicated to the KCCC this past September.

Highlights included an exquisitely controlled performance of John Rutter’s ‘Angel Carol,’ where the choir’s underparts created beautiful harmonic support. The recently restored chapel pipe organ, played by Livingston Burnett, made a triumphant debut with ‘Fanfare for Christmas,’ filling the sacred space with familiar carols that had attendees tapping their feet. The organ featured again in the lullaby-esque ‘Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,’ with the gentlemen of the choir showing distinct attention to conductor Davidson.

The evening also served a charitable purpose. Emcee Karnette Batchelor Evering engaged the audience, rallying support for relief efforts for St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. She led the entire audience in a fun-loving singalong of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ and ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing.’

The concert culminated with the stirring ‘The Sounds of His Love’ by Don Marsh, providing a fitting climax to an evening that celebrated the school’s centenary. The performance was not merely a concert but a profound community event, attended by dignitaries including former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and the Lord Bishop of Jamaica, offering a moment of shared joy and comfort through the universal language of glorious music.

Jamaican vocalist Shuga delivers a soulful reinterpretation of Bobby Bloom’s 1970 hit “Montego Bay” through VP Records, transforming the classic tune into a contemporary reggae masterpiece. Produced by the acclaimed Donovan Germain, this reimagined version features exquisite saxophone artistry by Dean Fraser, creating a fresh auditory experience while honoring the song’s legacy.

The release, initially scheduled for November 7th, faced postponement due to Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on the region. The single now emerges on November 28th as Montego Bay gradually restores normalcy, making the song’s message of hometown pride particularly resonant.

This musical project holds deep personal significance for Shuga, who was born and raised in Montego Bay. Her interpretation serves as both a homecoming celebration and artistic homage to the coastal city that shaped her musical journey. The recording reflects her formative years performing along Jamaica’s north coast hotel circuit, connecting her current artistic evolution with her professional origins.

“Montego Bay” stands as the lead single from her anticipated album “Girl From Montego Bay,” slated for release in late spring 2026. The track follows her previous successful singles “What If” and “Love Doctor,” the latter having earned recognition on Billboard charts.

A companion music video, produced in collaboration with the Jamaica Tourist Board and featuring cameos from Montego Bay musicians, was filmed during late summer but will now debut in late January. The visual production showcases iconic locations throughout the city, further emphasizing the deep connection between artist and hometown.

Shuga’s current year has included notable collaborations with reggae and dancehall icons including Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, and Christopher Martin, plus a memorable appearance at the Freddie McGregor & Friends concert.

While the fashion trends of the 1990s—stonewash jeans and high-top hairstyles—have faded into history, the vibrant dancehall music from that decade continues to resonate with fans. Artist Frisco Kid, a seminal figure from that era, remains a passionate performer of his classic hits, including ‘Little And Cute,’ ‘Bashment Time,’ ‘Big Speech,’ and ‘Rubbers.’

Reflecting on the 1990s, Frisco Kid describes it as a period defined by ‘joy, love, an’ happiness.’ He was an integral part of producer Dave Kelly’s influential Mad House Records, alongside renowned acts like Wayne Wonder, (Baby) Cham, Bounty Killer, and Mr Easy. According to Frisco Kid, the music created then was driven by genuine emotion and artistic integrity rather than financial motives. ‘Back inna dem time deh, everything come from di heart, it a come wid love. It wasn’t from what yuh can gain or what yuh can achieve [financially],’ he recalled.

The veteran deejay is set to co-headline the ‘Saturday Night Live’ event at Sky Ultra Lounge in St Andrew on December 27. He will share the stage with Louie Culture, another celebrated artist who dominated the charts during the 1990s. This event marks the second installment of a monthly concert series organized by Global Grove Saturday Night Live, following a successful November showcase featuring reggae icon Marcia Griffiths.

Hailing from West Kingston, Frisco Kid built his reputation through performances on sound systems in Portmore, St Catherine. His career skyrocketed thirty years ago with a string of hit singles, many produced by Dave Kelly. Now in his mid-50s, Frisco Kid attributes his enduring relevance to the timeless quality of his music. ‘Wi always busy, ‘cause di chune dem weh wi do nuh have nuh limit pon dem. Our song dem, all di next hundred years people still waan hear wi sing dem an’ perform dem,’ he stated.

Despite his deep connection to his classic repertoire, Frisco Kid emphasizes the importance of creating new music. His latest single, ‘King of The Street,’ is part of an ambitious double EP project that will feature both reggae and dancehall tracks, scheduled for release in 2026.

The Mas Camp at Stadium North is set to host a vibrant fusion of retro music and Christmas festivities tonight with the staging of Stone’s Ginger Wine Footloose. Event organizers promise an evening where patrons can dance through the decades, featuring non-stop musical entertainment curated by expert selectors dedicated to keeping the energy high and the dance floor active.

Tyrone Dixon of Broadway Productions, the organizing body behind the event, described the night as a convergence of retro nostalgia and seasonal celebration. “This is where retro meets Christmas,” Dixon stated. “Patrons can expect the same beloved old-school Footloose energy and music, now amplified by a festive atmosphere. It’s designed as a high-energy Christmas party that celebrates the sheer joy of the season—dancing to iconic hits from the past while enjoying special offers throughout the night.”

A staple on Jamaica’s entertainment calendar for nearly two decades, Footloose has established itself as a premier retro-themed party. Since its inception in 2006, the event has experienced substantial growth in popularity and scale. It is now held a minimum of three times each year, consistently drawing crowds eager to relive the musical magic of past eras in a dynamic, communal setting.

Jamaican-Canadian dancehall performer Uplift is projecting international stardom through his latest collaborative single “Fantasy” featuring Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Pupa Tee. The track, born from transcontinental digital collaboration, represents a strategic fusion of Caribbean and African musical traditions.

Uplift revealed the organic evolution of the project, explaining how the initial demo composed years earlier found its perfect counterpart in Pupa Tee’s Afrobeat influences. “Our online connection transformed into creative synergy when he embraced the demo version,” Uplift recounted. “The final mix immediately convinced us we had crafted something with genuine global appeal.”

Released through his independent label Uplift Entertainment, the single arrives accompanied by visually captivating footage shot in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling cultural capital. The production showcases authentic African landscapes while maintaining dancehall’s distinctive rhythmic foundation.

Current metrics substantiate the artist’s optimism. Strategic promotional campaigns across Jamaica, Canada, African markets, the United States, England, and European territories are generating substantial traction. Spotify streaming data reveals a remarkable surge over the past eight weeks, with parallel growth observed across Uplift’s broader discography. YouTube viewership metrics similarly demonstrate encouraging engagement patterns.

The St Elizabeth-born, Canada-based artist simultaneously confirmed development of multiple new projects scheduled for 2026 releases. While remaining discreet about specific details, Uplift hinted at potential EP or album releases alongside additional singles, positioning the coming year as potentially transformative for his artistic career.

Previous notable works include collaborative tracks “Infinite” with reggae vocalist Hezron, “Call Me” featuring Tallis, and the solo effort “Ride With Me,” all contributing to his expanding international footprint.