Protecting the festival
published: Tuesday | January 31, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE AIR JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival is now behind us, and once again kudos go out to the organisers of the event. I beg, however, to draw attention to a disturbing pattern that has been developing with this ten-year-old event. The increase in sponsorship support has led to an infiltration of booths/tents on the sprawling lush Rose Hall lawns, which by the way is part of the attraction for patrons who flock to the venue annually. We agree that not everyone can be accommodated in the area just facing the stage, so patrons have always made do with the hillsides and mounds at the venue.

Alas, this year we see additional, plus bigger tents taking over what used to be prime, "seating" and "bedding" areas for patrons who literally have to brace the cold, long nights to see their favourite performers. A word to the organisers of this event, be careful that in your bid to make this show a mega success, you don't take for granted the core of who is responsible for making it all happen year after year after year ... lowly music-thirsty patrons like myself.

Apparently with the increased patronage this year the only place to sit and watch the show was by standing and sitting (where feasible) in the pathways ... these things do matter to the little people.

I am, etc.,

J.N. FRANCIS-LINDSAY

10 Calypso Crescent

Kingston 17