The government of Jamaica recently unveiled a new and revised budget to fund their 50th anniversary celebration of independence.
Slashed from the billions proposed by the previous administration, the three-month old decision-makers justified a more modest proposal to spend millions on marking the island’s milestone achievement.
Instead of the J$2.5 billion presented by the Jamaica Labour Party’s financial advisors, the three-month old administration governed by minister of the People’s National Party will now spend a modest J$688 million.
The new amount signals a radical trimming of the budget submitted by the previous government before they were voted from leadership last December.
With reductions from $30 million to about eight million in U.S. currency, the government also suggested that private sector help in the cost-cutting venture by supplementing approximately J$200 million to bolster the historic celebration.
According to Robert Ryan, director of the project, further cutting could be imminent if the private sector does not co-operate fully with the proposed plan.
Lisa Hanna, minister of culture said the new budget is in keeping with what Jamaica can afford.
She said that the festivities, which will go into high gear from Aug. 1 can “stimulate a rebirth in the minds and hearts of all Jamaicans.”
Jamaican Launches Men’s Summer
Fashion Collection
Jamaican designer Demaro Brown is ahead of the fashionistas deciding how fashion-forward males should step out for the summer.
Last week with his D’Maro collection, Brown launched a line he said will appropriately suit men of all ages.
Showcasing head-to-toe vibrant designs and trendy styles, the 2012 collection introduced his men’s summer wear at the midtown, Manhattan offices of Finn Partners where a capacity sized crowd was on hand to witness the event.
Fashion media, buyers, stylists and industry representatives formed runway-like vantage to see models who donned bold designs comprising tanks, blazers, harem pants and jump suits.
Using cool fabrics and bold colors, Brown impressed buyers from retail specialty Bergdorf Goodman and other leading department stores.
His designs “seek to satisfy the needs of the chic, trendy and sociable professional man,” a guest said.
‘The Best Man’ Wins
James Earl Jones is back on Broadway.
This time he returns to the Great White Way as President Arthur “Artie” Hockstader, a former commander-in-chief.
In his role, Jones is a principal character in Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man.”
While Jones is revered for delivering superlative performances in films, television and on stage, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater he cast among a stellar ensemble.
Candice Bergen, Angela Lansbury, John Larroquette, Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler, Jefferson Mays and Michael McKean are among the elites boasting Broadway’s most celebrated and revered assembly.
The candidates, a former Secretary of State William Russell (Laroquette) and Senator Joseph Cantwell (McCormack), their wives Alice Russell (Bergen) and Mabel Cantwell (Kerry Butler) along with women’s advocate Sue-Ellen Gamadge (Lansbury) guarantee a politically-correct outing.
Directed by Michael Wilson, the play is scheduled for a limited engagement that ends on July 8.
That the run ends days after Independence Day might be an orchestrated aspect of the red, white and blue presentation which focuses on the behind-the-scenes campaign strategies taken during a Philadelphia convention.
Amidst the flag-waving tradition, political candidates lobby, barter and on this occasion delve into character assassination in order to win the nomination which could lead to the White House.
Through parodies exposed in real-life past campaigns by both political party candidates, audiences are transported from the convention floor, to hotel rooms, social circles and into a broadcast booth where coverage is lively, unpredictable and fraught with updates on the rivalry that could decide states’ choice.
Jones plays it close to his former presiding post.
Using experience and savvy he manipulates situations and circumstances fostering rivalry and insecurity. The contenders for the top spot are no different, each seem determined to win votes despite closeted skeletons and ticking time bombs.
Audiences will have to wait through two intermissions to find out which of the candidates win the most votes.
Only then will it be clear who in fact might be the nominated candidate and the best man.
Catch You On The Inside!
