Island Jam returns to Darrell's Island site
Saturday.
The Ministry's Youth and Camping co-ordinator Mr. Keith Smith -- who is one of the show's organisers -- told The Royal Gazette that the show is back after being cancelled last year.
He said the show would have professional entertainers like Gene Steede -- who had committed for the day -- performing alongside amateur entertainers.
Mr. Smith said the Ministry was trying "to give new entertainers who were trying to get exposure an opportunity to perform on this day''.
He said the Ministry had received 30 applications -- the most ever -- from up and coming entertainers who wished to be part of the show.
Mr. Smith said the entertainment coordinators for the show, Ms Susan Booth and Ms Dawn Burgess, selected about 25 acts.
"There will be a variety of entertainment ranging from singing, dancing, a fashion show, comedians to gospel and an aerobics display,'' he said.
He described the show, which started in 1988, as "a family event, a back to school extravaganza''.
Mr. Smith said of the show, first held in 1988: "It was held on Darrell's Island for approximately four years.
"It was then moved to the Keep Yard at the Maritime Museum because of safety concerns which had to do mainly with transporting large amounts of people back and forth to the Island.'' The show was cancelled last year after it clashed with other large local events and organisers encountered scheduling problems in regard to locations.
Mr. Smith said it was members of the public who said they would like to go back to Darrell's Island this year.
He said the department was "trying to tighten up the organisation of the show -- in regard to transportation -- to eliminate safety problems''. "In the past we have had 2,000 or more people who have attended. This year we are looking for about the same.'' Mr. Smith said tickets were on sale at the Ministry of Youth Development during normal working hours and will also be available at the boat on the night.
Tickets will be on sale at $8 or $7 with a voucher which can be clipped out of The Royal Gazette .
The first boat is scheduled to leave at 6.30 p.m.
(Peanuts) Durrant, Mr. Keith Smith and Youth Development Ministry Sports Advisor Mr. Philip Guishard.