The D'Oro dance ensemble this weekend will stage its second season of dance, Upward Step, at the Little Theatre. The group, which comprises children and teenagers, will present dances of various genres, according to choreographer Dwayne Fullwood.

"I think the audience will appreciate the variety in music patterns and the different techniques," he said. "It will include gospel themes, revival themes and African and European themes."

The other choreographers include Michael Holgate, Roberto Daley, Tamara Reid and Orette Beckford.

The shows begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Vegas finding more hits

Mr Vegas' runaway hit, I Am Blessed, is carving out a bit of chart history in reggae/dancehall music. The single, which was released more than two months ago, now occupies the number one position on at least five major music charts, underlining the dominance of the song here in Jamaica.

The single is number one on the Jamaica Music Countdown charts, hosted by Richie B of HOT 102, while simultaneously rocking the top spot on the weekly ER charts, the RE TV dancehall charts, HYPE TV charts and the Digicel Caribbean top 30 charts. Two weeks ago, the song also topped the BBC 1xtra dancehall charts. In the meantime, the video, which features a reverse narrative concept employed by acclaimed video director Jay Will, has also hit the number one spot on the CVM Hitlist chart, the HYPE VTX Countdown, as well as a video chart on Synergy TV in Trinidad.

Mr Vegas -File

The Ultimate 'Wish'

Upcoming deejay The Ultimate has made a statement with his new single I Wish, which addresses his hopes for Jamaica and the world. He is currently shooting a video that will be directed by Wayne South Video Production and will be released later this month.

"Presently, I am promoting I Wish, which speaks of my wish for Jamaica and the world on a wider level. A video is also on the way for it and right now Wayne South is just adding the finishing touches to it. My other single that is getting great review is Nine To Five. This one speaks about getting a day job and not sitting down and wasting time. It is better than not having any (job) suh don't leggo your Nine To Five," he said.

When it 'Raine' it 'Get Slippery'

DASECA's first lady, Raine Seville, has been busy with preparations for her new video, Slippery When Wet, which will be shot next Tuesday at Morgan's Harbour. Produced by Craig 'Leftside' Parkes of KeepLeft Records, the video will be directed by Scorpio 21, who showcased their chemistry with the singer in the video for Belly Wine.

Keeping with the sexy theme of the song, Seville has been rehearsing with dancers Shady Squad, who will be on set for a hot routine. Also on set will be stunt drivers and DJ Chromatic as the resident DJ. Seville also has two new songs' Curious on the Movie Star rhythm and By Your Side on DASECA's yet to be released R6 rhythm.

Raine Seville

David Carradine found dead in Bangkok

BANGKOK (AP):

David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series Kung Fu, whose career roared back to life when he played the assassin-turned-victim in Quentin Tarentino's Kill Bill, was found dead yesterday in Thailand. Police said he appeared to have hanged himself.

The officer responsible for investigating the death, Teerapop Luanseng, said the 72-year-old actor was staying at a suite at the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel.

"I can confirm that we found his body, naked, hanging in the closet," Teerapop said. He said police suspected suicide.

A spokesman for the US Embassy, Michael Turner, said the embassy was informed by Thai authorities that Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but he could not provide further details out of consideration for his family.

Carradine was in Bangkok shooting the movie Stretch, said his manager, Chuck Binder.

Carradine