Solstice is back again this summer at a new venue and with a new attitude on Saturday, July 18, the Hopefield Great House in Kingston. Solstice is a bi-annual all-inclusive party that allows patrons to eat, drink and dance to their hearts' content, and this year will be no different. Now heading towards its second staging, the event is produced by BBC Events, headed by twin brothers Horace and Howard Britton.
According to Horace, the new venue gives BBC Events more room to create that premium 'wow' factor. "The new location, improved production and the upgraded all-inclusive factor will ensure that when Solstice is all over you will want more," he said, before commenting that Solstice is an event where "the philosophy we embrace is that VIP is not an area, but is the person. VIP is a way of life."
Etana strong in Amsterdam
Jamaican reggae artiste Etana rocked the European city of Amsterdam with a performance that only the Strong One could deliver on Sunday, July 5. Etana paraded a regal-looking outfit as she crooned her hit singles at the Two Seven Splash reggae concert, which also featured fellow reggae acts Bunny Wailer, Buju Banton and Irie Love.
Etana treated the packed venue of screaming reggae lovers to songs from her debut studio album The Strong One, as well as some of her more recent studio work, which they loved. She belted out tunes like Jah Chariot, Money, Roots, Warrior Love, I Am Not Afraid, and more, as her planned set was interspersed with unplanned a capella renditions of tunes from the album like Free and Live and Love Life. Etana will continue her tour of the West Coast of the United States, heading to Oregon and Washington, and then cities in Canada. The tour ends on July 18 in California.
Etana
MJ's kids go VIP as he RIP
Michael Jackson's children sat at a VIP table at the reception following his memorial. Prince Michael, 12, 11-year-old Paris - who paid an emotional tribute to her father at the service - and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as 'Blanket', sat with 12 other children in The Grand Ballroom at Beverly Hills' Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
The kids' former nanny, Grace Rwaramba, was heard saying: "The kids are holding up really well. It's good for them to be around the other kids." According to reports, the trio were sitting with cousins ranging in age from seven to 17 years and spent much of the reception "playing and goofing around". The children were "polite and poised" and dealt well with the constant stream of well-wishers who came to greet them.
25 years of'Reggae on the River'
On Saturday, July 18th, Reggae on the River celebrates its 25th anniversary. An all-day celebration of the best in reggae and world music, the silver anniversary of the legendary Reggae on the River festival will take place along the shores of the majestic Eel River at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area in Southern Humboldt County, CA. The line-up includes: the Mighty Diamonds, Tanya Stephens, The Abyssinians, Etana, Majek Fashek, Queen Omega, Soul Majestic and Woven Roots.
Jowls on 'Julie and Julia'
Meryl Streep and Amy Adams piled on the pounds while shooting Julie and Julia. The Doubt co-stars reunited for the forthcoming film - which is about world-famous chef Julia Child and writer Julie Powell, who challenged herself to cook Julia's recipes - and admit the amount of food they had to eat for their roles wasn't good for their waistlines.
Meryl said: "I gained 15 pounds - I'm still trying to lose it! It was worth it." Amy added: "I ate a lot! Cooking is like love - it should be approached with abandon." The actresses were unable to escape gaining weight as they were ordered to enjoy the food featured in the scenes by director Nora Ephron. Nora revealed: "That's one of the things I said in rehearsal. Everyone has to eatin the scenes, and everyone really went for it."
Little 'weedzard'?
Harry Potter star Jamie Waylett has been charged with growing cannabis. The 19-year-old actor - who plays Hogwarts bully Vincent Crabbe in the hit wizard films - has been accused of growing 10 plants in his mother's house in North London.
Jamie, who will appear in court later this month, was arrested last April after police stopped his car in Central London and allegedly found eight bags of the Class B drug. He was then taken to a nearby police station and questioned by officers while his mother's home was raided, where police allegedly seized 10 marijuana plants which were growing alongside Jamie's DJ equipment and a games console. If found guilty, Jamie could face up to 14 years in prison.