Feb. 8, 2002 – Wednesday's Harbour Night will feature the return of reggae singer Dezarie with the band Fya, plus the music of Jamesie and Oreo and the high stepping of Willard John's Moko Jumbies.
The Frederiksted festivities, scheduled on alternate Wednesday nights to coincide with the visit of the cruise ship Victory, run from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Dezarie was voted best new female reggae artist for 2001 at the Atlanta Reggae Awards, according to a release. Since her appearance at the Dec. 21 Harbour Night, "many have asked when she will return," the release states.
Jamesie, a favorite scratch band artist who will appear with his St. Croix regulars, has won international acclaim in recent years performing and recording in Denmark with the Danish Polcalypso Orchestra. His second CD with the group, titled "Se Acabo" (It's Over), was recorded live in Denmark in 2000.
The popular Oreo trio consists of Cricket and Calvin White on steelpan and Owen Lenox on organ and bass.
More than 50 food, arts and crafts booths are expected to be set up for business. There'll be fund-raising activities to benefit the not-for-profit groups Karamu Afi Dance and Drum Troupe, St. Croix Animal Shelter, St. Croix Deaf Coalition and Art Den Jitsu Ryu martial arts school (which is looking for funds to send youngsters to Puerto Rico for a championship tournament in March).
The fund-raising activities are sponsored by Divi Carina Bay Casino, International Asset Management, Kapok Management, Lost Dog Saloon, the local McDonald's and Motown Bar & Restaurant. Harbour Night's presenting sponsors are the Tourism Department, Centennial Wireless, Frederiksted Economic Development Association, Budget Rent-A-Car and Dalton Associates.
The organizers have arranged for increased police presence and improved lighting on Strand Street, which will be closed to traffic from 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday. Cars parked on the street after 5 p.m. will be towed at the owner's expense, the release states.