Dale Flynn of Life Productions make a point during a press conference held to launch the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir concert on August 31. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer COME AUGUST 31, Jamaica will witness a 'once in a lifetime' event on the local calendar when the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir performs in Jamaica.
Approximately 250 members of the 280-member choir will perform in a one concert show only at the Constant Spring Golf club.
The news of Brooklyn Tabernacle Concert was unveiled by Managing Director of Life Productions, Dale Flynn, at a press conference to launch the concert on Tuesday.
Flynn noted that the idea to bring the entire Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to Jamaica came to him about 10 years ago and since then he has gone about it with a certain vigour. He pointed out that getting the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to come to Jamaica was a challenge since the choir has always worked with churches and not promoters.
After a series of negotiations, an agreement was reached and the Choir, which only does one overseas concert per year, agreed to come to Jamaica if four conditions were met. The conditions laid out included that there were enough airline seats for all the members of the choir, adequate hotel accommodations and an appropriate venue.
Mr. Flynn pointed out that the concert was a gift to Jamaica in its 40th year of independence, since there was a lot of benefit to be accrued for tourism. It is expected that 1000 persons will visit the island for the concert. Already, 400 persons have been booked for the event, which will be simulcast to some countries in the Eastern Caribbean and plans are underway to broadcast the concert to several networks in Latin America.
Joey Vasquez, Musical Administrator for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, said the members of the choir did not consider themselves entertainers. Rather, they saw themselves as ministers. He said that the choir's decision to perform anywhere was dependent on God's guidance, since the group always prayed before making a decision. In addition, he pointed out that their contract was in the form of a handshake and was not written.
"We never charge an admission fee for anything that we put on at our church," Vasquez added.
Luis Hernandez, Director of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean at Word Entertainment, the label to which Brooklyn Tabernacle is signed, said the concert was the chance for the world to see the other side of Jamaica. He added that his company was also honoured to be a part of the 'Be Glad' experience.
The wholesome family entertainment is expected to cost between $750 and $1500 for admission. In addition, the group will be in the island for five days, during which there will be a concert for the overseas visitors, a choir directors' workshop as well as the choir members visiting several towns in around St. Ann where they will be spreading the gospel.
