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JIMMY CLIFF TO HEADLINE INT’L FESTIVAL OF LIFE’S, JULY 4, INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

CHICAGO: - Reggae’s international superstar, actor and movie star, the legendary Jimmy cliff and his Oneness Band, will be headlining the 8th Annual African/Caribbean International Festival of life, by Martin’s InerCulture, Inc.

The star-studded Festival of life, takes place Saturday through Tuesday, July 1 - 4, 2000, at Washington Park, 55th Street and South Cottage Grove, in Chicago commencing 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily.

Jimmy Cliff will be gracing the stage on Sunday, July 2. Among the other performing acts tenure the festivity, are: Calypso Rose, Queen of Calypso, Belize Vibes, Out of Nigeria, Victor Essiet and the Mandators, the Predator, Maestro & Rated P.G., Dewitt Williams (ANA) & Co., William Barker & Revelation, Greater Harvest Prays Cancers, Black Reigh, Joy Love, Loop Lab School, Meisha Herron, Christian Anthony.

Dubbed as the "We All Are One" (the same title as one of Jimmy’s hit songs) and Festival, the four days celebration will witness over fifty (50) performing acts on two stages. Regardless of what your musical appetites are, there will be something for you. Form reggae to gospel, blues, jazz, poetry/spoken/word, calypso, salsa, highlife, hip-hop, rap, dance, comedy, R & B, and others. Attendees will be fed musically.

As usual, the festival will feature a food court, with some thirty international food vendors, especially Jamaican Jerk Chicken to feed the entire family. Over one hundred other exhibitors, will be at hand selling, sampling and displaying their products which include: Arts, crafts, jewelry, clothes, vacation giveaway and more. Games and other activities for children will be part of the fiesta. Several educational and motivational speakers will participate in the celebration; among them, Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, Hon. Monique Davis, Justice Shelvin Louise Marie Hall and Judge Jacqueline P. Cox.

On the eve of Independence Day, Monday morning, July 3, between 7:00 am and 9:00 am, there will be a special Prayer Vigil on the Gospel Stage. One of the objectives of the prayer service is to "Save Our Youth." All denominations and community members, who are concerned about our troubled young people, are invited to participate. According to Festival of Life organizer, Mr. Ephraim Martin, "the decision to call for a two hour prayer service, came following an incident in Ohio, where a-six-year-old kid, brought a gun to school and ordered his teacher and other students to get on the floor. Few weeks earlier, in the same region, another six-year-old child murdered one of his peers. Guns have now become a serious problem and concern in the in the classrooms nationwide. We believe that prayer can change things, and getting these kids back in the church can and will make a big difference in behavior," Ephraim stated.

The Festival of Life celebration, which last year attracted over 100,000 people from all walks of life, is made possible this year, through Jamaica Chicago Defender, African Spectrum, Guinness, Budweiser, Hometown Distributing, WSSD FM, SuperClubs, Apple Vacations, Wild Hare Club and Exedus. Donations/tickets for this outstanding celebration is only $5 per day, for ages 12 and older. Free to kids under 12. You may get your tickets in advance at Ticketmaster outlets or call 312-559-1212.

For generation information, you may call 312-427-0266 or www.martinsinterculture.com

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