Launch of Binghistra Orchestra’s new album ‘Still Beating Down Babylon’ also headlining

This weekend, foodies can experience a veritable feast of culture, culinary arts and reggae rhythms as Kingston Creative’s ArtWalk Festival gets ready to ignite downtown Kingston on Sunday (August 27).

The spotlight is on the culinary arts, encouraging everyone to celebrate ‘Fi Wi Food, Fi Wi Kulcha’. 

Sponsored by Main Event Entertainment, Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Catherine’s Peak and Red Stripe Flavours, the festival, running from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, promises to be a multisensory experience with art exhibitions, tours, domino tournaments, food tastings and cooking demonstrations and music by DJ Fenix, DJ Yumi and Merritone Disco. 

The musical headliner for the event will be none other than Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and the Binghistra Movement. The Artwalk Festival will mark the launch of their much-anticipated new album, ‘Still Beating Down Babylon‘. 

‘Chinna’, a famed Jamaican guitarist active since the late 1960’s, is well known for his work with the Soul Syndicate band and as guitarist for Bob Marley & the Wailers, appearing on more than 500 albums. This latest album pays tribute to the legacy of Junior Byles, an iconic Jamaican reggae artist and features an array of renowned Jamaican reggae artists, such as Freddie McGregor, Mykal Rose, Inner Circle, and Kai Wakeling.

The album is a testament to the enduring impact of reggae music on global culture and the profound influence of Junior Byles’ contributions to the genre.

As the sun bathes the murals in Water Lane in warm hues, festival-goers will step into an environment that pulsates with the aromas, tastes, sounds and sights that define Jamaican culture. 

The National Gallery of Jamaica on Orange Street and the Institute of Jamaica’s museums on East Street will all be open to the public (free of charge) and visitors are encouraged to book a guided street art tour and explore these venues throughout the day.

Fine artist Conroy Green will be hosting a solo exhibition inside the F&B Downtown Bistro and in keeping with the theme, the event will feature executive chef Simone Walker-Barrett, founder of well-known event, ‘Street Food Saturdays’, who will curate a series of cooking demonstrations of traditional artisanal sweet treats in Water Lane.

Adding to the culinary experience will be an international food tasting hosted by the Colombian Embassy and a Jamaican coffee brewing class with Paula Surtees of Island Coffees.  

According to Chef Simone, “Food is the heartbeat of Jamaican culture and culture is a way of life. Our food is influenced by a lot of other cultural cuisines but what is so unique about Jamaican food is that we take the ingredients and make them uniquely our own. At the Kingston Creative ArtWalk Festival, we’re crafting an experience that transcends mere dining – it’s a sensory journey.”

She added: “Festival-goers will savour the symphony of tastes, feel the rhythms of our roots through reggae music, and witness the artistry behind each dish. It’s an immersive fusion of food, art, and music, capturing the very essence of Jamaica’s soul.”

Shoppers will be able to purchase local products from Jamaican artisans including;  Island Caterers, Island Coffee, Beauty Lies Within, Nettys Farm, Eazy Nuh Apparel, Zenabu Naturals, TAAJ IRON, Jay Khann Aesthetics, Tami Beauty Paradise, Simoy’s Collection, Bad Dawg, G-weed Cosmetics, Meline Fashions, 2Qute Collections and Tee Positive.

Speaking on the idea behind this month’s ArtWalk, Kingston Creative executive director, Andrea Dempster Chung, shared: “Our aim with this month’s Artwalk was to place a focus on the culinary arts, which is an important element of our culture and creativity.

“We want to curate an event in downtown that not only celebrates food but the creators behind it, so we are really thrilled to be hosting Chef Simone… and I’m really looking forward to tasting the ‘hell a top hell a bottom and hallelujah in the middle’!”

She added, “Of course Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith is a musical legend who stands for the upliftment of the community, so it is an honour to present this festival that merges the essence of taste, sound, and soul and also speaks directly to the heart of what Kingston Creative stands for.”