There is a special buzz surrounding the next staging of Rebel Salute set for January 15, 2011 at Port Kaiser in St Elizabeth. As usual, there will be a galaxy of musical stars on show including Romain Virgo, Toots and the Maytals, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Tanya Stephens, I-Octane and Khago.
There will also be an emerging talent on stage too. His good fortune came courtesy of Pepsi’s $12-million sponsorship of the long-running reggae festival.
A refreshing new act, Noah was selected from among hundreds of contenders during a series of road shows that were held in Montego Bay on November 13; Negril on December 4; and in Junction on December 18.
This is all a part of the sponsorship geared towards the perpetuation of quality music in Jamaica and its importance to Jamaicans. “Music is important to our consumers,” said Carlo Redwood, head of marketing for Pepsi here in Jamaica. “And Rebel Salute has always been a high-quality event with high-quality performances.”
That was among the main reasons why Pepsi decided to partner with Jamaican music icon Tony Rebel. That, and the fact that the entertainer has always been about creating positive music, Redwood said.
A portion of the sponsorship money went into staging the Rebel Salute road shows that also served to build momentum for Rebel Salute, Redwood explained.
The remainder, he said, will go directly towards promotions, production costs and paying the entertainers, who also include Fantan Mojah, Chuck Fenda, Stevie Face, Nadine Sutherland, Spanner Banner, and AJ Brown among others.
In the lead-up to the show, Pepsi will also be running promotions in St Elizabeth, Clarendon and Mandeville. Redwood explains that wherever Pepsi product is being sold at wholesale stores and supermarkets at these locations, consumers will get the opportunity to win prizes, including tickets to Rebel Salute.
Of course, on the night of the show there will be a special VIP booth set up where specially invited guests and some patrons will be able to enjoy free drinks and engage in special activities during the show.
These special activities will involve local music, Redwood says.
Tony RebeL, who will be celebrating his birthday as the 18th staging of Pepsi Rebel Salute takes place, is asking fans to be present at the show as his present.
