St Thomas Band Plays Kumina At Rebirthing Celebrations In Portland

Spirituality has always been a calling for Alex. As early as seven years old, he has experienced and witnessed the power of Jamaican spirituality at its lowest and highest. I got the opportunity to speak with Alex on the occasion of the first staging of the Rebirthing Celebrations and Kumina held in East Portland. For Alex, Kumina is, has always been and always will be a space for unity, reverence and reconnection with the ancestors. I learned a few things. I hope you will too.

Happy 2025! In this Storytelling In The Tropics Special Report, Allison shares her experience at the recently concluded Freedom Street Concert on December 31, 2024 in Jamaica and shares some of the concert moments.

Superstar Vybz Kartel has been a staple on the Dancehall scene in Jamaica from as early as 2002 when he went out on his own, creating hits like "Tek", "Badman" and "Most High". Having been incarcerated since 2011, released on July 31, 2024, Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer returned to the stage for the first time on December 31, 2024 at the National Stadium in Jamaica.

If you were not able to attend the concert, or if you want to relive the concert experience, this episode does just that.

Storytelling In The Tropics with Allison Harrison is a podcast about the art, business and impact of storytelling in the lives of everyday people based in the island nation of Jamaica.