The combined 28th African/Caribbean International Festival of Life and the 5th JSVFest (Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Fest) was a huge success on September 11th and 12th in Washington Park- DuSable Sunken Garden, Chicago. 

Mr. Vegas closed out the two-day festivity with a bang! Haitian leading female performer Phyllisia Ross was extraordinary and outstanding and gave the people a lesson on Haitian’s contribution to America, starting with Chicago's founding father Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. The legendary Delfonics took their wealth of senior fans down memory lane which was received with acclaim.  Other outstanding performances came from the Chicago Mass Choir, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, House Music Top DJ Terry Hunter, and Indika Band, just to name a few. 

(Read the magazine here https://www.jsvfest.com/magazine)

Photos below by John  E. Bridges.

(At the bottom,  reggae legend Donald Kinsey collected his long awaited 37th IRAWMA -international Reggae and World Music Awards-  "REGGAE50" Award at this festival.) 

Below, Festival Producer, Martin's international President and Chairman for the Black Heroes Matter Coalition  Ephraim Martin presenting Alderman and candidate for the Secretary of State of Illinois David Moore to speak to the audience at the combined 28th IFOL and JSVFest. The two among other activists and alderpersons championed the cause for DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

The grand Martin's International-produced family-festival held under the Martin's banner of "Bringing  Nations Together Through Music and Culture". We celebrated the historic victory for the renaming of  Lake Shore Drive as Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition movement/cause, sponsored and fought for in the Chicago city council by Alderpersons David Moore and Sophia King and others. 

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle presented an award to Alderwoman Sophia King, who co-sponsored the DuSable Lake Shore Drive back stage at the Festival. 

RECAP:  The two day family friendly event powered by Martin's International continued its tradition of bringing cultures together by teaching and sharing experiences through music, food, arts, crafts, and games the entire weekend. The festival was dedicated to health and wellness and the celebration of the renaming of Lake Shore Drive for Chicago founding father Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable.

2. Martin’s International revised its plans for 2021 festivals due to the pandemic and combined the festivals. 

3. Each day patrons enjoyed the festivities. Vendor space was sold out. Patrons enjoyed the entire weekend. There was food and music from various Caribbean countries represented. The park was turned into an island in terms of culture. The feel and essence of our culture was well represented from the main gates to the stage.  (over 30,000 patrons  were in attendance.

4. There were notable artists, guests and speakers on both stages and throughout the park. A special presentation was facilitated by county officials who recognized the key organizers of the renaming of Lake Shore Drive to Chicago founding father Jean-Baptist-Pointe Du Sable. President Preckwinkle acknowledged  the work of the Black Heroes Matter Coalition, and presented awards to, Event producer Ephraim Martin and Justice Shelvin Louise Marie Hall, Ret. Bill sponsors Ald. David Moore and Sophia King and Ald  Jeanette Taylor. This was followed by the amazing artists on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the main stage was filled with more talented artists from all generations closing out with eager music enthusiasts wanting more. 

6. With the support of the City of Chicago fight against Covid-19, we partnered with the state and City of Chicago to help provide testing for our patrons. Martin’s International festival adhered to a safe and secure environment with Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Thanks to our sponsors: NBC 5 Chicago/Telemundo, WVON AM, BlueCross/BlueShield of Illinois, Bronzeville Academy Charter School (BACS), USCCA, Rogers Park Fruit Market, Old World Market, LaFruteria,Inc, Stanmorr Sports Inc, Doc Payne and the Payne Relief Smooth Blues Band, and others. 

In 2019 at Martin's International- 37th international Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), the legendary reggae and blues entertainer Donald Kinsey who played for the late Peter Tosh and for Bob Marley was awarded the REGGAE50 honor for 50 years of contribution to reggae and world music while he was on tour. In picture at the Festival of Life, IRAWMA's president Ephraim Martin and Reggae historian Copeland Forbes presented Mr. Kinsey with the Award he has been waiting on for two years. 

Donald Kinsey played with Bob Marley & The Wailers (BMW) until the breakup of the Wailers trio of Bob, Peter & Bunny. In 1976 he when with Peter Tosh, when Peter started his solo career and formed his band Word, Sound and Power (WSP)with Sly and Robbie on drum and bass respectively.
Donald joined the band on the inaugural tour in support of Tosh "Legalize It" album on CBS.
Then in the later part of 1976 Donald rejoined BMW on tour in support of Bob's Rastaman Vibration album.
He was playing with BMW when gunmen invaded the rehearsal and opened fire on Bob and Donald who were in the kitchen of the rehearsal venue at 56 Hope Rd in Kingston, Jamaica
Bob's manager Don Taylor picked up 5 bullets, Bob and Rita got shot and Donald luckily escaped unharmed.
He played with Bob 2 days later at the park while band leader Aston " Familyman" Barrett went into hiding and never showed up.
Donald went back to Peter Tosh,s band in 1978, toured with Tosh on the Rolling Stones " Some Girls" tour.
He left Tosh in 1979 and toured with his Gary, Indiana family band " Kinsey Report" led by his father Big Daddy Kinsey.
Then in 1981 he rejoined Peter Tosh WSP band and stayed with Tosh all the way to the end of Tosh's touring schedule ended.
He now plays with the "Wailers" band which is led by Familyman's son Aston Barrett Jr.

In picture below Donald is with bob Marley and the Wailers, and with Peter Tosh.