Final countdown to ICC CWC 2007 opening ceremony

[Anguillan newsboy]

The Opening Ceremony of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 is just hours away – and as today’s Warm-up match drew to a close at Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, the final set-up began for Sunday’s showpiece event.

A team of technicians, set builders, television-production staff and other logistics personnel will work around the clock in completing the installation and set-up for the Caribbean extravaganza. The two-hour-45-minute show – dubbed “West Indian Energy” – will feature superstar young guns like Machel Montano of Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica’s Sean Paul, the first lady of soca – Alison Hinds from Barbados – and Saint Vincent’s international singing talent, Kevin Lyttle. They will share the stage with seasoned veterans such as Byron Lee, Third World, Arrow and Jimmy Cliff as well as David Rudder. South African reggae artiste, Lucky Dube, and The Duffy Brothers from Ireland will also feature.

There will be a guest appearance by the trio of Rupee, Shaggy and Fayann Lyons who jointly appear on the tournament’s Official Song, “The Game of Love and Unity”. The Opening Ceremony will be first occasion that all three artistes perform together, in front of a live audience.

With a cast and crew of over 2,000 singers, dancers and performers, this exciting production has been has been in rehearsal for more than three months and represents the creative output of some of the Caribbean’s most talented producers and choreographers.

All of the nine Host Venues will be represented in the celebration of the spirit of the Caribbean at this signature event. The display will include a cast of stilt-walkers paying tribute to the Caribbean’s cricket prowess over the years, from the great cricketer, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, to the region’s current star batsman and West Indies captain, Brian Lara.

Given a start time of 5:15 p.m. patrons are being advised to get there early and to be seated by 4:30 p.m. Pauline Nelson, communications manager of the Jamaica LOC, also had advice for those planning to drive to the venue.

“We are recommending that people car pool wherever possible. There is ample parking on site, however pooling cars will reduce traffic congestion and the cost of parking can be shared,” she said.

She also had a reminder for those who had purchased Category 3 seating, which is located on the gr*** berm to the east of the stadium.

“It will be unreserved seating on the gr*** but, as folding chairs are not permitted, it is important to remember to bring a towel or cushion to sit on.”

The Opening Ceremony which signals the official start of the tournament is being hosted by Jamaica on behalf of all nine Host Venues in the Caribbean and will reflect not only the vibrant energy of the region but also its mixed ethnic heritage, showcasing the various global and indigenous cultural influences that abound.


FULL LIST OF PERFORMERS FOR OPENING CEREMONY OF ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007

Alison Hinds

Angelique Kido

Arrow

Beres Hammond

Boogsie Sharp

Buju Banton

David Rudder

Dean Frazer

Gregory Isaacs

Fayann Lyons

Half Pint

Jimmy Cliff

Kevin Lyttle

Lucky Dube

Machel Montano

Mungal Pattasar

Rupee

Sean Paul

Shaggy

Sly & Robbie

The I Threes


Editors note:

The official name of the tournament is the "ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007". The following versions of the Event name are also acceptable:

ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 (preferred use)

ICC Cricket World Cup

ICC CWC 2007 (in prose or paragraph context only)

CWC 2007 (in prose or paragraph context only)