Jamaica Gleaner

• King’s House to Come Alive with Michael W. Smith, Papa San

  An impressive cast of gospel artistes, led by internationally acclaimed singer Michael W. Smith and former dancehall star-turned-gospel minister Papa San, is set to headline Come Alive: A National Call to Worship today at the King’s House East Lawn. The seven-hour worship experience, scheduled for 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., will also feature performances from Jermaine Edwards, Johnmark Wiggan, Petra-Kaye and HUMBLE, with Audience of One and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Star finalists set to deliver pre-show performances.

• Skippa, Alaine, Future Fambo for Montego Bay Jerk Fest today

  The 17th staging of the Montego Bay Jerk & Food Festival takes centre stage today at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, with organisers promising a full slate of live entertainment alongside the festival’s signature food offerings. Leading the entertainment line-up are Skippa, Ayetian, Alaine, Prince Saj, Future Fambo, Top Banks, Feloni 19 and Adoracion Ministries, with performances spanning dancehall, reggae and gospel. Joleine Longman-Boreland, the festival’s PR and media director, said organisers are looking forward to welcoming patrons.

• Music Review | Ariana Grande’s ‘Petal’ displays a pop star at her most restrained

  NEW YORK (AP): Gone is the big-belter Ariana Grande. On Petal, her eighth studio album and first full-length release since both the end of her Wicked run and 2024’s Eternal Sunshine, the pop powerhouse looks inward across 12 tracks of real restraint.

• 5 Questions With Boom Boom

  For more than 30 years, Boom Boom, also known as World Boom and Billboard Selector, has been at the centre of some of dancehall’s biggest moments. Whether behind the turntables, in front of a crowd, or building his own events into cultural institutions, the veteran selector has remained one of the dancehall community’s most recognisable figures. Away from the spotlight, however, Boom Boom’s greatest passion remains creating opportunities for others.

• ‘More life!’ at Stranger Cole’s thanksgiving service

  Chants of “more life!” echoed through the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Wednesday morning as family, friends and fans gathered to celebrate the life of ska, rocksteady and reggae pioneer Theodore Wilburn ‘Stranger’ Cole. And, as the thanksgiving service progressed, it would become clear that “more life” is in store for the singer’s legacy, as Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange shared that there will be “an announcement in another few days when the Government recognises Stranger Cole’s contributions to Jamaican music”.