Aug. 2, 2001 – P'Your Passion will be jamming, the Sibilly Sun Rays steelband will be pounding out a welcome, and the Sebastian Majorettes will be twirling at the Night Out Against Drugs, Crime and Violence rally starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday under the new lights at the Joseph Aubain Ball Park in Frenchtown.
The 14th annual Night Out event is being celebrated in the territory and about 96,000 other communities across the United States and Canada as a symbolic way to "take back" their streets from crime. The V.I. Night Out Committee operates under the Drug Demand Reduction Task Force of the U.S. Attorney's Office, which has been working to protect young people from negative community elements.
Night Out is intended to heighten awareness drugs, crime and violence; generate support for local anticrime efforts; and send a message to criminals that drugs and crime will not be tolerated in the community, the committee chair, Flemon J. Lewis, said.
The Frenchtown rally will cap a week of activities on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. Coordinator Tasida Kelch said free food and drink will be provided at Tuesday's affair. Hot dogs? "Oh no," Kelch said, "it will be catered food."
Meantime, strictly for young people, the committee is hosting a Drug-Free Teen Showcase and Jam Friday afternoon at the Old Mill. It's open to the public, with participants in St. Thomas and St. John summer camp progams especially invited.
Hours are 1 to 4:30 p.m. For further information, call Alson Creque at 774-9030 or Zelda Williams at the Bovoni Weed and Seed center, 714-0802.
On Tuesday, in addition to the lineup of local talent in the ball park, the mainland rap group ICONZ will be around signing autographs earlier in the day at Modern Music in Nisky Center.
At Tuesday's show, master of ceremonies Sheldon Turnbull of Knight Quality Stations will preside over the performers, also to include STARfest vocalist Jeanine Martin, the Analyse This dance group from St. John, the sorority step groups Stepp to Stopp and Rhoers of Sigma Gamma Rho, dancers from the V.I. School of Performing Arts, the Too Much Crew rappers, and calypsonian Shamelle Farrington ("Princess Lyrics").
Lewis and Kelch encouraged not only teen-agers but whole families to come our for the fun. They said crime prevention materials will be available along with the entertainment, food and drink.
For further information, call Kelch at 774-6400, ext. 219.
