Mavado's Birthday Bash is back on for this Saturday night, having changed location from Temple Hall Estate to the Building (formerly the Asylum) in New Kingston.

After discovering this week that the police have not granted a permit for the event to be kept at Temple Hall Estate, St. Andrew, Mavado's manager, Julian Jones-Griffith, confirmed to THE STAR yesterday that the party is still on.

Despite meetings between the police and Mavado's team, a permit was still not granted. According to Jones-Griffith no permit is needed for the event to be held at the Building, acknowledging, however, that the party will be a more 'scaled down' event.

Last night Mavado was on 'The Entertainment Buzz' on Irie FM talking about the party, saying, "well yuh done know the party was suppose to be held at the Temple Hall Estate, we had we little entertainment license, everything put together di way it suppose to be. Tuesday we hear sey party not keeping we can't get no permit."

main reason

According to Mavado, one of the main reasons given by the police for not granting a permit was due to Gully/Gaza concerns.

However, Mavado on the programme, said that he did not see Gully/Gaza concerns as being a main reason as the two factors are not at war. He also acknowledged that he lost money from the change of venue and the plans that were made for it.

He said, "yeah, well yuh know the party suppose to be a huge party, The Building could not hold a quarter of the crowd but if we have no other alternative we have to go to The Building. Fans have to come early enough to get inside." He also wanted to let his fans know that he was not to be blamed for the circumstances resulting in the change of venue.

This year Mavado celebrated his birthday with parties held in various cities locally and overseas. The event at Temple Hall was to include performances from American R&B singer Bobby Valentino, however, Jones-Griffith could not guarantee that he would still be attending. According to Jones-Griffith there will be performances from Mavado and friends.