MIAMI – Several activities are being scheduled as Jamaicans in the Diaspora are preparing to celebrate the nation’s 46th anniversary of Independence throughout the State of Florida.
Nearly 400,000 nationals and friends throughout South Florida tri-county region will join in several activities marking the celebration. Planned events will include a number of cultural presentations including church services, galas, and concerts.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will be guest speaker at the Premier Independence Ball hosted by the Jamaica United Relief Association and the Members Only of South Florida. This event will take place on Saturday, July 26th at the Signature Grand in Davie.
Patrons will also celebrate the annual Grand Independence Ball to be held on Saturday, August 2nd, at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Miami. There will be a variety of entertainment celebrating the nation’s cultural heritage. The event is hosted by the Clint O’Neil Needy Kids Foundation.
The annual ecumenical service hosted by the Jamaica Consulate General in Miami, will be held on Sunday August 3rd, at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Guest preacher will be the Reverend Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of the Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, while the officiating minister will be Pastor Leon Wellington, vice President of the Inter-American Division of Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Recitals will be performed by the Jamaican Independence choir comprising choristers from several Jamaican congregations in the South Florida communities.
As is customary, a community reception hosted by the staff of the Consulate will immediately follow the service at which nationals and friends have been invited to participate in an evening of fellowship.
Proceeds of collection will benefit the Swift Purscell Boys’ Home in St. Mary and the Jamaica Christian Boys’ Home.
The eighth annual cultural performance “Culturama” returns to Florida with two performances on Saturday (Aug. 2) in Tampa and Sunday (Aug. 3) in Coral Springs. A variety of Jamaican traditional folk art forms that include dance, song and drama with Festival award winning students will be performing at the two locations. Local performers will include the folkloric group, Jamaica Folk Revue and the Tallawah Mento Band among others.
On Saturday (Aug. 2) reggae star, Richie Stephens will be launching his “Come to Jamaica” album at the Jamaica Independence Fete at the Grand Palms Hotel in Pembroke Pines. The album features all genres of Jamaican music – reggae, ska, mento, dancehall among others. The music features songs about the positive aspects of Jamaica, and has already received the endorsement of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Island Stylee. The fete is being organized by Princess PM Productions, a South Florida promotions company.
Culturama is hosted by the South Florida based cultural organization, Jamaica Awareness and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).
Members of the United Sports and Social Club in Palm Beach will host a variety ‘Independence Concert’ to be held at the Cruzan Amphitheatre at the South Florida Playgrounds in West Palm Beach on Sunday (Aug. 3). Performers will include international reggae star, Freddie McGregor, along with Wayne Wonder, Half Pint and the song group the Jamaicans.
Jamaicans in the Catholic Mission will celebrate the annual Independence Mass on Sunday (Aug. 10) at Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church in Kendall, South Miami, while nationals in Palm Beach will also worship at the Grace Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach.
