NORTH MIAMI – Jamaicans in South Florida community will once again celebrate the life and legacy of the late Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou) at the third annual community cultural tribute and scholarship fundraiser on Saturday (Sept. 6) at the Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church in North Miami.
The event will honor Miss Lou’s 88th birthday (September 7th) as well the commemoration of her work, which will feature performances in song, dance and drama.
This year’s performance will also feature the famous “Ring Ding” section reminiscent of Miss Lou’s entertainment with children. During this time, children will be given an opportunity for self-expression in song, poetry, dance and drama in a similar fashion as Miss Lou celebrated the Jamaican dialect.
Miss Lou
Proceeds from this event will continue to support the Louise Bennett-Coverley Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is tenable at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.
Following the death of Miss Lou in July 2006 in Toronto, Canada, the scholarship program was launched in September, that year. The brainchild of Mrs. Norma Darby, Director of the Florida based Jamaica Folk Revue, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing the three-year diploma course in the performing arts. So far, three students have been recipients of the scholarship program, two at the School of Drama and Dance and one at the school of Music. This year, two students will be beneficiaries of the proceeds. According to Mrs. Darby, the scholarship program is an investment in the continuation of Miss Lou’s immeasurable contribution to the development of Jamaica’s rich culture.
Mrs. Darby described Miss Lou as “a great folklorist who made Jamaicans proud of our vernacular, knowing that it is respected as another language, giving us pride and dignity in our cultural heritage.”
As Jamaican nationals continue to celebrate their cultural icon, Mrs. Darby encouraged parents in the Diaspora to bring their children to share in those events that spoke to the depth of Jamaica’s heritage and culture through entertainment and public education.
The evening’s program will include a line-up of local Jamaican talent here in the South Florida community including dub poet, Malachi Smith, the Reverend Easton Lee, Jeanne Powell, the Sierra Norwood Calvary Church Children’s Choir, the Jamaica Folk Revue and the Tallawah Mento Bank, Sophia Nicholson and Vhris Gilchrist.
The coordinating committee comprises volunteers from local community associations here in South Florida.
The community cultural tribute to Miss Lou will be under the patronage of the Jamaica Consulate General.
For tickets and information, call 305-613-4365; 305-235-8410; 305-510-7705; or 305-652-7336. Tickets are $10, and children six to 12 years $5; and under 6 years – free.
