ATLANTA, Georgia: The Jamaican community in Atlanta, commenced a week long series of activities to celebrate Jamaica's 43rd year of independence with a Thanksgiving service at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church Hall on Sunday, July 31, 2005. Approximately three hundred Jamaicans and well wishers were in attendance. The sermon was delivered by Bishop Charles DuFour, Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay. Jamaica's Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Vin Martin, read the Prime Minister's message. The first lesson was read by Allan Alberga, President of the Atlanta Jamaican Association and the second lesson was read by Tamara Cox. Union of Jamaican Organizations in Atlanta is comprised of Atlanta Jamaican Association, Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities, Benevolent Missions of Atlanta, Calabar High School Alumni Association, Clarendon College Alumni Association, Caribbean Sports and Social Club, Integrity Children's Fund, Kingston College Alumni Association, Queen's High School Alumni Association, St. Hugh's High School Alumni Association, Carilanta Players, Tropical Sports Club and United for Jamaica.
Guided by the theme 'Jamaican Women Shaping Our Culture' the occasion was marked by a display of colourful and lively performances from guest performers and the 13 parish queens. The contestants, all queens in their own right, made the first of three appearances in long dresses, depicting aspects of their individual parishes. Before they made their entrance, a moat door was lowered unto the recreated courtyard of one of Jamaica's premier historical sites, Fort Charles.' and through the door they emerged, to tumultuous applause from a partisan audience.
Under the patronage of Jamaica's Consul General, Franz Hall, the event will feature one of Jamaica's cultural icon and accomplished cultural actress, Marguerite Newland who will share perspectives of her relationship with the late Hon. [Louise Bennett-Coverley] "Miss Lou" OJ, MBE. (1919-2006), former international cultural ambassador. Newland, communication consultant and broadcaster, has had a wide range of experience in the dramatic arts since she began performing in 1968. Her theatre profile include works with notables such as Basil Dawkins, Easton, Oliver Samuels among others.
Morgan Heritage though, on their part, should bring out tons of new fans to the festival because of their legendary musical accomplishments. The band of brothers, sisters and other relatives, off springs of famed singer Denroy Morgan, have been able to comfortably navigate the various manifestation of reggae, from dancehall to lovers rock and roots rock. Along the way they have scored numerous hits gleaned from their several well written albums. They include Reggae bring back love, Don't haffi dread, She's still loving me, Nothing to smile about and Down by the river.
Plans are underway for St Lucia's Carnival to be held later this year were outlined at a press breakfast meeting by Teddy Francis, Director of Culture, St. Lucia. One of the highlights of this year's carnival scheduled for July 4 -- 20, will be the focus on cultural costumes. "We are putting emphasis on ensuring that the costumes reflect the theme of the carnival, so that our carnival can be differentiated from other carnivals, even though nothing is wrong with other carnivals," Francis said.
-, "We want more than St. Lucians coming out," said Ted Francis, director of the St. Lucia Cultural Development Foundation, "and towards that end we have put together special combination trips to carnival that will include tours of the island." "The mid-February celebration was complicated," Francis explained, citing St. Lucia's traditional four-day New Year's celebration, observance of its independence and "the shadow of the Trinidad and Tobago carnival."
