 |
| Search |
|
|
|
|
Editorial
This summer, as Jamaica celebrates 40 years of independence, one of the few things that can visibly reassure us that we have made our mark on the world, is the fact that our entertainers/musicians continue to excel in their craft worldwide.
A developing country with three major music forms acclaimed by the UK and the USA, who are developed countries - is no easy feat, and a fact that Jamaicans are proud of.
As usual, various forms of our music will play a central role in our independence celebrations, as we work to preserve our rich cultural heritage.
Revival
Many of us will, and with warmth and pride, remember the independence float parades and grand gala at the National Stadium each year.
These event along with other community events across the parishes, as well as the independence street jams, were the high point of the each year’s celebrations. However, sometime between the late 80s and early 90s, the parade disappeared.
With much hoopla and fanfare, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), announced that this year, the float parade, will be making a grand re-entry to this year’s Independence celebrations.
There will be 33 floats which will each chronicle segments of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage including the music, religion, sports, information technology and tourism. Floats will be accompanied by costumed groups and effigies of famous Jamaicans.
Dubbed; The Moving Spirit of Jamaica, the float parade will travel the streets of Kingston come Independence day. It is a welcome addition to our celebrations as we preserve our heritage for the ‘betterment’ of our country.
Action
There is finally some action from the newly formed Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB), of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport as recently the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Artiste Union (JFM) and the Jamaica Association of Female Artistes (JAFA) received grants totaling $650,000, as the board’s initial financial contributions to the music industry.
The JFM received $450,000, while JAFA received $200,000. Both grants are to be used for purchasing computers and furniture for the organisations.
The 44-year old JFM has over 2,000 members, while JAFA is a far younger organization formed five years ago to support the female artistes.
In making the presentations, Kingsley Cooper, EAB Chairman Kingsley Cooper said; the entertainment industry plays a pivotal role in Jamaica’s development and Jamaican music ought to be regarded as one of the country’s most competitive and renowned exports.
Sumfest
The island’s major summer event, Red Stripe
Reggae Sumfest, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and we wish to applaud the promoters and all those who have helped to keep it going and for the contribution it has made to live reggae music in Jamaica.
There were many occasions in the early days when it was feared that the festival would have gone under with the heavy weight of meeting the tremendous expense of hosting it. But against the odds, the promoters were determined to keep it going, and we are certainly grateful for their courage.
Reggae Sumfest, July 21-27 is being held a week earlier than usual, but Johnny Gourzong, a director of Summerfest Productions, said the festival was competing with too many other Independence holiday events. He added that it was also difficult for persons to access hotel rooms and airline tickets during that week.
However, he promises an even bigger event than last year’s Sumfest.
©
Copyright 2004 Reggaetimes.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
Available In 8 Languages
|
