Quickies

Gov't committed to Rastafarian legacy

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia 'Babsy' Grange says the Government is committed to safeguarding the legacies of the Rastafarian communities, in an effort to reflect Jamaica's diverse history and culture.

Speaking at a reception for His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, at the National Museum West, Sam Sharpe Square recently, Grange said, "Through the work of the Institute of Jamaica, we are encouraging and fostering initiatives for communities to document, reflect and share their living history. The Rastafari exhibition mounted in the National Museum West, located in the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, is an example of this initiative."

"We want to ensure that the Rastafarian communities realise the importance of its tangible and intangible heritage and also the economic benefits associated with Rastafarian Livity."

She also said communities such as the Maroons and Rastas are to be encouraged to promote their culture and celebrations which have enhanced Brand Jamaica.

In highlighting the ministry's commitment, Grange said, "The Ministry is steadfast in its support for infrastructure and technical expertise where feasible, for these communities to realise their full potential."

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People was adopted by the General Assembly in September 2007. Jamaica was among the 144 states that voted in favour of the declaration, which speaks about recognising the rights of indigenous groups, often classified as minority groups.

Jazz in the

Gardens on Sunday

The next Jazz in the Gardens concert will take place on Sunday, May 1, in its accustomed open-air setting at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, starting at 6 p.m.

Titled Jazz 'N' Cabaret, the musical extravaganza will feature vocalists Christine Fisher, Demario McDowell and Miguel Anthony, Digicel Rising Star winner, saxophonist Verlando Small and internationally acclaimed guitarist Seretse Small. Providing musical support will be drummer Desi Jones and his band of musician friends.

The concert is co-sponsored by Power 106/Music 99 and endorsed by Kool 97 FM. Other sponsors include Clear Sound Productions, Signorama, Concept Promotions, The Jamaica Pegasus, Caribbean Dreams, OJay's, Tropical Foods and Tetley.

Benefitting from the show is the Best Care Foundation, a privately run institution which caters to mentally challenged children and young adults from four to 21 years old. The other charity is the Voluntary Organisation for the Upliftment of Children, a non-governmental agency developed as a state-of-the-art centre for the assessment of children with special needs at the early childhood level.

Mighty Crown

tours UK

Fresh from Vintage Rumble sound clash in New York, USA, Mighty Crown sound system returns to the United Kingdom (UK) for a five-city tour from April 29 to May 7.

"The UK is one of our most supportive markets," said Mighty Crown co-founder Masta Simon. "Since the UK is a special place for us with so many loyal fans, we thought it's the ideal place to kick off our 25th anniversary celebrations, and please believe we're going to 'level' country to town."

Fans in Luton, London, Birmingham, Reading and Bristol will have an opportunity to witness Mighty Crown in action. The popular sound is promising immense energy, music and vibes on their UK return. The 'The Far East Rulaz' will make stops at the famed O2 in London and Birmingham for the heavily billed More Life and Full 100 concerts respectively over the massive Bank Holiday weekend, which also feature Tarrus Riley, Spice and Metromedia.

"UK audiences really appreciate good music," said Ninja of Mighty Crown, the only US-based Mighty Crown member. "I make it a point to stay in tune with the UK's 'big tunes'."

Mighty Crown will also embark on a media blitz on the tour, their 25th anniversary celebrations and other projects in the works. Among the media stops are BBC 1xtra with host Seani B for an up close and personal interview, followed by an Art of Juggling Mix.

Mighty Crown is one of the industry's most recognised and commercially successful sound systems. Scores of endorsements, collaborations and brands have kept the seven-tim World Clash champions in the limelight. With 'Action' as their motto and 255th anniversary theme, the sound system prides itself on expansion of their brand and exploration of new opportunities.

Vladimir Lucien to do writing workshop

The Department of Literatures in English at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus will host a Creative Writing Workshop Series to be conducted by award-winning St Lucian poet, actor, and critic, Vladimir Lucien. He is the 2016 Writer-in-Residence in the Department of Literatures in English at UWI, Mona.

The workshops will take place on May 7, 14, and 21 from 10.00 a.m to 12.00 noon on each day.

Lucien is a talented young poet who brings a finely honed artistic sensibility to his probing and introspective and incisive interrogation of Caribbean experience. His writing has been published in The Caribbean Review of Books, Wasafiri, Small Axe, PN Review, BIM magazine, Washington Square Review, Caribbean Beat and other journals. It is also included in an anthology of Caribbean poetry and prose, Beyond Sangre Grande, edited by Cyril Dabydeen.

He won the first prize in the poetry category of the Small Axe Literary Prize 2013 and is winner of the 2015 OCM Bocas Prize for his debut collection Sounding Ground, published by Peepal Tree Press in May, 2014. Some of Lucien's poems have been translated into Dutch and published in the literary journal Tortuca, with forthcoming translations in Italian in El Ghibli.

He is also co-editor of the anthology Sent Lisi: Poems and Art of St Lucia, which was published in November 2014, and screenwriter of the documentary, The Merikins, which premiered at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival in 2013.

For information on registration and other details, contact the Department of Literatures in English at litsworkshop@gmail.com or call 876-927-2217.