"Miss Lou” Celebration for South Florida

Miami, Florida (August 31, 2007)--The Second Annual Community Cultural Tribute and Scholarship Fundraiser honoring the life and legacy of the late Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, O.M., O.J., will be held on Friday, September 7th, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church, 495 NW 191 Street, Miami Gardens.

Under the patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General, Mr. C. P. Ricardo Allicock, the event will again observe Miss Lou’s Birthday (Sept. 7), through song, dance, and drama in commemoration of her work.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to the fund for victims of Hurricane Dean and to the “Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley Memorial Scholarship,” at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. At the initiation of the annual scholarship program, two students from the School of Drama were the recipients of the first scholarships, presented in November 2006.

As the program continues, scholarships will be rotated through the Schools of Performing Arts of the Edna Manley College.

According to Mrs. Norma Darby, Director of the Florida-based folklore group, the Jamaican Folk Revue, Miss Lou, throughout her life and career, made immeasurable contributions to Jamaica’s cultural development and left a legacy, which has given to all, a sense of dignity, authenticity and pride, in our heritage and culture.

As she encouraged the community to join in celebrating the legacy of the late Louise Bennett-Coverley, Mrs. Darby spoke of the variety of local South Florida performers participating in what she described as an entertaining, “belly-full of culture”, evening. Some of these artistes include dub poet, Malachi Smith, Ms. Jeanne Powell (South Florida’s Miss Lou), Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church “Ring Ding” children’s group, Ms. Sophie Nicholson-M.C., Tallawah Mento Band, Body Nation Dance Theatre, “Ms. Ivy” Armstrong, the Jamaican Folk Revue and a number of our literary talents.

Tickets are $10 per person. Books, CD’s by Miss Lou and some of our local writers will be available for sale.

For further information, please call the following:

(305) 613-4365. (305) 510-7705, (954) 432-6243, (305) 652-7336.

About Louise Bennett-Coverly:

The Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, (Miss Lou as she was affectionately called) died in July last year, at age 86, in Toronto, Canada where she had resided for more than a decade. Described as Jamaica’s cultural icon, Miss Lou accomplished an illustrious career as poet, playwright, comedienne, lyricist, and actor. She was also the recipient of several international and national awards and accolades throughout her career.

UPDATE

A portion of the funds collected will be earmarked for Hurricane Relief and donations of canned goods, batteries, and flashlights will be welcomed.

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