Save the Date: 13th Annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival.

The Committee of the Annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival is delighted to present the 13th Annual Festival, titled "Miss Lou's Views," on Saturday, February 1, 2:00 pm, at its original venue - the South Regional Broward College Library, located at 7300 Pines Blvd, in Pembroke Pines, FL 33024.  

This free, community event celebrating its 13th year, is jointly coordinated by the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council, Broward College, the Friends of the South Regional Broward Library and the Jamaican Folk Revue, Inc. and will launch the Library's Black History Month activities. It will also continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birthday of Dr. the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, OM, OJ, MBE, with local authors, Dr. Andrea Shaw Nevins, Geoffrey Philp, and Dr. Susan Davis (Moderator)  

The gifted and incomparable Dahlia Harris's presentation of "Miss Lou's Views" will headline an exciting program, which will re-visit the original Radio program, hosted by the mother of Jamaican culture - Louise Bennett-Coverley ("Miss Lou"), as she was affectionately known. The evening will also feature entertainment by local performers, including Sophia Nicholson, Maxine Osbourne, Malachi Smith, and the Jamaican Folk Revue. 

We will be honored to have you join us for this evening of culturally rich "edutainment" and look forward to welcoming you, to the 13th Annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival, at 2:00 pm. - Saturday, February 1, 2020.

“Lyrics, Laughter & Lessons – Jamaican Comedy & the Miss Lou Legacy”

The 9^TH ANNUAL LOUISE BENNETT-COVERLEY READING FESTIVAL

Presents Owen “Blakka” Ellis

February 6^th, 2016

2:00-4:30 p.m.

Broward College Performing Cultural Arts Theater

7200 Pines Blvd., Florida 33024

The Friends of the S. Regional Broward Library, Jamaican Folk Revue, Inc. and Broward College are partnering to bring to the community, the 9^th Annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival.

Presented under the patronage of the Consul General of Jamaica, the Hon Franz Hall, the Festival is free to the public and forms part of the S. Regional Broward Library’s schedule of activities for Black History Month. Entertainment will include Tallawah Mento Band, “Dr. Sue,” Sierra Norwood Calvary Children, Easton Lee, the Jamaican Folk Revue and NDTC’s Jordan-Leigh Wyatt, presenting a tribute in dance, to the late Bob Marley.

The inimitable Owen Blakka Ellis describes his presentation, as “weaving storytelling, poetry, stand-up comedy…..to share perspectives on the evolution of comedy, as a distinctive entertainment genre in Jamaica and the role and impact of the work of the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley in this process."

“Blakka” Ellis, comedian, writer, educator and performing artist, is an alumnus of both Excelsior High School & the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts in Jamaica, where he taught English, Literature and Drama, before migrating to Canada. Widely acknowledged as a leading Caribbean entertainer, who has appeared with comedian Oliver Samuels, Blakka is part of Jamaica’s beloved comedic duo - “Bello & Blakka.” He co-wrote the National Pantomime “Schoolers,” which won the Jamaica Music Industry (JAMI) award in 1989, co-produced and starred in, one of the most successful comedy productions -“Laugh Jamaica,” winning the “Actor Boy Award” for Best Revue.  

We are delighted to present Owen “Blakka” Ellis, at the 9^th Annual LB-C Reading Festival, which since its inception, has grown in popularity, and has awarded 14 scholarships in Miss Lou’s name, to students at both the Edna Manley College in Jamaica and S. Florida’s Broward College.

This annual event, launched in 2007, to celebrate the life and legacy of the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, OJ (Miss Lou), cultural icon, social commentator and internationally acclaimed folklorist, addresses the immense influence that her works have had, on Jamaicans at home and abroad and continues to attract overflow audiences and cultural enthusiasts from the diasporic community.  

Through proceeds from fundraisers & tax-deductible donations, and with the support of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandal’s Hotel Group, County Line Chiropractic, Iberia Foods, Antilles Freight Corporation, Neita’s Nest B&B, (Ja), Top Hill Treats, XLCR Alumni Association, and our invaluable Media Partners, the Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival continues to educate, and bring a high level of cultural awareness and entertainment, to South Florida’s Community.  

February 6^th, 2016

2:00-4:30 p.m.

Broward College Performing Cultural Arts Theater

7200 Pines Blvd., Florida  33024