Jamaicans in South Florida to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Miss Lou

Jamaicans in South Florida, will once again celebrate the life and legacy of the late Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou), at the third annual Community Cultural Tribute and Scholarship Fund-raiser, on September 6, at the Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church in North Miami.
The event will commemorate Miss Lou’s 88th birthday (September 7), as well as her work, which will feature performances in song, dance, and drama.
This year’s performances will also feature the famous ‘Ring Ding’, reminiscent of Miss Lou’s performance with children. During this time, children will be given an opportunity for self expression in song, poetry, dance, and drama, in a fashion similar to Miss Lou’s celebration of the Jamaican dialect.
Proceeds from this event will continue the support of the Louise Bennett-Coverley Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is tenable at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.
Following the death of Miss Lou in July 2006 in Toronto, Canada, the scholarship programme was launched in September, that year. The brainchild of Norma Darby, Director of the Florida-based Jamaica Folk Revue, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing the three-year diploma course in the performing arts. To date, three students have been awarded scholarships, two at the School of Drama and Dance, and one at the School of Music.
This year, two students will benefit from the proceeds. According to Mrs. Darby, the scholarship programme is an investment in the continuation of Miss Lou’s immeasurable contribution, to the development of Jamaica’s rich culture.
Mrs. Darby described Miss Lou as “a great folklorist who made Jamaicans proud of our vernacular, knowing that it is respected as another language, giving us pride and dignity in our cultural heritage.” She encouraged parents in the Diaspora to bring their children to the event.
The evening’s programme will include a line-up of Jamaican talent in the South Florida community, including: dub poet, Malachi Smith; the Reverend Easton Lee; Jeanne Powell; the Sierra Norwood Calvary Church Children’s Choir; the Jamaica Folk Revue; the Tallawah Mento Band; Sophia Nicholson; and Chris Gilchrist.
The cultural tribute to Miss Lou, will be under the patronage of the Jamaica Consulate General.