Service of Thanksgiving to Highlight Independence Activities in Washington DC

A service of thanksgiving will highlight activities being held in Washington DC to mark Jamaica’s 44th anniversary of Independence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Anthony Hilton; Education and Youth Minister, Maxine Henry Wilson; and Ambassador to the United States Professor Gordon Shirley, will head the list of dignitaries at the event, which will be held at Howard University’s Dumbarton Chapel on Sunday, August 6, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The Rev. Georgia “Grace” Jervis, Rector of Christ Church in Port Antonio will deliver the sermon, Ministers Hilton and Henry Wilson will bring greetings, while Ambassador Gordon Shirley will pay tribute to late cultural icon, Louise Bennett Coverley, (Miss Lou). Lessons will be read by a number of CARICOM Ambassadors, with musical selection by Noel Dexter.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hilton and Mrs. Henry Wilson will be guests at various Independence activities in Washington, D.C. from August 3 to 6.
On Thursday, August 3, the Education Minister will attend the official opening of an exhibition on contemporary Jamaican art over 44 years of Independence at the Art Museum of the Americas. The exhibition will run through to October this year.
She will also bring greetings at the Jamaican Nationals Association’s (JNA) annual Independence gala on Saturday, August 5 at the Renaissance Hotel beginning at 8:00 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Beverley Anderson-Manley and mistress of ceremonies will be Faye Ellington. There will be a special appearance by Terri-Karelle Griffith, Miss Jamaica World 2005.
Also on Saturday, Mr. Hilton will be the guest speaker at the Jamaican Association of Maryland (JAM) and Maryland Cricket Club’s (MCC) Independence ball at Martins West in Baltimore.
Other activities include the annual ‘Jamaica Night’ at the popular Zanzibar on the Waterfront on August 4, featuring the Bare Essentials Band along with Sprang International Disco.
The celebrations conclude on August 6 with the annual Independence Sunday Market festival, an all day event, featuring performances by the legendary Skatalites, Kymani Marley, Lovindeer, Bare Essentials Band, Image Band, DJ Romeo, Sprang International Disco with emcee Jerry D. Jamaican food, art & craft will be on display.