I am delighted to take part in the Black History Month Hop hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girl Reads. There will be a new topic every week during February and since this week’s topic is Around Town, I will tell you about a Black History Month event being held at my local library.
If you are in South Florida, make plans to attend the Fifth Anniversary Celebration/Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival with speakers, Jamaican performers, music and storytelling. The event will be held on Feb. 11 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the South Regional/Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd. in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Louise Bennett-Coverley or as she was better know, Miss Lou, was a Jamaican folklorist, poet, writer, and educator. Miss Lou appeared in leading comedic roles in Jamaican plays and television shows. She traveled throughout the world promoting the culture of Jamaica by lecturing and performing. Although her popularity was international, she enjoyed a celebrity status in Jamaica, Canada and the United Kingdom.
I’m not sure if I ever mentioned it but I was born in Jamaica and moved to the US when I was in my early teens. Even years after her passing, Miss Lou remains such a beloved figure to most Jamaicans and even watching old videos of her feels a bit like home.
Here is a video of Miss Lou talking about the Jamaican patois, nursery rhymes and folk songs. Even though the video was shot awhile ago, the songs remain the same. Hearing these songs brought back so many wonderful childhood memories for me. I hope you enjoy this little bit of Jamaican culture!
2 comments:
OHHH!!! I wish I was in South Florida to attend this event. Thanks for posting it. Amazing!
This event sounds wonderful. Even though I can't go to the events I'm hearing about, I feel like I learn something new all the same.
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