Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
Left: The Clonmel Cultural Club performs an integrated song and dance at the Heritage Fest at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Sunday. At right: The St. Hughs High group performs a Nanny heritage play at Heritage Fest, held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Sunday. - IAN ALLEN STAFF/PHOTOGRAPHER
THE SUN brought with it a myriad of festivities at the family fun-filled Heritage Fest 2005.
Saint International put on a sparkling fashion show featuring African, contemporary and Jamaican wear. The Jamaican bandana led the first leg of the show, with its traditional red and white plaid colours. The models also sported designs from South Africa, which had the crowd in awe of the varying prints and shades.
Up next were some Indian models, showing their traditional dress, which included a light blue three-piece suit, fashionably adorned with silver threading. The fashions from India grew more interesting when the Indian men graced the stage with their version of Indian fashion.
The fashion elegance switched continents as Shades of Africa showcased African wedding wear for the bride, the groom, the best man and maid of honour. The professionals from Saint displayed the beauty of the garments as they paired and strutted their stuff down the runway. Last were the modern designs of Terry Nicholson, followed by Les Campbell and Yola Grey's flava collection.
"We are celebrating the
totality of Jamaica's rich heritage. We are featuring all the ethnic groups that make up The Jamaican culture," explained Marcia Hextall, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).
ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment was endless, as other groups performed cultural items from various ethnic groups. Drews Avenue Primary took the audience back to childhood with ring games and integrated song and dance. The youngest, cutest, sweetest performers were the adorable children of Liberty Learning Centre in Portland, who performed the ballroom quadrille, in their little blue and pink gowns. The boys wore matching little tuxedos and hats, and all were decked in white gloves.
The very 'young' St. Ann senior citizens had the crowd in a jolly mood, with Ni Nite and a medley of traditional folk songs. The flexibility of the seniors, the oldest being 80 years old, was remarkable. "Fi people who nuh know ni nite, a di real ting dis," shouted a patron way across the grass.
Another group that performed at Heritage Fest was the Clonmel Cultural Club, who won 22 medals at the JCDC Festival 2005. They did integrated song and dance, and their determination to finish the Maypole after the pole broke was commendable.
HOT TOP GROUP
Other groups that performed were Trinity Primary in St. Mary with Dinki Mini, Muirhouse Senior Citizens from St. Ann with Ring Play and Revival, Port Morant Group with Kumina, Basil Lopez with Poetry, Hot Top Group from Westmoreland with Gerreh, Tassa Drummers from Clarendon, Chinese Lion Dance and Kamau with Revolution.
Marvalyn Chambers, a patron, shared with The Gleaner her opinion on the fest. "So far it has been good. Patrons should understand that what happened today is a part of our culture that should be showcased, and the children need to know," said Marvalyn.
There were options for everyone: toys, insurance, photo station, clothes, heritage dolls, jewellery, crafts, books on Jamaican cooking and stories, African print, bandana (skirts, blouses and dresses), hats (straw and tams), kitchen ware, snow cones, pop corn, and hot dogs.
There were also bounce-abouts, a mechanical bull, and a 'rock-climbing' mechanism. MCs Joan Andrea Hutchinson and Karen Harriot Wilson maintained the vibes of the crowd, and fostered audience participation.
