The “Out Of Many One People & Anancy” Celebration, a Caribbean Interactive play date held at Kara’s Jamaican & Chinese Restaurant proved to be a great Jamaican cultural feast for Pembroke Pines families this past Saturday. On arrival, some kids looked as if they would have preferred Saturday morning cartoons. However, by the time the fun-filled play date finished they left with their tummies filled with Jamaican breakfast including ackee and salt fish courtesy of Kara’s and, more important, sensitized with a cultural feast delivered by the Jamaica Folk Revue, led by Ms. Norma Darby and Jamaican author, Geoffrey Philp reading from “Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories“. Many parents agreed it was a Saturday morning well spent with their children and friends in a great cultural interactive ambience. What a welcome break from Saturday morning cartoons!
During the two hours, beginning at 10:45 a.m., families and friends ate, interacted with their children and discussed Jamaican culture with Philp and Ms. Darby. The first performer was Brittany Murphy with her own penned poem, “I Am Jamaican”, and excellent delivery by the young lady. She has a future on the stage. The activities designed for children included those such as the “Memba Yuh Kulture” activity sheet by Jamaicans.com and a colouring book titled, “I Love You …Grandpa!” in each child’s gift bag along with crayons and toys. http://geoffreyphilp.blogspot.com/
Pleasantly surprised, adults too were catered for and given the opportunity to take part in a free raffle in which they won books by Jamaican authors; such as, Colin Channer, Anthony Winkler and Kwame Dawes.
The morning’s cultural feast was sponsored by Kara’s Jamaican & Chinese Restaurant and the out of many one people online website for all things Jamaican, www.Jamaicans.com and was in celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month which was officially passed by Congress for the month of June.
ABOUT JAMROPPO
Jamroppo is an exciting, unique and innovative concept that celebrates Jamaica’s rich and eclectic culture. It is the brainchild of Cathy Kleinhans. The winner of The Best Personality and The Best Smile awards in the Miss Jamaica (World) 1983 contest, Cathy Kleinhans, was asked the question then by the chief judge of the contest, Hector Wynter, “How would you sell Jamaica?” Kleinhans has been selling Jamaica for over 20 years. She especially enjoyed the great interaction with people from all over the world during her position as public relations manager at Sandals Montego Bay. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Television Production at New York Institute of Technology having completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Communications at University of The West Indies at the Caribbean Institute of Mass Communications (CARIMAC). Cathy has over 20 years of experience in the field of communications – marketing/public relations and television production. According to Kleinhans, “jamroppo is a brand. It is authentically Jamaican, unique and innovative in concept. In its pursuit of excellence and professionalism it will run the full gamut of the 21st Century marketing mix but always with personalized service which I pride myself on and with a winning smile.”
ABOUT JAMAICANS.COM
Jamaicans.com is the premiere online source for all things Jamaican. Launched in December 1995, the website has won numerous awards, special recognitions and was voted as the Number 1 Web Site on Jamaica. (Source: www.top5jamaica.com ). The success of Jamaicans.com can be attributed to the determination of its founder and moderating staff to ensure that it remains an informative, fun, clean, place to learn about Jamaica and to interact with others in a respectful setting. The site provides a Bulletin Board community for Jamaicans and Jamaican lovers residing all around the world where they exchange stories, anecdotes, grouses, recipes, and discuss their travel plans. With over 20,000 registered users Jamaicans.com has become a mainstay of the online community with its goal being to perpetuate a world of friendships and dialogue through this shared love for Jamaica, and to actively participate in productive ways towards a better Jamaica.
ABOUT GEOFFREY PHILP
Geoffrey Philp is the author of Benjamin, My Son, Uncle Obadiah and the Alien, Twelve Poems and A Story for Christmas, and four poetry collections, including Exodus and Other Poems, Florida Bound, hurricane center, and xango music. His poems and short stories have been published in the Oxford Book of Caribbean Verse and the Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories. He maintains a web site @ www.geoffreyphilp.com and a blog site @ http://geoffreyphilp.blogspot.com/. He lives in Miami, Florida.
