The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will host a series of activities on Saturday, October 26, 2013 on the lawn of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, 36 Hope Road, Kingston to celebrate the life, work and legacy of the late Randolph Samuel Williams, CD affectionately known as ‘Maas Ran’. These activities include an Exhibition and Multimedia Presentation on his work and life opening at 2:00 p.m.
The day’s activities also include a Cultural Dialogue that will examine “Ranny Williams: The Man. His Life. His Legacy” starting at 4:00 p.m. The main discussants will be Professor Brian Heap, Mrs. Alma Mock-Yen, OD and Miss Krystal Tomlinson, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2013. The Dialogue Series, which forms part of the JCDC 50th Anniversary Celebrations, aims to increase awareness of the contributions of some of Jamaica’s leading icons to our rich cultural heritage and national development. The celebrations will culminate with a Tribute Concert at 6:00 p.m. featuring the works of Maas Ran and other outstanding items from the JCDC Performing and Entertainment Arts Programmes, including top corporate area High Schools, Colleges, and ‘Mr. Festival’, Roy Rayon.
Ranny Williams, who attended Calabar High and Kingston Technical High Schools was an outstanding broadcaster, dramatist and comedian. He was awarded the Commander of Order of Distinction (CD) for outstanding service in the area of Entertainment in 1976 and the Centenary Medal in 1979. He performed in over 29 Pantomimes and also hosted the famous “Lou and Ranny Show” with the late Louise Bennett-Coverley. Ranny Williams was born in Panama to Jamaican parents on October 26, 1912. The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre is named in his honour.
The JCDC, an agency of the Ministry of Youth & Culture continues to play a pivotal role in the development, promotion and preservation of Jamaica’s rich culture and heritage. This is done by enhancing national development through cultural practices by creating opportunities that unearth, develop, preserve, and promote creative talents and expressions of the Jamaican people.
