‘Miss Lou’ Tribute And Scholarship Fundraiser, November 15, 2009, Miami

The fourth annual Community Cultural Tribute and scholarship fundraiser to honor the life and legacy of the late Hon. Louise Bennett Coverley, O.D., (Miss Lou) will be held on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Holy Family Episcopal Church in North Miami.

This year’s event will commemorate Miss Lou’s birthday, which was September 7, as well as celebrate her work through performances of song, dance and drama.

“It will be an exciting program featuring an array of presentations in pantomime style,” according to Mrs. Norma Darby, Director of the Jamaica Folk Revue, a Florida-based Jamaican cultural group.

Mrs. Darby explained that this year, a new format will be introduced into the cultural program which will feature vignettes of Miss Lou’s work.  This section  scripted by another Jamaica cultural specialist, Mr. Easton Lee, will be narrated by both folklorists.

She added that the annual event continues to attract larger audience, “so we try to be more creative, giving a better insight into the talent, motivation and achievements of our cultural icon, satirist and social commentator who has so tremendously impacted our society”.

“This is also a special tribute to the internationally renowned folklorist, who was regarded as our Mother of culture and will be performed by a cast of wonderfully people,” according to Mrs. Darby.

The evening’s entertainment will be provided by a line-up of local Jamaican talent from the South Florida Diasporic community.

The famous “Ring Ding” reminiscent of Miss Lou’s performance with children will be a special feature.  A photo exhibition of Miss Lou’s work will also be showcased at the Cultural Tribute.

Proceeds from the event will continue the support of the Louise Bennett Coverley Scholarship Fund.  The scholarship is tenable at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.

Following the death of Miss Lou in 2006 in Toronto, Canada, the Scholarship programme was launched in September, that year.  The brainchild of Mrs. Darby, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing the three-year diploma course in the performing arts.  To date, four students have been awarded scholarships at the School of Drama and Dance, and at the School of Music.

The cultural tribute to Miss Lou will be under the patronage of the Jamaica Consulate General.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 years and under.