The JCDC launches festival season 2011

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

On Tuesday, the Jamaican Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) officially launched the 2011 festival season in commemoration of Jamaica's 49th year of Independence.

The Gleaner arrived at a beautifully decorated venue minutes after 9 p.m., just in time to see the preview of the Festival Songs for 2011.

All 10 contestants gave thrilling and energetic performances.

Each bragged about the beauty of Jamaica and the talented sportsmen and women that the island has to offer, "Jamaica is a big little dot," one patron exclaimed during the performance of Qshan Deya's Everything Tun Up.

The previews were short and spicy, just enough to give patrons and media personalities an idea of what to expect during the finals.

Given the response, the audience was pleased.

This year, the winner of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition will walk away with a car, courtesy of Fidelity Motors, and a cash prize.

Billy Heaven, the CEO of Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE), said his organisation had been committed to the celebration of Jamaican culture for more than eight years.

Heaven also credited the JCDC as being important to cultural development in Jamaica.

According to Heaven, JCDC is a friend and partner because of the strength and value it places on culture, and the continuous efforts that are made by JCDC to help youths realise and maximise their potential.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange unveiled the dates of the events planned for the celebration season. The minister said Jamaica was striving to be the ideal place to live and that this season would highlight national prowess.

According to Minister Grange, the festival season gives Jamaica the chance to show its diversity, drawing a parallel with the motto on the coat of arms - 'Out of many, one people'.

JCDC's Calendar of Events

Friday, July 29: Jamaica Festival Song Final at the National Indoor Sports Centre at 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 30: The Jamaica Festival Queen Coronation at the National Indoor Sports Centre, beginning at 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 31: National Independence Thanksgiving Service at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly at 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 31: the National Gospel Competition begins at 8 p.m. at the National Indoor Sports Centre.