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9th Annual Louise Bennett – Coverley Reading

The 9^th Annual Louise Bennett – Coverley Reading Festival is set for February 6th (2:00-4:30 p.m.) at the Broward College Performing Cultural Arts Theater, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. The Friends of the S. Regional Broward Library, Jamaican Folk Revue, Inc. and Broward College are again partnering to bring this festival to the community .

Presented under the patronage of the Consul General of Jamaica, the Hon Franz Hall, the 9^th Annual Louise Bennett – Coverley Reading Festival is free to the public and forms part of the Library’s schedule of activities for Black History month. Entertainment will include – Tallawah Mento Band, “Dr. Sue”, Sierra Norwood Calvary Children, Easton Lee, the Jamaican Folk Revue and NDTC’s Jordan-Leigh Wyatt, presenting a tribute in dance, to the late Bob Marley.

Headlining this year’s Festival, titled “Lyrics, Laughter & Lessons – Jamaican Comedy & the Miss Lou Legacy”, is the inimitable Owen Blakka Ellis, who describes his presentation, as –“weaving storytelling, poetry, stand-up comedy…..to share perspectives on the evolution of comedy, as a distinctive entertainment genre in Jamaica and the role and impact of the work of the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley in this process”.

“Blakka” Ellis – Comedian, Writer, Educator and Performing Artist, is an alumnus of both Excelsior High School & the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts in Jamaica, where he taught English, Literature and Drama, before migrating to Canada. Widely acknowledged as a leading Caribbean entertainer, who has appeared with comedian Oliver Samuels, Blakka is part of Jamaica’s beloved comedic duo – “Bello & Blakka”. He co-wrote the National Pantomime “Schoolers,” which won the Jamaica Music Industry (JAMI) award in 1989, co-produced and starred in, one of the most successful comedy productions -“Laugh Jamaica,” winning the “Actor Boy Award” for Best Revue.

We are delighted to present Owen “Blakka” Ellis, at the 9^th Annual Louise Bennett – Coverley Reading Festival, which since its inception, has grown in popularity, and has awarded 14 scholarships in Miss Lou’s name, to students at both the Edna Manley College in Jamaica and S. Florida’s Broward College.

This annual event, launched in 2007, to celebrate the life and legacy of the Hon. Louise Bennett – Coverley, OJ (Miss Lou), cultural icon, social commentator and internationally acclaimed folklorist, addresses the immense influence that her works have had, on Jamaicans at home and abroad and continues to attract overflow audiences and cultural enthusiasts from the diasporic community.

Through proceeds from Fundraisers & Tax-deductible donations; and with the support of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandal’s Hotel Group, County Line Chiropractic, Iberia Foods, Antilles Freight Corporation, Neita’s Nest B&B,(Ja), Top Hill Treats, XLCR Alumni Association, and our invaluable Media Partners, the Louise Bennett – Coverley Reading Festival continues to educate, and bring a high level of cultural awareness and entertainment, to South Florida’s Community.

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