The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has dedicated the entire month of April to the Arts, hosting its annual Festival of the Performing Arts National Finals from April 5 to April 29. The highly anticipated Festival will see performers from across the island compete in Jamaica’s premier cultural showcase for a chance to take home a national title in the areas of Music, Traditional Folk Forms, Speech, Drama and Dance. Performances will be held daily at the Little Theatre in Kingston beginning 10:00 a.m. and the public is welcome to attend, as the parish champions go for national honours. Tickets are available at the gate at a cost of Adults $400, Children $200. There is also a special group rate
The month’s activities will see performances in Music from April 5 – 8, Traditional Folk Forms, April 12 – 15, Speech, April 18 – 20, Drama April 21 – 22 and Dance, April 25 – 26 and 28 – 29. The month-long line up will also include the Deaf Dance Festival – which will showcase dance pieces from the deaf community, on Wednesday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m. The 2016 edition of Drumfest – a purely percussion event, on Monday, April 11 at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, 36 Hope Road, also beginning at 4:00 pm.
JCDC Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Stephen Davidson notes that the JCDC stages the Festival of the Performing Arts annually to unearth, develop, showcase, preserve and promote the creative talents and expressions of the Jamaican people.
“Jamaica is well known for its creativity and talent in areas of music, dance, speech and drama and the Festival of the Performing Arts provides an excellent avenue for participants to showcase their talents and for patrons to enjoy wholesome family entertainment” Mr. Davidson added.
In addition to the invaluable experience and talent development offered by this competition, finalists have the chance to win attractive prizes including cash incentives, trophies and gift packages courtesy of the CHASE Fund, in addition to the opportunity to perform at national and celebratory events and private functions.
Special cash prizes and awards will also be given by sponsors Nestle Jamaica and the National Health Fund. Other sponsors of the National Festival of the Performing Arts – National Finals include: Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, Excelsior, Happy Ice, Jamaica Association for the Deaf and Life Span Spring Water.
