Olivia Grange (left) in conversation with Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Dr Delroy Gordon. (Photo: JIS)— KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, on Wednesday launched Emancipation and Independence celebrations for 2016, under the theme ‘Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright’. The launch was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will celebrate the country’s 54th year of Independence with a series of activities slated to take place across the island from July 31 to August 6. Speaking at the launch, Grange encouraged Jamaicans locally and in the Diaspora to get involved in the activities planned.   “The JCDC will provide the opportunity for the registration of all appropriate events being organized by private individuals and organizations as well … Read entire article »

 Culture and Entertainment Minister, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has endorsed the new focus taken by organizers of Reggae Sumfest to put on show the best of Jamaica’s roots, rock and reggae artists, under the theme, ‘Our Music, Our Festival’. In a statement delivered at the 2016 Reggae Sumfest Sponsors’ Forum, last evening, Minister Grange said, “I am elated at the new direction that Sumfest 2016 has taken. It is a welcome change. This new direction of Sumfest – promoting new, emerging and established Jamaican artistes – on a state of the art, culturally diverse platform – may make us upsetters, especially in a fiercely competitive market in which Reggae festivals abound.” She added, “I strongly believe that the market can sustain several festivals, produced using international benchmarks and which feature local Jamaican talent. … Read entire article »