Contact:
Khadijah Chang
Kingston Creative
Tel: (876) 851-3272
Email: [email protected]
RAE TOWN KICKS OFF JSIF EU COMMUNITY ARTWALKS FOR DOWNTOWN KINGSTON
Monday, January 27, 2020
Kingston, Jamaica
Women Empowering Women, a Community based organisation from Rae Town led by Colleen Campbell, recently partnered with Kingston Creative to host the Rae Town Artwalk on Saturday January 25th. This was the first event in a series of five cultural events that will take place in Rae Town, Tivoli Gardens, Beat Street, Allman Town and Trench Town this year.
Rae Town is a historic Downtown Kingston neighbourhood comprising a fishing village, boasting a spectacular view of the Kingston Harbour and world-renowned for its sound system dance. The cultural tour focused on Rae Street and included the General Penitentiary, the Cholera Cemetery, St Michael’s Primary School, the Salvation Army and Capricorn Inn, the home of the Rae Town Oldies Dance.
Patrons came from across Kingston, some driving into Rae Town and others taking the shuttle from Spanish Court Hotel to enjoy the performances and take the tours, which were guided by ten youth from the Elliston Road Police Youth Club. Some of the local talent on display included the St Michaels Primary dance troupe, the Paradise Street Early Childhood Institution dancers, the Southern Strikers Marching Band, Teshae Silvera, Jahnice Solomon, dancehall artist Kibauney and dancer Kimani David from the Young Blazers. Senor Daley from Classique Disco spun oldies hits all day and had the crowd dancing happily along.
Kingston Creative, Sherwin Williams and the Tourism Enhancement Fund also collaborated to create two murals on the Rae Town playing field as a part of the cultural activities. The community wanted the story of Rae Town to be told on the murals; the south-facing side depicting the fishing village, community life food and culture, and the northern side depicting the Rae Town Dance culture.
Two stunning murals were created by artists Deon Simone (“Rae Town Dance” and Shanique Stewart (“Rae Town Fishing Village”). The painting was a fun and inclusive community affair, with artists like Kimeka Rainford, Omar Valentine, Omar Bolton, Dwayne Brooks, Marvin Thomas, Alison West Martin and Jeana Lindo pitching in to lend a hand.
“The event is genius! I honestly think it is a great event and the talent highlighting the culture of Rae Town is amazing and I love how it brings the community together.” said Kehlesia Thompson from the Grace and Staff/ Grace Kennedy Foundation, who sponsored gift baskets, prizes and meals for the performing groups.
Shani Johnson, one of the performers commented, “It was a good event, especially when on the tour the community and the visitors interacted. One of my favourite moments was when a community member was transporting furniture and a visitor went and helped him. The tours were educational and informative and I would recommend it again.”
“The tour was very informative and since it’s my first time being in Rae Town, it was good to learn about the history and it is also good to have it in the community. I would love to come to more events like this.” said Sue Tanya McHorgh, a visitor to the community.
June Francis from the Capricorn Inn on Rae Street stated, “I really enjoyed it. This is my second time partnering with Kingston Creative and it was better than the last one. The experience was good.”