Enjoy a family fun day with education that includes some of South Florida’s top health professionals. Get tips on healthy living and learn how to maintain a healthy way of life. Meet and network with South Florida's top non-profit organizations. Bring the kids to have a day of fun and education. Plus, participate in and enjoy our premier domino tournament.

The event, which is free for guests, is slated for Saturday July 29th, 2006 from 10:30am- 2:30 pm in Bon Vale Plaza’s Kareem’s Seafood and Wine Bar, 7529 W. Oakland Park Bvld. Ft. Lauderdale FL 33319 (Across from Lauderhill Sports Complex) -- 1/2 mile east of University Drive.

Headline Sponsor of the event is Bank Atlantic. Other participants in the event include Kareem's Seafood and Wine Bar, Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, United Way, Smart School, First Tee Golf, Sunrise Chamber of Commerce, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 24 Hour Fitness, Caribbean Americas Soccer Association (CASA), & Many More!

Tables start at $100.

For More Information: (754) 234-1018 or (954) 274-6007

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Register online at www.healthandwellnessday.com

Miss USA Mastana Cultural Pageant started back in 1993. With a little more than a decade under its belt, the pageant has surpassed many people’s expectations, both in terms of longevity and success. The competition was designed to showcase the Indo-Caribbean culture, which is exemplified in dress, dance, song and music. USA Mastana will also serve to preserve the Indo-Caribbean culture especially among the youth who are not readily exposed to the culture, which is an intrinsic part of Trinidad.

This pageant consists of three categories -- a Queen contest, in which the young ladies of our community are able to take part in a competition that the key notes are exemplified in the requirements that they parade in sari and eveningwear. A Bollywood dance and song contest is designed to give the growing numbers of dancers and singers in our community an opportunity to perform at a higher level.

This year’s competition will be held on Saturday July 22 at the Walter C. Young Hall in Pembroke Pines. This year, nine contestants vie for the top spot in the Queen contest. MC for the event will be MC Shamoon Mohammed of Sangeet 106 FM and the guest artiste is Shivana Ragoonanan, pannist, both from Trinidad and Tobago. The fashion designer, sound and light technicians and stylist were recruited from Trinidad to add authenticity to the event. 

Producer of the event Devika Ragoobarsingh expressed her thanks to sponsors, judges, artists, and all assistants for their contribution and cooperation. “We must extend special thanks and pay public tribute to Ram’s Car Care Center and Caribbean National Weekly for giving us this opportunity to showcase and promote USA Mastana Cultural pageant. I want to extend best wishes to all the contestants, you are all truly beautiful, intelligent, and talented.  You are all winners and I commend you,” the producer said.

The roots play “Jamaica Dancehall Vibes” is being touted as one of the funniest and jost intriguing plays to ever hit south Florida. The play, which will be showing at the Lou Rawls Theater for the Performing Arts, at the Florida Memorial University July 30, is said to have wowed the audience on its June 11 showing at the North Miami Performance Arts Theater.

The name, “Jamaica Dancehall Vibes”, though applicable, hid the depth the show managed to possess while maintaining some of the funniest lines and actions seen in a long time. It was hard to decide at first, whether to laugh at the funny moments or to keep following the nail biting drama being unfolded. A quick glance around the theater revealed that the audience was caught in the same predicament. One woman remarked, "I was afraid to even go to the ladies room in fear of missing what's coming next.”

The show is definitely worth seeing; it tells the story of the ghetto as seen through the eyes of one who has definitely an insight as to the actual running of the ghetto, so real, so lifelike. The writer truly managed to capture the ghetto lifestyle through the skills of the actors. One particular scene was played out by Joycie (Joy Grandison) which had the audience moved with emotions as she revealed the torture she endured, at the hands of her husband, in order to save her only daughter, Keisha (Loyette Davis). The Community DJ, (Richard Johnson) added wit and humor, his very appearance had the audience in stitches. The ghetto is controlled by the suave Don, (Courtney Howell), who hosts dances in the community and quite possibly has fallen in love with the wrong woman. Appearance are made at these dances by Mr. Wackie (Horace Goode aka Blaxxx), who displays his dancing talents and original lyrics but who is begrudged by the cunning Jahlocks (Elvis Morris) who feels cheated of his inheritance and status within the community. Sta Mabel, (Ann Mckenzie) endeared herself to the audience as the nosy old woman who knows everyone business in the community (except hers).

Hats off to this Homegrown Theatre group, CountrySide Theatre Promotions for a job well done!

Reggae Grammy split between Roots & Dancehall? The National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS) have turned down a request to split the reggae category into two, dancehall and roots. "We have made this request in the past, but this year there was a huge push for it involving all members of the committee making statements on behalf of the split," committee member Roger Steffens said. According to Steffens, this decision by NARAS is not the end of the issue, as the committee will be making another attempt in 2007. There are mixed reactions from industry players in local music circles, with jost in support of the additional reggae category. The president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young, said while he doesn't have a fundamental problem with the separation of the Grammy award, he cautioned that it might make a mockery of what was seen as a victory two years ago when a push was made to recognize dancehall as reggae. Young recalled that it was this initiative, of which he was a part, which partially paved the way for Sean Paul to win the Grammy. "Just recently, to get Sean Paul qualified, we had to lobby that dancehall and reggae is the same. So we may end up contradicting ourselves," warns the JFM president.

***************************

Jamaica's rich folk heritage will be in the spotlight as Jamaica Awareness,Inc., in association with Air Jamaica Lovebird Kidz Club will present, CULTURAMA 2006.  This year there will be one show only on Sunday, July 30th, at 7pm at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive

Culturama 2006 is a variety show with old time festival flair and flavor, showcasing traditional Jamaican folk dances, drama and oratory, and musical performance. It is premier family entertainment, presented as a part of Jamaica's Independence celebration in Florida.  The island gained independence from Britain on August 6, 1962.

Featured performers include The Clonmel Cultural Club, Bethlehem Teachers Group, Peace Makers Mento Band, Jamaica Folk Revue, The Nomads and Malachai Smith.

Based on past years' presentations, the show promises to be a raging success with a great time to be had by all. Don't miss out; don't miss it! Get your tickets early!

Culturama 2006 is presented by Jamaica Awareness, Inc., in association with Lovebird Kidz Club, with support from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and is sponsored by Western Union, Air Jamaica, Florida Arts and TropiCulture.

Tickets are $25 and $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years and are available at selected Caribbean outlets.  For more information contact Sydney Roberts of Jamaica Awareness, Inc., at (305) 891- 2944