By Damion Mitchell, Staff Reporter
CULTURAL ICON, Dr. the Hon. Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou), is slated to arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston to an ambassadorial welcome at 1:30 this afternoon.
Red carpet treatment, a mini-cultural concert and a motorcade have been planned for the international folklorist immediately after her arrival on Air Canada flight 984.
Miss Lou, Jamaica's First Lady of Comedy, will be met on the tarmac by Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education, Youth and Culture; Burchell Whiteman, the Information Minister; Dr. Wykeham McNeill, State Minister for Industry and Tourism; Edward Seaga, the Leader of the Opposition, and Desmond McKenzie, Mayor of Kingston.
CULTURAL GREETING
Miss Lou and the welcoming party will be entertained on the tarmac by a local mento band before moving to the airport car park where the Clonmel Dancers from St. Mary will perform.
The official welcome culminates with a motorcade from the airport en route to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel where Miss Lou will be accommodated until August 19 when she is slated to return to Canada.
During her stay, Miss Lou will be the guest of honour at a number of events, celebrating Emancipation and Independence.
The activities include the Michael Manley Foundation Awards at the Little Theatre on Friday, the National Independence Church Service on Sunday and the Prime Minister's Gala at Jamaica House on Monday. Miss Lou will also be special guest at the Independence civic ceremony and the Civic Tribute/Concert at the National Stadium on August 6. On August 11, she will be inducted as Fellow of the Institute of Jamaica at the Little Theatre.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, on September 7, 1919, Miss Lou has made invaluable contributions to Jamaica as a folklorist, writer and artiste and has appeared in several leading roles in Jamaican Pantomimes.
She has been chairman of the Folklore Committee of the Arts Development Council, management member of the Little Theatre Movement, and patron of the National Dance Company.
