Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
The tots of Holy Spirit basic were filled with fire and energy in their Class 1 Revival entry in the JCDC National Traditional Folk Forms finals.
Clonmel Primary and Junior High perform their class three ring game at the JCDC National Traditional Folk Forms finals, at the Little Theatre. - CONTRIBUTED
THE TRADITIONAL Folk Forms national finals, staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) ended last Wednesday at the Little Theatre just as Hurricane Dennis huffed and puffed and threatened the island with heavy winds and torrential rains.
The threat also meant that some schools missed their appearance at the finals. Alas, the adage that the show must go on is far more than a cliché so the performances in Jamaica's traditional folk forms continued.
As the final day of performances, Wednesday also featured the distribution of the major prizes in the competition. At the end of the day, several of these major prizes were distributed between the two groups from Clonmel, St. Mary: the Clonmel Primary and Jnr. School and its offshoot for older members the Clonmel Cultural Club. The two, led by Jeanette Walters, took home six of the 10 top trophies distributed.
Zion Hill Primary, Manchester and Drews Avenue Primary, Kingston's main representative in the competition also made a fair representation of themselves, taking home two trophies. Interestingly, in both cases Drews Avenue tied for the trophies. They shared the Best Overall Costumed Group (Junior) with Zion Hill Primary and the Kirby Doyle Award for Most Outstand-ing Intermediate School with Clonmel Primary and Junior High.
PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
Clonmel's other awards included the Honourable Rex Nettleford Award for Most Outstanding Youth Group and Walters' copping of the Jay-Teens Dance Workshop Award for Most Outstanding Traditional Teacher Islandwide. One or other of the Clonmel groups had entries in most categories including Jonkunnu, Brukins Party, Quadrille and Dinki Mini.
The performing arts festival comes to an end this week with the national finals in drama which had been postponed from last week due to Hurricane Dennis. The JCDC will be showcasing the best of the finals in dance, drama, speech, music and traditional folk forms in a series of fests slated for the end of the month at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road. Additionally, the most entertaining performances will be showcased at Mello Go Roun, which had made a very impressive come back to the National Arena last year.
LIST OF MAJOR PRIZES
Best Overall Costumed Group (Junior)
Drews Avenue Primary, Kingston and St. Andrews and Zion Hill Primary, Manchester
Best Overall Costumed Group (Intermediate)
Clonmel Cultural Group, St Mary
Institute of Jamaica Award Best Dinki Mini Presentation
Islington Cultural Group
Institute of Jamaica Award Best Kumina Presentation
Clonmel Cultural Club
Institute of Jamaica Award Best Bruckins Party Presentation
Clonmel Cultural Club
The Kirby Doyle Award (Most Outstanding Intermediate School)
Drews Avenue Primary and Clonmel Primary and Junior High
The Hon. Rex Nettleford Award (Most Outstanding Youth Group)
Clonmel Cultural Club
The Imogene 'Queenie' Kennedy Award (Most Outstanding Adult Group)
Bethlehem Moravian College
The Jay-Teens Dance Workshop Award (Most Outstanding Traditional Teacher Islandwide)
Jeanette Walters, Clonmel Primary and Junior High and Clonmel Cultural Club
The Ada Barrett Award (Most Outstanding Junior School)
Zion Hill Primary
