JIS Press Release - October 28, 2026
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is encouraging entrants in the 2027 National Festival of the Performing Arts to consider the country’s milestone 65th anniversary of Independence next year as a source of inspiration as they prepare their entries.
Entries will open on Sunday, November 1, with participants being encouraged to begin preparations early ahead of the video-audition submission deadline on Friday, December 11.
Director of Arts Development and Training at the JCDC, Andrew Brodber, told JIS News that while celebratory selections are being encouraged, they are not mandatory, with participants invited to reflect on Jamaica’s journey, achievements and resilience.
“It is a milestone year… a celebratory year… so we are really looking forward to celebratory selections. It is an open festival, and, therefore, we do not tell persons outrightly what they are to bring to the festival,” he said.
“But when it is a milestone year, it is wise to tell our participants, our teachers, our [group] leaders and our individuals that it would be suitable to choose creative works that celebrate Jamaica, because we are at Jamaica 65,” Mr. Brodber added.
The competitions are open to persons of all ages, including first-time entrants and experienced performers.
Participants must first complete the online registration process and then submit their competition entry, including a video recording of the performance, for assessment during the audition round.
“That gives an opportunity for somebody to record what they plan to share with us. Some persons will have to do a little self-examination, or the teacher or the group leader will need to look and say, ‘I believe this is of a standard that it will pass the audition round in order to get to the parish finals’,” Mr. Brodber explained.
Video auditions are scheduled to be assessed between mid-January and the end of January 2027.
Entrants will be notified whether their scores qualify them for the parish finals in March, which will determine the performances selected to advance to the national finals in April.
To help participants prepare, the JCDC will offer three sets of training activities beginning in November this year, including information seminars during the first week from Monday to Friday, online national workshops in the second week, and face-to-face workshops in every parish.
“Each parish [office] is responsible for their participants. So, persons just need to make contact with their parish office, because that’s how it’s governed,” Mr. Brodber said
Interested persons can register online beginning Sunday, November 1, by visiting jcdc.awardsplatform.com.
Further information on entry requirements, competition arrangements and workshop schedules will be available through the JCDC’s website, social media platforms and parish offices.
Editor's Note
The JCDC needs an increase in budget to put emphasis on promoting Jamaican food and the preservation of our food. We need to create a cultural village where people can see how we used to cook and cure meat, for example. This village could have visiting Mento, Kumina, and Jokunno bands, for example.
Tourists and Jamaicans could be taken there to have turn cornmeal, roas' yam and fish, and blue draws. mannish water, and other Jamaican food. This generation is only aware of fast food imported from elsewhere.
We should have a Jamaica Food Festival at least once per year. The theme should be Jamaicans, Eat Healthy.
Let me point out that the bandana is a part of our colonial past. The bandana was made in Britain. It should not be included as part of our culture. The JCDC should also lead a campaign to change the names of schools and football competitions that honour some of our colonial masters.
Please add your comments and share this blog.
Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is:
_________________
_________________
Subscribe Now!
Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
_____________________
No comments:
Post a Comment
Blogs will be forwarded to national leaders, business leaders and others who might need to see such blogs.