Black History Month and Bob Marley celebrations start today

Observer Reporter

Bob Marley
Activities marking Black History Month and Bob Marley Week, put on by the Marley family-owned Bob Marley Foundation and Tuff Gong International, kick off this weekend with a number of activities, which will continue through the month of February. Today, the slate of activities get off and running at the Bob Marley Museum with the launch of the Bob Marley Week of events.

The day's events will include the launch of a Black History Fact and Fiction display, at 10:00 am that will continue through February 28.

Today there will also be a lunchtime panel discussion on "The Effects of Slavery and Economic Frustration in Our Society Today - A Solution". Panellists will include Dr Carolyn Cooper, Dr Clinton Hutton, Amina Blackwood Meeks, Dr Miguel Lorne and Antonette Haughton - Cardenas. The discussion is open to the public and is free of charge.

Today will also see the start, at the Bob Marley Museum, of a feature dubbed Film and Fish Friday's, where each Friday in the month of February will see the airing of a black or Caribbean -- themed film. The series begins with the Grammy-nominated Rebel Music, which gives a comprehensive account of the life of Bob Marley. The film relies heavily on news footage of the day, rare photographs, live concerts, archival footage and of course, music, to tell its story. It also illustrates the significant influence Marley had on both popular music and politics and recounts his deep-seated faith in Rastafari. It also looks at his personal relationships with the women closest to him.

The film, by British film maker Jeremy Marre, is nominated in the "Best Long Form Video" category in this year's Grammy awards.

The other movies slated for showing are: The Harder They Come (February 8), Smile Orange (February 15), and Country Man (February 22). The shows begin at 6:00 pm and the cost for admission includes a fish meal.

On Friday, February 8, the Bob Marley Museum will host what it describes as its Creative Expression Day, where students from different schools compete using creative expressions such as song and dance. Last year's competition consisted of high schools and was won by St Jago High School. This year's competitors will be drawn from all-age and preparatory schools, including John Mills All-Age, Excelsior Primary, Walkers Wood All-Age, Stepney Primary, St Theresa Preparatory, Kings Gate Preparatory and Stella Maris Preparatory. The panel of judges will comprise Fae Ellington, Tony Laing and L'Antoinette Stines, while prizes for the winning school will be a computer and sports equipment donated by URGE, a non-profit organisation started by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Sponsors for the event are Tastee, Jamrock and Pepsi.