Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) BOOTHE, DAVIS AND WALSH
NOMINATIONS ARE now open for the 9th Annual Hall of Fame Awards for Excellence. The footsteps of Courtney Walsh, Harry Belafonte and Sheryl Lee Ralph are among those that lead to the Hall of Fame.
The event is organised by the Caribbean Development for the Arts and Culture Foundation and will take place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Knutsford Boulevard on the last Saturday in September of 2006.
The awards will be under the distinguished patronage of their Excellencies the Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, Governor-General, and Lady Cooke.
Nominations are open in the fields of literature, journalism, photography, education, music, technical theatre, culinary arts, local advertising, fine and performing arts, cultural institution, sport, playwright and film and media house.
Mr. Garnett Reid, executive director of the foundation, says the awards aim to foster "a distinctive Caribbean culture" by encouraging communication between artists in various ways, such as literature, short stories, plays, novels, painting, dance, music and drama.
DONATIONS
The 2005 Awards, scheduled for September 24, were postponed as the foundation was unable to attract the $2 million it needed to stage the event. On board this year were Capital and Credit Commercial Bank, Pan Jam Merchant Bank, Digicel, CVM Television and RJR Communications Group, which gave $250,000 cash and $200,000 worth of advertisements and interviews respectively. The previous sponsors who had supported the event in its 10 years had abandoned ship.
Garnett Reid apologised to the awardees, sponsors and the Caribbean people in general, saying "It is with regret that the foundation was unable to stage the event. We look forward to next year and hope that 2006 will be greater for the Caribbean people."
OTHER INDUCTEES
Other previous inductees in the Hall of Fame are Dr. Joyce Robinson, Professor Barry Chevannes, Professor Rex Nettleford, Ken Boothe, Robert Nesta Marley, Carlene Davis, Paul Campbell, Alfred Sangster and Charles Hyatt. Ken Boothe described the pride he felt as an inductee in the Hall of Fame. "It is a joyful experience. Over the years when you do the work and then you are rewarded you feel important. I was so honoured, I put up my plaque on the wall and framed my certificate so I will have it to fall back on," Boothe said.
Carlene Davis, who has also been a recipient of the prestigious award, said "I'm humbled by that honour. When people looking on recognise you, it's really a humbling thought.
I received it with the encouragement to do better, to raise the platform that God has brought me to. Not just the music and arts, but my lifestyle must reflect that level of excellence."
'Di big man inna cricket', Courtney Walsh, was also pleased to be an inductee. "It means a lot, because to be inducted in the Hall of Fame anywhere in the world is something good. With cricketers of such calibre, being alongside them is a special treat and I am happy to be a part of it," said Courtney Walsh.
