Girls in African/Jamaican colours: The grand finale of a fantastic performance by third-year students of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts of African folk dance choreographed by Marlon Pennant. - Contributed

It was a cultural extravaganza at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC) on Saturday, during their Black History Month celebration 'Routes to Roots.'

Patrons were treated booth displays of ceramics, sculptures, painting, photography, jewellery, textiles as well as a sculpture walk, which consisted of structures created by EMC students, alumni and lecturers.

Indeed, it was a family affair. While the adults got a full dose of the College by absorbing the art works in the College art gallery (CAG), the CAG and tours within the School of Visual Arts, children had their sketches done and face painted.

Ibo Cooper's arrangement with his all female student performers took us on a journey from 1960 to the present. The ladies sang various renditions of popular songs in rock steady, ska, reggae and dancehall. The crowd was especially riled up during Joan Phillips' performance of Shaggy's Church Heathen and Wayne Marshall's It Evident.

The journey continued further for the kids with a puppet show put on by the School of Drama. Those who wanted to wind down watched the 1972 feature film The Harder They Come. When all the day's activities came to an end, visitors anticipated the live concert at 7:00 p.m. with guest artists Queen Ifrica and Tony Rebel.

The concert which was scheduled to end at 9:00 p.m., went on past midnight, with the Fya Mumma and the Rebel. Queen Ifrica spread her natural mystique and Rasta consciousness with the audience, especially with her words "me nah cut me locks" which was well received by her Rastafarian patrons. She closed off her performance with her popular anthems, Daddy Don't Touch Me There and Below The Waste.

Just when the crowd thought it was over, it was Tony Rebel, bursting on stage, introducing the crowd to his new singles and bringing them back to memory lane with the favourites, Sweet Jamaica and Fresh Vegetable. The Rebel made it clear that his love was felt and coming to Edna Manley College brought him back to where true talent is nurtured, especially since three of the backing band members are alumni from the School of Music.

The School of Drama first-year student Cavin Carti belted a powerful dub poem, Sacrifice. His drama colleagues held their own in the Vera Bell's play, Ancestor on the Auction Block.