Hundreds of Jamaicans and those of Jamaican heritage as well as friends of Jamaica turned out at the Symphony Hall in the city centre of Birmingham last night (Wednesday July 5) for the Jamaica 50 Cultural Extravaganza, hosted by the Association of Jamaican Nationals, Birmingham, UK.

The event was one of several to celebrate the presence the Jamaican Olympic team in Birmingham for their pre-Olympic training camp. Members of the audience were delighted see team members such as Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser, and Michael Frater.

The athletes and those in attendance were treated to outstanding performances from an array of headline UK performers, most of whom boast strong Jamaican connections. These include Jamaican musical cultural icon, Count Prince Miller; UK’s Queen of Soul Beverley Knight; Jaki Graham, one of Britain’s most successful female vocalists; and Jimmy James of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds fame; and renowned saxophonist, Millicent Stephenson.

Among those in attendance at the cultural extravanganza were the Lord Mayor of Birmingham John Lines and Lady Mayoress; Lord Morris of Handsworth and his wife Eileen, Councillor Mike Whitby of the Birmingham City Council and Jamaican Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Her Excellency Joan Thomas-Edwards, and host of the evening, Association of Jamaican National’s president, Beverley Lindsay.

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