Musgrave Awards ceremony put off until May 2017
Sir Patrick Allen (center) enjoying a photo opportunity with Sly and Robbie for their gold medal award in the field of music at the Musgrave Medals Awards ceremony held at the Institute of Jamaica, last year.
THE INSTITUTE of Jamaica (IOJ) has announced that there will be no Musgrave Medal Awards ceremony this year. The new date for the ceremony is May 2017. In an interview with The Gleaner, Jossette Ricketts-Blake, public relations officer at the IOJ, said the decision to hold off on the ceremony coincides with the month of celebrations to observe the institute’s founding.
The awards were also pushed back as part of a partnership with the Ministry of Culture, for the celebrations marking the country’s 55th year of Independence.
“We decided on May next year, because that’s the time we will celebrate the founding of the institution,” she said. “May was also a good time to host the event as it will be a part of the 55th Independence celebrations.”
She went on to say that the change in date was a one off decision as the awards will return to its original timeline, come 2018. Ricketts-Blake also revealed that only the date for the awards has been pushed back, as the selection process remains the same.
NOMINEE SELECTION
“As far as selecting the nominees are concerned, everything is going ahead as planned. We have already shortlisted persons for the awards and they have been made aware.”
Although no details were given as to the persons who have been selected, evaluation of a potential Musgrave awardee is dependent on how his/her life’s work has impacted the quality of life in Jamaica, further contributing to its natural development. Evaluation is also dependent on how his/her life’s work has inspired others to achieve excellence.
Last year’s awardees included Jazz singer Myrna Hague and renowned musicians/producers, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.
The Musgrave awards recognise those who have excelled in the fields of literature, science and art and are named in honour of Sir Anthony Musgrave, governor of Jamaica (1877-1883) and founder of the Institute of Jamaica. The medals were designed by notable British sculptor Alfred Toft, and were first given in 1897 as prizes to persons who displayed outstanding merit in art and crafts competitions hosted by the institute. THE INAUGURAL staging of the Moonlight 5K Walk and Bonfire Party, held recently at the Tru-Juice Orchards, Bog Walk, was a massive success, as patrons took the time to unplug and connect with nature.
The moonlight was in short supply, but patrons equipped themselves with glow sticks and took to the trail in a blaze of glory.
Huawei had their P9 connected to monster speakers to provide the night’s entertainment.
GREAT INITIATIVE
“I think it’s great that Huawei took the intuitive to join in with Trainfit to facilitate this 5k walk, because we are in the day and age where everyone is trying to get fit and not everyone wants to be at the gym just doing reps. So the fact that we get to come out here and exercise while having fun is great,” said Rushane Sutherland, a patron at the event.
The Huawei P9 stood up to the challenge and set the beat for the night.
Patrons were surprise that the live music that was being provided was from the phone, as many stopped along the trail to confirm and check to see where the music was coming from.
Huawei has been promoting the P9 and the 5k was a great medium to show what the phone is all about.
“The event was a total success and Huawei Jamaica is happy to be associated with such an event. We would not hesitate to pledge the company’s participation in future events. The 5k walk went beyond the regular mundane 5k, but served as a medium to educate patrons about the joy of connecting with each other and nature without the use of technology,” said Chrysta Walker, marketing manager, Huawei Jamaica.
She added, “There were no winners or losers in the 5k walk and that’s what made it different; everyone was enjoying each other’s company and living in the moment. The party stops all had a different genre of music, which gave patrons a chance to rest for a while and enjoy the music until the next stop. At the end of the walk, patrons sat around the bonfire as they reflected on things past and present. The Moonlight Walk and Bonfire looks to be an event that should be marked in everyone’s calendar.” This group of participants party to the sounds of the Huawei P9 at one of the stops along the Tru-Juice Moonlight Walk and Bonfire party, recently.