Trelawny Woman

Greetings All,

Jamaica was too marvelous for words! 
Between meeting with the gentle, loving,
reflective Brama Kamaris....

.....running into Jah Cure at TVJ....

Yes ladies, I know you all are seething
with envy...and you should because Cure
is also a very down to Earth, humble roots

kind of guy in addition to being a fabulous,

sexy crooner...anytime you need a lovah, call on me---

-BUT I DIGRESS!-

Joy and I were actually at TVJ as featured guests in

"Smile Jamaica,"my favorite island's answer to
"Good Morning America!"  One of the hosts, Simon Crosskill

gave Joy and I a run for our money!   He sounded a tad skeptical

as he queried us about what made Womanfest Trelawny

different from all of the other similiar events.

Maybe Joy and I missed the memo, but apparently

there is a deluge of festivals catered to empowering, educating
and entertaining women and their families.  Well,

that being the case, our work here is done now, and we

can rest on our laurels! LOL!

Seriously, my contention is that this fest is special because

unlike most lovefests on the island of love, Womanfest 

Trelawny is for ALL!  We are not and will never be one of
those events that cater to uppercrusty people and tourists

to be enlightened on a private, manicured beach. 

Womanfest Trelawny is for WOMAN and MEN who love us.

Real women, short, tall, slim, stout, young, elderly, rich, poor,

come one, come all!  Regardless of country of origin or skintone,

or any of the silly ways humanity tries to divy up people like

livestock---if you are about upliftment and positivity, this is YOUR fest!

As the word spreads, Joy and I have been overwhelmed by the unabashed

support from women of all the parishes.  I am so glad that Womanfest is

taking place in my little corner of paradise, but I hope this vibe spreads

all over Jamaica.  Maybe this time next year, there will be a Manchester Woman,

a Westmoreland Woman, a Kingston Woman, a Hanover Woman,

a St. Catherine Woman...etc, etc, ect. 

Truly, in light of the way things are going on a global level, there can never

be an overabundance of visionaries or too much compassion and support!

If only we could launch a love missile into the air and watch love rain down

on the whole of Jamaica and the world-at-large...

One Love

Walk Good

Marla

Greetings All,

I arrived safely in jamaica yesterday and hit the ground running! Me, Joy and Roy, this amazing engineer who is working on rebuilding parts of historic Falmouth, went to Time N' Place and secured this idylic paradise for the location of the workshops. 

The owner, Tony and his manager, Harvel, are the perfect hosts.  Between Tony, Harvel and Roy, I know that the day will run smoothly, rain or shine.  Though of course, we are all faithful that no rain will dare to darken our festival!

Time N' Place

Today, Mr. Hinds of the Jamaican Observer interviewed Joy and me.  I think it went pretty well!

One more supportive man is so encouraging.  Because although we are celebrating the diversity,

beauty and fortitude of the women of Trelawny, it is great to know that there are men who are

celebrating with us!

Right now, I am sitting at Barry G and Cher's Jamaica Jewel, working on promotional materials for

tomorrow when we head on to Kingston.  Though their backyard paradise is one of the most beautiful

on earth, it is humid out here.  I am just so grateful that I had a dip in the sea this morning, because it might be my last for a while!

I will keep you posted as exciting things keep happening and it seems that Womanfest Trelawny '09

will be a balm for this community and Jamaica-at-Large!

One Love

Walk Good

Greetings Family,

Can you believe it?  We are about forty days and forty nights from Womanfest Trelawny!
As such, I've simply got to go down to Trelawny to work with Joy Laesch to promote the
festival in the Jamaican media, meet the Jamaican Workshop Facilitators and Volunteers,
attend to some last minute details.  My greatest hope is to find cast and crew from the movie, Sankofa and invite them to the Jamaican debut!  This reunion has been nearly twenty years in the making!

In exactly one week, I will sitting in Joy's villa

or at Cher and Barry G's Jamaica Jewel because
they have wireless internet and cool cool vibes

in my favorite place in the world, Duncans,
drinking something cold and frosty,
eating some amazing grub:

and though I will be working hard to for Womanfest Trelawny,
toiling away in Jamaica blows toiling away in America right out
of the water!  And what gorgeous water it is!

I will be traveling to Kingston for a press conference and to meet with tv
and radio folks and introduce our fest to the University of the West Indies.
Who knows where else this adventure will take me?  One thing is true...
Jamaica is magic, but you must let her unfold her spell on her terms.  
If you are patient, respectful, grateful and have a sense of humor, some
unexpected miracle will knock you off your feet!  Everytime!

I've been to Jamaica about 20 odd times.  So, hopefully, one

day, they will adopt me! 

Big up Trelawny Parish!  I'll soon be home! 

If you are going to be in Jamaica at the same time and wish to link up

please e-mail me a womanfesttrelawny@gmail.com. 

I look forward to seeing your smile!

One Love

Marla

Greetings,

Here's a link to a likkle project we produced in Trelawny Parish about a year ago.  It will hip you to the roots and culture in the area. 

A Jamaica Dis

Enjoy! One Love & Walk Good!

Joy and Marla

Greetings,

We sincerely hope that this correspondence find you in the best of health and spirit.  Welcome to our new site!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Maybe your interest in Jamaica led you here.  Perhaps you are an artist or facilitor who is interested in partipating in our festival.  You might even be a sponsor looking to support a terrifically worthy cause.  We are so excited that you found your way to Womanfest Trelawny '09.

Please keep stopping by as updates wash up on these shores every day.  It is amazing watching Womanfest Trelawny grow like a flower from the seed of an idea to fruition.  Truly, thoughts do become things.  You must believe before you see, although we are taught that the converse is true. If you doubt that dream come true, please keep watching us grow and you will be inspired as we have been.

By the way, this event is not just for Women.  :)  We will have many events including a film screening, a talent show case, food expos and workshops that encourage men and boys to participate.  It is not our intent to grow women at the expense of our brothers.  Our intent is to spotlight women's health, educational enrichment, entrepreneurship and creativity so we can return uplifted and refueled, ready to share our strengths and abilities to improve the quality of life for our families and communities.  

We look forward to seeing you at Womanfest Trelawny 2009!

One Love,

Joy and Marla