News Releases

Traditional Mas’ celebrated at UWI

For Release Upon Receipt - January 28, 2016

St. Augustine


Before there was pretty Mas’ there was Old Mas’ and The UWI St. Augustine is doing its part to keep the tradition alive with its annual Old Yard heritage fair and other traditional carnival showings. A highly anticipated staple on the annual UWI Carnival calendar, the Old Yard, will take place on January 31 from 12 noon until 6pm. Hosted by the Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) at its Agostini Street, St. Augustine, Gayelle – an actual yard with architecture reminiscent of years past, the event promises a dynamic experience highlighting cultural history and featuring a carnival masquerade show.

The Old Yard is strategically designed to be a true educational experience and its 2016 edition will feature a ‘Mas Camp Corner’. This will give children the opportunity to create their own costumes and participate in the jump-up. Patrons will also witness portrayals of traditional Carnival characters including Bats, Minstrels and Burrokeets, Midnight Robber and Dame Lorraine. Tickets for the Old Yard event cost $50 for adults and $30 for children.

Another bid at educating the public on traditional carnival, The UWI’s Alma Jordan Library presents an exhibition by artist Anthony Goberdhan titled ‘Portraits of Traditional Carnival Characters’. The collection of sixteen paintings is available for viewing from January 26 to February 5, 10am to 6pm. The artist will be present at the exhibition from 4 to 6pm daily.

For more details on The UWI’s traditional Carnival celebrations please use the following contact information:

DCFA’s Old Yard | Ms Helen Holder at helen.holder@sta.uwi.edu or call the numbers 663-2222 OR 662-2002 exts. 82510 /83792

Portraits of Traditional Carnival Characters | Ms Lorraine Nero at 662-2002 exts. 83365 or 83361.

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About The UWI

Since its inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged, regional University with well over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology and Social Sciences. UWI’s seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. Website: www.uwi.edu

 

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

 

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