Vibrant Voices goes to Manifesto JA

A short documentary on the journey of a group of young people experiencing Jamaica and our sister organization Manifesto Jamaica

Posted by amy2G

Tags: art, D'bi young, DJ L'Oqenz, expression, JA, Jah 9, Jamaica, Motion, performers, powerful, Reggae, Tarrus Riley, The No-Maddz, Vibrant Voices, violence

on November 16, 2011

Reflections on Jamaica

From October 13^th-20^th of 2010 a group of youth called Vibrant Voices represented the media arts program at St. Alban's Boys & Girls Club, traveling to Kingston, Jamaica to document our sister festival Manifesto Jamaica. Manifesto Jamaica is a venue to empower Jamaica’s youth through Arts and Culture. Artists from Toronto and Kingston worked together to provide a truly inspirational experience to participants, and called out for social change through love and positive actions.

Vibrant Voices is a youth media arts program, focused on giving youth a voice, encouraging them to think independently, express themselves artistically and gain technical skills. This group of young leaders had a life changing opportunity to learn about community building and empowerment through the arts. They used their media skills to provide documentary coverage of the festival, enlightening the use of art to bring people together, inspiring positive growth and change.

Hear about their journey from the airport all the way to the reflection session back in Tdot. The festival included amazing performances by artists such as Jah 9, D'bi young, Michie Mee, Motion, Monty, Tarrus Riley, The No-Maddz and many others! As one of the festival organizers / performers, Jah 9 said in the documentary, the beauty of how art can be a career, a way of life and not just a hobby and how the people of Jamaica can and do step forward and heal through art rather than channeling untapped energy into violence is such a profound statement.

For more info on Manifesto JA click the jump...

The following are reflections from some of the youth participants:

“Jamaica was the experience of a lifetime. Being from Toronto and coming to JA was a very different feeling. This feeling was comprised of Love, happiness and positive feelings. I learned to appreciate everything that I have in life, because others don’t have the same opportunities. I also felt relaxed, even with all of the work we were doing, I still had a sense of relaxation because of the vibe I was getting from everybody.

This trip inspired me not only as an artist, but as a whole. It taught me morals and values one should have as a person and pass on to other people to create positive change. Being in Tuff Gong, Bob Marley’s studio made me want to give everything to my music. Being around the Manifesto people inspired me to become a confident artist, speak up, be all I can be when I’m on stage and when I am with people.”

- Robby Mohammed

“During the week that I spent in Jamaica, I was inspired most by the music. Everywhere I went, people were playing music whether they were in the car, restaurant or on the street- it was everywhere. The locals had so much natural talent, mainly because of the passion they had for music. Visiting the Tough Gong Studio where Bob Marley recorded, as well as working with Bob Marley’s grand daughter was such an honour. I was impressed by how humble and down to earth she was. This was one thing that I noticed most about the artists in Jamaica, they all treated me the same, like family. The artists in Jamaica are not full of themselves and they are always looking out for others, this is what makes them positive role models.”

- Paul McFarlane

“Jamaica was the warmest country I’ve ever been to and I’m not talking about the temperature. Despite what I had heard, the only violence I witnessed were the smiles I was bombarded with as people took the time to look me in the eyes and acknowledge my existence. We were welcomed into a stranger’s home just outside of downtown Kingston and experienced hospitality from his family and entire community. We were truly blessed to be invited by Manifesto JA, a movement that started in Toronto to highlight and promote culture and community, and assist with documenting the festival. I learnt that passion is big in Jamaica due to what they’ve gone through as a nation with political turmoil and natural disasters. You can truly feel the national pride and unity through the music, artwork and personal encounters with the people. There’s no better way to research than to be able to experience your subject for yourself, and I was so impressed with the willingness of the people of Jamaica to share with us what they had to offer to the world. With the help of St. Albans Boys and Girls Club and all of our friends and family we were able to discover a new way of seeing the world and this is something all youth should be able to experience. Whether it be Jamaica, India, or Botswana, traveling and experiencing countries for yourself is key to finding the best answers.”

- Sitembile Vela

“Jamaica has inspired me, taught me, loved me and become me. It is amazing how much has come out of one week. On this trip I experienced immense amounts about the culture, and arts in Jamaica that I don’t think you can learn anywhere else. This trip was one of the best experiences of my life and I believe it has made me a better person”

- Kymberlee Joubert

MANIFESTO JAMAICA is happening NOV. 18 - 20 (this weekend)! We will be partnering with Breaking The Cycle in bringing 4 youts from the program on this trip as well as 5 toronto artists who will be performing! Stay tuned for footage of their experience!

Check our previous post on Manifesto Jamaica and see their website: Manifesto JA.