THE world-famous Jamaican Folk Singers will perform in New York from October 11 to 13, in an effort to launch a major initiative by the Jamaican Diaspora in that city to promote Jamaican culture and cultural institutions.

A significant part of the proceeds from the tour will be directed towards supporting the Our Friends of the Arts programme in Jamaica and the Ward Theatre Restoration Fund in particular.

The group has been given the distinguished role of opening the inaugural World Series of Concerts, which will feature artistes from select countries around the world.

According to Patrick Payne, president of Jamstar Enterprises, promoters of the tour, the group’s visit will be used to launch the Ward Theatre Restoration Fund to facilitate the rehabilitation of that venerable institution, which has been closed for a number of years.

“I have been lamenting the closure of that iconic institution, and in recognition of the stellar efforts by the late Ruby Martin, and calls by other custodians of the arts in Jamaica, including Barbara Gloudon, I have decided the time was long overdue to act,” Payne said.

Payne, a Jamaican businessman and an Adjunct Professor at LaGuardia Community College, has been promoting the use of Jamaican and Caribbean Literature in American schools for several years.

According to a news release, discussions are well advanced with the Jamaican Consul General in New York to appoint a committee to oversee the project.

Fay Turner from Jamstar Enterprises, promoters of the tour, said that the tour will see a breakthrough into American Academia in celebration of Jamaica’s achievements in the Arts.

“The tour will include three performances by the Jamaican Folk Singers. The first is A Command Performance, earmarked for musicians in academia, as well as the general public,” Turner explained. “This is scheduled for St John’s University in Queens on Friday, October 11. The second will be the Grand Gala headlined “Hello Broadway” to be held at Manhattan’s Hunter College on Saturday, October 12, and The Grand Finale is scheduled to be at the Calvary Auditorium in Hempstead, on October 13,” she said.

“The St John’s University, through the Dean of the Fine Arts Department, Nigel Gretton, will host a workshop on Jamaican Folk Culture, and will include resource material from the late Dr Olive Lewin’s book Rock It Come Over into its academic coursework for the upcoming school year,” Turner told the Sunday Observer.

The group, which is 26 people strong, has been described as world famous, having performed internationally, including in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

It has had the unique distinction of having one of its many performances beamed by BBC Radio live inside Buckingham Palace for audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

“They are a national treasure for Jamaica,” Turner said. “Their art form is of the highest standard, fully animated, accompanied by music and dance in full native costumes,” she said.

Turner is pleading for the support of Jamaicans both locally and internationally as they strive to develop the Jamaican culture.

Jamstar Enterprise is a Jamaican cultural organisation whose aim it is to showcase the rich and spirited tradition of Jamaican folk culture on the American stage, with a view to preserving this art form for future generations.

The concert series will be held under the distinguished patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Herman G LaMont, and is positioned to become a major attraction on the American cultural calendar.

One exciting feature of the tour will see a breakthrough into American Academia in celebration of Jamaica’s achievements in the arts. The prestigious St John’s University, under the auspices of Dean Nigel Gretton, will host a workshop on Jamaican Folk Culture and will include coursework from the late Dr Olive Lewin’s book in its academic coursework for the upcoming school year 2013-2014.

Payne, himself an adjunct professor, has for years been promoting the use of Jamaican and Caribbean works in American schools.