A melting pot of talent took over the Western Union Cultural Stage at Sunday’s staging of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in Miramar, South Florida.

The festival which took place at the Miramar Regional Park, saw the likes of poet Sharon Corinthian, Dancin Dynamites, Extatic Sound, Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley and cultural keeper Maxine Osbourne, delivering performances that kept patrons entertained.

Extatic Sound which comprises DJ Stretch and DJ Brad, unleashed a string of dancing songs as well as retro songs which resonated with both the young and the old.

So good were the vibes that mature members of the audience danced in groups demonstrating moves such as Bogle, Urkle and Butterfly.

Poet Sharon Corinthian paid tribute to national hero Nanny during one of her presentations. Her visual piece Nanny Queen of the Hills received a warm reception.

‘I love being Jamaican and a proud Jamaican so any opportunity I get to represent, that’s a good opportunity. I left Jamaica when I was eight years old and my Jamaican culture has been at the forefront of what I do, ever since,’ Corinthian told Observer Online.

She stated her reason for paying tribute to Nanny.

“Nanny is important to our culture because her many efforts helped us to make strides,” said Corinthian.

Osbourne, who has kept herself visible promoting Jamaican culture in South Florida, did a piece called Nanny of the Maroons: Self Care.

“Performing at this event is exciting as always. You prepare for it because it’s an annual event and I truly enjoy sharing the culture. It’s very important to maintain the culture and share it with the children,” Osbourne reasoned.

The trio Dancin’ Dynamites demonstrated some of the latest dance moves that went down well with the audience.

-Kevin Jackson