Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Grenadians in the Diaspora gear up to celebrate 38th Anniversary of Independence


By Michael Bascombe
NEW YORK, January 25, 2012 - Grenadians living in the Diaspora will celebrate their nation’s 38th Anniversary of Independence under the theme, “Breaking all barriers, striving for greater achievements under one flag” on February 7, 2012 with a series of activities.
The activities officially began in New York on January 20 with a Social Evening and a Calypso Monarch Competition on January 22. Burgess “Quako” McPhie dethroned Clifford “Humorous Matt” Matthew with his rendition of “These Are the Times”.
Activities continue this weekend with a Youth Fest on Friday January 28 at Holy Cross School at 2530 Church Avenue in Brooklyn beginning at 3:00 p.m. and an Ecumenical Church Service of Thanksgiving at the Holy Cross Church at 2520 Church Avenue in Brooklyn, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
There will also be the annual Senior Citizen Tea Party at Gabriel’s Church at 337 Hawthorne Street in Brooklyn, starting at 3:00 p.m. This year, the Hon. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada will attend the event scheduled for Thursday February 2.
The activities in New York will culminate with the Independence Dinner & Awards Gala under the auspices of Prime Minister Thomas on Saturday February 4 at Grand Prospect Place at 263 Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Similarly, activities will be held in in South Florida and London on Saturday February 4. The Grenada Cultural & Civic Association is staging its 24th Annual Independence Dinner & Dance at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Hotel at 1825 Griffin Road in Dania, Florida beginning at 7:00 p.m. while the United Groups of Grenada, under the auspices of the High Commissioner for Grenada to the United Kingdom, Ruth Rouse, will host an Independence Dinner & Dance at Novotel London West at 1 Shortlands, Hammersmith beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Grenada Houston Association will also stage the Independence Celebration & Scholarship Gala at the Ensemble Theatre at 3535 Main Street in Houston, Texas. It will be held on Saturday February 11 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Nationals in Zurich, Switzerland will also celebrate Grenada’s Independence at The Nutmeg Restaurant in Zurich on February 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Independence celebrations will also be held in Toronto and Montreal in Canada. The activities in Toronto begin with a Church Service on Sunday February 5 at Toronto’s Central Seventh Day Adventist Church at 162 Bentworth Avenue, North York in Ontario beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Other activities include a Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday February 6 at Toronto’s City Hall beginning at 11:50 a.m.; the Showcase Grenada Expo on Sunday February 12 at 2562 Eglinton Avenue West beginning at 1:00 p.m. This inaugural event will showcase Grenada’s culture, cuisine, arts and crafts, festivals, investment and eco-tourism, among others.
Fish Friday on February 17 at 1935 Weston Road has been included in the schedule of activities as well as the Independence Gala on Saturday February 18 at Liberty Grand situated at 25 British Columbia Road in Toronto. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas will be the guest of honour at the Gala which begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Independence activities in Toronto culminate with a Literary Night on Sunday February 26 at 2562 Eglinton Avenue West beginning at 4:00 p.m. This event will showcase Grenada’s authors, poets, playwrights, artists and other literary talents in Toronto.
Nationals in Montreal will also share a taste of the Spice Isle’s celebrations with a Banquet and Ball on Saturday February 18 at the Schofield Hall at 90 Roosevelt Avenue. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Peter David will be special guest.

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