Nadine Sutherland to lead Brooklyn parade marking Jamaica's 64th independence anniversary
The Jamaica Rising Day Committee's August 8 procession in Flatbush is billed as the first of its kind, as the city's Jamaican community celebrates.
NEW YORK, United States. An all-day parade celebrating the 64th anniversary of Jamaica's independence will take place in Flatbush, Brooklyn, on August 8, with singer Nadine Sutherland as grand marshal.
Organised by the Jamaica Rising Day Committee, the free event will begin at Flatbush and Church Avenues, also known as Bob Marley Boulevard, and end at Washington Avenue at Dr. Ronald McNair Park.
Billed as the first such procession to hail the nation, it invites participants to wear the black, green and gold of the Jamaican flag. Food, merchandise, music and a fashion showcase are promised.
'Action' in Flatbush
Sutherland is expected to perform "Action", her 1993 collaboration with DJ Terror Fabulous, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 the following year. The song was used by Vice President Kamala Harris in campaign promotion during her 2020 presidential bid.
The singer has released a promotional video calling on fans to assemble at 10am at the Flatbush starting point.
Celebrations across the city
Although an official gala was dropped from New York's commemorative calendar this year, a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in Manhattan on August 4 continued tradition.
Buju Banton returned to New York for a rooftop pre-independence concert in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which also promoted his latest VP Records release, "Too Too Bad".
On August 8, Lincoln Center's Summer for the City season ends with "Soundtrack of Jamaica", a free all-ages ska, reggae and dancehall concert featuring Black Uhuru, the Brown Rice Family band, DJ Max Glaser and a silent disco.
New consul general
The celebrations come as Jamaica prepares to welcome Roderick Oliver Mair as consul general in New York. Mair, previously consul general in Miami and dean of the Caribbean Consular Corps there, is expected to take up his post in the autumn.
"New York needs renewal and restoration at the consulate," said Dave Rodney, a New Jersey resident. "I am told Mair is outstanding."
