Jamaican independence celebration will be a treat (From Halesowen News)

Jamaican independence celebration will be a treat

9:00am Sunday 15th July 2012 in News

HALESOWEN and Sandwell residents have been invited to celebrate Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence Day in Birmingham.

The very best of Jamaican music, food and culture will be on display in August to mark the event.

Over 3000 people are expected to attend Black Exposure Live at New Bingley Hall in Birmingham on August 4th, with X-Factor's Misha B just one of the stars set to perform.

The day, which is being put together by community organisation CUSH, will kick off at 10am with the ‘Expo’ – a collection of over 100 businesses showcasing consumer goods, hair and beauty products, handcrafted jewellery and traditional Caribbean foods.

Designed to also celebrate the Jamaican Olympics team being based in the City, the event will reach a thrilling finale with an Evening Concert set to be headlined by Misha B and featuring Alstallio, Lady Leshurr and a host of home-grown artists.

Emma Hamilton, who is helped organise the event, picked up the story: “There are over 95,000 Jamaican people living in Birmingham and the Black Country and we play a vital role in the area’s cultural diversity and economic performance.

“This day, which is open to all faiths and cultures, is designed to be fun, educational and interactive – giving people a real flavor of vibrant Caribbean life and what it brings to the area.”

She added: “We believe this will be the biggest event of its type outside London and certainly the biggest the West Midlands has ever seen.

“There should be plenty of opportunity to raise lots of money for our chosen charities… the Sickle Cell Society and St Basils Homeless Charity.”

Black Exposure Live will cater to all age ranges and boasts its own dedicated children’s zone including a bouncy castle, ice cream factory, on-stage puppet show and face painting.

Tickets for the daytime event are just £6 for adults/£3 for children, with entrance to the concert starting from just £12. These are available from www.blackexposurelive.co.uk/buytickets or from Hatman on Corporation Street and Midlands Box Office in Wolverhampton.