Manalapan H.S. Jam-Bo-Ree
honors Black History Month
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — An African Jam-Bo-Ree, complete with fashion show, musical entertainment, ethnic foods, art exhibits and a step dance competition, will be coming to Manalapan High School, Church Lane, on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"The purpose of the festival is to provide the community with an opportunity to experience and broaden their awareness of the African American culture," said Manalapan High School Principal Terri Grey. "Our aim is to raise and embrace an awareness of our diverse community, in a friendly atmosphere, thus expanding our tapestry of acceptance."
Designed to bring awareness to Black History Month, the event is co-sponsored by the high school’s United Cultural Awareness Club and the United Families of African descent (UFAD), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and awareness programs through education and entertainment.
The Feb. 15 event will include storytelling, an international African flag display, hair braiding and an Afrocentric fashion show.
The fashion show will include authentic African attire, a brief history of each outfit noting its origin and a synopsis of the social rank of the individuals who wore certain colors, designs, patterns and styles.
Professional hair braiders will demonstrate their art and explain how the number of braids, styles and designs have played a role in defining the status of an African woman.
"Some of the braid designs are extremely elaborate and geometric," said Lucille Jones, United Cultural Awareness Club adviser.
Highlighting the event is a step dance competition hosted by Manalapan High School Steppers. Students from a number of high schools will compete in original student-choreographed step routines in the gymnasium at 1:30 p.m. The Manalapan High School Steppers, formed eight years ago, perform during halftime at home basketball games.
Vanessa Ridore and Gary Cleric, sophomores, will illustrate the negative effects of stereotyping as they perform a dramatization of Thank You Ma’am by Langston Hughes. The performance will begin at 11 a.m.
Neema International Performing Arts Center, a contemporary African dance troupe from Alabama, will perform a dance revival to four selections of Negro spirituals.
In extending an invitation to all community members to attend the event, Marcia Joseph, a founder of UFAD, noted that the Jam-Bo-Ree is being organized to recognize Black History Month.
"But the bigger goal is to involve the whole community in celebrating the African culture," said Joseph.
An entry donation of $5 will be charged and there is an additional $5 fee for the buffet lunch. Anyone interested in displaying African American art should call Lucille Jones at (732) 792-7200, ext. 8305.