Actor-Playwright David Heron (left) displays a copy of Jean Lowrie-Chin's 'Souldance' at the November 2011 New York Launch of the book, organised by publicists Anthony Turner (centre) and Dave Rodney, principals of IMAGES Media LLC, and hosted by Ms Gail L Moaney, Executive Vice President of Ruder Finn Inc in East Manhattan.



NEW YORK, USA — Literary arts lovers cheered Jamaican writer Jean Lowrie-Chin at the launch of her book Souldance at the corporate offices of Ruder Finn Inc in midtown Manhattan, New York on Wednesday.

The audience listened to readings of Lowrie Chin's favourite poems and writings.

Lowrie-Chin was joined at the podium by playwright and actor David Heron, much to the delight of the audience. Heron read three pieces from Souldance and had the audience spellbound with his dramatic modulations and his witty references to Lowrie-Chin, whom he described as his long-time mentor and trusted friend.

"I bought seven copies of the book tonight because I was very moved by the readings," said patron Nikimo Palache.

"What I heard tonight was beautiful. I did not want to miss the opportunity to give my closest friends autographed copies of Souldance for the holidays," he continued.

Souldance, now available on Amazon.com is a delightful read as it journeys through Jamaica, sometimes making crucial stops to pay homage to outstanding world citizens like Miss Lou, Usain Bolt, Jessie Ripoll and Barack Obama.

Jamaica's ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks brought greetings, emphasising the importance of celebrating Jamaica's rich culture.

Author, Jean Lowrie-Chin talks about growing up in Jamaica in new book 'Souldance'

Well-known writer and communication executive Jean Lowrie-Chin reading excerpts from her book entitled: "Souldance" at Bookland in New Kingston on Saturday, September 10.

Author, Jean Lowrie-Chin talks about growing up in Jamaica in new book 'Souldance'
by John Myers Jr
Kingston, Jamaica – Reading enthusiasts were given an entertaining, but provocative perspective on Jamaican life and issues by well-known writer and communications executive, Jean Lowrie-Chin who read from her first publication Souldance – a compilation of her poems and writings spanning more than 30 years.

At Bookland in New Kingston on Saturday, September 10, Mrs Lowrie-Chin read excerpts to an expectant audience who were delighted by the refreshing spin placed on her real life experiences and her take on issues that impact the Jamaican society.

“It is an absolute delight to hear her read her poems and her prose. The things she talks about and the way she expresses them resonates with me. Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans everywhere should really get a chance to read it,” said Lillieth Nelson, who was among those who came out to the reading. “I am looking forward to sitting down and reading through.”

Mrs Lowrie-Chin recounted her childhood days in Westmoreland where she spoke of her father's affinity for precision, her mother’s devotion to the church and dedication to ensuring that her children received a good education. She recalled her feisty exchange with Miss Fanny, the family's long-time helper who decided to pack her bags and return home after the episode. She, however, wrote of her reunion in an attempt to make amends with Miss Fanny, having agonised for many years that she had done a grave wrong.

Mrs Lowrie-Chin recounted her days at Alpha Academy and guidance of Sister Mary Bernadette Little; the influence of late theatre genius Wycliffe Bennett; meeting the late Louise Fraser-Bennett, the then president of the Sound System Association of Jamaica, as well as, attending the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Those who gathered for the early afternoon treat were kept wide-eyed and smiling, with occasional outbursts of laughter and chuckles as she recited poems such as “Your Son Too”, “Jonkunnu Baby”, “Yuh Si Mi” and “Pick-up Time” and her take on “Life's Lighter Side” much to their enjoyment.

"Perfect! I love the poetry... I love it!" Howard Byrd exclaimed. “I enjoyed hearing her read from her book because I didn't know her background, her growing up days and her inter-relation with all classes of persons,” he added.

Souldance attempts to capture the mood of the Jamaican people, as well as, their thoughts and aspirations. The pieces featured in the book reflect the events that influence positively, as well as, weigh heavily on the Jamaican society. Her poetry is both entertaining and provocative as evidenced by the warnings against the rat race in “Slow Down Child”, to the startling take on the life of Lee Boyd Malvo in “Your Son Too”; they demonstrate that though so much has changed, a lot has also stayed the same.

The selection of columns are equally amusing as they are inspiring, reflecting on the achievements of outstanding Jamaicans such as the Honourable Louise Bennett, Usain Bolt, Jessie Ripoll(later Mother Claver). They also address some of Jamaica 's most pertinent issues, like the future of Jamaican men, in “A Vision of Our 'Men at Risk'”.

Andrea Ayton, manager of Bookland New Kingston also enjoyed the session even as she busily attended to customers. “I enjoyed her reading thoroughly. When we first got the book we took it and were browsing through it and said wow! I think I am going to enjoy this book because it is not only funny, it has a little bit of her life, she talks on different subjects, so it covers a lot...” According to Mrs Ayton, “Already people have been buying it since I have put it on display.”

Jean noted that the book was dedicated to her children Anita and Noel and said she was grateful for the support of her husband Hubie. She thanked Bookland's Andrea Ayton, Ricardo Daley and Novelty Trading for their assistance in promoting 'Souldance'.

Souldance is published by Ian Randle publishers and is available at book stores islandwide and at amazon.com.

FOR OUR SISTERS WE RISE

For our sisters cruelly swept away
For our sisters we rise today
In Susan’s name we love today
In Tess’ name we give today
In Vilma’s name we pray today
In Madame’s name we change today
For the nameless ones we work today

In each and every precious name
We call all cowardly acts to shame
The goodness of our sisters dead
Will keep us strong in heart and head
We weep but fear no evil hand
It will not move us from our land.

©Jean Lowrie-Chin
October 2002

from 'Souldance'

Pon di Riverside

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Pon di riverside I ponder
Pon di riverside I pray
Jamaica is a riversong
I’ll praise her every day.

Pon di Rio Grande rafting
On water smooth and fine
Where Errol Flynn and big-shot friends
Had a rollicking good time

In Hope River Parson Bedward
Dip dem in di healing stream
Liguanea and Mona trees
Drink up to bloom and preen.

Through the Rio Cobre gorge
Bushes, rocks and fruit
Flat Bridge warn us, “Watch yuself -
Don’t test this place my youth.”

Miss Rio Minho reign supreme
Longest river in the land
She start from Dry Harbour Mountain
And end in Clarendon.

Then in St Ann, Dunn’s River
Give the world some special Falls
Where James Bond bathe in ‘Dr No’
And tourists always call.

Pon Black River we safari
See crocodile and throw line
It water the bread basket
Keep Jamaica feeling fine.

In the Cabarita River
My people fish, plant rice
That river full my granny pot
And mek me grow so nice.

Give thanks for all our rivers
Baptising us with grace
Jamaica is a riversong
We are a God-Bless place.

© Jean Lowrie-Chin
26 May 2011

Written for the inaugural 'Pon di River' Literary, Arts & Music Festival - kudos to Millicent Lynch, Janet Silvera and Dollis Campbell who pulled off a great event. Big thanks to the generous owner of Boone Hall Oasis owner/manager Stephen Jones who donated the venue and then pitched in like a lion!

Souldance now in Jamaica's libraries

Jean Lowrie-Chin presents a copy of her book Souldance - Poems and Writings to Mrs. Karen Barton, Senior Director, Jamaica Library Service earlier this year. A total of 100 books were handed over - Jean said that she owed a debt of gratitude to the libraries in Savanna-la-mar and Kingston for being oases of knowledge during her childhood.

No Visa Required - from 'Souldance'

I am floating in the sea with my eyes closed. I am six years old again, on a school outing. I picture the tiny huts, no hotels, as we pick our way through the bushes to arrive at the pristine beach. Ah, Negril. Nor winding road, nor exhaust snorting truck will keep me from her beaches. Negril is another country without the interminable airport security checks.

I lose myself in nostalgia on my way through Savanna-la-mar. As we drive past Hendon Circle, I am always startled to see the petrol station where our church used to be. Glancing down Great George's Street, I remember the beloved library, the fountain where we posed for many childhood photos, and the little grocery shop where our newly widowed mother had eked out a living. We head to Negril via Lewis Street, looking wistfully at the few tall palms, remnants of the beautiful tree-lined driveway that led to our schoolhouse.

Then it's past Llandilo, Big Bridge and Little London. Big Bridge is where the memories really come flooding back. Still bravely standing, is my grandmother's red-roofed house where we "spent time" during the summer holidays. The land stretched back to the swampy fields near the Cabarita River where my grandparents had farmed rice for nearly 40 years. Their fish pots yielded the best seafood; nothing has ever compared to my grandmother's curried crayfish.

The road grows wider and smoother as we approach the Negril Golf Club, then to the busy town square and onto my favourite road - the Norman Manley Boulevard. Here rustic guest houses sit cheek by jowl with sophisticated hotels and Ossie's Jerk Centre is just a stone's throw from the Gate of Heaven Catholic Church.

We find our favourite spot on the beach, shaded by an almond tree, and gaze at what must be the most magnificent sunset in the world. We talk to a tourist who is ecstatic to be finally in Negril. "This place is so beautiful!" he exults. We have to agree. As I float in the warm sea, the years collapse and I am content to be "a tick of time on God's eternal clock".

As seasoned south coast travelers, we know the best stops on the trip back to Kingston. We buy fresh fish at Belmont, bammies at Whitehouse and pepper shrimps at Middle Quarters. Depending on our appetite, it's either Paradise Patties in Santa Cruz, or curry goat on Spur Tree Hill. No return from the country would be complete without stopping in Porus for fruit to last the week: oranges, bananas, jackfruit, and we pray for starapples and naseberries to be in season.

Holland bamboos bow us through to the open arms of Mandeville's panorama, and Caymanas' sugar cane waves us into Kingston. No wonder Jamaicans seem so self-assured. Like royalty, we are ushered, guarded, fed and protected by those magnificent sentinels of nature; our mountains are our palace walls. No matter where we go, we take our regal landscape with us. It is reflected in Garvey's eloquent leadership, Belafonte's charming defiance, and Marley's liberating lyrics.

Now that I must hand over my footwear in airports and wait for my luggage to be picked through, Negril beckons even more boldly. I am happy to shed my shoes for soft warm sand, rather than the indifferent stares of security officers. We need no visa for the trip to the world of our young lives, no passport for a rite of passage from which we emerge refreshed and re-energised.

Beverley East: 'Reading Souldance was sheer bliss'

Article Published in Pure Class, Sunday Herald
Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Timing is everything, and wasn’t I happy to know that I would be in Jamaica by the July 24. What was happening on July 24? The birth of a new book and of course, I had to be there to share the joy.

I am able to keep abreast of all events globally from the advancement of technology and the new phase of Facebook. There it was posted under the events page, “An invitation to join the author Jean Lowrie-Chin for a signing of Souldance. The date was set in stone in my diary.

I arrived the day before wiped out from a long flight and then a series of meetings during the day on Friday - the 90-degree heat wasn’t helping me to move any quicker. But at 6 p.m. I jumped in a cab and headed for 62 Shortwood Road, Kingston 8.

The driver looked at me a little confused. “62 Shortwood … What’s it near?” he asked. “It’s the Stella Maris,” … he interrupts me and his face lit up. “Oh, Stella Maris , why you never say dat before? I used to take the nuns back and forth,” he said with pride and our conversation continues until I arrive there.

The evening was filled with introductions, music, readings and a grand finale with a couple of songs from the balladeer, the great Boris Gardiner. The refreshments were a combination of easy cook fritters and simple ready made rice dishes, juices and other goodies provided by Jean Lowrie-Chin’s clients.

Seduction of Souldance

Timing is everything but when I came home with my precious copy I wanted to read it then and there, but I couldn’t. Over the weekend, I had to prepare myself for a fraud court case. But like a disobedient child I kept peeking into my book and reading some of the poems and the articles.

And although I consider myself a very disciplined person I just had to stop what I was doing, and relax, find a comfortable chair by the window where I could feel the breeze on my face and exhale and absorb the seduction of Souldance.

The book is filled with many poems and a patchwork of articles, which express the fullness of Jean Lowrie-Chin’s life. Both the articles and poems give you a guided tour, step by step like a dance of her life from being one of four growing up with a doting stepfather, to parenthood, to the pride of watching our Jamaican athletics magic in Beijing.

Reading Souldance was sheer bliss. It stirred my soul, and my emotions danced and slipped to the cadence of her poems, which I equally loved - especially Pick-Up Time, which reminded me of when my son was so young and although many of the articles touched my soul the pride of living in Jamaica is expressed with such pride through No Visa Required and The Best of Times in Beijing.