The grand finale of a fantastic performance by year three students of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts of African Folk Dance, choreographed by Marlon Pennant.

Culture came alive at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC) last weekend at the staging of the institution's Black History Month celebration Routes to Roots.

The unique festival held its own with an array of booths displaying ceramics, sculptures, painting, photography, jewellery and textiles. There was a special 'sculpture walk', which consisted of structures created by EMC students, alumni and lecturers.

Fashion made out of atypical materials such as cardboard, plastic bags, toothpicks, wasp nests, fur tree leaves, crackers, tissue, dried leaves, fern and thatch palm.

Live musical performances from talented greats such as Ibo Cooper, Queen Ifrica and Tony Rebel, and students from the School of Music had patrons rocking. Then, there was the dramatic side of the festival with dance and fashion. Dance and drama pieces were animated on the main stage, as well as an alternative fashion show segment held in the textile department. Moseld displayed avant-garde styles made out of items like plastic bags, cardboard and tissue paper.

A family affair, adults got a chance to tour the college and absorb the artworks of the college's art gallery - the CAG[e] and the School of Visual Arts, while children could break away and have their sketches done and their faces painted. The journey continued further for the kids with a puppet show put on by the School of Drama.

Hailed a huge success, patrons are already asking about next year's show, hoping that it will be an annual event on the college's agenda.

'Uncle Tony' sharing the spotlight with little Jahzan who sang an inspiring and positive piece for the people. - Contributed photos