About
Have you ever wondered how poetry can feel like a warm hug on a rainy day? Join us as we explore the world of the legendary Jamaican icon Miss Lou, the Queen of Jamaican poetry.
In this workshop, explore how she turned everyday Jamaican life into captivating verse, using humour, wisdom, and a lot of heart. Led by Marsha Laylor and Maurice Gordon, participants will be encouraged to embody the spirit of Miss Lou. They will critically examine themselves and the world around them and boldly share their truth through spoken word, music and drama.
Get ready to laugh, learn and be inspired as we uncover the secrets behind her magical words. Let’s celebrate the power of language and culture together!
About Marsha Laylor and Maurice Gordon
Jamaican Music and Poetry was born from two peoples’ immense love for the arts and Jamaican culture: Maurice Gordon and Marsha Laylor. In 2023, Marsha was invited to participate in Gordon’s “Miss Lou Celebration” in honour of the great Louise Bennett, Jamaican Queen of Culture and “Mother” of the Jamaican poetry form. That was the spark that would ignite this collaboration. Gordon and Laylor are united in their belief that music and poetry can provide edutainment and healing, supporting diverse communities’ bodies, minds and souls. Even more importantly, they are extremely powerful tools that can be used to address and challenge societal ills such as anti-Black racism, as well as to build self-esteem and inspire racial pride in marginalized communities.