Entertaining spiritual music and dancing, a flag ceremony and inspirational messages will highlight the programme for a special Interfaith Celebration to launch Caribbean Week 2005 in New York. The event, which is open to the public, will take place on Sunday, May 29 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at St. George’s Episcopal Church, located at 209 East 16th Street, Manhattan. “The Interfaith Celebration recognises the diversity of religion in the Caribbean and provides a spiritual opportunity for New York residents to share their common pride for the region,” said Hugh Riley, director of marketing for the Americas for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the organisers of Caribbean Week. “This is an excellent way to kick-off our exciting week of consumer events and business meetings,” added Riley. The celebration begins with a flag ceremony presented by several Boy Scouts of America troops. Other highlights of Caribbean Week’s Interfaith Celebration include a special motivational message from The Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor, Episcopal Bishop of New York and remarks from Rev. Fr. Thomas Pike, Cannon Percy Braithwaite Amir Akbar, a well-known Muslim leader. The programme will also include touching performances from popular entertainers, including soloist Patricia Nicholas; The Chapman Brothers, an instrumental duet; Lavenda Williams, a spiritual dancer; Arturo Tappin, a saxophonist; Dyllan Brown Bramble, who will deliver a special reading; and Gerard Placide, the three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest and winner of the World Championship of Performing Arts. Various dignitaries will also present brief addresses to the congregation including Hon. Pamela C. Richards, commissioner of tourism for the United States Virgin Islands and chairman of CTO. For more information on Caribbean Week in New York 2004, please call the Caribbean Tourism Organization at (212) 635-9530, visit www.caribbeanweekny.com, or www.onecaribbean.org. Source:Caribbean Tourism Organization