‘JJ and Friends’ at Macoya

JJ and friends was born out of the high-appeal television series by the same name. It is also recognised by the TT Film Company and receives the Production Assistance and Screen Development Grant.

The show began airing on six local television stations (TV6, CNC3, CNMG, WIN TV, Gayelle, and ACTS 25) in December 2009.

The name of the show and its bright, brilliant and friendly stars, nine-year-old Jared Seemungal and his eight-year-old sister Jada, have become household features in every corner of TT.

Their fan base has now reached, a registered 13,000 and counting.

The professionally produced series, which incorporates a range of modern innovations and creative approaches, is education-based and targets children between the ages of one and nine. The JJ and Friends team has also produced a phonics package – the "JJ and Friends Phonics Fast Forward Educational Programme" which is strongly rivaling the huge popularity of the TV series. According to key stakeholder Che Rodriguez, JJ and Friends teaches the importance of lifelong social skills like courtesy, manners, co-operation, friendship, punctuality, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills. In relation to the concerts, Rodriguez said “it encourages a child to dream big and to believe that he or she can achieve anything they want to.” The JJ and Friends show, which comes off on Monday at Centre of Excellence, is a replica of this excellence in production.

At the last show, hundreds of children had to be turned away because the venue at Palms Club, San Fernando was “filled to capacity” and fire officers on duty gave strict instructions “not to allow anyone else in”. This time, at the Centre of Excellence, the venue is much, much larger and can hold much more fans and at the same time in comfort as the venue is air-conditioned. There are also lots of fun activities for the children including bouncy castles, face painting and clowns. The programme will kick off at 4.30 pm.

Children and parents can expect a full evening of excitement, including steel pan, East Indian dances, tassa drumming, puppets and lots of giveaways. Show contact is 798 7961.