New Jersey Folk Festival Program Book 2013 Apr. 2013 | Page 12

James Lovell is a Garifuna Punta Rock musician

from Dangriga Town, Belize. Inspired by the legendary
Pen Cayetano, Lovell’s music blends fast rhythms with
lyrics that address the social and political issues of the
Gariguna, and the people of Belize. After Immigrating to
the United States of America in 1990, and serving in the
United States Marine Corps, Lovell co-created and cofounded Ilagulei (Roots), a Garifuna Cultural Performing
Arts Company. Ilagulei is a non-profit organization
dedicated to preserving and uplifting the Garifuna culture.
Lovell released his debut album ‘Cabasan Numari’
(Who’s Going To Be My Wife) in 1995; the album
went on to sell fifty thousand copies, and was very well
received in the Garifuna community. Currently employed
by the New York Board of Education, Lovell continues
to preserve and spread the Garifuna culture through his
music.

Carol Levin has over twenty years

experience as a children’s librarian telling
stories and sharing songs with young audiences.
She specializes in participatory stories and
songs for pre-school & elementary-aged
children. She also enjoys sharing the stories
of remarkable women with school groups and
adult audiences. These stories include that
of Emily Warren Roebling, who completed
the Brooklyn Bridge, and Eliza Pinckney,
the original “Indigo Girl” whose agricultural
experiments helped finance the American
Revolution.
Known as the “Class Clown”,

Brady

Wegener is a traveling circus performer

from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A show
based on balancing, juggling, and fire, his
goal is to spread happiness and joy to the
world one city at a time! He is only 18 years
old and travels the country doing shows and
having fun.