Blue Devil Mas! Caribana, Toronto...

Rob, Tara, Toni, Sam
Caribana 2009, Toronto

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Photo by Shawn Escoffery

Background
Originating in Trinidad & Tobago, Carnival is the single most influential factor on the culture of the country.

Brought to Trinidad by French settlers in the latter part of the eighteenth century, it was originally a celebration confined to the upper classes (LEFT: Darren "Dee" Baptiste, Photo by Shawn Escoffery). They would ride floats in the streets, or else, watch from the upper storey of residences and businesses (BELOW: Celwyn, Photo by J.R. Miller). Night time celebrations took place where the landowners dressed up and imitated the negres jardins (garden slaves).

The Canboulay Riots of 1881 were a turning point in Carnival evolution. Revellers who carried lit cane torches were seen as a potential risk by the authorities. Tension mounted leading to the riots. Following emancipation, the newly freed slaves took over “Canboulay”, imitating their former masters who had imitated them. That night, the Carnival was “given” to the lower classes. (Photo: BELOW, Ricardo the Blue Devil)

Today

Today, the daytime Carnival can include thousands of masqueraders and their Mas designers. Calypso and soca music of organized bands dominate and the festivities are now celebrated all over the Caribbean, at the Notting Hill Carnival in New York City's West Indian Day Parade, and, of course, Toronto’s Caribana with 1.2 million people in attendance (mostly from the U.S.). There are a few newer, smaller versions of Carnival such as Alberta’s Cariwest and Ontario’s Carisauga.

J'ouvert (also spelled Jouvé) and pronounced 'juuvay'), a large street party held during the early hours of Carnival Monday morning until sunrise, is a contraction of the French jour ouvert, or day open (morning).

Costumed and masked by the darkness, the wealthy and the poor would mix in relative anonymity. J’ouvert signals the start of the bacchanalia that is Carnival (Lady in Blue, Photo by J.R. Miller).

Mas

The tradition of Mud Mas--or more specific ones like Blue Devil Mas--involves participants known as Jab Jabs. Spectacular costumes represent characters and events from history and folklore that include Moko Jumbie Bats, Bookmen, Baby Dolls, Jab Molassie, Devil Mas, Midnight Robber, Police and Thief, Wild Indian, Bat, Sailor Mas, Red Devil, Blue Devil, and Dame Lorraine (a couple of which are featured in the tiny photos above).

These Jab Jabs cover themselves from head to toe in paint, chocolate, coloured powders, water, oil, mud, and anything else that strikes their fancy (Photos: ABOVE of Ricardo in 2008 by J.R. Miller; BELOW: Toni, Richardo in 2009, by Shawn Escoffery).

All are traditional Carnival characters that capture the elements of the past yet continue to tell new and innovative stories with each Carnival (LAST Photo: Valeria by J.R. Miller). It is the J’ouvert custom that no one is “clean”, and it is therefore a common site to see newcomers hugged by muddy revellers. So, watch out!

Recycling Your Sandals Saves Africa's Lions...

Lion Sculpture Created from Used Sandals,
One of Several Sculptures Made Showing the Need to Save Africa's Lions
Nairobi, Kenya

Photo by Noor Khamis

The Governor-General Made A Rap Video?? Eating Raw Seal Meat Wasn't Enough?...

Yes, that's correct. In Edmonton, this past weekend, Governor-General Michaelle Jean made a rap video with some inner-city youths. But more about that later.

Photo by Bruce Edwards

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Madame Jean's rap video is hot on the heels of her highly controversial decision to cut out a piece of a seal's heart then, to eat it as part of the Rankin Inlet's Inuit celebration of their heritage. As per the Globe & Mail article, Queen Elizabeth's representative stood up for Canada's seal hunt or, rather, she dug in for our seal hunt. Yeah, it wasn't the normal pomp and circumstance as is per her title, but it was really brave of her to do this, and--oh yeah--it was amazingly effective. I mean, she singlehandedly gave seal hunt proponents a major credibility boost, much more so than any Hollywood celebrity would have done or, for that matter, any Can-ollywood celebrity could have accomplished. Merci Madame Jean. Merci bien.

Eat Your Heart Out
Make no mistake, Madame Jean continues the symbolic gesture of visiting the north to convey a simple message to Canada and to the world: This land is ours. In the already-here Arctic sovereignty issues, historical realities of the Inuit are an important consideration. They are the ones who thrived because of the food provided by the seal, who instructed the earliest European settlers (most of whom had died prior to any knowledge or meetings with the Inuit existed) on how to live in this climate, who were the first patrols of the Canadian Arctic, and whose loyalty to the Queen is expressed through the Governor-General of Canada. Uh, thanks to Madame Jean, now more so than ever!

I feel that Madame Jean showed both grace around her gracious hosts and a huge amount of common sense. Our Haitian-born governor-general has demonstrated acceptance in a country that prides itself on acceptance. After dining on said slice of fresh seal heart, Madame Jean pronounced it “delicious".

Rappers Unite

Now, Jean has chosen to spread her gubernatorial wings even further to the city where a recently-named Poet Laureate resides. Edmonton's Roland Pemberton (professionally known as Cadence Weapon) is a poet, musician, record producer and writer. And, as of July 1, 2009, the City of Edmonton's Poet Laureate!

According to his website, at 23, Roland Pemberton is an accomplished artist with an established international reputation as an innovative force in hip-hop. His award-winning album "Breaking Kayfabe" debuted 2005. Both Breaking Kayfabe and his 2008 "Afterparty Babies" earned nominations for the coveted Polaris Music Prize.

Pemberton's Edmonton roots run deep. As a one-time Edmontonian, I personally remember his Dad Teddy Pemberton's show The Black Experience In Sound on CJSR. It aired for two decades and is often credited with bringing hip-hop to Edmonton. Grand-Dad is the great Edmonton Eskimo Rollie Miles (1951 - 1961) who played CFL championship games. No slouch, Pemberton's Uncle Brett Miles is an artist who has performed with both James Brown and recorded with Mick Jagger.

On Becoming Poet Laureate

The position to me is an extension of my own personality. I represent the community in all of my pursuits and I'll continue doing so as Poet Laureate. Musically, I've tried to create a sense of trust in what I create, that if I'm involved with it, it then becomes acceptable to the arts and independent music communities. I want people to feel the same about my writing. I'm honoured that the City of Edmonton has selected me to be their poet laureate, a worthy chronicler of events and a representative of the diversity and cultural breadth of Edmontonians.

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Cadence Versus Michaelle
As per the Edmonton Journal article, Madame Jean stated that she wanted to help use hip-hop as a method of dealing with barriers and societal violence. Okay, so her idea is not original and she is, after all, the governor-general, but after slicing and eating seal meat, making a rap video ain't nothin'.

Her arrival at the ihuman Youth Society--an organization that uses the arts to help youths-with-potential--was greeted by both youths and volunteers dancing or moving to the beats of local rappers Ryan Yost and Blouty Sandy. Smiling with them, Madame Jean said, "It's good to be here, there's so much talent in this room."

Madame Jean's visit preceded a youth dialogue she hosted at the Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly 2009 on using hip-hop to combat social exclusion, gangs, gender-based violence and youth alienation. The visual and performing arts conference promoted peace and human rights via 500 youths from all over the world, ages 16-28.

Above is the proof of Madame Jean gaining trust and inspiring youth. "Whether it is rap, multimedia, sculpture, spoken word, poetry, slam, film, graffiti, animation, painting, drama, locking or popping, urban art is giving (youth) a new voice," Jean said.

Together with rapper Yost, Jean headed into the music studio during her visit to record a song, actually a Haitian folk song about a sea goddess while Yost's beat-boxing complimented her rhymes.

Way kool woman!

Stars Grace Indy 2009, Toronto...

Actor Ashley Judd, Husband Race Car Driver Dario Franchitti

WINNER: Sebastian Saavedra
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Danica Patrick

Tony Kanaan

Hideki Mutoh

Photos by G. Balogh

July 1st-12th: Lockdown! At The Fringe Festival...

CaribbeanTales in conjunction with Leda Serene Films, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Toronto Police Services Board, celebrated Canada Day on July 1^st with the world premiere of its new play Lockdown, at the 2009 Toronto Fringe Festival (from July 1st to 12th). Lockdown is the work of award-winning Founder and Artistic Director Frances-Anne Solomon, whose own upcoming CaribbeanTales Film Festival takes place from July 9^th-12^th.
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Pre-View

Powerful plays like Lockdown are what we Fringe-aholics crave. Ms Solomon developed her stellar script through a collaborative improvisational process with the entire cast to further refine the ideas she explored in A Winter Tale, a multi-award-winning feature film about an Afri-men's support group in the wake of gun violence that takes the life of a young child. A week prior to the world premiere at The Fringe, we were treated to a special launch of Lockdown at the TOTA Lounge (592 Queen Street West). At TOTA, the actors performed selected scenes about what it's really like in a "normal" high school. We were shocked(!). Afterwards, we received some unexpected honesty about the performance from the play's student actors.

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Actor Nikola Gorolova ("Martina", the conflicted youth character who is capable of great tenderness and great violence) pulled no punches when speaking about girls “pimping” girls or about how “useless” students feel is the presence of armed police guards in their schools. These stories are typical to the work that director/writer Solomon continues along her well-worn path, going where few local director/writers wish to tread, plunging right into our fears about class, culture, race, violence and youth. Her grand vision "walks the walk" instead of overindulging us with what Toronto Mayor Miller’s Special Assistant Sylvia Searles described to me as “talk fests”, speaking in reference to all the community town halls that we partake in yet worry that they do little to affect change, when we hear yet another news story regarding youth-on-youth violence. I say “youth-on-youth” violence as I am against referring to this problem as Afri-violence, something it is clearly not. You'll notice that Lockdown gives us a very multicultural cast dressed in matching uniforms so that we do not immediately assume the school is “urban” (read: poor and/or ethnic) and/or that the violence is about race or class, something that too many of us tend to dismiss or ignore.

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Frankly, the audience felt that what we were shown and told about at TOTA was just too bad to be true. The adults appear as powerless to stop the violence as the kids involved are to understanding why they should stop being violent. And we thought our eyes were opened about what the actual play would be like when it premiered at The Fringe. Fortunately (and unfortunately), what we saw at TOTA would be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to showing us what violence in schools is really like. (Photo: Frances-Anne Solomon, Julie Dash at Caribbean Tales Youth Film Festival 2009)

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At The Fringe

As opposed to typically situating the theatre audience into a comfort zone so that we feel we know what’s going on in the play, the story of Lockdown literally explodes on the stage at the University of Toronto's George Ignatieff Theatre. A student has been killed so the police “lock down” the school by following emergency procedures that the classmates are now used to in order to keep them safe during unforeseen danger. We are suddenly and immediately in the middle of what feels like an enormous mess. The students are stuck in their classrooms, while horrified parents scramble around outside, and police officers swarm the school property. We don’t know what’s going on and are quickly uncomfortable.

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International award-winner and icon Leonie Forbes stars as school Principal Higgins. Higgins spends most of her time sitting in her corner office, unmoving, distant, almost—shall we say--complacent? Like most of the police movement at the school, her movement is little. She is The Establishment and the establishment doesn't move. And it's oblivious too. In one scene, youthful teacher Mr. Wright (played by ever-expanding star Michael Miller) tries in vain to get through Higgins' tough exterior regarding the challenges that he and his students faced. These two adults can readily acknowledge how much both of them enjoy teaching Afri-history, but Higgins is defensive about Wright's concerns and sees his questions and comments as a threat to her authority. For most of the play, she appears incapable of understanding his (and others') seemingly obvious cries for help while Mr. Wright wearily walks a fine line of respect between the students and the teaching establishment. (Photo: Braeden Soltys)

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And armed policemen are clearly the norm, both in Lockdown and in high schools as stated by student actor Gorolova ("Martina") during the TOTA Lounge previews. The play’s students barely notice the police presence. Could this be because the policemen barely make their presence known unless there’s a “problem”? Is this situation “normal”? Um, how is this community policing? We are left with the impression that policemen only associate with youth when there’s a need for an investigation.

Not surprisingly, actor Ryan Ishmael’s Policeman Solomon has the same challenges that any parent of a delinquent youth does. Policeman Solomon is strict, tender and desperate about getting his son to behave. The fact that he’s a policeman appears to make little difference to the situation. And he is not the stereotypical unmarried (and ethnic) father: Policeman Solomon is actually parenting his child. His child, the spineless Vusani is believably played by Lameck Williams, as a drug dealer who does little to appease his father’s frustrations about his ongoing criminal activity. Vusani and his other go-along-to-get-along classmates like Eldon Laing’s also-believable fellow drug dealer Adam are just as bad if not worse than their classmates who commit violent acts. Lockdown is a play that shows us over and over again how non-violent crime begets violent crime begets non-violent crime.Other fascinating characters include Lauren Bunn’s highly sexualized Alicia, and Kimberley, the most violent of the eight students, portrayed by the amazingly strong Chrystelle Robinson. Yes, a female is arguably the most violent character in the play. She's the leader of the play's central female gang who teases Adam (played by an astute Ben Laurie), the romantic and would-be engineering student, the “biggest victim" in a play where everyone who is involved--or not involved--is a victim. (Photo: Chrystelle Robinson)
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Lockdown’s music is sparse, adding to our ongoing discomfort with the idea of regular violence in the schools. Don’t just sit there in the audience, do something, right? Spontaneous, well-performed popular songs and rap verses by characters such as Gena Joella Sylvester‘s spirited Shyla, transition us through scenes, but do not engender either warmth or happiness. Yes, their sporadic outbursts of song help us to view the students as average, but this music (and the sparseness of it) well-contrast the teenage normalcy of the ongoing school violence. The ability to sing a beautiful song in one breath and kill someone with the next breath is positively psychopathic. Singing doesn’t disguise or distract us from this violence; it clarifies the violence for us.

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Lockdown’s ending is in keeping with Solomon’s preference for climaxing realities that too many of us would rather avoid. She is less interested in “giving us hope” for the future as much as she is in starting or continuing the dialogue about the problem in order to affect change. Still, Solomon’s characters are multi-faceted and do show us both dreams and diligence as well as tenderness and caring. The humour that balances the play’s violence throughout is again there (via Miller’s character Mr. Wright) for us in the end. What is it they say: the best comedy comes from pain? Lockdown is Solomon’s idea of reality as well as her hope for the future.

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Bravo Frances-Anne. Bravo.

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Lockdown is now on at the George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place, at the University of Toronto. For more information, please visit CaribbeanTales.

Show Times (@ the George Ignatieff Theatre):

Thursday, July 2: 8:15pm to 9:45pm

Friday, July 3: 1:15pm to 2:45pm

Monday, July 6: 10:45pm to 12:15am

Tuesday, July 7: 1pm to 2:30pm

Friday, July 10: 4pm to 5:30pm

Sunday, July 12: 8:30pm to 12pm

Sept. 10th-19th: Toronto Int'l Film Festival's Includes OPRAH in Its Diverse Line-Up...

Chris Rock, Star and Producer, of Jeff Stilson's "Good Hair",

with daughter Lola Rock,

to be honoured as a Special Presentation at TIFF

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Now in its 31st year, the Toronto International Film Festival , is widely recognized as the most important film festival after the Cannes Film Festival and the most successful public film festival in the world. For ten days, film lovers, filmmakers, industry professionals and media excitedly converge on a festival that consistently sets the standard for excellence in film programming from Canda and around the world. (PHOTO: Co-Directors Cameron Bailey and Piers Handling).

Audacious in its selection, the festival is generously supported by the strength and intelligence of its international audience. These enthusiastic audiences and filmmakers exchange ideas about the art and business of filmmaking while up-and-coming filmmakers gain unparalleled insight into the workings of the international market. Media from around the globe converge on Toronto to create buzz and stir excitement over films and the talent behind them. Film buyers and other industry professionals, meanwhile, can choose from extensive additional screenings and specialized industry programming that empower them to make informed business decisions for days and months ahead.

TIFF's vast contribution to the culture and economy of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto has earned it a long-standing reputation as a leader in the international film community.

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According to Co-Director Cameron Bailey, the Toronto International Film Festival lineup is diverse but Western production funding to Africa has declined and the continent will not have as major an impact on the film community this year, as it is expected to have in 2010. Western funding has apparently declined to the Caribean and to Nigeria (Nollywood) as well.

Included in the TIFF 2009 lineup is Jeff Stilson's "Good Hair" starring and produced by Chris Rock. When Chris Rock’s daughter, Lola, came to him crying and asking, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” the bewildered Dad decided to find out who had put that question into his little girl's head! Director Jeff Stilson’s camera followed the comedian, resulting in Good Hair, a wonderfully insightful and entertaining, yet remarkably serious, documentary about Afri-hair culture.

Rock pulls off a hilarious exposé. Visiting hair salons, style battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples, all in a grand effort to explore the way black hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships and self-esteem of Afri-people. Included in his search are celebrities Ice-T, Kerry Washington, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symoné, Maya Angelou, and Reverend Al Sharpton, all candidly offering their stories and observations to Rock while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughter’s question. He is surprised to discover that Afri-hair is a big business that doesn’t always benefit the Afri-community and little Lola’s question might well be bigger than his ability to convince her that the stuff growing out of her head isn't half as important as whats inside of her.

How To Hold A FlagDirectors Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein follow U.S. soldiers as they create new lives post-Iraq—from a Congressional candidate in Buffalo to a cage fighter in Louisiana—set against the backdrop of the 2008 U.S. election.

La Soga
From Director Manny Perez, a gritty and gripping drama about political intrigue, love, death and the power of memory, set in the Dominican Republic. Compared to high quality movies like "City Of God", it is the personal journey of a brave soul who risks everything in order to find justice. It is visceral, exposing brutality and corruption, set in both the Dominican Republic and Washington Heights, New York.


Moloch Tropical
From Raoul Peck, a democratically elected Haitian "President" and his closest collaborators get ready for a state celebration. On the morning of the event, he wakes up to find the country inflamed and the streets in turmoil. The President does not want to face reality and refuses to resign. Overwhelmed, he plunges into deep, mental confusion as the events unfold. Set in a castle in the clouds, Moloch Tropical is a Shakespearian, behind-the-scenes depiction of the end of power.

Precious
To be presented in a TIFF Gala Presentation, Lee Daniels' Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film (produced by Oprah Winfrey!) about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Set in 1987 Harlem, it is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones, an illiterate African-American teenager who is pregnant for the second time by her absent father and abused by a poisonously angry mother. Despite her experiences, Precious has a latent understanding that other possibilities exist for her, and jumps at the chance to enroll in an alternative school. There she encounters Ms Rain, a teacher who will start her on a journey from pain and powerlessness to self-respect and determination. The film stars Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and introduces Gabourey Sidibe.

Shirley Adams
Oliver Hermanus does an intimate, precise portrait of a “coloured” mother in Cape Town, South Africa whose son is disabled in a neighborhood shooting, starring Denise Newman and Keenan Arrison.

Shirley Adams spends her days caring for her disabled son, Donovan who was shot in the back of the neck on his way home from school one afternoon over a year ago. They have lost all their worldly posessions to medical bills.Shirley's reaction to the fact that the shooter is one of Donovan’s childhood friends is so overwhelming that she chooses not to tell Donovan for fear of further damaging his already unstable emotional state.

She eventually embraces the situation, but shoplifts and relies on the charity of others as Donovan deteriorates. A young therapist may offer hope for Donovan, but their court case must go to trial. Set in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, Shirley Adam’s story is the relationship between violence and poverty, that of an entire family destroyed. It is the socio-political and racial tensions that plague one woman’s undying strength and sacrifice.

Wind Journeys
From multi-award-winning Ciro Guerra, Ignacio, a former traveling musician, makes one final trip across the country following his wife’s death. He is joined by Fermín, a teenaged fan, and together they explore the possibilities that life has in store for them.

"This is the story of a journey," Guerra begins. "A journey towards the beginning, towards the spirit. Towards our soul. For centuries, we’ve asked ourselves: What keeps up apart? Now it is time to ask what brings us together."

Ignacio will try to convince Fermín to take a different path in his life, having learned that his only led to solitude and sadness, but destiny has different plans for them both.

Stay tuned for my soon-to-be-posted interview with Co-Director Cameron Bailey below.


See you at TIFF!

Millionaire Uses Obama-Inspired Technology to Assist B.C. Election...

Michelle Obama

with Robin Steudel, Co-Chair of the B.C. Young New Democrats,
volunteering for Barack Obama's campaign in Kentucky
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Despite the highly public endorsements of both a veteran Conservative and of a prominent B.C. Indian Chief, are they enough for the British Columbia New Democratic Party to beat the Liberal government? Recent polls have Ms James closing in on Premier Campbell's government in B.C.'s May 12th election. Perhaps it's because the party has technologically advanced itself largely with the assistance of Barack Obama campaign-inspired technology designed by internationally-recognized Direct Leap Technologies.

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Founded by President and CEO Simon Rowland, a brilliant engineer and dogmatic socialist who was once a federal NDP candidate himself, Direct Leap has been covered widely in publications such as The New York Times and tech industry read Slashdot, all the while leading engineering teams for various products and systems that achieve both progressive and worldwide goals. According to Rowland, "Direct Leap is committed to leading the industry via simple yet sophisticated tools proven successful for national and international non-profit management." Direct Leap's PopVox tool enables the B.C. NDP as follows:

First, it allows the volunteers to sign in through their party website. The volunteer then waits for the system to call their personal phone number, or else, they can use Skype, a device that allows users to make calls on the internet. Finally, the system contacts a list of B.C. voters for the volunteer to speak with. And all can be accomplished while seated at the convenience of your coffee table or couch.

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Noting that President Rowland is based outside B.C., Robin Steudel, explains, "[Nationally, the provincial parties] always support each other. During elections, we often create opportunities for people from other provinces to come out here and help out on a campaign. [It's a mutually] valuable experience."

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Continues Rowland, "....We want our state-of-the-art open source infrastructure to instigate an entire institutional shift. We are committed to leading the industry via tools that establish new worldwide models of outreach and organization."

As you can see, Direct Leap Technologies has really enabled the B.C. NDP. In addition, Ms. James has become more confident and found a stronger voice. Still, will the party's initial anti-carbon-tax stance and former NDP Premier Mike Harcourt's endorsement of the B.C. Liberal government's carbon tax platform hurt the party in the end? Or, will the party's politicos to dig in and take advantage of Direct Leap's ongoing boost to their campaign? We'll all find out May 12th.

Ameri-Canadian Radio Icon Norman "Otis" Richmond Honoured by Canadian Arts Award...

A TOAST & ROAST for NORMAN OTIS RICHMOND!

"There are few among us who aren’t afraid to ... stand up for the interest of our community over and over again. ” – Frank Francis

Iconic broadcaster and journalist Norman "Otis" Richmond will be honoured for his significant contribution and commitment to arts and culture of Toronto with an auspicious--and fun--Toast and Roast.

Producer and host of two shows on CKLN FM 88.1, Richmond began his radio career at Radio Varsity (now CIUT FM 89.5). With stealth moves to CHIN, CFNY, CBC then CKLN, and he is also the recipient of the Toronto Arts Award as was ballet artistic director Karen Kane, Bajan-Canadian author and professor Austin Clarke and internationally-acclaimed musician Bruce Cockburn.

So, come down and join a list of "Toasters & Roasters" who include media, celebrities, activists, politicos, such as broadcasters extraordinaire Adam Vaughan, Jojo Chintoh and Clifton Joseph.

See you at the Trane Studio (2 blocks north of Bloor on the west side of Bathurst) on Monday, May 11, 2009 at 6 pm. Pwyc. For more information, contact norman.o.richmond@gmail.com.

BlackSnob: D. L. Hughley's CNN News Show Is Dead...

As per Danielle Belton's BlackSnob:

I know ONE female blogger who is having a delicious laugh right now.

From Cityfile New York (via Gawker):

Comedian D.L. Hughley was pummeled by critics when his weekend talk show debuted on CNN last fall. "What the hell was CNN thinking?" a columnist for AdAge asked after watching the first episode. It remains unclear what was running through the minds of CNN execs when they signed him up for the spectacularly unfunny program featuring painfully awkward interviews. But the network may have come to its senses or at least decided to cut its losses. A source tells us that CNN has decided to cancel the show due to "budgetary constraints." We haven't heard back yet from reps at CNN, although the move wouldn't be surprising given CNN's troubles as of late and the fact that HLN (the network you used to know as Headline News) is now "beating its older sibling CNN in the target 25-54 demo," according to Broadcasting & Cable. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more.

CNN has stated that they will continue to work with DL's unfunny ass as a contributor.

Of course, none of this would have happened if it had been Aisha Tyler or Wanda Sykes. But, don't listen to me, CNN. Pick the guy who struggles to formulate complete sentences and is best known for making fun of people who have the audacity to sit in the front row of his shows.

For the record: For those who don't get why people dumped all over D.L. for this show, you must understand: People disliked it because it was bad. And considering black people are no longer in this place of media desperation where we have to be "grateful" for shitacular displays of Negroes on TV, folks freely complained that out of the history of CNN the first black person to be given his own show just happened to be a comic. Not a journalist. Not a political figure. But a comedian. And not even a particularly funny, politically astute, smart one.

You know? Like his nerdy hot competition on Comedy Central. I'm suuuuuure DL kept Jon-Jon and The Colbert Nation up late at nights in sweats.

And these shows do not die because black people "complain." They die based on ratings. Networks have historically (especially when they're starting out) worked hard to "woo" a minority audience to build advertising dollars. Once they get the money (see FOX, the WB and later the CW), the black shows, no matter how popular (see, "Living Single," "Girlfriends," "A Different World" and "NY Undercover") are cancelled with the swiftness. In the case of Living Single (then the most popular show on FOX) and Girlfriends (the second most popular show behind America's Next Top Model), the cancellation was all about the network wanting to go in a different, more "mainstream" (re: white folk) direction.

Not random "hateration." If black folk could "hate" something off the air, sweet Jesus we should have murdered Ray J.'s show in the crib from all the bitching. "I Love New York" would have NEVER EXISTED.

Someone brought this topic up the last time I made fun of Hughley's ability to kill shows. I decided, finally, to say something. Mostly because I get exhausted with the "Must support all black entertainment no matter how shitty" argument, which has been out-dated since Nat King Cole broke the TV color-line.

Once you had a choice between the dapper nature of Nat and the buffoonery of Amos and Andy folks knew what the deal was.

As for D.L., I've interviewed the guy. He's a nice enough guy. But, c'mon, dude is seriously deficient in the funny department. Chris Rock once had a bit about the black comic hierarchy in Hollywood and how it starts with "Let's call Eddie/Will," then works its way down to Jamie Foxx, then Martin Lawrence and then, and only then, when Martin says "Hell no," someone calls Chris Rock.

Sometimes they'll go through a few Wayans brothers before they get to Rock.

I'm saying D.L. isn't even on that list. They'll call Anthony Anderson first (and have). Or Katt Williams. Or Ice Cube. Or anyone. Nick Cannon. Anyone. They don't call D.L. He is not on Brad Grey's speed dial. He never even got as huge as Chris Tucker or Dave Chappelle did before they both decided celebrity life was not the life for them.

Black people get frustrated of being forced to "settle" for shitty entertainment. Great that he was successful. Great that DL made something of his life. I just didn't have to watch his shitty show. It deserved to die just as much as his unfunny, bad George Jefferson clone UPN/CBS sitcom.

It. Deserved. To. Die.

Someday (but not today), producers will learn that all Negroes are not equal and will be a little more discriminating in the talent they select to carry their Daily Show knock-offs.

Which is why I cannot say Aisha Tyler's name enough times. (And I don't say this because the woman friended me on Twitter. I've been a fan since she was trolling late night talk shows in the 90s, making fun of her husband's glaring whitness.) The woman went to Dartmouth. She used to host "Talk Soup." She was the only thing worth watching on "Ghost Whisperer." She once said being a black girl with a flat-booty was like having a handicap. How does this woman not have a show?

I can only assume CNN is scared of extremely good looking, smart, tall black women.

Danielle C. Belton

Party People!.....

Seal Photographs Wife Heidi Klum at The Governors' Ball
Photo by Amy Sancetta
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Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Pose Backstage
Photo by Chris Carlson
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Halle Berry Waits Backstage,

With Fellow Oscar Winners Shirley MacLaine (left),

Sophia Lauren (right of Ms MacLaine), and Nicole Kidman (in white)

Photo by Chris Carlson
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Oscar....And You!

Viola Davis, 2009 Oscar Nominee

Dress by Reem Akra

Left:
Antonio Villaraigosa

Alicia Keys,
Dress by Armani Privé

Co-Host Robin Roberts
Dress by J. Crew

Penelope Cruz, 2009 Oscar Winner

Dress by Balmain

February 24th: Breakfast With A Giving CEO @ ICCC, Toronto...

On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce' bi-monthly Breakfast With The CEO series welcomes a very giving CEO Mr. David Singh, Chairman & CEO of Destiny Group of Companies.

Mr. Singh is a true "Rags To Riches" story. He came to Canada from Guyana with only $22 in his pocket. By 1988, he had created Fortune Financial Management and, within eight years, grew the company to eighty-five offices throughout Canada, managing over $8 billion in assets. Three years in a row, Fortune Financial Management was voted one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Private Companies. In 1997, Mr. Singh co-founded the Infinity Group of Mutual Funds and in 1999 both companies were sold for $88 million.

Author of five books, The Making of Fortune, Take Control of Your Financial Destiny, Health, Wealth & Happiness, Retire Early and Wealthy and A Passion to Succeed, Mr. Singh is also the Chairman/CEO of the Destiny Group of Companies, his international financial management and strategy companies, with businesses operating in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Mr. Singh's philanthropic Destiny Foundation has donated millions of dollars to support numerous charitable endeavours.

So, join ICCC YP at 7:30am for a breakfast, networking, and the CEO's speech, followed by an open discussion. Enjoy an intimate setting, participate in discussions then, network with both guest speakers and fellow professionals. Registration is Free for members and $15 for non-members.

OBAMA DAY IN CANADA!

Fans Welcome The Prez Outside The Parliament Buildings

Photo by Mikey G, Ottawa
~(A Small Portion Of) The Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Photo by Mikey G, Ottawa
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Yaaay! So glad President Obama's here and almost (but not quite) still wish I was living in Ottawa where Mom & Dad are. Ha! And I'm glad that unlike George Bush who chose Mexico as his first destination after being elected to office, that the tradition of Canada as first destination of choice has returned. Despite the fact that the enormous crowds may not be able to catch a glimpse of The Prez, I'll find and post photos as they become available. I can't believe how good I feel that it's Obama Day!

U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Governor-General Michaelle Jean

Photo by Jim Young

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A Woman Walks By A Poster While Approaching The Parliament Buildings

Photo by Jim Young

Decorative Painter Sandra Gayle Graces National Home Show, Toronto

Sandra Gayle Professional Painting Techniques Soon to grace the National Home Show with her life's motto “Live Life Large”, Sandra Gayle succeeds as the “Diva of Decor". Her effervescent energy combined with a rawness of talent got Sandra the gig on W Network's top-rated, long-running design series “The Decorating Challenge” You see, Sandra makes old and unsighly living spaces into sumpin' sublime. So, come down and see Sandra at the National Home Show from February 20th-March 1st. Show a sista some love!

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Tree in Istanbul, Turkey

Have A Great Holiday and we will catch up with you in the new year!

Remembrance Day Is Today...

Today's Remembrance Day feels more emotional than most. We remember the 97 youth soldiers and one diplomat who have died in Afghanistan, and the tens of thousands in two world wars. Did you know that our soldiers have been responsible for vaccinating literally millions of Afghani children?

(A Japanese white poppy has a peek.)

Canadians Going To U.S. for OBAMA?...

See you there?

Catriona Smart, The Brazen Hussy Dresses TO....

Brazen Hussy Store Owner Catriona Smart (Above, in one of her signature designs) is also its Senior Fashion Designer. With her degree in political science, Smart originally pursued law before deciding to follow her heart into the world of fashion design.



Here, Smart enjoys Hallowe'en with fellow designer Michele, and friends

So, what exactly is a "brazen hussy"? She's a strong and confident woman who's not afraid to show her sensual side. Smart is also the fiancée of hugely successful broker Brad Lamb (Right) of HGTV's Big City Broker. Stay tuned for further updates of Ms Smart's and Brazen Hussy's activities.

Def Jam Exec Dies From Self-Inflicted Gunshot....

Def Jam Recordings' executive vice president Shakir Stewart, 34, the executive who succeeded Jay-Z as the head of hip-hop music label died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near Atlanta, police said Sunday.

A native of Oakland, California, Stewart graduated from Atlanta's Morehouse College in 1996. Under the Hitco publishing company, he signed R&B star Beyoncé, and under Arista Records, Stewart signed R&B star Ciara. In June, before being named to the post once filled by Jay-Z, Stewart had also signed such artists as Young Jeezy and Rick Ross to the label.

Saturday afternoon, Stewart was found in the bathroom of his home in Atlanta suburb Marietta, according to Cobb County police spokesperson Cassie Reece on Sunday. Describing the shooting as self-inflicted and Police would not say who discovered Stewart. He was pronounced dead at a local area hospital.

According to close friend Christopher Hicks, "Whatever happened over the past 24 hours is not a testament to who we all know. He was a one-of-a-kind individual. If you looked on his Blackberry, it said 'One of one.'"

Happy Hallowe'en Obama & McCain...Artistic Director BILL KING Weighs In

I don't think anyone here missed a step. I think some people are beyond control. McCain had to know he was warming up to the Wasilla Hillbillies. [Sarah Palin] was Rush Limbaugh's...mindless pick! It smelled from the beginning. She wouldn't even appear next to other Republican senators who were pro-choice...

Bill King, Artistic Director
Beaches International Jazz Festival
The Toronto BBQ & Blues Festival
Indiana-born and multi-award-winning pianist-composer-publisher-producer-broadcaster Bill King once opened for The Beach Boys, was once music director for Linda Ronstadt, Janis Joplin and Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks; has toured all over the world with The Pointer Sisters, has worked with jazz greats Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock, and now, in addition to his artistic directorial duties for two festivals, does his Saturday Nite Fish Fry's “Jump, Shout, Rock Da House”, and The Rockit 88 Band’s “Too Much Fun”. Also an accomplished photographer with newspapers such as The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, Eye Weekly, Music Scene International and numerous other music magazines; King spends his "spare" time producing musical groups such as Young Divas.

Below, King continues about the U.S. election:

McCain could have given Obama a serious fight if he had picked Chuck Hagel. Instead, he meekly gave in to the whack jobs of the far right. The world is vastly different than it was four years back. McCain let the evil side of the Republican party direct his campaign. It was the act of a desperate old man who wanted to win at all costs. ...Palin...actually believed she deserved the privilege to inhabit the White House....

As the euphoria wears Obama will face a daily rush of impossible tasks. I don't envy him. There's enough overwhelming problems to keep him busy for decades to come. Obama is no saviour; there's no such thing, but he does bring intelligence and hope to an otherwise depressing political system. [Look for] Caroline Kennedy may get the UN nod and Robert Kennedy EPA.

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So, what do you, our readers think? Does it make them look better to come out against Palin? Not to say that specific items wouldn't have come out eventually, but where is the class in this type of behaviour? How about a simple: Certainly, we'll review how we did things this time in hopes of winning next time. It's not just publicity, it's the much more important public relations.

Still, despite all of this, there's no getting around McCain wanting to suspend his campaign in order to save the economy. This made about as much sense as Hillary Clinton's refusal to suspend her own campaign when Obama won. Such a copout. And McCain thinking that he's looking heroic by acting like he's in the middle of a war. How calm and cool Obama was instead: a true test. And McCain not even consulting with the Senate before making such a ridiculous decision.

Otherwise, we have noticed that some people aren't really listening to Obama's speeches. He offers hope, not illusions. He consistently asks: What can You do? He regularly talks about how challenging his presidency will be. Don't people believe this yet?

From Poverty to the White House....

Shonnetta Henry

As per the CNN article, Shonnetta Henry, 18, is the 2008 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year. As a child, the odds were stacked against her. Shonnetta Henry grew up poor and fast. Her single mother struggled to raise three kids while her dad was in jail, but Shonnetta was determined to make it big. To read more about how Shonnetta got to meet The Prez, Click here.

Watch the interview with Shonnetta Friday, October 3rd, at 3:30 p.m. ET on CNN.com Live.

Sept 18th-30th: 7th Annual Small World Music Festival, Toronto...

Thursday, September 18 @ 9 pm

CHIWONISO with Valu David

Lula Lounge
lulalounge.ca

___________________________________________________

Friday, September 19 @ 8 pm

LOS LOBOS with Pistolera

Massey Hall
roythomson.ca

Friday, September 19 @ 10 pm

ELECTRIC GYPSYLAND

featuring DJ dunkelbunt

DJ medicineman
The Funkabelly All Stars

Supermarket
supermarkettoronto.com

_______________________________________________

Saturday, September 20 @ 12 noon

MR.SOMETHING SOMETHING

with Evalyn Parry

Evergreen Brickworks
Conservation & Sustainability Fair
evergreen.ca
FREE!

______________________________________________

Saturday, September 20 @ 9 pm

REBEL RHYTHM

with The Alexis Baro Quintet,
Chameleon Project & DJ eLman

Lee's Palace
leespalace.com____________________________________________

Sunday, September 21 @ 8 pm

David Buchbinder's
ODESSA/HAVANA

with special guests
Daddo and Marilyn Lerner

Al Green Theatre,
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
mnjcc.org

______________________________________________

Monday, September 22 @ 8:30 pm

LITTLE COW

Lula Lounge
lulalounge.ca

__________________________________________________

Tuesday, September 23 @ 9 pm

BABA ZULA with dj medicineman

Lula Lounge
lulalounge.ca___________________________________________________

Wednesday, September 24

SAVINA YANNATOU'S

Primavera en Salonico & MUSICA NUDA

Lula Lounge

__________________________________________________

Thursday Sept. 25 & Friday Sept.26 @ 8:30 pm

JASON WILSON

CD Release with guests
Pee Wee Ellis
Brinsley Forde
Ernest Ranglin

Hugh's Room
hughsroom.com

_____________________________________________________

Thursday, September 25 @ 8:30 pm

AUTORICKSHAW

with special guest Gordon Sheard

Lula Lounge
lulalounge.ca

______________________________________________________

Friday, September 26 @ 9 pm

ECCODEK with Kiran Ahluwalia

"Shivaboom" CD Release with DJ Derek Beres

Drake Hotel Underground
thedrakehotel.ca

_________________________________________________

Saturday, September 27 @ 8 pm

ONE VOICE

Enwave Theatre
harbourfrontcentre.com

One Voice Workshop

Free admission

___________________________________________________

Saturday, September 27 @ 4 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm

EARTHRISE DJ YOGA
BHAKTI BEAT LOFT PARTY

with DJs Derek Beres
& medicineman

The Yoga Sanctuary
theyogasanctuary.net

____________________________________________________

Sunday September 28 @ 8:30 pm

LO COR DE PLANA

Lula Lounge
lulalounge.ca

__________________________________________________

Sunday September 28 @ 9 pm

TOUBAB KREWE

with dj medicineman

Revival
revivalbar.com

_________________________________________________

Tuesday September 30 @ 9 pm

VIEUX FARKA TOURE

with dj medicineman

The Mod Club
themodclub.com

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58

Stephanie Tubbs Jones has passed away from a massive brain aneurysm.
Tubbs Jones was the first Afri-American congresswoman to represent Ohio.
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(Right) Ms Tubbs Jones' son Mervyn Jones II with relatives, friends at the hospital.
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Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was 58.
(Photos: Associated Press)

Aboriginal Chooky Dancers: Sydney Opera House, Australia....

Aboriginal Chooky Dancers
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Photo by Daniel Munoz

What? Will Smith's A Bad Investment?...

You're kidding, right? Even though Will Smith (Below: in the movie Hancock) was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood last year, he only made it to #21 when Forbes magazine calculated how much his salary returned to the studios. The payback ratio is the return for each dollar an actor was paid. Smith made approximately $80 million (U.S.), but his payback ratio was only $5.64. In addition, Johnny Depp made $72 million, but returned $6.41, only making it to #20 on the payback scale. Go figure.

According to the magazine, Vince Vaughn is the best star for the buck. Does this surprise you? Well, yes, it surprised me. Apparently, for every dollar he was paid for "The Break-up," "Wedding Crashers" and "Dodgeball," he raked in $14.73 of gross income for studios.

Forbes made the Ultimate Star Payback list by looking at (1) the stars' last three films that (2) opened wide in at least 1,000 theaters before 2008, and made in the last five years.

The gross income for each film was calculated by adding half the worldwide box office and the first three months of wholesale DVD revenues, and then subtracting its budget. The result was divided by the actor's total compensation to derive his or her payback for the movie.

Until recently, Vaughn's salary was relatively low, and the films he was in had modest budgets yet did extremely well worldwide ($285 million and $205 million, respectively).

Others on the list? 2. Tobey Maguire, 3. Julia Roberts, 4. Brad Pitt, 5. Naomi Watts, Matt Damon, 6. George Clooney, 7. Jennifer Aniston, Hugh Jackman, Ben Stiller..... 20. Johnny Depp, 21. Will Smith..... 35. Nicole Kidman
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FOR MORE OF THIS ARTICLE, click Forbes.

Mary J. Burns Up The Stage, Nigeria...

Mary J. Blige Burns It Up!

Thisday Music & Fashion Festival
Lagos, Nigeria
Photo by Sunday Alamba

Zimbabwe = 100 Billion Dollars....

Eggs Cost 35 Billion Dollars!
They Sit Atop A Zimbabwean 100 Billion Dollar Note
Photo by Philimon Bulawayo
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As per a recent IRIN News article, where in the world could you be a multi-billionaire and still go hungry? In Zimbabwe!

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has fixed the daily withdrawal limit at Z$100 billion (roughly US$1.25) per day for individuals, but that doesn't cover the costs-of-living for people living in the world's most inflationary country.

Just think, a loaf of bread is Z$100 billion at the official rate, a kilogram of meat sells for Z$450 billion, (about US$5.60) and a half-litre of milk costs Z$200 billion (about US$2.50). And although most people shop in a "parallel market", prices are even higher(!). Apparently, local shops with cash make it available to their customers for a fee, and although these fees differ, most charge about 15% commission for cash.

People such as a labourer named Nyandoro ride their bikes to the bank where they stand in line for four hours before finally receiving Z$100 billion notes, angry at the enormous frustration of daily survival in Zimbabwe.

"I borrowed Z$500 billion so that my two children can get transport fare to and from school, and food for the coming three days, but, with what the banks are giving out ,I will have to queue here for five days before I pay back the amount.

What is further irritating is that I will have to find another excuse to give to my boss for me to come and queue at the bank again." [But with Zimbabwe's inflation rate now officially at 2.2 million percent, and rising], "If I do not collect the money instantly I am afraid it will lose value, and the more time I will take to withdraw it.

I re-sell bricks that I buy cheaply as a staff member at my workplace, and with the extra that I make I get ready cash that augments my salary."

Nyandoro's wife also sells vegetables at a stall near his home to help support the family. It will take Nyandoro around six days to withdraw his Z$600 billion (about US$7.50) salary. Then, this will buy what? A bag of corn maize??....
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Read more of this article here.

July 10th-13th: Caribbean Tales Film Festival, Toronto...

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston back together??
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Psych! Actually, Stephanie Black, reality series producer of Being Bobby Brown (about the troubled and controversial lives of former spouses Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston), and award-winning filmmaker of the documentary AFRICA UNITE, will be featured in Toronto's 3rd annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival from July 10th-13th. Begun by award-winning filmmaker, writer and producer Frances-Anne Solomon, her staff has been hard at work bringing it to fruition, while Solomon herself recovered in hospital. She recently had cancer surgery for a benign tumour,

"The doctor did tests and said it was "nothing" (I think a result of our plodding public health system). In Trinidad, they ordered a catscan and gastroscopy overnight (I paid for it), and began using the dreaded "C" word..."

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Ms Solomon who studied in Toronto, Ontario and Paris, France, before building a successful career in England with the British Broadcasting Corporation, returned to Toronto and founded Leda Serene Films in 1999. Solomon's feature film A Winter Tale, about a men's anger management group formed to combat youth violence, has been screened in movie theatres around the world.
In 2002 came Caribbean Tales, a not-for-profit multimedia product company, that promotes and celebrates the rich tradition of Caribbean-heritage storytelling. About the festival, Solomon beams,

"The festival empowers everyone because exhibition is always an issue. I feel so privileged to be able to bring to the wider community something that is such a pleasurable past time for me personally."

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With a Jamaica focus, the 3rd annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival showcases the best of Caribbean cinema at home, abroad, classic and creole.
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Produced in association with the Jamaican Consulate, Toronto and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO), the 4-day celebration, complete with workshops, awards evenings, and youth outreach will showcase Jamaica's rich and vibrant cultural traditions synonymous with cultural innovation and spirited rebellion.
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Opening night featured the Canadian premiere of Stephanie Black's award-winning documentary AFRICA UNITE at The Revue Cinema. Ms Black has also produced the documentaries Life & Debt, about the effects of the International Monetary Fund on the Jamaican economy; and--as mentioned above--the reality series Being Bobby Brown, about the lives of troubled, controversial pop singers Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston.
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AFRICA UNITE commemorates the late Bob Marley’s 60th birthday, as the Marley family traverses Ethiopia in a worldwide call to Afri-unity. Why this particular documentary is so interesting, however, is that we learn the fascinating story about how this country's strategic leadership refused numerous attempts to be colonized by Europeans. I mean, how many people from our generation know about this? I didn't study it, did you? I looked forward to the Q&A with Ms Black following the screening so that I could learn even more.
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Also featured this festival is award-winning filmmaker Clement Virgo and his movie Poor Boy's Game.

Clement Virgo (left) with friend Cameron Bailey (center), Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival

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Workshop moderators include award-winning playwright Andrew Moodie and filmmaker Ras Kassa.

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Ms Solomon continues, "It's so great that the festival is growing. I feel as if I'm having a party and I get to invite everyone."

During the festival, more movie screenings and workshops will include actors like the revered "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverly (video) and Leonie Forbes; and a youth day with the innovative D'bi Young, erotica poet Dwayne Morgan and filmmaker Michael Miller. The Caribbean Tales Film Festival continues through Sunday at The Revue Cinema and River Restaurant, both in the west end of the city.

July 22nd: "GET THAT FIRST GIG!" Workshop: Beaches Jazz Fest (July 18th-26th), Toronto

The Late Curtis Bailey

The Beaches International Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary in Woodbine Park as a prominent cultural event with over 700 artists and an audience of over 1 million fans.

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Included on 2 or 3 stages is the next generation of jazz artistry, showcasing New Generation and Youth Artists, jazz-related workshops and special community based events including:

Get That First Gig!

Location:	Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 1774 Queen Street East
Room:	Basement
Registration:	bijfworkshops@hotmail.com
Date:	Tuesday July 22, 2008
Time:	7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fee:	FREE
Capacity:	30
Instructor:	Rico Ferrara Etric Lyons

Are you a Jazz/blues/roots musician looking for that first gig? This workshop can help you get started by pointing you in the right direction! Have you managed to get that first gig but finding follow–up gigs tough sledding? The panel of seasoned promoters, talent buyers, agents, and publicists can advise on a number of areas that will help in eliminating missteps and ensure that you hit the road running. Insights offered include essentials like: Presentation Finding The Right Contacts Timelines Routing/geographical areas/tour logistics Networking The Role Of Managers,Agents, Promoters Publicizing The Gig ~

The Beaches International Jazz Festival is pleased to offer this forum; providing vital information and straightforward answers to any questions that you may have on getting started and becoming a successful working musician. You'll find our panel of experts very approachable and more than willing to help.
~

Dougie Baro

Artistic Director Bill King, Producer Lido Chilelli, and the rest of the Beaches Jazz Festival Team would like to extend a warm welcome to join them and raise a toast to the 20th anniversary of the 2008 Beaches International Jazz Festival.

Fantastic Or Frenetic Festival Frenzy?.....Well....'Tis The Season

It's festival season time! This means that we'll be "blogging when can". I know, we just finished experiencing the grand, over-the-top Luminato visual and performing arts festival the weekend before. Of that festival, my particular favourite was the classical-music-light group Quartetto Gelato and 14-year-old Nikki Yanofsky singing with the Count Basie Orchestra. Well, it appears that Luminato was "merely" a preparation for the myriad of festivals to come Canada Day weekend.

There were, count 'em, EIGHT fun-filled galas. Included in these was more-of-a-world-music jazz music festival where I caught world-reknowned grammy-winning Arturo Sandoval outside the big tent in Nathan Phillips Square. However, his music was not strictly latin jazz. Sandoval seamlessly used a combination of keyboards, trumpet, and drums to blend funk, straight-ahead, acid and cool jazz, with a large focus on synchronization. Latin jazz was the finale.

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Unfortunately, I missed the super-succulent Ribfest in Etobicoke as well as the Gay Pride Festival.
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I caught the Country Music Festival, filled largely with country-oriented rock, pop, and blues. This fest boasted an all-Canadian line-up--albeit most acts transplanted to the U.S.--who hail originally from locales that include Sudbury, Manitoulin Island and Montréal. According to Corus Entertainment radio station program director Derm Carnduff, the all-Canadian content is why the festival maintains a huge loyal following despite relocating from Etobicoke ("eh-TOE-bi-ko") to the Beaches.

My favourite festival, of course, was the one where I judged the Mr. CHIN Bikini International Pageant (preceded by Ms CHIN Bikini International the day before) at the 42nd Annual CHIN Bikini Picnic. It was really hard to choose from so many wonderful, gorgeous men, but we eventually did, and had much fun doing so.

We interviewed each guy for a couple of minutes beforehand. Then, they came out on stage looking so amazing in their gladiators' outfits. This display was followed by the carrying and caring for Ms Bikini Picnic Haylie McCullough. Involved was the placement of her on throw pillows, wine and grape-feeding, shoulder-massaging, fanning her with huge leaves; and, oh yes, all the men physically "fighting" with each other--over her, I assume.
More interviews, but this time with City-TV's Melini Sharma, ensued. This particular encounter was brief, but gave away lots of information about their individual characters. We got a sense of their intelligence, how caring they were, their level of initiative, etcetera. Lastly, we observed them posing in gold shorts and enjoyed a t-shirt "striptease". I loved, loved, loved every minute of this contest. Congratulations to winner George Chatjaveridis, a marketing consultant studying sports management; 1st Runner Up Vince DelMonte, personal trainer and author of two books on fitness, and 2nd Runner Up Omari Henry, a professional boxer (above left).
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Stay tuned for the upcoming AfroFest--truly one of Toronto's sweetest festivals. In addition, we'll be blogging about the Fringe Festival, Caribbean Tales Film Festival the Beaches Jazz Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
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See you there!

July 4th: Acknowledging America....

53-Foot-Tall American Flag, Dubelaar Baseball Field
Hoboken, New Jersey
Photo by Mel Evans

Hey, Prisoner 46664: Happy Birthday!

Nelson Mandela, 90th Birthday Celebration
London, UK
Photo by Lefteris Pitarakis