The M n' M show:FABRICated Journals

An Exhibition by Margaret Stanley and Miriam Hinds
Opening: Sunday, March 8th, 2009, 11am
Revolution Gallery, 44 Lady Musgrave Road, Kgn 10
Exhibition continues until March 31st, 2009

What does Darwin Have to do with fiction writing?

Plenty , as it turns out. The Darwinian effect on character development was but one of the more interesting points raised during the panel discussion (followed by a workshop) on Speculative fiction, which was held Saturday last (Feb 21) at the UWI Library Multi-function room.
The panel featured Prof. John Leonard, writer and elcturer Jean Small, and novelists Erna Brodber and Nalo Hopkinson.
I'll have more on the conference, Inlcuding comments from Nalo Hopkinson and Prof Leonard, tomorrow.

Thanks again to Michael Holgate and Brian Heap, whose persistence helped see this important event through to fruition - time well spent.

Watchmen greet the world form London

Watchmen, the film adaptation of the legendary graphic novel, premieres in London tomorrow (Feb 23) before crossing the Atlantic for a March 6 scheduled open in the U.S. no word yet on when, or even if the controversial film will open on local Jamaican screens.

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching the watchmen?

James in NYC

John Crow's Devil author and sometime critic Marlon James will be giving readings in New York Feb 23 and 24. Will come back with details on venue and time (yeh, I know I've said that already).
James' new novel, The Book of Night Women, officially hits stores (U.S. I believe, check amazon.com or publisher Riverhead to secure a copy online) and see the Sunday edition of the Jamaica Observer (Feb 15) for an interview with marlon

'Salt Roads' author @ UWI Sat

Renowned sci-fi/fantasy writer Nalo Hopkinson (who is of Jamaican-Guyanese parentage) will participate in a workshop at the UWI- the Multi-function Room atthe Main Library - Saturday, Feb 21, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Hopkinson's books include Midnight Robber, Brown Girl in the Ring and The Salt Roads

The Spanish View: XAYMACA - Life in Spanish Jamaica 1494-1655

The Institute of Jamaica
February 17, 2009 – August 17, 2009
Limestone frieze, New Seville,c. 1524.
Photo Tony Wong
OPENING: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009, 11 A.M.
The competition between European nations for wealth, power and religious dominance in the New World began in the 15th Century. Advances in cartography, navigation and shipbuilding fuelled the desire to find new trade routes, gold and spices. Ultimately, this led to the discovery and conquest of lands previously undreamt of.
The Spanish monarchs, King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella, joined in the pursuit of supremacy via the seas in 1492 by supporting the expeditions of Italian-born seaman Christopher Columbus. Their goal was to find trade routes to the east that were unknown to their European rivals and to acquire the much desired gold and precious stones to be found in Asia. However, what their expeditions discovered was far removed from their original intentions.
Featuring the magnificent stone sculpture from New Seville, original Taino and Spanish objects plus reproductions of navigational tools and documents from the period of the Spanish control of Jamaica, XAYMACA: Life in Spanish Jamaica 1494-1655 tells the story of the Spanish experience in Jamaica from the time of Columbus' arrival in 1494 until the time of the island's complete conquest by the English in 1660.

The full-colour catalogue features articles by Professor Patrick Bryan of the University of the West Indies, Dr. Robyn Woodward of Simon Fraser University and Dr. James Robertson of the University of the West Indies. The exhibition has been curated by Dr. Rebecca Tortello and Dr. Jonathan Greenland.

XAYMACA: Life in Spanish Jamaica 1494-1655 has been made possible through the support of The Embassy of Spain in Jamaica, The Jamaica National Heritage Trust, The Ministry of Culture of Spain, The Archive of the Indies, Seville, The Museum of America, Madrid, The Jamaica Archives, The National Library of Jamaica, The Museo Naval, Madrid, and The Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports.

The Night Women are Coming

New from Jamaican writer Marlon James, whose debut John Crow's Devil almost singlehandedly brought J'can letters into the 21st Century, comes The Book of Night Women.

The Amazon blurb describes it as "a sweeping, startling novel, a true tour de force of both voice and storytelling."

It tells the story of Lilith, born into slavery on a Jamaican sugar plantation at the end of the eighteenth century. Even at her birth, the slave women around her recognize a dark power that they—and she—will come to both revere and fear.

The Night Women, as they call themselves, have long been plotting a slave revolt, and as Lilith comes of age and reveals the extent of her power, they see her as the key to their plans. But when she begins to understand her own feelings and desires and identity, Lilith starts to push at the edges of what is imaginable for the life of a slave woman in Jamaica, and risks becoming the conspiracy’s weak link.

Lilith’s story overflows with high drama and heartbreak, and life on the plantation is rife with dangerous secrets, unspoken jealousies, inhuman violence, and very human emotion—between slave and master, between slave and overseer, and among the slaves themselves.

Night Women is avaialble as of Feb 19

'Angels' in the Pool Hall

Practically stumbled into Monday night's launch of
the Kingston Beer, ultimate Pool Tournament, a $1.5m
market play by the beer brand aimed at the potentially
lucrative fiercely loyal comunity of pool players - mmle
& female - now frequenbting sports bars and lounges
acrosss the island.
Some interestingf perspectives from players, old, not so old
and nubile (as in the ladies of the Devil's Angels team -
unfortunate choice of name.

God show by Kingston Beer and hope it grows for them.

[Birth of a] Live Music Nation

The Griot Music Live Music nation series has proven quite encouraging, and the series enters week II, with Ricardo Suave @ Christopher's tonite (Ian hird played a great show on Tuesday nite), Nina Karle @ Village blues Bar on Friday; and trumpeter Mickey Hanson at Heather's Garden Restaurant on Saturday. Check it out.

Link to Live music nation calendar - August

http://griotpublishing.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=48

The above takes you to the list of live venues and acts for August

One Nation

Griot Music is about to launch the largest live music campaign in
Jamaica's history.
Live Music Nation will provide live music in Kingston 7 nights a week
at different venues.

We begin the series at Christopher's which has been our home for the
past three years (time really flies) on Tuesday August 5 and it's
fitting we should begin with Seretse Small, the master of it all.

Show time: 7:30pm
Cover: $500

Tuesday August 5 - Seretse @ Christopher's Jazz Cafe
Thursday August 7 - Gas Money @ Christopher's Jazz Cafe (They're
baaack!!)
Friday August 8 - Ian Hird @ Village Blues Bar (Yes, they are now open
for business)
Saturday August 9 - Kathy Brown @ Heather's Garden Restaurant

Click on the link to see our Live Music Nation advertisement that will
appear in the Sunday Gleaner this week.

http://griot-music-mailing-list.googlegroups.com/web/LMN%20Ad%20Template%20BW%20copy.jpg?gsc=uFhxxQsAAABb14q8xh0Skz_wsyOyIa7K

Support K O W

Actor-writer-provocateur Karl Williams has been accepted to do an MA Educational Theatre at New York University this September and the funds from the following shows will be used to subsidize fees towards this. Please spread the word and come out if you can.


"Cracking Up"

2 One-Act plays written by Amba Chevannes

'The Last Bloom' directed by Michael Daley

Cast: Marguerite Newland & Afolashade (from Sistren Theatre Collective)



'Dinner with Eleanor' directed by Eugene Williams

Cast: Bertina Macauley, Karl Williams & Munair Zacca



August 15-24

2 Weekends Only!

The Philip Sherlock Centre –UWI

Friday & Saturday 8pm

Sunday 6pm

KOTE 08 finale

The whole thing comes together at Bookophilia this Saturday afternoon June 28 at 5 pm for "WORD LOVE POWER" the Kingston on the Edge closing show. In addition to the awesome lineup of artists, poets, actors authors and musicians, there will be cuisine from Starapples and a full service coffee bar by Cafe Blue.

Firefly night

Firefly Summer Lick - July 6th: Ease into the Week...

"It is almost time for our second Firefly (Oracabessa) Summerlick - Next weekend July 6th. It is worth the drive to come out and spend the day listening to some mellow sounds, eating some yummy food and sipping something cool. Lascelles will have a selection of wines available as part of the package, and there will be Blackwell Rum for tasting. Come with a group or alone with a book! It will be a casual Island vibe..."

KOTE 2K8 Schedule

Ok, here it is, th whole shebang - subject to change of course, but it looks like a nother great year for the Edge.

Olympia & the Potters

ASSOCIATION OF JAMAICAN POTTERS

ANNUAL EXHIBITION & SALE


opening on


SUNDAY JUNE 22nd 2008 @ 1.00 PM

BANK OF JAMAICA AUDITORIUM

NETHERSOLE PLACE



Opening remarks will be given by:

Mr. Earl Jarrett

General Manager, Jamaica National Building Society


FREE Parking for guests will be in the secured facility

to the left of the B.O.J. Building at the end of East Street .

Entrance at the front of the building


R.S.V.P. TEL. 496 3481 / 926 6331


EXHIBITION CONTINUES:

MON – FRI 9 am – 4 pm UNTIL JUNE 27TH



Part Sponsors: JN Building Society & Grace Kennedy Foods

KOTE event - emBODYment Art show

17 visual artists explore the theme of the human form through clay, metal, textile / fibre, photography/ printmaking, wood, painting, and mixed media. In addition, on opening night, there will be performances by Marguerite Orane reading from her new book "Free & Laughing"; poetry reading by Judith Hamilton, Phillip Supersad drumming on his handmade drums to accompany an Akan dancer, and Jason Warton on wind instruments.

"emBODYment": A Celebration of the Human Form, opens Monday, June 23,@ 7:00 p.m. at REVOLUTION GALLERY, as part of the Kingston on the Edge urban art festival.

See you there!

Word Play - and look out for KOTE coverage

Kingston's underground indulges in wordplay

Kingston, Ja - JUNE 18, 2008 - Kingston's latest underground event, WordPlay: Poetry. Music. Art., will have tongues wagging with its fresh and eclectic line up of young talent. This alternative form of entertainment is slated to re-launch the monthly series beginning July 20, 2008 at the Altamont Court Hotel's Luxur Suite at 8pm. The show is geared toward exposing and cultivating underground genres using the radical blend of 'floetry', dub, reggae, old school hip hop, jazz and soul - all performed live.

Fusion of Poetry and Live Music

WordPlay was introduced in November 2006 by Simple Chaos Entertainment and began as the fusion of Poetry and Jazz. After the closure of the original venue the concept of WordPlay has been broadened to include the fusion of various genres in such a way as to ensure the singularity of the show. All artistes performing on WordPlay make use of a completely live set, which encourages a vastly different sound, feel and atmosphere than can be had elsewhere in Kingston. Additionally, artistes are encouraged to go outside of their comfort zone and create an offering that is far from main-stream.

First Installment

The re-launch of WordPlay promises to be the premiere in live entertainment and will feature live performances by, among others, Sarah Couch – daughter of renowned singer and pianist, Suzanne Couch; this exceptionally talented singer/songwriter revels in the joys of music; Mo' Scherrie – the winner of various national awards for her poetry, Mo'Scherrie is also an author with a book in production as well as the creator and director of Concept One, the name behind videos such as Tarrus Riley's 'She's Royal'; and Kali – talented rapper, songwriter, painter, dancer and actress. The show will be hosted by Miss Jamaica World 2001, Regina Beavers and Kamila Ann McDonald, who are also the upcoming recording artistes more popularly known as Gina Stars and Meela K of the underground R&B sensation, True Kolors.

Heating Up

Just finished my 3rd Simon Winchester book, Krakatoa. The Day The Wolrd Exploded: August 27, 1883

look out for my review (hint: I think its his best so far, but then, I sitll havea way to go)

Rootz firm, Movement springing forward

In an earlier generation, The Hope Zoo Bandshell was the place where well-thinking Jmaaicans were exposed to a variety of musical expressions, from jazz to reggae to the orchestral strains of the Jamaica Military band. It had lain dormant for many years, and had fallen into disrepair until telecoms provider Digicel too kup the mantle late last year. Still, save for a few company functions, the Bandshell had not hosted a quality live music presentation.

That is, not until Saturday night last when Rootz Underground celebrated the release of their debut studio set, Movement.

"We buss de seal pon de venue" was lead singer Steven "Stevie G" Newland's triumphant declaration al ittle more than midway through a set that was by turns rollicking and subtly layered. Through over an hour of music with scant breaks, the six-man aggregation confirmed their status as the premier reggae-rockers in the business.

Newland, perhaps even unnoticed by the large crowd that blanketed the hillock in front of the Bandshell, has successfully steered past the easy Bob Marley comparisons that lurked like a quicksand bed in the early going. Depsite the familiar high-jumping, locks-shaking antics common to both, Newland brings an quicksilver intensity and one daresay, a welcome unpredictability to hisstage presence. Just when you think its old hat, that spark goes off in his eyes and he's found a new way to express the feelings in the band's potent lyrics.

And his bandmates were right up there with him. Colin Young laid down bass lines heavy enough to flatten steel, particularly on "Herb Field" where the group was augmented by the presence of a first-rate horn section. Charles Lazarus on lead guitar showed that the inspiration he gained from watching - and listening to -Cat Coore was not lost on him. Keyboardist Paul Smith showed good vocal skills (not to mention tremendous fitness) on Slumberland, and joined rhythm guitarist Jeffrey Moss-Solomon and Newland in a three-man 'jogging line' as drummer Leon Campbell kept time and more.

Indeed, the big reason why Rootz is worthy of acclaim is that in their hands, reggae once again emerges as a WORLD music, assimilating other styles and sounds, but without compromising the drum-and-bass core. Their shifting tempos and chanted vocal hooks ("The enemy's a robber Babylonian"; "Please don't let my well run dry") restore tothe music the revolutionary power that caused it to sweep the globe in the first place.

Part of that international community was represented by Philadeplhia-based sound system Solomonic, which kept both new and old jams coming before and after the set
Even before the set, the band members spoke of hte great potential of the venue and of plans for a return visit, alongside other reggae warriors.

This is one Movement we can get with.