The drama, A Tempest, the Father Ho Lung production, Yes, and Aston Cooke's comedy revue Jamaica 2 Rhatid: Pupalick, lead the nominations for the 2008 International Theatr Institute (ITI) Jamaica Centre's Actor Boy Awards.
In the nominations, announced on Tuesday evening at the headquarters of Jmaaica Trade & Invest(JTI), A Tempest and Pupalick each scored 11 nods(including double nominations in several categories), while Yes earned 9 nominations. All three are also up for Best Production, a field which also includes Basil Dawkins' Which Way IS Out? and the University Players' Art.
The Best New Jamaican Play award will be contested by Pupa Lick, Yes, Secrets (by Karl Hart) and Which Way Is Out. Hilary Nicholson, Dorothy Cunningham, Sakina Dear and nadean Rawlins (with 2 nominations) are up for Best Lead Actress, while the Leaqd Actor honour will be between Rooney Chambers, Jena paul Menou, Christopher McFarlane, Paul Skeen and Orville Hall.
The awards will be presented on March 31 at the Courtleigh Auditorium (former Island life Cinema). Keri Ki- Ki' Lewis - who emceed the nomination announcement and Chris' Johnny' Daley will preside.
next post: Guest speaker Peter Couch bats for dedicated entertainment venues.
Some 22 productions qaulified for review with a new judging system requring that each play be be marked in a number of categories with the top five scorers going on to get the nomination.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Salman Hates 'Slumdog'
I'm being very selective here (dangerously so, perhaps) but I couldn't resist taking out this piece from an essay by author Salman Rushdie ( he of The Satanic Verses) in the UK Guardian. The piece is about film adaptations of novels, and Mr Rushdie is none too pleased about Oscar-winning 'Slumdog' nor the novel from which its taken (originally published as Q & A)
What can one say about Slumdog Millionaire, adapted from the novel Q&A by the Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup and directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan, which won eight Oscars, including best picture? A feelgood movie about the dreadful Bombay slums, an opulently photographed movie about extreme poverty, a romantic, Bollywoodised look at the harsh, unromantic underbelly of India - well - it feels good, right? And, just to clinch it, there's a nifty Bollywood dance sequence at the end. (Actually, it's an amazingly second-rate dance sequence even by Bollywood's standards, but never mind.) It's probably pointless to go up against such a popular film, but let me try.
The problems begin with the work being adapted. Swarup's novel is a corny potboiler, with a plot that defies belief: a boy from the slums somehow manages to get on to the hit Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and answers all his questions correctly because the random accidents of his life have, in a series of outrageous coincidences, given him the information he needs, and are conveniently asked in the order that allows his flashbacks to occur in chronological sequence. This is a patently ridiculous conceit, the kind of fantasy writing that gives fantasy writing a bad name. It is a plot device faithfully preserved by the film-makers, and lies at the heart of the weirdly renamed Slumdog Millionaire. As a result the film, too, beggars belief
What can one say about Slumdog Millionaire, adapted from the novel Q&A by the Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup and directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan, which won eight Oscars, including best picture? A feelgood movie about the dreadful Bombay slums, an opulently photographed movie about extreme poverty, a romantic, Bollywoodised look at the harsh, unromantic underbelly of India - well - it feels good, right? And, just to clinch it, there's a nifty Bollywood dance sequence at the end. (Actually, it's an amazingly second-rate dance sequence even by Bollywood's standards, but never mind.) It's probably pointless to go up against such a popular film, but let me try.
The problems begin with the work being adapted. Swarup's novel is a corny potboiler, with a plot that defies belief: a boy from the slums somehow manages to get on to the hit Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and answers all his questions correctly because the random accidents of his life have, in a series of outrageous coincidences, given him the information he needs, and are conveniently asked in the order that allows his flashbacks to occur in chronological sequence. This is a patently ridiculous conceit, the kind of fantasy writing that gives fantasy writing a bad name. It is a plot device faithfully preserved by the film-makers, and lies at the heart of the weirdly renamed Slumdog Millionaire. As a result the film, too, beggars belief
"Watchmen" put a US$55M lock on box office
LOS ANGELES – "Watchmen" clocked in with $55.7 million in ticket sales to claim the top spot at the box office, making director Zack Snyder's comic book adaptation about a team of twisted superheros the biggest opening of 2009 so far.
Still, it was not quite as big as the $70 million take of Snyder's "300" in 2007.
Dan Fellman, head of distribution for "Watchmen" studio Warner Bros., said it was unfair to compare the two films.
"They're two different movies," Fellman said Sunday. "This is a movie that runs two hours and 45 minutes. That really only leaves the exhibitor with one showing a night. If you have an 8 o'clock show, the next show is at midnight. So with essentially one show a night, I think this is outstanding."
Fans of the subversive comic book series by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons waited years for Snyder's big-screen version. The anticipation was complicated last year when Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox fought over who owned rights to the $125 million film. The studios eventually settled in January, keeping the March 6 opening intact.
Many "Watchmen" enthusiasts raced to IMAX theaters to see the exploits of Dr. Manhattan and company on the bigger screens. Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, said the movie sold out on all 124 IMAX screens it was playing on during the weekend and was the second largest opening in company history behind another superhero film, 2008's "The Dark Knight."
With no other new releases to compete against, "Watchmen" easily bumped off "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," which had held the top spot the two previous weekends. The Lionsgate comedy took in $8.8 million, good for second place, according to studio estimates Sunday. 20th Century Fox's "Taken," starring Liam Neeson, took the No. 3 position with $7.5 million.
For the year, movie attendance continues to soar, with revenue at $1.9 billion, up 16 percent through the same point in 2008. Even factoring in 2009's higher ticket prices, movie attendance is running 14 percent higher than last year.
-AP
www.watchmenmovie.com
Still, it was not quite as big as the $70 million take of Snyder's "300" in 2007.
Dan Fellman, head of distribution for "Watchmen" studio Warner Bros., said it was unfair to compare the two films.
"They're two different movies," Fellman said Sunday. "This is a movie that runs two hours and 45 minutes. That really only leaves the exhibitor with one showing a night. If you have an 8 o'clock show, the next show is at midnight. So with essentially one show a night, I think this is outstanding."
Fans of the subversive comic book series by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons waited years for Snyder's big-screen version. The anticipation was complicated last year when Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox fought over who owned rights to the $125 million film. The studios eventually settled in January, keeping the March 6 opening intact.
Many "Watchmen" enthusiasts raced to IMAX theaters to see the exploits of Dr. Manhattan and company on the bigger screens. Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, said the movie sold out on all 124 IMAX screens it was playing on during the weekend and was the second largest opening in company history behind another superhero film, 2008's "The Dark Knight."
With no other new releases to compete against, "Watchmen" easily bumped off "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," which had held the top spot the two previous weekends. The Lionsgate comedy took in $8.8 million, good for second place, according to studio estimates Sunday. 20th Century Fox's "Taken," starring Liam Neeson, took the No. 3 position with $7.5 million.
For the year, movie attendance continues to soar, with revenue at $1.9 billion, up 16 percent through the same point in 2008. Even factoring in 2009's higher ticket prices, movie attendance is running 14 percent higher than last year.
-AP
www.watchmenmovie.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Icarus Lands at Phillip Sherlock Centre
With the bust of the eponymous founder watching, The Sir Phillip Sherlock Centre presented an installation by artist Robert 'Toby' Grant this evening. The installation, depicting the fallen winged creature of myth (he flew too close to the sun), is made of creeping vines, or 'wist' and thus will grow and transform over the five to six weeks that it will remain suspended from the Centre's ceiling.
1876 Wines refreshed a solid turno ut of well-wishers and artphiles.
More on this , as well as photos, next post.
1876 Wines refreshed a solid turno ut of well-wishers and artphiles.
More on this , as well as photos, next post.
“We Can’t Pay, We Won’t Pay!” @ EMC Drama Auditorium
a political farce written by Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo, directed by Pierre Lemaire and featuring 2nd and 3rd year students from the Drama School will open on Thursday 5 March at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. This play shows how people can change when put under extreme financial pressure. We have dedicated this production to the people of Guadeloupe and Martinique who are entering their second month of general strike, fighting against abnormally high prices facing the population of these islands. Come and multi task: Laugh and think!
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
Monday, February 23, 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.
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?
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?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
'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
Hopkinson's books include Midnight Robber, Brown Girl in the Ring and The Salt Roads
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
'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.
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.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
[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.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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
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
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
"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
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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..."
"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..."
Friday, June 20, 2008
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.
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