Caribbean Blazing Music Festivals

Caribbean Festivals offer Bumper Music Potpourri

By William Doyle-Marshall

Saint Lucia, St. Kitts, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Belize, Suriname, Trinidad and Guyana are among islands of the Caribbean hosting a series of jazz and other concerts right through the year.

   The first phase of the inaugural Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari ends in Grenada in April. It was launched in Barbados in January.  It promises to be a jazz adventure like none other that will take patrons on a thrilling musical ride through the Caribbean.

  The musical journey stops in Antigua on March 1 and 2 at Jolly Beach and Block House Lookout with Canadian jazz legend Archie Alleyne and Kollage, Danny Mixon and Cameron Pierre. Then it is onto St Vincent on March 30 and 31 at Emerald Valley headlined by home grown Frankie McIntosh, Guy Marc Vadeleux, Derek McKeith and the Andy Narell/Lord Relator University of Calypso presentation.

  The first phase of the 2013 Safari ends in Grenada with live performances from performers like Betty Payne, Zack Bernard and Cuban star Alexis Baro with the incredible Shakura S’aida from April 26 to 28 at Spice Basket, Cinnamon Beach and Port Louis.

   The safari features another first for jazz offerings with the exciting ‘MUSIC is FUN’ interactive sessions for children who will be admitted free at selected outdoor venues.

   The Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari moves to Jamaica in June, Belize in July, Suriname in August, Trinidad in October and Guyana in November. The Barbados leg of the inaugural Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari featured performances by T S Monk, Nnenna Freelon, Cedar Walton, Mario Canonge, Elan Trotman, Jeff Lorber and Melanie Fiona.

    Secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism  Organization Hugh Riley said that the organization is fully supportive of this new and innovative series of events which will enhance the regional tourism product and bring jazz fans special packages to experience regional and international talent in some of the most stunning outdoor venues in the region.

   The Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari is the brainchild of Tom Hinds, Managing Director of Damal Investments and well known promoter of quality jazz events at his scenic Naniki Restaurant and Lush Life Resort in St Joseph Barbados. Hinds said that the Safari concept reflected the excitement of the event and its movement across the Caribbean.

   Sporting a new name complete with eye-catching logo and a redefined artistic direction, Saint Lucia is gearing up to welcome the world, as it inaugurates the next chapter in the life of  the region’s most anticipated musical festival, from April 30 through May 12.  Festival Headliner is multiple Grammy-winner R&B mega star singer-songwriter, and record producer Robert Sylvester Kelly, more popularly known as R Kelly. 

                                                    Trumpeter Etienne Charles

Other musical hard-hitters include the legendary Ojays; acclaimed Caribbean maestro David Rudder, bandleader and mambo musician Tito Puente Jr.; celebrated guitarist and singer Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson and accomplished Senegalese-American hip-hop recording artist, songwriter and record producer Akon.

 Among featured performers are Trinidadian born Trumpeter Etienne Charles; Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca; contemporary jazz bands from the French Antilles Fal Frett and electric guitarist The John Scofield Uberjam Band. Main stage activities at the Pigeon Island National Landmark will begin on Friday May 10, with performances from R&B multi-platinum American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor Ginuwine; Saint Lucian songwriter and producer ACE and The Jacksons.

   The 2013 festival which is presented by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and is supported by Platinum sponsor Digicel along with other Gold, Bronze and Collateral sponsors, For more information on the full lineup for Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2013 along with show dates, venues and ticket sales, log onto www.stluciajazz.org. 

The 17^th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival produced by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, which will be held June 27-29, 2013. All lovers of music and authentic Caribbean fun are invited to mark their calendars for attending this grand occasion. Now in its 17^th consecutive year, the Festival attracts locals and visitors alike, helping to boost visitor arrivals during low season and provide a steadier year-round income for local tourism-related businesses. “Each year, the St. Kitts Music Festival combines music, Caribbean island culture and elements of carnival-type block parties with world class performances from a wide variety of internationally popular music genres,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport.

   The Festival features a wide range of musical genres, including Calypso, Soca, R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Gospel and Contemporary music, while reflecting a uniquely Caribbean flavor.  Past artists have included Billy Ocean, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Boyz II Men, King Konris, Stephen Marley, Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, The Commodores, Dionne Warwick, Biggie Irie, Bunny Wailer, Lord Nelson, Toni Braxton, T-Pain, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, UB40’s Ali Campbell, Air Supply and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds,

  From all indications whether you live in North America or elsewhere in the world, the Caribbean Islands are pulling out all stops to entice you down to their shores. When you leave, the succulent taste of the dishes and musical poturri offerings are likely to make you book return visits for the not too distant future. Visit: www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube. 

February 28, 2013

Equal Access for Ontarians

Government’s job is ensuring everyone has equal access

By William Doyle-Marshall

Michael Coteau, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration wants to bring a renewed sense of citizenship to his new portfolio.  He told members of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) at their February meeting he is looking forward to establishing a renewed sense of citizenship.

  The newly appointed minister noted there is talk about multicultural, diversity, inclusion, and so many different pieces that really speak to citizenship – real citizenship. With his new responsibility for citizenship and immigration, Coteau wants to put serious meaning to what it means to be a real citizen of a nation.  He intends identifying what it means to reap all the rewards that come along with citizenship. 

   In regards to moving forward with the ministry, Coteau said some exciting things are happening, including a partnership programme with the not-for-profits sector, which has been in development for quite awhile. “Now we are looking at how they can better leverage the use of different things like technology. There are some 45,000 not-for-profit organizations in Ontario and my job as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is responsible for the not for profit sector as well,” he disclosed.

  A lot of the not-for-profit organizations work within Ontario communities and Coteau insisted government has to make sure that they have the ability to find out what grants are available.  “We are going to make sure they have that type of information and it is readily available,” the minister said.

Anybody with whom he has the ability to have a discussion, Coteau expects them to walk away knowing that the current Ontario government is here to serve them, to provide them with programmes, services and different types of information that they can access. “I think our job as ministers, as MPPs, as government officials is to make sure that everyone has equal access to information and has the ability to reap the rewards that society has to offer as a whole,” Coteau stressed.

   With a strong background as a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee, Coteau has always been a strong advocate for people taking control of the world around them. Going out and speaking to young people about taking control of their world and being part of the process has always been a part of his mission. Consequently he has always approached his community as being their representative and their voice.

  

                

Michael Coteau, Ontario's Minister of Citizenship   Immigration addressing the February meeting of National EthnicPress and Media Council  of Canada in Parliament Building.

Calling himself an immigrant to Canada born in Yorkshire, England who arrived when he was four years old with my brother to live in Flemingdon Park, Coteau said he is a person who understands some parts of other cultures. “I thought this is an exciting opportunity having been on the district school board,” he remarked

   During conversations with young children who go into this legislature, he informs them that they are the owners the building and they and their parents pay the salaries of politicians. “So I think that sense of true citizenship, ownership for government I would like to bring them into the mix,” Coteau promised, He is troubled that Canadians who have been here for ten years, 20 years or two generations, are not fully aware of the meaning of being a full citizen.

   Talking about the new Ontario Immigration Strategy which focuses on five objectives, Coteau emphasized attracting the best and brightest to the province so that Ontario can continue to contribute to a growing economy to benefit all Ontarians. The strategy’s second intention is to make sure when people land in the province they have the services and structure necessary to truly benefit what it means to be an Ontario resident. Leveraging the province’s multiculturalism and diversity to really extract the true value of what that means in Ontario, is another wrung of the strategy.

   Coteau was proud to acknowledge that people from all parts of the world coming here with dreams. This is the place where they are connecting with each other, he observed. “Someone from Ethiopia connecting with someone from China; someone from China connecting with someone from Greece. You can do those kinds of things here in Ontario. You can’t do that in any other place in the world. It is very difficult to do it in most places. There are a few exceptions but Ontario is probably the most diverse place on the entire planet. So I hope that we can make sure that strategy goes forward again so newcomers can land here and be successful,” Coteau concluded.

   During a question and answer session journalists quizzed him about a range of concerns including increasing civic and youth participation; ensuring qualified new Canadians are able to secure employment in their fields and working with the federal government to get its fair share of skilled workers under the temporary skilled workers programme.

February 26, 2013

Pan Am 2015 Games Caribbean Village

A Caribbean Village for Pan Am games 2015 in TO?

By William Doyle-Marshall  

Caribbean people in Canada should utilize the forthcoming Pan American Games 2015 in Toronto to exhibit their prominence in the world of athletics. Mr. Seth George Ramocan, Dean of the Caricom Consular Corps expressed this desire in an exclusive interview recently.

   As a region, because Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are so prominent in the Sports arena, the Consul-General for Jamaica said they need to utilize the games as one of the common grounds to work together and showcase themselves regionally.

  “The Caribbean must have a Caribbean village, to be able to have the number of things that we do together that people can see that being done here,” Mr. Ramocan explained. He was confident that there are many ways in which Caribbean states can pull together and cooperate more.

    Reflecting on the size of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and the big impact they are making on the world through sports, Ramocan acknowledged both countries have been able to train football teams that can be spoken about. While they have not really won the World Cup, Ramocan is proud they are spoken about; due to the impact they have created.

                                        Jamaica's Consul-General Seth George Ramocan with 

                                        Dr.Rosemary Sadlier, President, Ontario Black

                                        History Society at 2013 Black History Month 

                                        celebration at Queen's Park, Ontario

  He cited an international athletic race where Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was there and he happened to have made two false starts causing him to drop out of the race. In retrospect the Consul General reflected: “you could feel a sigh of relief by the rest of the world. They felt ‘wow, we could get it now. Usain is out’. Not realizing another Jamaican was in the race. Jamaica still came and won gold and Usain was out. What do you say about that as a region? How does the world see that?” he continued.

  While identifying the sports arena as a vehicle for coming together Mr. Ramocan wants to see a Caribbean Chamber of commerce established in Canada where all the businesses that are Caribbean here in Canada and in the Greater Toronto Area come together and work as a unit and lead a delegation out of Canada into the Caribbean to explore and exploit opportunities. “We are much too scattered,” Ramocan concluded.

   The Caribbean, as a region in Canada, has close to a half million people in terms of descent, second and third generations within this country he noted.  “Many of our Caribbean islands do not have a half a million people in terms of its population. We want to take the Caricom approach and to try to build a single Diaspora here that can cause the people of the Caribbean to be aware of how they can have a greater voice both in Canada and to make a greater contribution to their region,” the Dean of the Caricom Consular Corps said.

   He plans to work together through his peers in the Consular Corps to reach their respective Diaspora and develop some kind of common ground where they identify a lot of things that they are doing in common. The Chief Caricom Consular official is confident that relationship between the Consuls General is what signals to the community that working together is possible.

February 22, 2013

Premier Wynne on Black History Month

government exists to make peoples’ lives better, to support people in realizing their dreams –Premier Wynne

By William Doyle-Marshall

Canadians of African heritage like the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, Dr. Herbert Carnegie and Charles Roach and others who passed on recently have played their parts in breaking down barriers and accomplishing things as models for all says Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. She was addressing a Black History Month gathering Thursday night in the Parliament Building. While those individuals are considered models for the African Canadian community, the premier stressed “they are models as human beings for every single one of us”.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Members of her Caucus addressing Black History Month 

  Premier Wynne, who was recently elected to head the Ontario Liberal Party, and become the 25^th Premier of the Province, wants all Ontarians to learn from each other. Her new government’s vision is concerned with Ontario being a place where no one has to fight against prejudice or low expectations. Everyone must know that expectations are high. Premier Wynne continued: “we know that people can achieve; that we know our children can achieve in school, no matter their background ; no matter the colour of their skin; no matter the language that they speak that we can lift each other up.”

  Wynne was emphatic that greatness has to be expected of everyone. She believed Ontario can be the model for the world.  “On that front and we support everyone in being great. That’s why for me government exists to make peoples’ lives better, to support people in realizing their dreams and creating the conditions for people to be great,” she continued.

  “When you hear people coming at us about fiscal responsibility, I want to reassure you that we understand that being fiscally responsible is absolutely essential but we also understand that a fair society is absolutely essential and a fairer society,” the premier continued.  She warned “we are not there yet folks. Everyone in this room knows we are not there yet. We pat ourselves on the back but you better be careful not to lose our humility because we have not yet achieved what we have to achieve and each one of you in this room has story to tell about how we haven’t got there yet.” Wynne warned Ontarians against being too self righteous as they have a long way to go. “We know that as your government and we want to work with you to make sure that we can make our society a fairer place to live,” Wynne concluded.

                          Close Encounters: Minister of Citizenship Michael Coteau & Dr. Alvin 
                          Curling, former Ontario Speaker getting details of Black History Month

  Jamaican-born Dr. Alvin Curling, former Speaker of the Ontario Parliament was pleased that the Premier stepped away from tradition with her speech to deliver what he termed “an almost heart-to-heart” talk. He reminded the gathering that the Premier expected the community’s help in carrying out her duties. “This is our country and when we go about in our ways and feel that we are strangers here and behave like strangers, we will be responded to as strangers.  You are citizens of this country and we want to make this place a better place,” Dr. Curling concluded.

   Michael Coteau, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration recalled since 1860 Canada has been important to enslaved Africans fleeing the United States. For them Coteau noted Ontario  represented freedom, safety and hope for a better future.  “The contributions of the first courageous arrivals and succeeding generations of Black people have transformed that hope into reality,” he added.

   The minister concluded that the Black community has contributed tremendously to the Canadian society. Mary Ann Shad who was the first to bring forward an integrated school and the first Black woman to publish a newspaper; Elijah McCoy, mechanical engineer who is responsible for 57 patents; Anderson Abbott, the first Black Canadian licensed physician. His career included participation in the American Civil War and attending the death of Abraham Lincoln; William Hubbard who was the first Black Torontonian to become a City Councilor are all early contributors to be celebrated in the observance of Black History in Canada. The province’s Black community (artists, journalists, playwrights, musicians, business people, scientists, elected officials) continues to make history today. Many are considered trail blazers.

February 22, 2013