All posts on June 15th, 2015

Get a taste of Salah Steelband Academy as they prepare for the International Panorama competition in T&T Contact Staff For many music lovers, the sound of a steelband in full musical flight can be an intoxicating experience. And every summer, those Montreal steelpan lovers look to the annual Montreal International Steelpan Festival (MISF) for their fill of sweet pan. For many years the festival was staged at Parc Jean Drapeau, but has since made it’s way back into the community because it’s where pan belongs, according to MISF  founder Salah Wilson. So after one or two years at the grounds …

As the summer  approaches, most partygoers and promoters in our community are gearing up for the Montreal carnival season. Carifiesta, the Montreal Black and Caribbean parade will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary on Saturday July 4. Soon it will be time to crank up the a/c and ready the grill for a barbecue. Backyard party! As we Trini’s say “Liming”, bring the music, drinks and lets socialize with friends members and family. Summer gives a boost to our culture, and create an opportunity for us to build new and strengthen old relationships with each other. Here’s a few well known …

A life of football, money and politics Egbert Gaye It’s a long way from Rio Claro, a lil’ village in southern Trinidad, to the hallowed halls of power and influence at FIFA, the international controlling body of football – or soccer as they call it here in North America – but Jack Warner made it look easy. From a distance, the former teacher, university lecturer, football executive turned politician, doesn’t exude much charm, but no one can deny his obvious wit, gumption, together with his entrepreneurial and organizational skills. So it’s not by chance that his was a slow, steady …

With the release of his latest single, Next 2 U, Montreal’s R&B up-and-comer Curtis Dayne is positioning himself to take his career to the next level. Currently one of the big names on the roster of Unknown Source Music label, the Montreal-born star has been moving back and forth between here and New York City building his fan base. Daforce Dawg, the man behind the label, is excited about the prospects of the recently released single. “This song is for the ladies,” he says. He added that Dayne, who was born Claude Maille, developed his style and performing abilities on …

Some people say magic exists while cruising Just asking… If someone you love is afflicted with a serious disease, how would you show that you care? Would you consider participating in a charitable event to help support financially, Cancer can be ne of the most devastating diseases . There are many types, most of which are difficult to cure. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada is on the frontline supporting those afflicted by this particular form of cancer and they will welcome your support in the struggle. Most cancer patients live their lives with hope, courage and faith; but …

“When the school is on the reserve the child lives with its parents, who are savages; he is surrounded by savages and though he may learn to read and write, his habits and training and mode of thought is Indian. He is simply a savage who can read and write. It has been strongly pressed on myself, as the head of the department, that Indian children should be withdrawn as much as possible from the parental influence, and the only way to do that would be to put them in central training industrial schools where they would acquire the habits …

What the world needs is a global Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address, once and for all the unresolved Africa question, but… In view of the recently released historic report on the maltreatment of Canada’s native peoples over countless generations, I couldn’t help thinking of indigenous peoples in other parts of the world whose lives and cultures have been impacted by Europe’s children [people like Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, Walter Raleigh, Cecil Rhodes, et al] and their exploratory predilections centuries ago. In places where “Contact” happened back when, and stories were written from the conquerors perspective, the impact, outcome, its …

Some artists are shy about showing their work to the public. Others jump at any opportunity to share their art with the world. Regardless of which category you fit into, if you have the chance to have your artwork exhibited, it may be wise to conclude an agreement with the gallery to ensure that your rights and obligations are clearly spelled out. Here are a few things to consider when concluding an agreement to have your work exhibited in an art gallery. Consignment vs. sale to the gallery Quite often a gallery will enter into a consignment agreement to exhibit …

Trinity Memorial Events Children’s Choir Trinity Children’s Choir would be holding a new music program for children ages 5-12 at Trinity Memorial Church 5220 Sherbrooke West each Saturday from June 20 to August 15 from 11am-12pm. The program would be teaching children to sing using traditional African-American spiritual and contemporary Gospel styles of music. $4o for 8 sessions and $10 for 1 session (walk-ins.) Trinity’s Block Party Then on Saturday September 12 from 10am to 4pm, it will be Trinity’s Block Party on Trinity Memorial Church lawn. Enjoy music, food and fun for the family. They are also looking for …

For many years I felt ashamed of the word “weakness.” It was a lack of knowledge on my part, for I didn’t know that in times of weakness you really ‘know’ how strong you are. Weakness does not mean you are weak, or that you are a weak link; we all have weaknesses, because none of us is perfect. When I look back on my life some of my most fulfilling experiences have come about not through skill and strength, but through weakness. I remember the roughest days of my life when my hope was almost gone, and when my …