All posts on 2017

Peddling Values In recent years, a newfangled term has rooted itself into everyday public discourse: values. Not a day goes by that I do not hear. Canadian values, western values… and I imagine in Europe the term European values is been tossed around in the media on a daily basis. There was a time when the only thing that immediately came to mind when I hear the word was (in reference to) money: the price of commodities one wished to purchase and so on. Now it has taken on a new meaning; whenever I hear it it’s in reference to …

Remembering Augusta Marie Chiwy By J. Leblanc Augusta Marie Chiwy was born in 1921 in Burundi. She was the daughter of a Belgian veterinarian and his Congolese wife. When she was 9 years old she moved to Bastogne, her father’s hometown located in Southeast Belgium. On May 10, 1940, Belgium was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany. During the long occupation Augusta went to nursing school, and after graduating worked in a hospital in the city of Louvain, about 160 km from Bastogne. On June 6, 1944, allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy in France and fought their …

“Story”– Paul Bailey – Global Soul Records Montreal’s Paul Bailey (born in England) has been a mainstay and a veteran on the Montreal r’n’b scene for over 2 decades. His music video for “Desire”, as a member of the duo Scandalous, along with partner Dante, was a staple on Much Music and Musique Plus. Bailey has released countless indie recordings and has appeared on several compilations. His recent publishing deal with Global Soul has brought his music overseas, especially to Asia, as well as to the U.S., as part of television and film projects and video games. His new album, …

Making thier mark on T&T Carnival As we get closer to February 27 and 28, known as Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Monday and Tuesday this year, Soca lovers can expect ‘real time’ information about Trinidad Carnival each time they open the Montreal CommunityCONTACT newspaper. That’s why I will make sure that the Island Scoop article becomes the ‘one-stop’ for Soca news during Trinidad’s and every other carnival around the world. So what has been going on since the season started? Let’s first start with the Chutney Soca Monarch, one of the first major competitions of the carnival season. Each year a …

Treh LaMonte will deliver I’m Finessin as part of the entertainment lineup By: Gemma Raeburn-Baynes “A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” (Unknown) On Saturday, February 4, 2017, join other Montrealers for the 7th anniversary of  “Night of Elegance” 2017, celebrating love and friendship.  This will take place in the International Ballroom ‘A’ at the exquisite venue, Crowne Plaza Hotel – Plaza Volare. The night of fine dining, spectacular performances and all-embracing fellowship has become a signature event for the …

Abstract: The scourge of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is running rampant and unchecked among our returning veterans, with fatal consequences. The Canadian & U. S Government, and Ministries of Veteran Affairs are being called upon to immediately address the plight of returning soldiers. We cannot send them overseas on a mission, where in battle their lives are put on the line yet when they return home not enough is being done for them. Injured soldiers, who have served their country with courage and dedication, are slipping through the cracks of an ad hoc system. PTSD—PLEASE TREAT SYMPTOMS DIFFERENTLY. Remembering that for …

Peter Bailey The New Life Poet Once again, Black History Month is fast approaching. So how does one instill in a people the importance of their history, and the ramifications of their history in relationship to their survival? Firstly, let’s examine how Black slaves were taken from Africa. Simply put, through the threat of death Black Africans captured other Black Africans — men, women and children and sold them to Europeans. The ‘sellers’ were thugs, pimps, killers and thieves. Anyone who could make a “beast of burden out of another human being is the worst kind of thief. The Blacks …

By Sister Niya Muhammad “New year, new me” is a statement that we all find ourselves saying at the beginning of each New Year. We all seek the opportunity for the start of a new calendar year to put in motion the goals that that we have set for ourselves the majority of the previous year. This may be easy for matters pertaining to our finances, health or relationships, but beyond the celebratory staple traditions, what about those of us who are so deep in a situation that we genuinely seek and need a way out? What about those of …

It’s agreed that it does not happen regularly enough   but when it does it’s nothing but fun.   The CONTACT family got together and spent an evening enjoying each other’s company. It was agreed that that the food was great but the talk might have been a little better. Duke Eatmon enthralled all with his knowledge of the music industry and Yvonne Sam drew from her insights as a long-serving nurse and educator to offer an enlightening and impromptu sex education lesson. All was well appreciated by Wendy, Gemma, Judy, Novel and Avril, Desmona and Tony, Don and Nicole, Kogi, Junior …

Blessings will flow at Church of God of Prophecy On Saturday, March 11th Ray and Friends will congregate at the Montreal West Church of God of Prophecy for their annual concert. On stage that night will be some of Montreal’s brightest Gospel artists and they are promising “a life-changing experience.” All of which will come together under the direction of renowned songwriter, musician, producer, promoter and recording artist, Ray Johnston. This year’s concert will be a fundraising event to help with ongoing repairs to the exterior of the building, which houses 3 churches. Wearing his many different hats, Johnston has …