All posts on October 15th, 2018

By Gemma Raeburn-Baynes Montreal’s ones-to-watch-for, The Fitz-Patrick Sisters, are set to host their first, full-length, live concert performance on Saturday, October 20, in downtown Montreal at the Evangel Pentecostal Church located at 1235 Rue Lambert Closse, (near the old Forum), commencing at 7 PM. The highly anticipated concert is a musical celebration, capping off a successful artistic year marked by a busy calendar and coveted appearances. The Fitz-Patrick Sisters are described as ‘next generation’, millennial ‘movers & shakers’. Fans playfully describe the dynamic duo as the city’s very own version of ‘Mary Mary’ that’s marked by scintillating stage presence, captivating …

      ROSIE AWORI   The showcase of talent currently on display at the Centaur production of Choir Boy represents a proud moment for Canada’s Black theatre professionals. And audiences are being treated to a remarkable display and it’s evidence enough that, the call for diversity on stage and screen in Canada has long been a valid one. Choir Boy written by acclaimed African-American Tarell Alvin McCraney, whose credits include a string of prestigious awards such as the Whiting Award and Steinberg Playwright Award, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award as well as the London’s Evening Standard Award …

Vincentian-born novelist releases another masterpiece “Fate’s Instrument” Egbert Gaye Montreal novelist H. Nigel Thomas gives what he considers to be a simple reason for writing: “I feel a compulsion to explore the complex mystery that is the human animal.” A compulsion made even more urgent after thoroughly consuming two novels by renowned Trinidad and Tobago author, Earl Lovelace, “The Dragon Can’t Dance”, and “Wine of Astonishment,” along with the political masterpiece “Salt Eaters” from the late Toni Cade Bambara, a provocative African-American, author/film-maker. “I was really taken by their storytelling style and it made me aware that I could write, …

Sometimes life can be full of frustrations, losses, heartbreaks, disappointments, and challenges. We all go through stormy seasons in life and we wait expectantly for the sun to begin shining again. We know that rain helps things to grow; it nurtures and replenishes dry places. We need water to live. But sometimes it feels like when it rains it pours. It feels like everything is going wrong in our lives. It may feel scary and hopeless, like you’re drowning. Know that… Better days are ahead, but in the meantime we have to learn to dance in the rain, or at …

Marcia DeRoche ordained Deacon  Egbert Gaye Nestled in a nondescript building on De Coutrai Street in Cote des Neiges is the church that houses the Amazing Grace Ministry. The hall itself on the second floor is eye-catching with a sparkling clean blue and white backdrop with a modern little multi media room at the back. There you’ll find one of the most vibrant congregations in the city, under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Eugenie Haughton, a plain-talking preacher who is continually offering nuggets of inspiration to her followers. On Sunday, September 30, Pastor Haughton hosted a special ceremony to ordain …

Dr. Alwin Spence Some of the more interesting stories that one could listen to are those of immigrants. Many claim to have arrived here in Canada with absolutely nothing but the clothes on their backs. “Now look on us, from nothing to something.” These success stories tell a lot. A win-win situation for Canada and the immigrant, and by extension the birth country. Returning benevolence, especially for many Third World countries, may rank high in that country’s GNI (Gross National Income). Since the advent of easy transportation, people can go everywhere. Why do people leave their own birth country to …

Global Political Capital It’s a “modern” world, one that has morphed into what’s referred to as a “global village,” spawning the concept of globalization… It is the reality, the world has shrunk, so people are taking advantage, are constantly on the move, landing at airports, crossing lands and borders (legally and illegally), or by sea, landing on different shores, or being rescued at sea (some, the unfortunate, washing up on beaches…). Meanwhile, in former “welcoming countries” the discussions have become discordant, contentious, heated… as certain domestic forces suffering from “migrant fatigue” begin to show their colours. The immigration/refugee/migrant issue (all …

Int’l superstar Sinach here on November 3 Sinach, the award winning, international gospel singer and songwriter will be performing her uplifting catalogue of music on November 3rd. This will be her first visit to the city. Over the past several years, Sinach’s music has made its way into churches and homes all over the world. In fact, her songs have been sung by the likes of American gospel powerhouses Donnie McClurkin and Travis Greene. The worship leader, who serves in Christ Embassy Church, is known for her songs like ‘I Know Who I Am’, ‘Way Maker’, ‘He Did It Again’, …

Egbert Gaye The West Island Blues Festival was built on a foundation that keeps it connected with surrounding communities. That’s why over the past 15 years, in addition to becoming an annual source of summertime fun and entertainment in the West Island, it has contributed close to  $200,000 to regional organizations that serve a variety of interests and individuals. This year, on the heels of the well-attended festival staged at Dollard Des Ormeaux Park on June 16, they were able to donate $21,500 to five groups, including the West Island Black Community Association that received $8,000. They gave $3,500 to …

Life is about relationships, and knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is about relationship. There are many different types of relationships; some are healthy, others unhealthy. Some relationships are strong, while some are weak.  Some people celebrate relationships, whereas some don’t care about relationships. Relationships are universal. God has given to humanity the ability to interact and relate through relationships. We all came onto this Earth because of a relationship. As a result, family is our first, and one of our closest, relationships. Relationships are intended to equip you for destiny. For instance, from the parents within the home, to the …