All posts on May 31st, 2023

“Shock and disappointment,” is the prevailing sentiment among masquerade bandleaders following the announcement by the City of Montreal that the Caribbean Festivities Association (CCFA) will not be funded for 2023, effectively cancelling the Carifiesta Parade this year. Darryl Dalrymple: Roots Cultural Association Darryl Dalrymple is the leader of Roots Cultural Association, which has been Montreal’s perennial “Band Of The Year” over the past three decades or so. He says we were all jolted by the news because complacency towards the parade had set in within the community. “We took it for granted that the parade was always going to be …

Quebec Netballers did the province proud, earning a silver medal win at the National Netball Championship held in Vancouver, this past Victoria Weekend on May 18 & 19. The team battled their through the early rounds of the tournament defeating Ontario 48- 42 and Alberta 34-29 to face the powerhouse British Columbia squad in the finals. In the highly anticipated contest, the women carrying the Fleur de Lys were eventually overwhelmed by the home-team by a score of 65 to 29. Quebec was represent by Ayana Ashton, Tama Edwards, Terrian Julien, Cardesha King, Ladonna Lamonth, Nicole Lindo, Ophelia Odle, Allison …

The world mourned the passing of Tina Turner on May 24 at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland after a long a complicated illness. With a career that spanned 66 years from 1957, the American born, high-energy Diva earned her title as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll with an endless list of hits that made her one of the biggest-selling recording artists of all time, with over 100 million records sold with success in R&B, soul, and rock n roll. Born Anna Mae Bullock in Tennessee, she first hit the stage with then husband Ike Turner’s …

Mixed media artist Misé Johns is gearing up to enthrall audiences at the Montreal Fringe Festival with ‘Guerrier,’ an ambitious interactive show presented in partnership with Ethos Cultura, this immersive spectacle transcends the traditional barriers between artist and audience. Johns, who is half Kenyan and Canadian, says he incorporates his culture and heritage into his art and Guerrier is no exception. Although it is his first time creating and holding an interactive show he believes all his previous experiences as a musician and working in different creative fields have set him up to execute this. “There are so many aspects …

In Part I of this piece, I addressed the reasons for the decline of civil society discourse, and the hyperpolarization of the current political landscape. Now that we have a reasonable understanding of our charged climate, we can look at the risks this represents to our mental health. Even more usefully, we can identify and apply tools, tactics, and tricks to minimize the damage of this dangerous exposure without completely withdrawing from our social and professional circles. Sensationalism, which is aggravated by the 24-hour news cycle and the always-on nature of the social media landscape, can create the false impression …

“Golden Handcuffs” is a generic term describing a wide range of compensation plans designed to incentivize top employees to stay with the company for the long term. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, a deluge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders were hired in waves by public agencies and private companies to assist in creating more sensitive and balanced workforces. However, hamstrung by “Golden Handcuffs” and disillusioned that corporations’ talk of affecting change was just empty words, many DEI experts have disappeared three years after the racist killing inspired them. I was one of those leaders. In …

Every so often we get the chance to witness a new talent that emerges on the scene and makes a name for themselves. I was given the opportunity to interview this Deejay who I believe is worth highlighting. Personally I consider this youth a breath of fresh air to the Montreal Dancehall scene because within his short time in this city, Lil Vicious has become a force to be reckoned with. So here’re my 12 Questions with Montreal’s newest Dancehall / Reggae sensation. Contact: First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers. TP: I go by the name of …

We have been exploring what it means to have a relationship with God. How we can speak to him through prayer and how He can speak to us through His word, through His ministers and through divine acts of intervention in our lives. However, in order to hear what God has to say to us we have to be available or at least position ourselves to hear. Don’t we? Usually if we are speaking to someone, we have to be at a certain proximity or closeness; in order to exchange without shouting. So, that kind of natural interaction tells us …

You must look within to see what adjustments are needed. When you take a good look at yourself, you will begin to understand that changes may have to be made. “No man was ever so much deceived by another as by himself.” F. Greville Self-assessment is looking at oneself to identify who you are, what motivates you, what you need and may need to change. We are often unaware of how we behave or present ourselves to others. When you decide to start the self-assessment process. You’ll usually start blindly, unable to truly see you as you really are. I …

In Quebec June 23, heralds the end of an academic school year for public schools, as well as the start of summer vacation. For many people, the word “summer” evokes easier days, a time when life slows down. So does the term “summer break,” a time parents, teachers, and students value as a well-deserved respite from the labor of the school year. Because summer break is a widespread and beloved tradition, the suggestion for some children that they must attend school during the summer is not taken very well. Strange as it may seem, this has emerged as one of …