By Dr. Alwin Spence Back off Mr. Minister, back off Mr. Premier. Bad laws, even if supported by the majority, are still bad laws The city councillor from Ville d’ Anjou was upset because she had to subject herself to medical treatment from an ophthalmologist who was wearing a hijab. The ophthalmologist did her job and the treatment seemed to be fine. For the councillor, the professional should not have been wearing the hijab because she is in a position of power. What gives the professional power? Is it the hijab or the Diploma of competence in her field? I …

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – Just seven years after announcing her presence on the international music circuit, Montreal based Audrey Dubois Harris continues to thrill audiences here and afar. That’s why music lovers are in for a treat on June , when she joins the Toronto Mass Choir and Herve for that much-anticipated concert at Evangel Pentecostal Church. Harris is a Miami native and a graduate of The Julliard School in New York is an International Classical Artist whose multi-genre style is a profound melding of opera, classical, jazz, sacred, inspirational and gospel music. Her mastery of her craft has mesmerized audiences …

Kathleen Charles, The Fitz-Patrick Sisters, Loyal-T, Equilibrium Juniors and Rhythm stood tall… Contact Staff On Saturday, February 23, audiences at the annual Monnaie-Money show were treated to a spectacular event at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, Concordia University Loyola Campus, celebrating its 9th anniversary. The annual showcase of youth talent in Montreal kicked off   Black History Month 2019 in fine style with a line-up of stirring performances from young dancers, singers, rappers, spoken-word artists and musicians. They all shone brightly, but a few distinguished themselves enough to end up in the winners row. Standing tall among them all was spoken …

Contact STAFF The steelband world lost an icon with the passing of Ken Professor Philmore on the morning of Sunday, September 30 at the San Fernando General Hospital in south Trinidad. Six days before on the night of Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day, ‘Pro’ was injured when his SUV over-turned on the highway as he was making his way back home after performing at an event in San Fernando.   He was thrown out of the vehicle and admitted to the hospital with broken ribs and punctured lungs. He died of a cardiac arrest.   The 58 year-old stood as …

The spoken word can shape your life and frame your world. Readers, there is a reason why God called himself “The Word.” He is the living word. There is also the written word and the spoken word. Death and life are in the power of your tongue. Our creator, God, rules the universe with the spoken word. The Bible is the written word and it is a manual for everyone; yet, it is sad to say that many have never taken the time to read that powerful life-manual. Genesis 1 verse 1 tells us that Earth was empty and void …

First and foremost, I would like to wish all Community Contact readers a Happy and prosperous New Year. I believe 2018 is definitely the year of hope and good things to come, as it is evident in both the Dancehall and Soca/Carnival arena. Hope is seeing the light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. Is this the year both Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton are released from prison? After a 17-years absence in the Road March race, can Iwer George take it this year? International Chutney Soca Monarch Competition was cancelled until the Government stepped in to help. We …

 Montreal’s Cultural Icon to receive BTW’s Martin Luther King Jr. Acheivement Award Melissa Murphy As the year comes to an end, Montrealers cast their eyes forward to Black Theatre Workshop’s annual VISION Celebration, which has become a signature event held early in the new year and also serves as a lead into Black History Month. Next year’s commemorative event, the 32nd annual staging, becomes even more special because the honorary recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award is a Montreal cultural icon, Don Jordan. The acclaimed actor and dancer was all class as he shared a few gems …

THE POLITICAL GAME So, leading up to the 2017 municipal election season in Quebec, I for one haven’t been overwhelmed by any candidate in particular as far as Montreal’s mayoralty race goes. If you’ve been following the two main characters on the hustings, paying attention to all – or anything – they’ve been saying then you know the issues, and what, if anything of interest they’ve been selling since the campaign got underway, if anything is at stake on a personal level. First and foremost it’s an election, nothing new, and it’s unfolding as it always does, with the usual …

Foster Homes Sought FOR sibling group of 3 and Joy A foster home is sought for a sibling group, three year old May, two year old Marjorie and their eight months old sister Marie. The sisters are very close and must stay together. May the eldest is outgoing, happy and playful.  She is strong willed and tends to demonstrate this characteristic by having the occasional temper tantrum when she is not allowed to have her own way.  She is a quick learner, when she is sked as to how old she is, she quickly shows three fingers and proudly states: …