Duke Eatmon,  Maya Johnson,  Ayisha Issa  and Pat Dillon among the winners at awards evening Contact Staff It was a  glitzy  and glittering evening on Sunday March 5 at L’Olympia Halll downtown, as  Quebec Black community celebrated its best and brightest at the Gala Dynastie Award presentation. Several familiar faces, including our own Duke Eatmon, also of CBC Radio  together with CTV’s Maya Johnson, popular screen personality Ayisha Issa   and Pat Dillon of CKUT were among the big  winners for the evening.  They were chosen from the 95 nominees competing in 17 categories including  the media, culture, business and sports. …

Doug and Kira Nesfield bring Caribbean food to Vaudreuil Egbert Gaye Nestled on the southwestern edge of the city, Vaudreuil-Dorion once was the last little bedroom community you’d gaze at as you made your way out of Montreal towards Ontario. Well, no more. Because over the past decade or so, the place has become home to thousands of new, young families and dozens of big-named businesses that have transformed it into a thriving and bustling little city. It’s here that Doug Nesfield and his wife Kira Kurbanali-Nesfield decided to drive a stake in the ground and open their restaurant Lady …

CKUT 90.3 Fm’s flagship gospel show Contact Staff After 25 years of sharing songs of praise and words of inspiration with the community every Sunday morning, Montreal’s flagship Gospel music program, Mind, Soul and Spirit, now has an extra hour to spread the joy among its flock of loyal listeners on CKUT 90.3 FM. When it went on air on the morning of Monday, August 6, 1990 from 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM it was hosted by Chris Heron and Cyril Shomarie Callender and Saada Branker. It wasn’t long before it secured the Sunday morning time-slot between 7:00 AM to …

Trini Revellers present an Independence Celebration Contact Staff On Sunday, August 28th, Trini Revellers will celebrate  the 54th Anniversary of Independence of Trinidad & Tobago with a mega show at  Caribbean Paradise Restaurant in LaSalle. The event will feature a full cast of artistes to entertain Montrealers  including calypsonians , comedy, drumming and dancing. There will be a special appearance by Miss Trinidad and Tobago, first runner-up at Miss Montreal Carnival pageant 2016.  Guest speaker  is Mr. Ron Licorish. According to  organizer Tamba Lewis, of Trini Revellers, this year’s celebration promises to be very spectacular. The group is comprised of …

Gemma Raeburn Baynes: RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY CONTACT ARTICLE : “SOURNESS IN A TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN” Submitted by Playmas Montreal Playmas Montreal Cultural Association, a Quebec non-profit organization, ran the Caribbean food festival that came to be known as “A Taste of the Caribbean” (TOTC) since 2000.  At the heart of the festival was the President of Playmas, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, who initially conceived of the festival.  In 2014, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes and Playmas considered engaging individuals from outside of the Organization to assist with TOTC’s development moving forward.  To that end, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes approached Maxwell Philipps and Cezar Brumeanu, both of …

ABCs of Canadian Black History offers students and educators a look into an oft-time ignored chunk of the past Contact Staff According to Linton Garner, for too long Canada has been without the proper educational tool to allow for the proper teaching of Black history in this country. “I myself had to wait until I was an adult to learn about my history, with this kit my sons will not have to wait that long.” Garner was referring to the ABC’s (sic) of Canadian Black History Kit: A Journey of Discovery into Canadian History, and educational tool that can be …

Haiti UN Chief concerned by political instability in Haiti United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concerns over growing political uncertainty in Haiti and urged the two candidates in the presidential run-off to help the electoral process move forward while preserving the country’s democratic gains. Ki-moon’s call comes after the December 27th run-off election between Jovenel Moise from the governing party and former government executive Jude Celestin was postponed until further notice. Widespread protests broke out in Haiti last year after many opposition candidates and their supporters condemned the October 25th elections saying that it was rigged. One of the …

From banking to real estate Egbert Gaye According to Pamela Dass, as much as it is an exhilarating business to be in, being a real estate broker can sometimes take a toll on your emotional state. “I think the toughest thing I’ve had to deal with over ten years I’ve been in business is people running off on you and using other brokers after you’ve invested time and effort helping them with properties.” “It happens to other brokers and has happened to me on more than one occasion, and can be draining on your emotions… The way I deal with …

Bible-Way Pentecostal Events Cross Border” shopping On Saturday June 6 join Bible-Way Pentecostal for their “Cross Border” shopping in Water Town, N.Y. Cost will be $45 per person, bus leaves Bible- Way Pentecostal Church at 7am sharp and Van Horne Shopping Centre at 7:30 am sharp.  Benefit Concert Then Saturday June 13, the Church invites everyone to a Benefit Concert and Talent Show at 6pm under the theme “Little Vessels, Mighty Voices Praise.” There would be a donation of $10. Pastor Roslyn McKenzie-Ochieng And finally on Sunday, June 14 there will be a guest speaker at the church for 11am, …