Posts in category Community News

The Montreal International Black Film Festival brings Barack and Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou and Black Lives Matter to a screen near you. All will be Breathtaking Egbert Gaye The way Fabienne Colas sees it, everyone committed to diversity and justice for all is obligated to lend a voice to the cause. So this year she is using the spotlight of The Montreal International Black Film Festival to focus on issues of race, inequality and the elevation of human rights. “Today, more than ever, we want to challenge the many inconsistencies, inequalities, and injustices that still claim many victims. Colas, president …

Oliver Jones, Audrey Dubois Harris, Norman Villneuve on stage On Wednesday, September 21, Montrealers should flock to Union United Church for what will be one of the best musical concerts for 2016. And they should get there early for what should surely be a sold out event. Here’s why: The line up of performers includes five internationally acclaimed musicians who now call Montreal home.  The event will be headlined of course, by the great Oliver Jones on piano. And the theme hinges on one of Oscar Peterson’s seminal compositions, “Hymn To Freedom,” which he wrote in 1962 for his Night …

BATSHAW CHILDREN NEEDING HOMES   Robin is a 7 year old boy for whom Batshaw Youth and family Centres are seeking a long term foster home. Challenged by ADHD and a history of emotional abuse, he is sometimes anxious and often has tantrums and frustrated outbursts, when he feels that he is not being heard or the game had not gone the way he envisioned. These situations result in conflict with his peers and adults. However, he responds well to clear rules and consistency. Robin struggles academically and will need support and supervision with his homework. He needs patient foster …

Contact Staff After the tragic passing of music legend Prince on April 21st of this year, Montreal Community CONTACT music journalist and CBC radio personality Duke Eatmon will attempt to teach people his musical story at McGill University in a course called “Prince & The Purple Revolution,” which kicks off on Oct. 19th. The six-week course will focus on Prince’s musical legacy, his cultural impact on society, his fashion influence, spirituality, sexuality and what sources influenced the man himself, known to his die-hard fans as “His Royal Badness.” On Oct. 22, Duke will be joined by Prince’s chief recording engineer …

Savoys present Toute Bagay On Sunday, September 25, the Montrealers will turn out in large numbers for another evening of music and performances that will bring together some of the community’s best performers. On stage that evening will be calypso favorites Sagaboy and Pufty as well as up-and-coming star, Laura. A troupe of classical Indian dancers will also perform. Steelpan music also will be in ample supply delivered by Martin Albino, along with Golden Stars and the Young Savoy Steel Orch. Showtime is at 5:30pm-9pm at Le Manoir, 5319 N.D.G. Donation is $13. Info: call 514-363-8080 or 514-223-6296. Afrika Gospel …

Contact Staff The stage is set for a grand celebration at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday, September 11, when Montrealers will gather to honor some of Quebec’s most illustrious citizens at the Tribute to Community Builders evening. On that day, eighteen men and women from the Black and Caribbean community who have distinguished themselves by the work they have done and their achievements will be in the spotlight at the gala event, which will include a sit down dinner and live entertainment. Among the 18 are two distinguished jurists, Judge Juanita Westmoreland and Judge Daniel Dortelus, both trailblazers in …

The place for those working towards high school diploma Egbert Gaye Call it the little school that could. It has no name, just two teachers, one or two administrator and a handful of students all joined together in the pursuit of making dreams come true. The initiative is called the Community Academic Achievement Program (CAAP) and it’s operated jointly by the Cote des Neiges Black Community Association and the EMSB.. Kidel Reid, is the  education program coordinator.  He says although they are just offering classes in French and Math, the  school  is a viable pathway to getting a high school …

Increasing the number of visible minority students in the field of social work begins with providing meaningful conversations and a supportive environment Contact Staff If you’re interested in working with people, McGill University’s School of Social Work wants to meet you, according to Carole Sandy, a clinical counsellor and graduate student of the School of Social Work at the university. “Visible minority students who are in the process of completing or have completed their DEC and are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work are wanted to participate in the Generational Gap Project,” a McGill University’s School of …

Festival of Music and Art at Vinet Park Contact Staff Firebrand performer Dawn Tyler Watson headlines a line-up of exciting Montreal performers to hit the stage on Saturday, September 10, at Vinet Park for the Festival Vivre Ensemble, a day of music and art staged by Youth In Motion. Also performing will be West Can Folk Performers, Aldo Villani, Skipper Dean, Jah Cutta, Lengaia Salsabrava, Mellow G, Uprising, Bollywood Blast, The Nils, People Gospel Choir and the combined Union United Church Choir, Debopriya Kar Ruma, Les Rochers, Kola Mondir Nrittangon, Un Don en La Sangre, Tafsut, Bope, Friend of All …

On September 11 an opportunity to celebrate Egbert Gaye Community matters. Because whether we like it or not, community defines who we are and how we’re defined by society. And on Sunday, September 11, a cross-section of the Black and Caribbean community will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to pay tribute to a group of men and women who have had a hand in firming up the foundation of what we have in place today. These men and women, some French-speaking, others English-speaking, come from all walks of life and have distinguished themselves by the impact they have had …