The climaxing week of Carnival
The climaxing week of Carnival presents a packed itinerary. A show is staged almost every week, whether it’s the National Queen Show, the Teenage Pageant, the Junior Calypso Monarch, the Soca Fest or the National Calypso Finals. Carnival street bands also prepare for the two days of bacchanal by organizing private fetes.
“Duppy Conquering”: An Exploration of The Supernatural in Reggae Music
The Caribbean has historically been associated with the supernatural. Tales of Jamaican Maroon leader Nanny’s mystical prowess, the memorable Miss Cleo of Psychic Readers’ Network, and legends of the devouring Bermuda Triangle all envision the Caribbean from inside and out as enchanted. Within the Caribbean, duppies, soucouyants, zombies, rolling calves and jumbies are frequently an […]
An Overview of the Real ID Act of 2005
I trust that you all had a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. As we proceed into the New Year of 2010 it is important to know that there will be some changes regarding your photo identification. Today’s article will briefly discuss the federal Real ID Act of 2005 and its impact on […]
Interview with Jacqueline Bishop, founding editor of Calabash: A Journal of Caribbean Arts & Letters
This month we interview the multi-talented, Jacqueline Bishop. She is the founding editor of Calabash: A Journal of Caribbean Arts & Letters, the author of two collections of poems, an artist and a published author. She is presently editing a film on a group of Jamaican untutored artists. Q: Where in Jamaica are you from? I […]
A Conversation with Jamaican Actor, Paul Campbell
We interview popular Jamaican actor Paul Campbell. One of Jamaica’s most heralded contemporary actor, Paul has appeared any many screen and stage productions. Some of his most notable works are his leading roles in Palm Picture’s Lunatic, the notorious & unforgettable villain priest, in Dancehall Queen (1997), and the highest-grossing film out of Jamaica, Third […]
Jamaica Year in Review 2009
By the last quarter of the previous year, Jamaica had already received clear signals that the new year would bring vast challenges and mixed fortunes. Introduction 2009 began with vast global recession triggered by a plunging US economy which was characterised by a ‘tsunami’ of job loss, diminishing dollars and rising prices which was bound to […]
Rebel Salute 1/01/2010 – 1/31/2010 Port Kaiser, Jamaica
Top reggae man Tony Rebel has pulled off a coup by establishing Rebel Salute – the only one-night Roots Reggae Festival in Jamaica, and an event which now attracts upwards of 30,000 to this small village on the south coast. Salute serves up a strict vegetarian menu along with music from some of reggae’s finest […]
Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival 1/01/2010 – 1/31/2010 Montego Bay, Jamaica
This festival showcases a range of genres including country, jazz, reggae and R&B. Past artists have included John Legend, Shaggy, James Ingram, Air Supply, Al Green, KEM, Morgan Heritage, Tami Chynn, Richie Stephens and Bo Diddley. This top-level musical treat in delightful surroundings always proves popular, and hungry concert-goers can grab a bite to eat […]
Heading into a New Decade, Jamaica Faces Formidable Challenges
With the world economy in a mess, Jamaica faces stiff challenges in the next few years. The new decade is off to a gloomy start internationally as giants like America, Europe and Japan struggle to cope with the aftermath of the meltdown that occurred toward the end of 2008. The ripple effect is still being […]
Kin Teet Kibba Heart Bun – Book Review
Summary Many Jamaicans who grew up ‘poor’ did not realize that they were supposed to have been poor, until later in life they realized what they did not have. The experience of growing up with people who knew how to ‘tun yuh han meck fashion’ and ‘tan pon crooked cut straight’, taught us all how to […]