Poetic Siblings: Mapmaker and Merchant meet-up in "terrible times"

It might be the worst of times economically, but two fine book presentations that bookended the transition from 2013 into 2015 make a strong case that it may well be the best of times for Jamaican writers and poets especially. At the very least, there were strong outpourings of public support for

Kei Miller

Tanya Shirley

Miller presented his prize-winning collection, The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion, to a standing ovation at the Sir Phillip Sherlock Centre in late December, and near full house turned out in the spanking new Meidcal Faculty Lecture Theatre (II) atthe same institution to support Shirley on the launch of her sophomore book "The Merchant of Feathers" Kudos to UWI's Department of Literatures in English, of which both are alumni and which endorsed both events as part of its overall programme.

Preceded by not one, but two introductory  assessments (Miller's was, in fact a dual launch - for "Cartographer" as well as for a collection of essays entitled "Writing Down the Vision") His heartfelt exposition of the collection's excerpts (done in the dialogue style of the book, with assistance), captivated the audience and no doubt fuelled, at least in part, the long line of persons buying books and/or presenting copies to be signed.

There was  similar engagement - and heavy sales traffic - for Shirley who was introduced by Miller, speaking not merely as one poet to another, but as friend to friend and , well, as poetic siblings. He detailed the inspiration for the collection (the Calabash Literary Festival figures in there) and read at least one piece from the book, "Said by A DJ at An Uptown Dance" in full.

He accorded that selection the title of " best in book" but this writer's favourite came from Shirley herself, who delivered "The People Are Deading", a commentary on our individual and collective apathy  to violence against the backdrop of the Tivoli incursion and the viral TV news sound-bite of a woman whose expression forms the title.

Djenne Greaves (left) and Tafane at "Merchant of Feathers" launch

Another common factor between the two events was the on-point musical stylings of Denne Greaves, known widely as a percussionist, he showed great command of piano and keyboard respectively, ably abetted by saxophonist Tafane Bushecab and, in the case of Miller's launch, a mini drum corp.

Of course, the two works, and others, are being presented to a wider public largely numbed by Chik-V, the IMF strictures and the ongoing dereliction of the country and its physical and socio-political infrastucture, but events like these inject a welcome dose of hope and optimism, if in nothing else, the knowledge that there are still those willing to speak (write) their minds about where we re, where we're coming from and where we might be  - and ought to be - going

HOT IN DUBAI

Jamaican-born Grill chef Lij Heron claims Meat Chef of the Year award from the ProChef Middle East competition 2014.

Grill Chef at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah’s Lexington Grill in Dubai and resident chef at noted food blog Chef and Steward  Lij Heron came home with a top industry award for his hard work and commitment to excellence.  

With a thriving luxury hospitality industry, the highly competitive restaurant scene in Dubai is both an attraction and a challenge to the top-tiered chefs operating in the region.  On November 4, industry leaders gathered to recognize their top-performing peers for the ProChef Awards 2014. The awardees originate from all over the world and among them was  head chef (Chef de Cuisine),  Heron

He  received the award for “Best Meat Chef,” a coveted moniker among steakhouse chefs in the region.

Jamaican-born and raised (he attended Wolmer's and Excelsior High Schools), Chef Lij previously had charge of the award-winning Rib Room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers and subsequently the flagship Al Muntaha, situated on the 27th floor of Dubai's iconic Burj al Arab hotel ( the "spinnaker tower").

Heron and his brilliant team  are currently finalists in another award, the BBC GoodFood Middle East Award in the categories of “Chef of the Year” and “Best Steakhouse” for Lexington Grill.  He was the opening chef for these outlets at the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, which opened its door just over a year ago.

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CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS:

Chef Lij Heron displays his award for "Best Meat Chef" at the ProChef Awards 2014 held recently at the Conrad, Dubai. 

A section of the well appointing dining area at the Lexington Grill, Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, where Jamaican Chef Lij Heron heads the team as Chef de Cuisine. The restaurant seats 85 and boasts a bar that serves Appleton Estate Rum, Aged 21 Years.

exterior of the Waldorf Astoria Dubai

Movie Review

This Is NOT A Dancehall Movie

One of the interesting and thought provoking entrants to this year's Reggae Film Festival set for August 1-5 at the Island Village in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is LOSING PARADISE & MUSIC, documentary film directed and produced by the multi-talented Jamaican-born singer, stage and screen actress, Claudja Barry.

Barry, who is greatly anticipation the showing of her documentary at the festival, says she'll also looking forward to joining the likes of leading female dub poetess, Cherry Natural and Reggae/Dancehall aficionado, Dr. Carolyn Cooper, in panel discussion of her creation, "Losing Paradise & Music".

According to Barry, "Losing Paradise & Music documents the negative impact Reggae/Dancehall music is having on society. However, Barry is of the view the language of Dancehall and the attitude of its performers send a negative voice to Jamaican youth and to the rest of the world.

Many of the persons appearing in the documentary echo a similar sentiment, and do feel Jamaica has become a culture of violence and that sending this message through its music, doesn’t help.

Barry, who is greatly anticipation the showing of her documentary at the festival, says she'll also looking forward to joining the likes of leading female dub poetess, Cherry Natural and Reggae/Dancehall aficionado, Dr. Carolyn Cooper, in panel discussion of her creation, "Losing Paradise & Music".

According to Barry, "Losing Paradise & Music documents the negative impact Reggae/Dancehall music is having on society. However, Barry is of the view the language of Dancehall and the attitude of its performers send a negative voice to Jamaican youth and to the rest of the world.

Many of the persons appearing in the documentary echo a similar sentiment, and do feel Jamaica has become a culture of violence and that sending this message through its music, doesn’t help.

Barry, who set out to hear the views of a wide group of Jamaicans on why Dancehall music has taken on such a dark image, admitted the documentary was a result of a personal quest to know if there were any redeeming qualities about Dancehall, which has taken on some sort of mystic persona by become the dominant sound emanating out of bowels of the Jamaica people over the past 20 odd years.

"I wanted to find out if Bob Marley's message of love, respect and caring were prominent in the music of today, which is dancehall, and if the current artistes are holding up the standards set by Marley and those of his era," says Barry, who interviewed psychologists, family life specialists, doctors and musicians for the project.

Losing Paradise & Music, which curiously zoomed in on dancehall's dark side, debuted on OMNI 1 TV in Canada earlier this year (February 17). And having chosen to look on the darker side of the music, one can't help but wanting to know whether Barry was about censorship.

"As an artiste, I don't believe in censoring others' creative output, but where I draw the line is when society fails to realize that without exposure to other forms of music, some people limit themselves emotionally, which will limit how the whole person develops," says Barry, a Jamaica who grew up in Canada.

According to Barry, she understands there are a generation of listeners who have heard only dancehall reggae and obviously enjoy that form of music.

I'm in no way trying to change anyone's preference, but, there should be music appreciation in schools, so that from an early age all children would have knowledge of all types of music," says Barry, who studied acting at the world-famous Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, then studied voice in Berlin and Vienna. She has also recorded several albums and appeared in the 1985 movie, Rappin', and was inducted into the Canadian Black Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

SPORTS TOURISM FOR JAMAICA

With repeated pronouncements of intentions to increase, upgrade and fortify the nation’s tourism product, we find ourselves, in this era, with a critical component of the trillion-dollar travel business being developed only in fits and starts

It’s even more worrying given the country’s ever improving standing in international sports circles. Way beyond our traditional dominance in track and field, Jamaican individuals and teams are posting good showings in international competition in racket sports, winter sports and even games like chess.

How can we parlay this recognition into visitor attention, and thus cold hard cash? Part of the challenge lies in staging our own international-caliber sporting events right here, an area in which our record has been potty, at best. This largely due to the general neglect of sporting venues and facilities. The National Stadium, built to coincide (and host) Independence celebrations in 1962, last held a multi-nation athletics meet in 2002, the World Junior Athletics Championships. Before that, one has to go back to 1966, and the Commonwealth Games. The annual high school athletics championships, or Champs, hosts a limited but growing number of overseas media and athletics scouts, and its lore in the international sporting fraternity is growing.

The Indoor Sports Arena, on land adjoining the National Arena, was built expressly for hosting the IFNA World Netball Championships of 2003. Since then, it has seen events of all types, from business to entertainment, but no other multi-nation sports tournaments. 

Of course, no “surface” is needed for the upcoming  annual Port Antonio Marlin tournament, which will see its 48^th renewal in the Northeastern town come October. The tournament is sanctioned by the world governing body, International Game Fishing association (IFGA), but overseas anglers are still relatively few in number, and the town lacks the general infrastructure to seriously accommodate more. 

In years gone by, golf took centrestage with the Johnnie Walker World Cup, but that event  ended after only five stagings. A cycling Tour of Jamaica was similarly short-lived. As the sport continues to struggle with doping issues, the premier country races like the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia are seeking to piggyback on the improved visibility afforded by the London Olympics to bring visitors back in record numbers.

The latest private sports tourism initiative Jamaica Soccer Cup staged though the efforts of “south-coaster” Jason Henzell who was also instrumental in the staging of the Jake’s Triathlon, now in its 17^th year (staged in April). Another triathlon event of more recent vintage, the Jamaica Rose Hall Triathlon, is also bidding for international attention and will have its renewal come November in the western capital of Montego Bay.