TALLAWAH: Culture, Music, Theatre & Film Reviews, News and Interviews
In our cultural ether there is very little discussion on what is happening. No diverse music, film, dance or theatre discussion. In doing this arts blog-magazine, my intention is to help facilitate constructive discussion. TALLAWAH is a catalyst for 'real talk'. I see it as a way to record cultural events for History's sake and to interpret them. I truly hope engagement and positive exchange evolves. I guess this might be what folks in marketing call a 'mission statement'.
HEART OF A CHAMP: Veronica Campbell-Brown shares secrets to her success in A Better You
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Veronica Campbell- Brown is expanding her resume, adding author to the ever-growing list of accomplishments. She has written a motivational text, A Better You: Inspirations For Life's Journey, which is currently available at local bookstores and other locations as well as via online outlets.
On November 13, the Jamaican sprint queen will be at Sangster's Montego Bay (St. James Street) to sign copies of the new book. On November 14, she will visit the bookstore chain's The Mall branch in Kingston to greet fans and autograph more copies of the book.
Instead of penning a straight autobiographical account of her life, Campbell-Brown said she chose to share her experiences on and off the track with readers. "I realised I wanted to help other people maximise their potential in whatever they do. So why not try to use the talent that God has given me to try and influence as many people as I can," Campbell-Brown told Spike mag. “It is basically there to help a lot of people and at times we all need extra strength to get along through life and I think it would be beneficial to share this information with the world."
GOOD CAUSE: Asafa Powell accepts a sponsorship from Jacqueline Jackson of GlaxoSmithLine at the launch of his foundation last Tuesday.
Last Tuesday evening inside the Port Antonio Suite of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel former world record holder Asafa Powell launched his track and field support initiative, the Asafa Powell Foundation which boasts the theme "Preparing today’s athletes to be tomorrow’s champions."
The aims and objectives of the foundation include:
1. To contribute to the personal welfare of track and field athletes especially those in the 12 – 25 age group.
2. To encourage, promote and propagate he principles of hard work, discipline, good behaviour and respect of self and others among young people, ages 6 – 30.
3. To encourage and promote academic excellence among our young people, particularly those who represent their school in track and field.
4. To assist schools at all levels, but particularly at the primary and secondary levels with sport gears, meals and the necessary equipment to advance their track and field programme.
5. To initiate, support and foster the work of any properly constituted authority or authorities – government or non-government, national, regional or international in the promotion of the objectives of the Foundation.
Triple world record holder Usain Bolt made a financial contribution to the foundation, pledging to make a donation on an annual basis.
"I have been in this sport for a long time, and I see where athletes need this help and I have been wondering how can I help them. I think this is the right time so I have decided to come out and see what I can do," Powell said. "I have received promises from all over, all types of people, teachers, lawyers, businessmen, from all over. I see how [everyone] appreciates and how much they love me."
GIRLS ON WHEELS: Ellen Page (centre), Drew Barrymore (left) and Kristen Wiig in Whip It
Whip It(Fox Searchlight)
Director: Drew Barrymore
Cast: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig and Drew Barrymore
Running Time: 1hr 51 mins
Tyrone’s Verdict: B
Ellen Page returns to her comfort zone in the offbeat indie comedy-drama, Whip It, a frolicking and funny film about roller derby, family, and self-discovery. Directed by Drew Barrymore, who also co-stars in the picture, Whip It is unevenly paced for the first quarter, but thankfully the film grows less leaden as the actors sink their teeth deeper into the roles, some more sizable than others. So by the time the credits start rolling, that little quibble becomes almost immaterial.
Page, who landed an Oscar nod for her remarkable turn in Juno, is Bliss Cavendar, a 17-year-old high school misfit living in Bodeen, a small Texas town, with her devoted mother (Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden), father (Daniel Stern) and younger sister (Eulala Scheel). Bliss has grown tired of the confines of her small town, where she also works part-time at a diner with her best friend Pash (Alia Shawkat). Bliss believes there’s way more to life. So when she learns of an all-female roller derby tournament, she jumps at the opportunity to experience something new. It doesn’t matter that the tournament is taking place all the way in Austin, several miles from home, at a spot called The Warehouse.
There she encounters wild tomboy chicks in short shorts and fishnet tights beating the crap out of each other on roller skates before a screaming, blood-thirsty crowd. With names like Smashley Simpson (Barrymore), Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig), Rosa Sparks (rapper Eve), Bloody Holly, and Eva Destruction, you know this is no sport for the fainthearted girl next door. In fact, roller derby is a grueling sport that calls for sturdiness, speed, and skill on skates. At least from my vantage point, beneath this veneer lurks a desultory lesbian undercurrent.
Desperate to leave a world of Stepford-style pageants, mind-numbing tradition, and archaic viewpoints on class and beauty behind, Bliss tries out for the Hurl Scouts, coached by a hothead named Razor (Andrew Wilson). She impressively makes the team, adopts the name Babe Ruthless and quickly becomes one of the best in the league. But to get to the top, she has to get past Iron Maven (convincingly played by Juliette Lewis), the cocky star player of their main rivals, the High Rollers. Another plot point involves Bliss falling for a cute musician, Oliver (Landon Pigg), who she meets at The Warehouse.
Pulling on her Juno chops, Page is wonderful as Bliss, bringing a mix of gracefulness and brawn to the role. She is the sweet schoolgirl, the tough athletic competitor and the caring daughter who really wants to make her mother and father happy and proud.
You can tell that Drew Barrymore is a sucker for a quirky indie that makes you both laugh and reflect on your own life. With Shauna Cross’ appealing novel and screenplay as source material, the director brings that same understanding of life, coupled with her enthusiasm, to her work behind the camera.
Minor, forgivable flaws aside, Whip It is charming and amusing, a satisfying and enjoyable look at small-town ideology, individuality and the search of passion and pleasure.
ON TOP OF THE WORLD: The Sandals team celebrates another triumphant year at the recent World Travel Awards in London.
Sandals Resorts International dominated the 16th Annual World Travel Awards, the 'Oscars' of the travel industry, sweeping 12 top award categories, including World's leading All-Inclusive Company for the 14th year in a row and Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand for the 16th consecutive year.
Sandals founder and chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and CEO Adam Stewart joined a constellation of world star personalities on hand to witness the presentation of awards at a glitzy ceremony for the awards last Saturday at Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London.
“For almost three decades our priority has been to provide guests with an outstanding vacation experience. Our efforts to modernise the resorts and raise the bar on luxury included offerings never cease," said chairman Stewart. "We are so honoured to have been selected for these awards which represent such tremendous recognition of our team's efforts and achievements." the hotelier added.
The other top honours for the Sandals chain were:
. World's Leading Family All-Inclusive - Beaches Negril Resort & Spa
. World's Leading Family Resort - BeachesTurks & CaicosResortVillages & Spa
. Caribbean's Leading Family All-Inclusive - Beaches Negril
. Caribbean's Leading Honeymoon Resort - Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios
. Jamaica's Leading Hotel - Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios
. Antigua & Barbuda's Leading Resort - Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa
. Bahamas' Leading Hotel - Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
. Bahamas' Leading Resort - Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
. St Lucia's Leading Resort - Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort
. St Lucia's Leading Spa Resort - Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort
The World Travel Awards was founded in 1993 and is recognised as a premier event which acknowledges, honours and salutes excellence in the global travel and tourism industry.
SEAN GOT SOUL: Dancehall star Sean Paul works the red carpet at the Soul Train Awards in Atlanta on November 3. Sean Paul picked up the inaugural award for Best Reggae Act.
FIERCE FOR FASHION: Singer Cherine Anderson (second left) hangs with Teasea Bennett (left), Red Bull model Kevian and jewellery designer Duane Bennett at the REVE store during the recently held Fashion's Night Out (FNO) in city Kingston.
SMILES FOR SONNY: Prime Minister Bruce Golding helps cheer up Karen Bradshaw-Hall and her children at the funeral service for Sonny Bradshaw at the UWI Chapel in Mona, St. Andrew last Tuesday.
KISS, KISS: Entertainer Tifa puckers up with stylist Dexter Pottinger at his recent b'day bash held in Kingston.
CHEERING UP: Prime Minister Bruce Golding and culture minister Olivia Grange (second right) share a moment with widow Myrna Hague (centre) and other members of Sonny Bradshaw's funeral service at the UWI Chapel in Mona, St Andrew last Tuesday.
The top writers in the 2009 Jamaica Creative Writing Competition, organized by the Jamaica CulturalDevelopment Commission (JCDC), were awarded with medals and other prizes at a ceremony held at the Rex Nettleford Hall, UWI Mona last Thursday.
Other major awards included ‘Most Outstanding Writer’, which was copped by Malachi Smith; ‘Special Writer’, won by Christine Marshall; ‘Noteworthy Writer’ which was presented to Joy Campbell, while ‘Choice Writer’ went to Haneefah Seid, Julene Vanhorne, Shane Shaw, Sharon Hare and Verone Johnson in a tie. A total of ten gold medals, fifteen silver and seventeen bronze medals were presented across the categories of poems, short stories, novels and plays.
An exhibition of the awarded works will be mounted in collaboration with the Jamaica Library Service at parish libraries across the island over the next six months.
so I make paper birds all morning. Last time we met, these hands remained bare, worn from the lives they used to lead. But today I reclaim them, each angry finger that will turn against me tomorrow.
Doctor, I am fond of you; You tower above this lovely building, the god of plastic dreams. Your four eyes try to undress me to light the secret world of my mind where I hide, sleep and cry.
You don’t understand the magic of talking to oneself, quiet and alone. I am king of all my memories lost. Once I was handsome, now I am myself, counting the infinite rows of paper birds, praying that somehow they’d turn into blades.
To the Shrink… was awarded a gold medal in the National Creative Writing Competition in 2005. It was also featured in the Jamaica Journal (Volume 29, Number 3) in 2006.
BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE: Yendi to pursue modelling in South Africa
Yendi Phillipps is heading to the Motherland. The beauty queen, Miss Jamaica World 2007 and host of Digicel Rising Stars will be following her dream of pursuing a career in modelling. She will do this at the prestigious Base Model Agency in Cape Town, South Africa.
“This is a dream come true for me. South Africa will definitely be the platform to further my career in professional modeling and I am sure that my persistence, dedication and determination to strive for greatness will pay off,” said Phillipps.
Phillips left the island last week to begin a six month tenure at the agency and said she is prepared to dive head first into the very pressuring and competitive world of modeling. Phillips hasbeen actively modeling both locally and internationally since she was sixteen years old but considers this move, the biggest in her career as a model. She also hopes to do commercial modeling and eventually sign contracts with major international companies.
The Base Model Agency was founded in 1999 by Neal Vincent and is recognized in the modelling industry as a very prominent agency on both the local and international circuits.
CREATURES OF SPEED: Usain Bolt with his adopted baby cheetah, Lightning Bolt
The World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, has a new baby in his life. The 23-year-old ace sprinter recently adopted a new baby cheetah, the world’s fastest animal, during a visit to Nairobi, Kenya.
Bolt’s adoption and sponsorship of the three-month-old male cheetah, named “Lightning Bolt,” is part of an effort to boost conservation of Kenya’s famous wildlife, who survival is under threat from climate change, trophy hunting and human encroachment.
Bolt, the world record holder in the 100 and 200 metres, reportedly paid US$13, 700 (J$1.2 million) to formally adopt the cub and will pay US$3,000 annually to care for ‘Lightning Bolt,’ who will be raised at an animal orphanage in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
According to Julius Kipngetich, director of Kenya Wildlife Service, the funds will benefit the organization, while some will be used to protect the country’s endangered animals.
WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER: Dahlia Harris and Everaldo Creary get close in Me and Mi Chapsie
Me and Mi Chapsie (Aston Cooke Productions) Director: Michael Nicholson Cast: Dahlia Harris, Everaldo Creary, Danar Royal, Carlene Taylor and Zandriann Maye Venue: Pantry Playhouse, New Kingston
Tyrone’s Verdict: A-
chapsie (noun): a virile young man who dates an older woman, usually for economic gain
The twisted ‘indecencies’ of life in some corners of Jamaica bubble to the surface in Aston Cooke’s latest offering, Me and Mi Chapsie, a jolting and scandalous but cleverly made theatrical production that both entertains and provokes thought. At the same time, the play provides much juice for its leading actors, Dahlia Harris and Everaldo Creary, who respond to their roles with vigour and relish under the on-the-ball direction of Michael Nicholson.
Most of the action in Me and Mi Chapsie takes place in upper St Andrew, somewhere between the realms of Notes On A Scandal and The Graduate on the world’s psychic highway. So you know that there’s trouble brewing. The trouble – humorous and serious in turn – begins when two hungry souls collide. Marilyn Simpson (Harris) is a 50-year-old career woman whose husband left her for ‘fresh meat’ after 25 years of marriage.
In the opening scenes of the play she comes across as an uptight prude who is lost in work and always arguing with someone, whether it’s her free-spirited housekeeper, Sheryl (Carlene Taylor/Zandriann Maye) or Janice (a delightful Marsha Campbell) from the company where she works. When Janice invites her out to ‘Bembe’ (of all places) one night, Marilyn meets Donald (Creary), the handsome and sweet-talking sound system selector, who is nearly 30 years her junior. While Donald enjoys the looseness and gangster posturing that is attendant to the dancehall club scene, he is not as immature as his ‘doops’ Sean (Danar Royal, a young actor who shows promise).
After getting off to a rather interesting start in their courtship, Marilyn and Donald are quickly shaken out of their childlike stupor by the dangerous grown-up desire that overwhelms them. Uncertainty soon gives way to potent animal lust as the ‘cougar’ and the ‘cub’ morph into lovebirds. Having been at the shallow end of the dating pool for too long, Marilyn has every intention of making her new relationship work. Hence, she invites her “sexy young stud” to move in, raising concern in her housekeeper and other curious onlookers.
But is Donald, who hails from the ghetto, too good to be true? Is he a schemer just looking to finally ‘come up?’ Almost immediately, the gossip and prejudice come into sharp focus. As expected, the lack of psychological awareness on the part of many in society when it comes to the older man/younger girl, older woman/younger man romantic affair remains pathetically immature. Cooke addresses this in his writing with just the faintest raising of an eyebrow and some sophisticated lines like: “Love has no boundaries; it leaps fences and penetrates walls.”
COUGAR AND CUB: Harris (Marilyn) and Creary (Donald) talk it out
Harris and Creary make a riveting and attractive pair of lovers who know what they want and what they need out of life and their relationship. The ‘love’ scenes on stage are frank without being lewd, something with which only an actress as confident, classy and honest as Harris can be entrusted, and to which Creary impressively responds with raw masculine energy.
Me and Mi Chapsie, which coincides with the first season of the funny, new ABC comedy Cougar Town, is successful in its examination of human relationships on the strength of the lead performances, a well-researched script and the fact that Nicholson directs with the same sensitivity to male and female failings he brought to 2007’s Concubine.
When it comes to the cougar/cub, older woman/younger man liaison, can such a relationship truly work? Is it really love or simply animal lust? It largely depends on one’s attitude to ‘wants’ versus ‘needs’.
The daring and delightful dancehall-pop artiste opens up about hunting success, her endeavours outside the studio and what she really wants to do with her life
Sitting across from me in a boardroom somewhere in Kingston on a warm Friday afternoon, singer Barbee, attractively attired in a full black ensemble, is talking about her ongoing musical journey. “I’m really excited about the direction in which my career is going. I feel like I’m growing as an artiste more and more every day,” she says, leaning forward in her chair. “I am understanding who I am as an artiste, as well as experiencing personal growth.”
Barbee says all this before revealing that over the course of the past few months, she has had the privilege of sharing the stage with an impressive roster of contemporary hip hop and reggae/dancehall artistes (including Dean Fraser, Fabolous and Bobby Womack) at shows across the Caribbean and the United States. But the bootylicious singer (now in her early 20s) admits that despite this kind of success, so early in her career, nothing has been easy as she strives to carve out a unique place in the saturated dancehall landscape. “Nothing has ever been perfect, but I have to saythat I’m truly blessed. I like to look forward; I don’t like to look backwards.”
Born in New York to parents with a Jamaican connection, Barbee says she made a deliberate decision to pursue dancehall and reggae, though she had ample opportunity back in the States to enter the R&B/pop market. “It was definitely a deliberate choice. I want my music to have a strong Jamaican influence, but I don’t want to ignore R&B totally. I have a commitment to Jamaica; that’s why I am here so often to maintain contact,” she says.
For many persons (both industry people and general folks), the name Barbee is synonymous with controversy. Who can forget the Beenie Man/Barbee/D’Angel saga a couple years back? Not only did the dissenting episode put Barbee in a negative light, it almost cost the young artiste (still a relative newcomer) a genuine shot at stardom. But if you ask her about it now, she will tell you that she has closed that chapter of her past. In fact, negativity and controversy is something she says she refuses to focus on.
“I don’t pay attention to [it]. I don’t pay attention to negative things that people have to say. Nobody can take anything from me that I have worked hard for. The only person that can stop you from succeeding is you,” she stresses, getting more serious as she speaks.
She adds: “When you are in the public sphere, people are always going to say what they want, and you have to contend with that. That’s the reality.”
Instead of entertaining gossip and rumours, Barbee says she is pressing ahead with her mission to take her music and passions to the next level. Already, she has set up her own recording studio (Rare Diamond Studios) in Manhattan, where she is busy working on singles like her latest radio-friendly release “Feels So Good.” But she wants to use this new creative space to do more. “For me, it’s about bringing a taste of the Caribbean to New York. It’s my personal studio for recordings and performance rehearsals, but I also want to share it with the public,” she notes.
Barbee, who also relishes beauty products and fashion, is equally committed to giving back to the less fortunate. Last Christmas, she spearheaded a feeding programme that benefitted homeless persons on the streets of Kingston. Now, she wants to bring some structure to the initiative. “I am seeking a charity that will allow me to help persons who need help, especially disadvantaged young girls, because the system is skewed against girls in today’s society,” she observes. “I have access to resources in the US that will support this venture and allow the funds to reach the deserving hands.”
For the time being though, Barbee remains content learning and improving her understanding of the business side of the music industry. “I have a huge responsibility to build my career. The sky is the limit for me, and I am willing to seize one realistic opportunity at a time, as they come along.”
THE PERP: The robust cast of Aston Cooke's latest theatrical offering, Me and Mi Chapsie transform the play into a runaway hit, blending romance, love and courage for a satisfying pot-boiler. THE PLAYERS: Dahlia Harris and Everaldo Creary RATED: PG (Pleasure Guaranteed)
BRAVE BIRD: Rhodes Scholar Kim-Marie Spence heads to Antarctica
You never know where 2001 Jamaican Rhodes Scholar Kim-Marie Spence is headed next. As it turns out, the courageous young woman, now 31, is leaving Jamaica on Monday November 2 for the start of Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition in Chile, from where the team will depart for, wait for it, Antarctica!
The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition will see women from eight Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – brave blizzards, crevasses and temperatures below minus 40° as they ski 900 kilometres over approximately 40 days to the Geographic South Pole. The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.
The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition will be a life-changing experience for all the women involved, made possible by the generous sponsorship of title sponsor, International Security Software Company Kaspersky Lab. On reaching their target, Kim-Marie will be the first person from Jamaica to ski to make this symbolic and prestigious journey to the South Pole from the Antarctic Coast.
Speaking about this brave new adventure, Spence said: “I am so excited to be leaving Jamaica for likely the greatest journey of my lifetime. I am truly honoured to be representing my country for this moment in history and look forward to being followed by the people of Jamaica online. I also look forward to coming home and telling everyone all about it.”
Commenting on the expedition, UK team leader Felicity Aston said: “This trip began in my head two years ago and I can scarcely believe we have reached the week of departure. Whilst we know the greatest challenge is still ahead of us, we feel incredibly proud to have come this far with months of planning, training and preparation behind us and a united team of women from around the world ready to conquer the ice.”
“The Commonwealth represents a unique set of worldwide geographies, somewhat matching the entry of Kaspersky Lab into new markets. The expedition will excite our employees and customers and we sincerely wish the team success in their endeavor, which is in the spirit of world-famous breakthroughs.” said Roger Wilson, Vice-president of Marketing at Kaspersky Lab, the expedition’s title sponsor. Congrats, Kim-Marie! Bring back a polar bear!
FOR A GREAT CAUSE: Shaggy and Sharon Feanny (second left) pose with a team of SHAKTI do-gooders.
After pulling off a stellar event at the start of 2009, Shaggy and Friends are ready to do it all again. On January 2, 2010, the diamond-selling singer and his hardworking team of fundraisers will take over the grounds of Jamaica House to raise more much-needed funds to benefit sick children of the Bustamante Hospital.
A large contingent turned up on Wednesday at the hospital's conference room for the launch of 'Shaggy and Friends I Dare You 2010'. Last year, according to organizers, the charity concert raised over $25 million, which was used to buy equipment for the hospital. This year, however, they are aiming to double that amount, working in partnership with sponsors Digicel, KFC, Sagicor, Stewart's Auto, Bank of Nova Scotia and Wisynco, which have donated a combined $11 million combined. New
Ticket prices for the concert range from $30,000 (diamond ticket) to $20,000 (platinum) $10,000 (gold) and $5,000 (silver).
A talented roster of artistes is expected to grace the stage. Among confirmed acts are R&B star Joe, Beenie Man, Papa San, Tanya Stephens, Michael Rose, Queen Ifrica, Sanchez, Ce'Cile, Toots Hibbert, Ding Dong, Baby Cham, Machel Montano, Busy Signal and former lead singer of UB40 Ali Campbell, among several others.
GETTING THE DUE: Ziggy Marley among nominees for inaugural Soul Train reggae award
For the first time in the history of its awards show, Soul Train will recognize the achievements of reggae/dancehall artistes this year, when the ceremony takes place on Tuesday, November 3 at the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta.
Nominees for Best Reggae Artiste: · Mavado· Sean Paul· Serani· Tarrus Riley· Ziggy Marley
In addition to awards presented in various categories, the show will salute the careers of legendary artists Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Antonio "L.A." Reed and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The Soul Train Awards will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records and honor the late Michael Jackson with the Entertainer of the Year Award. Scheduled performers include Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi and Melanie Fiona.
ANOTHER LEVEL: Ce'Cile signs new music deal for US reality shows
Dancehall fire-starter Ce’Cile has signed a master and synchronization licensing agreement for several songs to be placed in popular TV reality shows in the United States.
The agreement covers the use of Ce’Cile’s tracks for the hit reality television series Keeping up with the Kardashians, which is aired on E! Entertainment Television, and The Real World, Road Rules, Extreme/All-Star Challenge, currently airing on MTV Networks. The agreement was reached with Bunim-Murray of Los Angeles, California, the leading producers of reality TV docu-dramas in the USA.
The reggae and dancehall singer has been gaining in popularity in recent years, and is currently enjoying the success of her hit single “Hot Like We”, jumped to the number one spot on the German Black Music Charts only a few short months ago.
“Ce’Cile is a very talented artist, and she has put in a lot of hard work over the years. This agreement is just further testament of the dedication she has devoted to her career and her music. We are excited for her, and we think it’s great especially for the female artists in the Jamaican music industry. There is a lot of untapped talent there,” says Donald Harper, CEO and President of Jamstar Productions.
Keeping up with the Kardashians is about to kick off its fourth season on E! Entertainment, premiering in November 2009. Real World/Road Rules Challenge recently began its 18th season on MTV.
HEART OF A CHAMP: Veronica Campbell-Brown shares secrets to her success in A Better You
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