Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  WONDERFUL JOE HAS MANY STRINGS ATTACHED by Stephen Weir In these turbulent times of 2024, leave it to the puppets to show us how hard life can be for penniless seniors living downtown, as they're displaced from a soon-to-be-demolished rundown apartment building to make way for a high-rent tower. You almost don’t notice the strings when "Wonderful Joe," a weary, weathered senior, takes the stage at the Jane Mallet Theatre in downtown Toronto. With his wrinkled face, stooped back, and clothes likely scavenged from dumpster dives, Joe is the star of a one-act play that will run for the next month in the city. Wonderful Joe is written and performed by longtime puppeteer Ronnie Burkett. The cast of marionettes includes a community butcher, a nasty landlord, Mister the dog, and even Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and Jesus Christ. “The play tells the story of an elderly gay man living in a fifth-floor walk-up in an urban centre,” says Burkett, considered one of Canada’s top p

  Roger Gibbs is Alive and Singing By Stephen Weir For Calypso scholar and singer Roger Gibbs, every day is Calypso Day. On Oct 15, however, he will be moderating a symposium titled Calypso in Canada: Past, Present, and Future, as part of the official Calypso History Month. The Organization of Calypso Performing Artists (OCPA), in collaboration with the Blackhurst Cultural Centre and Kaiso Street Society, is presenting a series of talks and discussions exploring the rich history and evolution of Canadian Calypso. The first event will take place on October 15, 2024, from 7:00–9:30 PM at the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, 777 Bathurst Street, Toronto, next to Another Booklist store. Prominent Calypso artists and experts—including Jesse Ryan, Rhoma Spencer, Henry Gomez, Lindy Burgess, and Macomere Fifi—will share stories and insights into the Canadian Calypso scene. Roger Gibbs, who will moderate the discussion, told Caribbean Camera that “this discussion will be the first of several planned

  INNOCENCE CANADA & INTERNATIONAL WRONGFUL CONVICTION DAY COMMITTEE  (IWCDC) PRESS RELEASE  Innocence Canada & IWCD Committee Are Hosting a Gala Event to acknowledge the 10 th  Anniversary of IWCD.    October 2, 2024 , Innocence Canada and other innocence, and social justice groups worldwide will join together in our shared goal of spreading awareness about wrongful convictions. International Wrongful Conviction Day (IWCD) was launched by Innocence Canada on October 2, 2014. The 10th Anniversary IWCD Gala Event is drawing pan-Canadian interest, with exonerated individuals from all regions of the country confirmed to attend.   Organizers are anticipating a full house, reflecting widespread support and engagement in the cause of wrongful conviction awareness.    In recognition of this special milestone year, Innocence Canada, and the International Wrongful Conviction Day Committee (IWCDC) are hosting a IWCD 10 th  Anniversary Gala Event.  This night provides us all the opportuni

  Tobago Drama Guild Brings Eric Roach’s Belle Fanto to the City of Toronto Toronto is set to experience a vibrant showcase of Caribbean theatre as the Tobago Drama Guild presents Belle Fanto, a play by celebrated Trinidad and Tobago playwright Eric Roach. Directed by Thabiti, the three-day theatrical event will be held at the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto, located at 185 Sheppard Avenue West. The play will run from Friday, September 27th, to Sunday, September 29th, 2024. Showtimes are at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, with a matinee performance on Sunday at 5:00 PM. The production of Belle Fanto promises to deliver a rich blend of culture and dramatic storytelling, highlighting Roach’s impactful legacy within Caribbean theatre. Known for his explorations of identity, history, and society, Roach’s works continue to resonate with audiences today. The event is a celebration not just of theatre, but also of the 25th anniversary of Sisters in Action,

  If It Isn’t Luv it must be Sean Jones at his best By Stephen Weir What better place to launch a new tune than under the neon palms of the venerable El Mocambo Tavern in downtown Toronto? Early last week, Hamilton’s Sean Jones did just that, stirring up some heavy love emotions as he performed his latest single, "If It Isn’t Luv," featuring Trinidadian-Canadian author and hip-hop artist John Orpheus. Sean Jones is not only a hot solo artist but also a producer and up and coming actor in a secret film project. At 47, the Caribbean-Canadian (both his parents are from Jamaica) describes his life as “incredibly busy and just getting started.” “I first made waves in the music industry as a member of In Essence. With hits like 'Friend Of Mine' and 'You Will Never Find,' the group captured the hearts of R&B fans across the globe, earning a Juno Award in 2004,” said Jones. His journey from band member to solo sensation has been extraordinary, with a career that

                           Contessa of Brampton By Stephen Weir Life for people who might still be able to trace their Caribbean heritage thousands of years from now won’t have much to look forward to. But wait, if spaceship pilot Virika Sameroo takes that famous Bob Marley quote—“The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?”—to heart, she might be able to emancipate many people who carry Carib DNA in a universe far, far away, where people of color are treated like dogs by a white-dominated empire. It has been over a week since young Trinidadian-Canadian Suzan Palumbo’s literary spaceship docked in Canadian bookstores. Her new science fiction novel is not only a dark story about life on other planets but also carries hope for life, liberty, and sexual freedom for everyone! Countess is a sci-fi adventure story that, according to the Brampton author, was inspired by the classic adventure tale The Count of Monte Cristo. Palumbo wanted to g

  Even the King is a Jamaal Magloire Fan! By Stephen Weir No, King Charles 111 didn’t come to Toronto to give the retired NBA Star Jamaal Magloire his new medal (the Caribbean Camera asked on Instagram) the task was left up to the Governor General’s office to deliver the new King Charles III Coronation Medal in his massive hands! The King Charles III Coronation Medal is made of nickel-silver metal and manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. The new medal programme was first announced three days before the Royal Coronation, on 3 May 2023, by Prime Minister Trudeau. In May of this year the medals began to be presented by Rideau Hall. Jamaal is one of the first of 30,000 Canadians, including 4,000 members of the military that will receive the award in the Coronation year. In England a British version of the medal is being presented to over 400,000 British medals as well as a few thousand in Australia. The King Charles III Coronation Medal are commemorative medals created to mark the

  Back Home is Trini to the Bone on a Toronto gallery wal l(s) By Stephen Weir It was a long time coming, but last week The Toronto Star published a full-page article about Kareem-Anthony Ferreira, the Hamilton artist whose work LeBron James owns. Ferreira has a new show at the Towards Gallery in Toronto called Back Home, featuring four massive works inspired by Trinidad and Tobago. The exhibition is on display at their Sterling Road location near Bloor and Lansdowne. Although Ferreira has achieved significant success across North America discerning art buyers —LeBron James purchased one of his early large paintings and installed it in his Akron dining room—the Trinidadian-Canadian artist has largely flown under the radar of Canada’s mainstream media. A first-generation Canadian with strong Trinidadian roots, Kareem-Anthony Ferreira is the son of renowned Hamilton artist and educator Roger Ferreira. Like father, like son, both artists often draw inspiration from the scenes and people o

Ghoulish Start to Tarragon Theatre’s New Season By Stephen Weir Mike Payette, Artistic Director of Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, is excited about the launch of their new season with Goblin:Macbeth This new Canadian play brings a mix of joy and laughter to the stage, marking a bold new chapter for Tarragon. It's a fresh style for the theatre, one that encourages audiences to come together and celebrate the power of live performance. Originally from Alberta, Gobln:Macbeth has already seen successful runs in Calgary, and Stratford. Now, it's finally making its way to Toronto. The play, which blends comedy, fantasy, and tragedy, was created by Calgary’s Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak. It takes a playful and irreverent approach to Shakespeare's Macbeth, where three mischievous goblins stumble upon the play and decide to perform it, albeit with a lot of improvisation and audience interaction. If Shakespeare himself could hop in a time machine and get a ticket (they are selling fas