Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Metivier Gallery Bands Together with Black Artists "Demoiselles d'Avignon." riff by  Artist Ehiko Odeh It was a night of richness in the art garden last Thursday when the Band Offsite Exhibition opened at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery. Three emerging Black Canadian artists were showcasing their work in a gallery that typically features well-known contemporary artists. And best of all, the exclusive show opening was packed. Khalid Romain says cheese The exhibition, BAND Offsite, features three artists: Ehiko Odeh, Khalid Romain, and Moses Salihou. In previous years, BAND has collaborated with the upscale Nicholas Metivier Gallery. However, this year, with the BAND gallery building in Parkdale undergoing reconstruction, the Metivier Gallery has extended a helping hand to BAND while also providing their client base with a unique opportunity to explore the rich and diverse world of Black Canadian art. With thought-provoking pieces and the exceptional talent of the participati...

 RESIGNATIONS BRING REFLECTION TO FMC After 17 years of "dedicated involvement" with the Festival Management Committee (FMC), Accountant Eddison Doyle has made "the difficult decision" to step down from his position as CFO.  This time, he says, it is a permanent choice driven by personal reasons and the belief that it is the right time for him to move on. Despite the timing being close to the upcoming grand parade, Doyle is confident that his departure will pave the way for success and foster a more collaborative and communicative organization. He extends his best wishes to the FMC, expressing gratitude for the hard work of the board, CEO, and festival general manager.  As one of the founding directors alongside Joe Halstead and Courtney Betty, Doyle takes immense pride in the organization's achievements, including 17 years of clean audits, a cumulative surplus, and the successful implementation of the Black Business Educational Program (BBEP) which he spearhead...

  BAND Offsite Exhibition at Nicholas Metivier Gallery Showcases Black Canadian Art The opening tonight of the BAND Offsite exhibition at Nicholas Metivier Gallery marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Black Canadian art in the country. With its prestigious location and expansive exhibition space, the renowned gallery has stepped in to support the Black Artists' Networks in Dialogue (BAND) during the reconstruction of their own facility. BAND, a gallery and arts center situated on Brock Avenue in Parkdale, is currently undergoing renovations and is scheduled to reopen later this year. In the meantime, Nicholas Metivier Gallery has graciously provided BAND with a downtown opportunity to showcase the incredible talent of Black Canadian artists. "We are thrilled to partner with Nicholas Metivier Gallery to present a preview of BAND's upcoming 2023 exhibition season," announced the BAND curatorial team. "We have an extraordinary lineup of artists for the ...

CRTC Gives A Thumbs Down For 105.9 The Region Markham’s popular oldies radio station, 105.9 (the Region), has faced a setback in its efforts to expand its signal to reach more listeners in Pickering, Ajax, and Oshawa. The station, known for playing "the best of the 80s, 90s, 00s" and providing extensive news and traffic reports, recently submitted an application to the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) to construct a second transmission tower in Pickering. The station boasts a lineup of seasoned broadcasters, including former TV stars Ann Rohmer (CP24) and Kevin Frankish (Breakfast Television). In addition to its English programming, 105.9 (the Region) offers a variety of third-language shows, including Tamil, through its HD services. Although the station received significant support for its proposal, with nearly 40 letters backing Radio Markham's efforts to reach more English-speaking and diverse communities, there were also dissenting voices. Several radio...

 Windsor Librarian and Author hits it out the Park Last week it was all home runs for Biblioasis, a Windsor publishing house and bookstore when it launched a new book about the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball. Almost 100 years after becoming the first-All-Black team to win a provincial championship, the All-Stars’ story is now being told by an award-winning author and University of Windsor Librarian Dr. Heidi L. M. Jacobs.   The book  " 1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars' Barrier-Breaking Year ," is published by Biblioasis. This non-fiction title sheds light on a significant milestone in the history of baseball and racial equality in Canada. Formed in 1932 by a group of friends in Chatham, Ontario, the Chatham Coloured All-Stars became the first all-Black organized baseball team in the province. Initially, they embarked on tours throughout Ontario, often competing against all-white teams in exhibition games.  A year later they the Ontario Baseball Amateur ...

 THE THREE BIG ART SHORTS (THIS MONTH) Art Scholarship For Black Young Artists Announced The Giller Foundation (aka the Scotiabank Giller Prize) has introduced its new Giller Mantella Scholarship, a new program aimed at supporting high school graduates across Canada who are interested in pursuing further education in creative writing and literature. The scholarship will provide $10,000 each year to three would be authors and will run for an initial three-year period.   The program is specifically designed to promote diversity and inclusion among Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth who aspire to enhance their post-secondary education. By offering financial aid to students who may lack access to traditional scholarships, the initiative hopes to make a meaningful impact on their academic and career pursuits. Scholarship applications will open be accepting starting in March 2024. Eligible candidates must identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized and demonstrate outstanding ...

It never rains on grade 12 graduating students who take part in the annual March of Excellence  It is a given, it never ever rains on the annual Walk of Excellence. True to form, this past Tuesday morning was bright and sunny, and the air was filled with excitement as the annual parade commenced in North Toronto. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event, organized by the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, formerly known as A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, along with four high schools in the Jane-Finch/BlackCreek area, the York-TD Community Engagement Centre, and the Toronto District School Board. Four Black female principals (a first) led the parade, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the students as they transitioned from secondary to post-secondary education. Mia Mundy receives $2,000 bursary The event, a public demonstration of student achievement, showcased some 500 graduating high school students from Westview, Emery, Downsview, and CW Jefferys. Wearing white T...

  Carnival Hopes That The Feds Are Listening. Public Safety At Stake Organizers of this year's Toronto Caribbean Carnival have their fingers and toes crossed and their ears to the ground, hoping to hear the sound of approaching government funding. They have reason to be hopeful. Early this week, the Feds announced an emergency grant of money to the country’s Pride Festivals to cover rising fixed costs. On Tuesday, Toronto Pride learned that it will be receiving money from the Federal government to cover the costs of added security measures at this year's Pride parades. The Feds is providing up to $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures this year. Half of that money goes to Pride organizations in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Like Pride, the Toronto Carnival is facing a hefty increase in the cost of insurance, security, and other fixed costs this summer. However, to date, it has not received an increase in funding to pay the bil...

Early Announcement of Caribbean Style August 26th Parade Niagara Falls, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, surprised residents and tourists alike this week with an early announcement about a Caribbean style parade set to take place on the Canadian side of the falls on August 26th.  Despite the premature announcement, anticipation and excitement are growing among those preparing for the free Carifalls and Multicultural Carnival and Parade. Dubbed CariFalls, this multicultural extravaganza promises to showcase the rich tapestry of Caribbean, Latin, Central, South and North American, Brazilian, and Bahamian cultures. Queen Street will be transformed into a vibrant hub, featuring displays of traditional craftsmanship and elaborate, embellished costumes. As the walking parade progresses, cultural music and chants will fill the streets, immersing attendees in a truly worldly experience. After the parade, attendees will hed to a fenced event space, where an impressive lineup of intern...

  Look Up! Celebrating African Unity  Last week, on the front lawn of Queen's Park, The Caribbean Camera had the privilege of learning African flag raising etiquette during a special ceremony commemorating Global Africa Day and the 60th anniversary of the African Union (AU). As the green flag of the AU ascended, attendees, including diplomats from African and Caribbean nations, participated in a symbolic act of unity by pointing towards the sky. Although the event was a significant milestone, there was a woefully small number of Canadian government leaders in attendance. However, the African Unity Sixth Region Canada Foundation, in collaboration with the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council, ensured that the celebration was marked by the presence of African leaders from the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and various African nations. sweir photo Hilda Suka-Mafudza, the African Ambassador to the United States (right) photo by sweir The African Union, establish...

  Luck or Divine Intervention? Toronto's Word on the Street Festival Is Once Again Blessed with Perfect Weather LOVES BOOKS BUT HATES EVERYTHING ELSE! - sweir T oronto's annual Word on the Street outdoor book festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse literary offerings. This year, the festival was blessed with outstandingly perfect weather, making it a visitor-friendly event that attracted thousands of people downtown. As visitors browsed through books, indulged in delicious food truck offerings, networked with fellow book lovers, and even campaigned for votes, it was clear that the weather played a significant role in enhancing the overall experience. Among the attendees was Mitzie Hunter, a former Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and now a mayoral candidate. When asked why she attended the festival, MitziE Hunter expressed her love for books and reading. “I like books, I love to read!” she told Stephen Weir (the Caribbean Camera).  I like books! Mitzie Hu...