Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

The Same Old Story About FMC Finances By Stephen Weir It has been a few years, but here I am in October, and once again, the Caribbean Camera is running this story I have written about the financial woes of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. This time, it’s based on rumours and innuendos because the Festival Management Committee (FMC) isn’t talking—for now. Word on the street is that the FMC doesn’t have the money to pay off its stakeholders: the Mas Bands, the Steel Drum orchestras, and Calypsonians who took part in the 2024 annual festival. The band leaders have apparently received letters telling them of this year’s cash crunch. The FMC managed the 57th annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival, which they touted as “North America’s largest celebration of Caribbean culture.” According to their website, “The Toronto Caribbean Carnival remains a key economic driver, generating nearly half a billion dollars in economic impact. We are calling on the government, the business community, the broader...

                           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 ...

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...

  DANCING IN THE DARK WITH THE QUEEN’S REPRESENTATIVE Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada is the closest thing to Royality in Canada except maybe for Drake. So it with some pomp and circumstance that she paid a visit to the Famous PEOPLE Players, in Etobicoke on Tuesday afternoon. Arriving at the Evans Avenue dinner theatre, she brought with her a sense of pomp and ceremony. As a piper played, the audience stood and cheered, TV cameras rolled, and the Governor General responded with a royal-like wave. Mary Simon ( left ) attended the Famous PEOPLE Players theatre to watch a dress rehearsal of the company’s new play, meet with the cast and crew, and enjoy tea with the standing-room-only audience. This visit was particularly special as the Famous PEOPLE Players are celebrating their 50th anniversary next month. The black light musical company has been a beacon of inclusion and integration for half a century, making it one of the longest-running...

EDGY PRODUCTION OF 'CARMEN" COMING TO TORONTO'S MERIDIAN HALL America meets Spain on the Canadian stage this evening American dancer Kayoko Everhart born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and an African American father takes on the lead role in Spain's Compania Nacional de Danza's edgy production of "Carmen." This classic opera is set in Seville and explores, through dance, the consequences of jealousy and rage when the young gypsy Carmen refuses to be controlled by Don José. While Carmen represents freedom and independence, Don José symbolizes the struggle between his obsession for her and his duty as a soldier. The company performed last night in Toronto and apparently blew the lid off the staid Meridian Hall (St Lawrence Centre) will be performing again tonight (SATURDAY 3 FEB 24), and then they leave town. Will file a report after the show.  

Brother to Trini Vampires, Another Chariandy Book Film in the Works? Even as positive social media reviews come in for the current Netflix showing of "Brother," the Caribbean Camera has learned there could be another film based on a David Chariandy book in the works. We talked to Chariandy late last week about how he felt regarding the movie "Brother" being shown on the Netflix streaming service. The movie, made by Virgo Clement, is an adaptation of the Trinidadian Canadian author's hugely successful book published in 2017. "Brother" draws from the author's own upbringing in Scarborough. Chariandy, also a professor at Simon Fraser University (SFU), skilfully weaves a tale of two brothers, children of Trinidadian immigrants (turned into Jamaica in the movie), who grapple with violence and prejudice in a Toronto housing complex during the sweltering summer of 1991. The film became a success under Clement Virgo's writing and direction and was in ...

CTFF CONTINUES THIS EVENING WITH A RAP STAR AND A PUERTO RICO SEA GODDESS Garcia shoots Daughter of the Sea The party started last night with the opening night of Caribbean movies and happy fans. The 18th annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival kicked off its 16 day run at the Harbourfront Centre. If you are reading this and it is Thursday, put down the paper and order tickets for tonight now because CTFF’s Day 2 might be a sell-out. It happens this evening at 7 pm back at Harbourfront. Tonight’s theme is "Standout Shorts," featuring eight short films that explore various aspects of Caribbean culture, from a movie about a Caribbean Sea Goddess to a Black British, Black and White Duppy. Director/Writer Alexia Garcia right The Caribbean Camera's top pick of the night is "Daughter of the Sea," a Puerto Rican colour film. After the death of her grandfather, a young woman experiences a spiritual awakening when she is called by Yemaya, the orisha Goddess of the Sea. The ...

Music, Dancing and Stunning Carnival Costume Fashion Show At Midnight  photo by Gilbert Median Toronto was buzzing with excitement over the weekend as two of the city’s biggest masquerade bands, Tribal Carnival and Carnival Nationz, held their highly anticipated costume launches. On Friday night, the Grand Luxe Hall was transformed into a magical wonderland as Tribal Carnival’s sold-out event with the theme “Once Upon A Time” took place. Each of the band’s 11 sections presented costumes that told a different magical story, ranging from Jab Jab to Swan Lake. The event was a massive success, with 50% of the costumes being sold on the night. On Saturday night, the Tam Heather Curling and Tennis Club in Scarborough played host to Carnival Nationz’s launch. The band has been a part of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival for 18 years, and this year’s theme was “Let’s Go Around the World in 100 Days.” A total of 17 sections modeled their stunning costumes, which will be worn during...

Canada sings a Jamaica Farewell to Belafonte Harry Belafonte, the legendary musician, actor, and civil rights activist, passed away yesterday at the age of 96. His death has sent shockwaves through the Canadian Jamaican community, which he had long championed. Belafonte was born in the USA in 1927 to Caribbean immigrants. He and his brother spent part of their childhood in his mother’s home country, Jamaica, (his father was from Martinique) but later moved back to Harlem. Throughout his career, he celebrated his Caribbean roots and used his platform to advocate for social justice and political change. Belafonte’s impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. He was one of the first Black performers to achieve mainstream success, with hits like “Banana Boat Song” and “Jump In The Line”. He also used his platform to bring attention to Caribbean music and culture, helping to popularize calypso in Canada, the United States, and beyond. In his home base of New York City, Belafonte was ...