Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

City and Mas Bands Getting Ready for Carnival 2022 Celena Seushai By Stephen Weir “The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is back,” exclaimed special events expert Petronilla Marchan, after she helped Mayor John Tory and City Council announce the return of Carnival and many other major festivals to the city. Mas Costumed models, the Face of the Festival and carnival festival organizers braved the cold to warm up the May 4th Nathan Phillips Square pressers. “ We were feeling the vibes at Friday’s Press Conference,” continued Marchan. “The beautiful Face of the Festival for 2022 Celena Seushai  was  stunning and warm in Hot Pink. Her official costume added to the beauty of the Toronto Carnival costumes presentation. The city is welcoming back all, and we are ready with open arms. Get ready because the party now starts.” Standing amongst a group of models in Carnival costumes, Mayor John Tory announced to the media the return of major festivals and events to Toronto’s streets, public spaces, and

Michele Pearson Clarke Selected as Toronto’s Second Photo Laureate by City Council Toronto’s next Photo Laureate will be Michele Pearson Clarke, pending Toronto City Council approval on April 16. She will be the second photographer to hold this position. Featured widely at exhibitions in Canada and the U.S.,Michele Pearson Clarke works primarily in photography, film, video and installation. Using archival, performative and process-oriented strategies, she explores the personal and political by considering experiences related to longing and loss. Born in Trinidad and now based in Toronto, Clarke holds an MSW from the University of Toronto, and received her MFA from Ryerson. She is currently a lecturer in the Documentary Media Studies program at Ryerson University. Toronto’s Photo Laureate is the first position of its kind in Canada. It honours a photographer recognized for exceptional photography and whose work focuses on subjects relevant to Torontonians. The Photo Lau

Lloyd Delpratt at the microphone   BOB MARLEY’S MESSAGE STILL STIR IT UP By Stephen Weir  Lloyd Delpratt, one of Bob Marley’s first recording studio keyboardists, spoke at a City Hall ceremony to proclaim February 6 th Bob Marley Day in Toronto.   The musician remembered the famed   late Jamaican singer as a major eagle, a man who soared above everyone, everywhere. “ Even though he has passed, he has never gone away,” Delpratt told a hush audience. Bob reached out (from beyond the grave) to help me find away.” “ I remember I was in Italy and Bob came to me in a dream. I didn’t know then he was sick but when he lay his head in my lap I tried to heal him,” he continued.   “ I saw him later at a concert in Europe and I could tell in his voice that he was very sick.   (At that point I understood my dream.)” Delpratt was one of 8 people with life experiences that   tie in with the message of the late Jamaican superstar spoke at the Annual Bob Marley Day proclamation ceremony