Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  THE FUTURE IN THE DYING STINK He must be dead. This time.  Yes, undeniably, he must be dead. And he is in Hell. Obviously, he must be in Hell because it smells just like the train to Rebuilt. Nothing can be worse than sitting on the train to Rebuilt, smelling the grotesque mingling of alcohol, fear, sweat, blood, and rot. Nothing... except being in Rebuilt itself. He drinks in the hopelessness that hangs in the air like a thick fog. He sees the twisted buildings and the massive lumps of rotting flesh that hang from the windows and door frames. Yes this is Hell. He groans heavily; some of the passengers, seeing Rebuilt for the first time, vomit and scream all manner of incredulous things at the same time.  Not he. Someone has ordered him to be here, or else he wouldn't have suddenly woke on this third class passenger bench. He's lost count of how many times he has passed this way before. "Final stop!" the automated train voice crackles through the ancient PA. The tra...

Saldenah Carnival's Free Kiddies Launch: Celebrating the Parade's Future 2022 section photo for last year's Kiddies launch As the anticipation builds for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s highly anticipated Grand Parade, the spotlight is also shining on the upcoming July 22nd Kiddies Parade, a beloved tradition that celebrates the young participants and offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of masquerade.  With the aim of fostering a sense of camaraderie and introducing children to the rich traditions of carnival, the Saldenah Carnival’s annual Kiddies Launch is set to take place on Sunday, May 28th at 280 Consumers Rd Unit 344 in Scarborough. Hayden Harbin, Saldenah Carnival's organizer, emphasizes the significance of the Kiddies Parade, stating, "The Kiddies Parade is just as important as the Grand Parade that the Big Kids take part in. They are the parade's future."  Harbin encourages parents to bring their children to the free mas camp launch this Sun...

 I see a Black & White and I wanted it painted Red, Green and Blue   Here at the Caribbean Camera our photographers are always experimenting with new and emerging technologies. This week our photographer Stephen Weir used the new Artifical Intelligence App called Palette to make everything old look new again. Weir revitalizes historic black and white photographs using Palette, an AI app. Weir experimented with this emerging technology to bring a fresh perspective to old images. Palette, accessible on Twitter through @palettefm_bot,  is  for free for Twitter users. One simply twitter their black and white copyright or public domain pictures to the app and it quickly transforms them into vibrant colour renditions which it tweets back to the sender. 1890 - 1896 by Felix Morin,  shows a young Indian Trinidadian woman  Weir's creative endeavor focused on three captivating historical photographs sourced from The Commons, an online photographic archi...

Sculptures Celebrate Black Identity in The Toronto Sculpture Garden   A knick here. A quick glue fix there.   It’s not easy being a head on a stick, especially in a downtown Toronto park. But that’s exactly where nine red heads of Black men and women have been hanging since last October as part of Frantz Brent-Harris’ outdoor sculpture installation, Afrophilia. Frantz Brent-Harris The sculptures, painted in vibrant orange and red, reflect the energy and attitude of the young Black generation driving a shift in self-perception and changing the global consciousness of Blackness. The installation is a “love letter to Black people” and a commemoration of the revolutionary heroes who deserve recognition, according to Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND), the charitable organization presenting the exhibition. The sculptures explore the complexities of outward-projection and spectator perception for Black people. They aim to portray in tangible form the constant tension of...

  There is something special about not being special In the world of live theater, the line between truth and fiction often blurs. Actors effortlessly switch between roles, portraying star-crossed lovers one night and filming a soap commercial the next. It's all part of the job. So when you consider attending Fatuma Adar's, "She's Not Special," at the Tarragon Theatre starting on May 24th, prepare yourself for a fib—a BIG one. This Somali-Canadian actress, singer, comedian, and writer is an expert in being special.  When she takes the stage at the midtown theatre with a five-piece band, Adar will combine musical theater and comedic storytelling to riff on the pressures of Black Excellence.  " We are not putting on a play; we are throwing a party. This is a concert, comedy show, and confessional all in one. Come celebrate your mediocrity with us!" explains Adar. According to Adar, the show isn't just about her but about the entire Black community, inc...

 Seven Canadians Artists Give Watercolours Fit For the King Eloquence by Neville Clarke   Watercolour paintings fit for a king have been sent to King Charles III by seven of Canada's top watercolour artists, including Jamaican Canadian Neville Clarke. The works will be displayed at the Royal Trust Collection in Windsor Castle, the world's most extensive private art collection, owned by the British royal family. Neville Clarke, a long-time member of the Ontario Society of Artists and the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, is no stranger to royal recognition. Back in 2001 he presented a portfolio of watercolour paintings to HRH, the Prince of Wales for the Royal Collection on behalf of the CSPWC's 75th Anniversary, at Canada House in London, England. The Ajax resident’s most recent work, a portrait of the novelist Austin Clarke, is currently on display at the Sigmund Samuel Gallery of Canada, located at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Neville Clarke Clarke and si...

  Wow and Boo Hoo. It's all over until next year! We already miss them! The last two mas band costume launches for this summer's Toronto Caribbean Carnival took place over the weekend.  Fantazia launched on Saturday at the Eve Event Space on Northwest Drive in Mississauga, while SugaCayne had their launch on Sunday at their headquarters located at 150 Yorkland Blvd in Toronto.  Take our word for it; many sexy outfits were showcased on stage, and a significant number of costumes were sold. Prior to the start of the evening show, Fantazia Carnival, led by Will and Lisa Morton, informed the audience that they were about to witness a world of the  unexpected, where "Odds and Oddities" come to life! As these pictures  demonstrate, the costumes showcased “the curious trinkets of life's grand  bazaar”. Similar to what fans have seen with other mas camps' offerings, the women's costumes were engineering feats, strategically hiding naughty parts with minimal materi...

"Air Canada" Is About To Score BIG  In Canadian Bookstores A wave of Vinsanity is about to hit Toronto! The city that once witnessed the awe-inspiring acrobatics of Vince Carter is now eagerly awaiting the release of a new book that sheds light on the life and career of the Toronto Raptors legend. "The Making of Vince Carter: A Basketball Mom's Memoir" written by Dr. Michelle Vernae Carter, Vince Carter's mother, is set to hit bookstores on May 29. Vince Carter, known by many nicknames including Air Canada, Elevator Man, and Half Man Half Amazing, left an indelible mark on the Raptors and their fans during his tenure with the team from 1998 to 2004. Despite his departure almost two decades ago, Carter remains an unforgettable figure in Canadian basketball history. During his time with the Raptors, Carter played a pivotal role in leading the team to their first-ever playoff appearance in 2000. He continued to elevate the Raptors' performance, culminating ...

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...

Jorian Charlton's latest exhibition "Between Us" is now at the Mississauga Art Gallery. Mississauga-based photographer Jorian Charlton has debuted her latest exhibition, "Between Us," at the Mississauga Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases ten pieces of photography, mostly featuring women and young girls, and explores contemporary modes of Black representation through personal experiences and community themes. Charlton, who is of Jamaican-Canadian descent, uses her photography to capture the beauty and strength of her subjects while evoking a sense of connection and intrigue with the viewer. "Regardless of the shoot, I aim to capture my subjects in a timeless way that gives the model a sense of strength," says Charlton. "A big part of my work is of friends and family and the community, of course." artist and her son in front of her wall size portrait (right) The exhibition includes a variety of photographs taken in non-studio environments, s...

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 ...