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Island of Blue Fox in the running for Canada's prestigious literary prize

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Bering Expedition Island of Blue Foxes makes 2018 shortlist for RBC Taylor Prize By KJ Mullins As published on Newz4U Canadian Author Stephen R. Bown   sees and writes about dead people.    Long deceased    explorers to be precise. Bown is fascinated by brave men who are knowingly sailed out of their comfort field as they explore the unseen world of two centuries ago. Communing the dead has been good for Bown.    His latest nonfiction book 'Island of the Blue Foxes: Disaster and Triumph of the World's Greatest Scientific Expedition' is receiving rave reviews across Canada and was recently shortlisted for this year’s RBC Taylor Prize. Don’t let the title fool you. While blue foxes do have a place in Bown’s book, it is really about the failure of Danish mapmaker Vitus Jonassen Bering to overcome the harsh climate of what is now the Bering Straits, and the bungling of the Russian government who commissioned him to sail from Russia to North America. Bering

Canuck Invasion At Trinidad Carnival 2018

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By Stephen Weir, as published in the Caribbean Camera By all rights the Trinidad red, white and black flag should now have a small maple leaf stitched into it’s corner tin honour of Canada’s participation in the just concluded Trinidad Carnival. A large contingent of Canadians came to the island to supply costumes, pan music, inspiration, comedy and song to the world famous festival. From the King and Queen competition, to Panorama, to the J’ouvert and the actual parade, Canadian carnival experience was put to work. Hundreds more joined bands and jumped up in the street, or, simply stood on the sidewalk and took it all in. The annual event got off to a rocky start when reports of a possible terrorist plot became a much repeated news item across the Caribbean, The UK, and the US and in Toronto.    Last Thursday, according to the Trinidad Guardian “T&T Police Service revealed they had uncovered and prevented a threat to disrupt Carnival activities mere days before the fest

Bringing a Voice To The Forgotten-Seven Fallen Feathers

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Toronto Star investigative reporter Tanya Talaga's investigation into the 2011 death of teenager Jordan Wabasse opened the door for a horror show of questions. Why is there inequality in the standards of First Nations schools. Why was there negligence on the part of the Canadian Government into the disappearance and death of a First Nations' student? A journalist job is to dig and Tanya is one of Canada’s best. She began delving into ta student death in Thunder Bay and found the broken trail of six more student deaths. The result of that research is her first book, the current #1 non-fiction book in Canada,  Seven Fallen Feathers .    The explosive expose is shortlisted for the 2018 RBC Charles Taylor Prize. Racism and discrimination from the government level to the street is an everyday occurrence for Native People in Thunder Bay. In her award-winning book Seven Fallen Feathers journalist Tanya Talaga examines the deaths of seven young people who moved from reservati

Art Exhibition Opening Trifecta! Sunday Afternoon in PAMA

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15 year old model Emily Graham and artist/aunt Heather Graham flank M’s portrait  -  Herman Custodio   By Stephen Weir - for Brampton Guardian  - Over a hundred art lovers attend a rare triple exhibition launch and free reception at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) on Sunday. Now open at the Brampton gallery is a contemporary art exhibition, an Inuit doll show and an poetry / art installation created by Stephen Lewis and Seneca College art students. 15-year old Emily Graham stands beside her portrait  right, photo by  Herman Custodio Toronto artist heather graham was the keynote speaker at the afternoon event. She spoke about her new Brampton exhibition heather graham: Reminds me of M, Words to Pictures.   This is a multi-media exhibition in which the artist explores boundaries between seeing and experiencing art. Reflecting her interest in ideas about memory and the notion of perception, Graham's art conveys a sense of the passage of time and t

Evidence, A Dance Company

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Fire in their feet. America’s Ronald K. Brown  dancers in full Flame On mode By Stephen Weir, Toronto Caribbean Camera Ronald K. Brown is one class act.  The 51-year old American dancer and choreographer slipped into downtown Toronto over the weekend without fanfare, notice, and unfortunately ticket sales. His seven-member troupe put on last Friday’s night blistering performance at Harbourfront’s Fleck Theatre, even though they were dancing in front of a near empty house. On the last leg of a seven-month cross America tour, where he and his troupe Evidence, have played to sold out houses, he could have been forgiven had he left a bit of soul when he crossed over the border. But no, he and his dancers gave it their all. Jumping, running, rolling on the stage floor and then some - the dancers performed at a pace best described as synchronized blur.  Three dances were performed at each of three weekend shows. The dances could be viewed simply as