Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Revaluation   - Alvin Alley 1960 signature piece What Goes Around, Comes Around On Toronto's Downtown Sony Theatre Stage By Stephen Weir No rain, wind or Polar Vortex could stop the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre group from travelling to Toronto to perform before sold audiences last weekend at the downtown Sony Centre.    Thanks to crippling cold temperatures in New York City last Thursday over 8,000 flights were cancelled including those booked for the 30+ members of the Alvin Ailey troupe. “ We had major difficulties in leaving New York,” dancer Christopher R. Wilson told the Caribbean Camera on Friday night after their wildly successful first of three performances at the Sony.   “We tried to leave New York twice on Thursday but our flights kept being cancelled because of the cold. We made it out this afternoon (Friday)” said Wilson. “It was a real rush to make it from the airport to our hotel, change and step onto the stage for 8pm. It wasn’t that long af

Minister and Lieutenant Governor Mark 50th by Opening Show By Stephen Weir --> Over fifty-two million people – many of them Toronto students – have visited the Ontario Science Centre. So, it was only fitting that students were invited to attend last Friday’s 50 th birthday party. While the students were involved in some mad-scientist looking experiments, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, marked the 50 th anniversary by touring Inventorium 2.0 , the Centre's newest exhibition. The new science exhibit brings visitors’ imagination to life through a range of hands-on activities, including coding, lasering, science art making and weaving. The Science Centre has always been a unique cultural attraction (for Toronto students)," said the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "This year, we celebrate the many w

Tribute to the Legends of Reggae By Stephen Weir Denise Jones announces Tribute line-up at BHM launch   The exciting thing about Black History Month is that it brings to this country Caribbean entertainer who might not normally tour in a cold cold Canadian winter.   On Saturday February 16 th and Sunday February 17 th there will be Tribute to the Legends of Reggae performed first in Brampton and then in Montreal, with over 30 singers, comedians and musicians including Jamaica’s Lieutenant Stitchie, Tiger, Pinchers and Canada’s Exco Levi. The Tribute will be performed first at the 600-seat Rose Theatre in downtown Brampton on Saturday night (doors open 7pm).   On Sunday the show takes to the road for a performance in Quebec at the Jamaica Association of Montreal Hall, 4065 Jean-Talon West.   “ Yes it will be a party of 30 who will ride in a luxury coach to Montreal to warm up the Belle Province with dancehall lyrics and rhythms,” promoter Denise Jones told the Ca

--> Dictator Wall - Power Plant. Omar Ba paintings Putting Omar Ba up against a white wall. By Stephen Weir Up against the white wall by Stephen Weir According to African painter Omar Ba, it doesn’t matter where young people are – Africa, Switzerland or even Toronto – they share the same dream, a deep-seated burning desire to freely travel the world.   Ba, a rising star in Senegal and Switzerland, opened his first Canadian solo exhibition entitled Same Dream at Harbourfront’s Power Plant art gallery on Friday night in front of a packed house.   “Same Dream is the title of my exhibition and it is the name of one of the key paintings in my show,” Omar Ba said. “This idea came to me after an exhibition I did in Paris. I want to look at young people who long to go out and discover the world. When I am in my studio in Dakar, I hear young people say they want to see it all, and, I realize that that was I. In my painting (which hangs in the show) I am one of t