Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Was A Last Minute No Show At His Own Reception  (But His Staff Knew He Never Made The Plane) By Stephen Weir  It wasn’t a good sign. An hour late, no one was at the Jamaica Canadian Association Hall microphone and reporters waiting to meet Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, received another round of free drinks. A few minutes later, members of the minister’s advance team took to the podium to say that the Minister was tied up at the Pearson airport and was expected to speak at 8pm – an hour and half after he was suppose to. It was a planned reception that Bartlett had invited prominent Canadian Jamaicans, travel experts and the media to attend in North Toronto.   He wanted to brief Canada on the bullish state of tourism in Jamaica. When the Reception finally started it was announced that the Minister would not be appearing and apparently he never had intended to show up at all! A video made the day before was played

The roof leaks. There hasn’t been power for years. Jamaican school about to get some World Class Jamaican Help. sweir article in Caribbean Camera Last week a group of a 100 like-minded caring Caribbean Canadians gathered at the downtown Harlem Restaurant to help the students of  St. Theresa’s Basic School   in Jamaica. The evening fundraiser featured a panel discussion aptly called Barefoot to Boardroom and Beyond. “The title says it all.  Barefoot to Boardroom describes a lot of people on our panel and in the room, be they from Jamaica or anywhere else in the Caribbean,” said Leap Agent’s Michael Carter, the evening host. “ We have targeted a school that needs infrastructure help and that is something we can do!” World Class Jamaica was formed in Toronto back in 2016 by people who have come from the Caribbean and done well here in Canada.  Headed by Heather Ricketts, a director with the building company, Metrie,  the group has been focusing on fixing and upgrading Jam

Stan Douglas, left, with Michael Audain  awarded the $100,000 Audain Prize for Visual Art. Four Canadian Caribbean Cultural Icons in the National Spotlight By Stephen Weir Stan Douglas just won a really big one while Amanda Parris, Ian Williams and André Alexis are up for a some big ones too! September and early October has been a rewarding time for four Canadian Caribbean artists, dramtists and writers. Ten days ago Vancouver photographic artist Stan Douglas was awarded the $100,000 Audain Prize for the Visual Arts. It is a Canadian art  award  that recognizes the outstanding achievements of British Columbia's artists. The Prize is administered by the  Audain  Art Museum. Born in British Columbia to Caribbean parents, 59-year old Stan Douglas is one of Canada’s most widely celebrated and internationally important contemporary artists. Best known for his photography, film and video installations, his art often examines the complexities of social reality and

King Costume Designer at the Ontario Science Centre to Pick Up His Award Summertime memories of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade may have begun to fade, but for fans of the Caribbean Arts. one memory will never disappear.  Who can forget Heart Beat of the Thrill of Life, the incredible King Costume worn by first time designer Nicholas Guy at the August King and Queen Competition.  It was a two-sided costume that depicted the final battle of angels and demons, where good triumphs over evil.  Guy’s costume won it all that night including the coveted annual Ontario Science Centre Innovation in Mas’ Award. He won both awards on behalf of the Louis Saldenah’s Mas K Camp. On Sunday afternoon at a packed Ontario Science Centre, Nicholas Guy was honoured on stage for the construction of that breathtaking costume.  Guy spoke at length at the ceremony about the costume and the relevance of the Carnival dream! In the audience were members of the Mas K Club, friends and his parents

Jimmy Jean Louis in the Royal Cinema Theatre  lobby after screening of Rattlesnakes  -sweirsweir Caribbean Tales Film Festival Over For Another Year by Stephen WEIR The lights are on. The seats are empty. The popcorn has been swept off the floor. The 14th annual Caribbean Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) is over for another year.  After eight presentation nights and the screening of some twenty films, CTFF wrapped up last week with the screening of Sacred Water, an odd 3-year old African documentary about Kunyaza (a technique which Rwandese women use to ejaculate). “CTFF 2019 was a diverse and wonderful year filled with the best films from Caribbean filmmakers,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, CTFF Founder & Executive Director.  At closing night, the following awards were announced. Best Feature: Rattlesnakes directed by Julius Amadume. Best Documentary: Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders directed by Peter Bailey. Best Short Film: M