Saturday, May 25, 2013A scene from Jonathan Bricklin's "The Entrepreneur." Photo by Pamela Hanson.The highly rated Italian film, The Entrepreneur, is part of the line up for the European Film Festival (EFF) today at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain.

MOST Jamaican music fans have never heard of American reggae band SOJA. But the nine-member unit are quietly making a name for themselves with their latest album. SOJA has come full circle with its fourth studio album, Strength to Survive, which has consistently topped the Billboard Reggae Album Chart which it has been on for the last 67 weeks. Strength to Survive was released on the ATO label (part owned by rock star Dave Matthews). To date, it has sold over 50,000 copies according to sales m

Mavado has teamed with American rapper Jadakiss on the reggae/Rhythm and Blues song Just Like Magic, produced by Jamaica-born, New York-based Musical Masquerade. "The collaboration came about from an idea to blend unmistakable voices from reggae and hip hop and put them together on a reggae track. From there we reached out to the respective camps," said Musical Masquerade. Just like Magic is the second release from the producer's forthcoming compilation album, Elements of Reggae. Its first sin

WITH a new album due out on VP Records in August, singer Tarrus Riley is scheduled to start a 15-date tour of Europe early next month. Most of the shows (nine) take place in France, the first being June 6 in the city of Sannois. The following day, he is down for the Free Music Festival in Montendre alongside acts like Lee 'Scratch' Perry. Riley will also perform solo and at festivals in Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal and Finland. His final European show is booked for

THE runway constructed on the Fiction nightclub's dancefloor served as the ideal launch22 pad for Styleweek Jamaica 2013 on Wednesday. The hip nightclub, located in The Marketplace, St Andrew, became the Caribbean's fashion central into the wee hours of Labour Day morning. Fashionistas and party-mode patrons stood transfixed in the capacity-filled venue as the models flaunted the latest designs. Also attending was American Hollywood actor Brando Eaton from the Showtime series Dexter . Saint

SPLASH PICK OF THE WEEKEND Sunday, May 26 Styleweek Fashionblock @ Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston Time: 9:30 pm FRIDAY, MAY 24 Friday, May 24 - Sunday, may 26 Bleu 2013 Weekend @ Grand Palladium, Hanover Fish Fry and After Party @ Campbell's Boulevard, HQ of Romeich's Wear and Records Featuring: 007 with DJ Kitt, DJ Glasses; plus guest selectors Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 am DD Birthnight Rave, Fashion Avant Garde @ Global HQ, Harbour View Featuring: No Limit Sound among others Ti

KNOWN for their bold T-shirts and tank tops, We Are Massiv has been making waves in North American electronic dance music (EDM) circles for a few years now. Recording artiste Rihanna and EDM powerhouse Major Lazer are celebrities displaying their affinity for the brand. Featuring slogans like 'Babylon is Falling' and 'No Mental Slavery', their brand of street wear is clearly influenced by Jamaican culture. Designer Nathan Amar — a New Yorker by way of Los Angeles -- recently joined force

Thursday, May 23, 2013Club Prosperity at Upper Bournes Road, St James, has been a staple for partygoers in the West, especially for those in the dancehall and reggae fraternity.   

Peter Ray BloodFriday, May 24, 2013Pan icon Neville Jules, centre, is flanked by surviving members of legendary Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars steel orchestra. Photo: GREGORY “LEE” PERROTTEThe national instrument continues to hold the spotlight nationwide as far as live entertainment goes.

Friday, May 24, 2013Danny Glover as Franzis, the Gambian immigrant in the Swedish film Dear Alice. One of today’s featured films in the European Film Festival is the Swedish film Dear Alice which stars Danny Glover stars as Franzis, Gambian immigrant on the verge of financial meltdown in Sweden.

Simon LeeFriday, May 24, 2013Zouk queen Tanya Saint Val performing at Jazz in the South. PHOTO: SIMON LEEUnder the stars of the first night in May, Rudy John Beach on the outskirts of Laborie, a fishing village of humble wooden houses perched on St Lucia’s south west coast, has momentarily been transf

Friday, May 24, 2013Blue blood music lovers of T&T are in for a special treat when Pamberi takes the stage at Studio 66, 66 Sixth Street, Barataria, on June 2 in a show entitled Take Five.

Zahra GordonFriday, May 24, 2013One Two, One Two: Sound check is a group routine and that goes without saying. For the younger members of the cast, having a stage all to themselves was exciting.The two or three hours before a theatrical production hits the stage can be chaotic.

Zahra GordonFriday, May 24, 2013One Two, One Two: Sound check is a group routine and that goes without saying. For the younger members of the cast, having a stage all to themselves was exciting.The two or three hours before a theatrical production hits the stage can be chaotic.

Clarendon-based promotion outfit Icon Entertainment and the Icon Family are gearing up to host Icon sound system's first anniversary on July 27. According to the promoters, Icon's anniversary will be a lasting experience....

An otherwise admirable woman, my paternal grandmother treated her maids (called 'helpers' nowadays) like ...well, very badly...

In a recent merger, Studio 38 at 38A Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, was rebranded PULS8 as it coalesced with the Pulse Model Agency.The revamped venue is quickly becoming one of Kingston's entertainment hotspots, with it's weekly Pepperseed Wednesdays...

THE L'Acadco dance group celebrates its 30th anniversary with a two-week season from June 28-July 7 at Philip Sherlock Centre in St Andrew. According to founder/artistic director L'Antoinette Stines, each night will feature different pieces by various choreographers. "The season is based on the theme 'Past, Present and Future' and as a result, boasts a diverse lineup of styles and choreographers, all staging brand new pieces," Stines told the Jamaica Observer. Among L'Acadco's guest performer

REGGAE artiste Kyenie has returned to his homeland to connect with, what he terms, "the root of the music". The St Ann-born artiste is currently working on an album and has released two singles Glory Days (with German rappers Mic Royal and Iva) and Superstar. "The video for these two singles will be shot here in Jamaica starting next week. We will also be releasing a full English version of Glory Days for the Jamaican market," Kyenie says. Armed with his guitar, he took the stage at To Mom Wi

GRACE Tropical Rhythms Jamaica Children's Gospel Song competition will be held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew on Sunday. Hosted by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the Child Month event's theme is Children of the Rock. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Leighton Jones, JCDC gospel and church services coordinator, said some of the island's most talented children will be showcasing their natural gift of song. "The finals promise to be an enjoyable evening a

BELIZE-born reggae singer Eljai is making inroads on regional American charts with his latest song For You. The single is presently number 25 on the New York Reggae Chart; number 20 on the South Florida Reggae Chart and 18 on the Jamaica Music Countdown Reggae Chart. The California-based artiste says the song has exceeded his expectations. "I'm extremely humbled by the continued support of radio. My aim has always been to make a connection to fans of reggae music worldwide." Eljai — wh

Wednesday, May 22 Styleweek Edition Fiction nightclub's weekly BNM is the venue for Styleweek Edition, first event of Styleweek 2013. Special guest is American actor Brando Eaton of the Showtime series Dexter. The collections of Kaydian Nicely, Balla Sean and swimsuits by Nish will be on show. Showtime 11:00 pm. Guinness Black the Streets This event is at Dump Up Beach in Montego Bay. Jamming with patrons will be Sizzla, Stone Love, Flava Unit and homeboy DJ Kentucky. Party time is 8:00 pm

HUNDREDS of hopefuls from across Jamaica gathered ahead of the 8:00 am start for the second audition in the 2013 Tastee Talent Trail held at the company's car park in Cross Roads, St Andrew, recently. From the huge gathering which comprised senior citizens, 15 survived were given the nod by judges Michael 'Ibo' Cooper, Queen Ifrica and Kerry Ann Lawrence. These were singer Serena Thompson, Canadian rapper Rudyard Oliver, Carlos Brown, female deejays Kimmy Hosan and Moesha KinKaid, dance group

A NEW reality/comedy series which debuted this week in the United States stars Andrew 'Dante' Hilmedo Jnr, an actor with Jamaican heritage. The show, This Is Dante, airs on The BlockStarz.Tv Network. It follows the misadventures of a young actor from The Bronx, New York and his struggle to break into the competitive American entertainment industry. In an email response to the Jamaica Observer, Hilmedo Jr says his family hails from New Hall, Manchester and Montego Bay. Now 25, his last visit t

Professor Ian Boxhill (left) speaks with Tresana Pearson (centre), co-producer of the film Homelessness — Two pay cheques Away, and actress Kamo Henry at the launch of Gatfest: The Greater August Town Film Festival at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, recently. (Photo: Aston Spaudling) PHOTO: Greater August Town Film Festival launched -->

DUNWOODY, Ga. (AP) — Police in suburban Atlanta say rapper Chief Keef, whose name is Keith Cozart, has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Dunwoody police spokesman Timothy Fecht says officers arrested Cozart after responding to a call about illegal drug activity at the Le Méridien hotel just north of Atlanta Monday afternoon. Fecht says officers saw smoke and smelled marijuana wafting from a room. Chief Keef arrested -->

Despite operating within major cash constraints, Kerine Miller is excited about the messages children will be exposed to during the two-weekend staging of GEM:iShine.

Western Bureau: In an effort to enhance Montego Bay's entertainment scene through jazz, Alvin McBean and Ruedal Johnson pulled off a successful staging of Sax Appeal at the Montego Bay...

Peter Ray BloodThursday, May 23, 2013Pastor St Clair Niles poses with his new CD, Break Through. PHOTO: ANDY HYPOLITEBorn into a musical family, it was pre-ordained that Minister St Clair Niles, once a plumber, would eventually become a singer and a recording artiste.

Thursday, May 23, 2013Part of the Costaatt Alumni Association’s mission is to serve the Costaatt community by “providing life-long connections to the college,” according to event co-ordinator Trevonne Gooding-Barrow of

Thursday, May 23, 2013Flashback scenes from T&T Film Festival. The festival will accept submissions from Caribbean filmmakers in the diaspora, and international filmmakers whose films are focused on the Caribbean or its diaspora. The call for submissions for the 2013 edition of the T&T Film Festival (ttff), which takes place from September 18 to October 1, will close on May 31 and filmmakers who wish to submit a film sh

Thursday, May 23, 2013In the European Film Festival today, film buffs have the choice of films from Germany, France, The Netherlands and the UK at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain.

Thursday, May 23, 2013Jazz Alliance of T&T (JATT) will honour Fitzroy Coleman during Trinidad & Tobago Jazz Week scheduled for June 24 – 28 in celebration of International Jazz Day 2013 under the theme, The Brid

Thursday, May 23, 2013The re-energised St James Community Improvement Committee will be celebrating the 13th anniversary of WeBeat St James Live from June 7-15, at the St James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St James.

Zahra GordonThursday, May 23, 2013Participants in the workshop at last year’s Salsa Fiesta. PHOTO COURTESY SALSA FIESTA TNTSalsa enthusiasts will be put to a challenge at this year’s Salsa Fiesta TnT happening at the Cascadia Hotel, Port-of-Spain from May 31 to June 2.

There were no frills in the setting for Saturday night's video premiere of Hatta Sketches, a poem set to reggae by Joel 'Jawara' Ellis and Oku Onuora.

GEARED TOWARDS children and with a predominantly youthful cast, Anancy Chaptaz - Winners' Circle is more than just a show; it provides personal development for ...

Pioneer dub poet Oku Onuora is poised to step out after a hiatus with the release of his latest album, A Movement.

PIONEER dub poet Oku Onuora will release his latest album, A Movement, in Kingston on Tuesday. Co-produced by Onuora and Courtney Panton, the set was launched digitally yesterday by Zojak World Wide. Next week's release on compact disc takes place during the Poetry Society of Jamaica's monthly fellowship at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Onuora, 61, told the Jamaica Observer that A Movement was inspired by his daughter Ayana and the recent resurgence in Jamaican po

RESIDENTS of West Kingston are in for a treat on Labour Day when the popular roots plays, Krosses and Scandal hold centre stage at the Denham Town High School. The show begins at 6:00 p.m. "This is the final showing of Krosses in Jamaica, so everybody needs to come out to see it. After this show, wi ah fly out to the US, then London and then we will be doing a Caribbean tour," said actor Maxwell 'Maama' Grant, a member of the Krosses cast. Grant co-stars with Keith 'Shebada' Ramsey while Scan

SINGER Cat Eyes is pushing her latest single, Shackles of Shame, done on the Big One Drop rhythm. According to Cat Eyes — whose recent songs include Feel So Right — Shackles of Shame addresses the issue of persons wrongfully incarcerated. "I've taken on a topic that's totally new for me and I really hope the people will like it. It is a song that talks about people being locked down unfairly by the system; it's a very serious song," she said. Other artistes on the Bi

Gillian MooreWednesday, May 22, 2013Sustain T&T director Carver Bacchus, right, interviews Nicholas Baggy, left, a resident of Unity Springs in Diego Martin, as part of Sustain T&T's new documentary, A Sea Change. PHOTO COURTESY SUSTAIN T&TFor the last two years, Sustain T&T has sensitised local audiences to environmental and sustainability issues through its film series, Green Screen. 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013A scene from The Angels’ Share.Tobago’s film fans have the chance to see some of Europe’s finest films when the European Film Festival begins its run at MovieTowne from today until May 28.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013Ralph Maraj and Beverly Ann Seupaul in The Saint.On the invitation of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), The Saint, by Ralph Maraj, will be performed at the Divali Nagar on May 25, as part of council’s Indian Arrival Day celebrations.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013Marcia Miranda performs at the Traffikliter’s Mother’s day brunch.The Traffikliters Association, comprising ex-BWIA employees who worked in the airline’s Traffic department, hosted its annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Petrotrin grounds in Point-a-Pierre on May 5. Fo

At least three events are planned for between tomorrow and Saturday in celebration of the 50th African Liberation Day. All three events feature stage shows and will see Jamaicans celebrating freedom through music....

The 19-year-old man who allegedly hit Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert, who performs as Toots and the Maytals, in the head with a bottle on Saturday night has been named.According to AP, He is William C.

The Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive, St Andrew, was about 90 per cent full on Sunday evening for the final performance of Praise Academy of Dance's 20th Anniversary production, Reflections. As the audience was as enthusiastic as it was large...

Peter Ray BloodWednesday, May 22, 2013Robbie Greenidge puts his special twist on the Bunji Garlin hit Differentology at Caribbean Night. PHOTO: ANDY HYPOLITERobert Greenidge took Caribbean Night to another level last Thursday night. Initiated over two decades ago at Upper Level Club in West Mall, the weekly Thursd

REGGAE legend Toots Hibbert and his Maytals band will continue their acoustic shows in the United States despite Toots being injured in Virginia Saturday. The singer is scheduled to perform at The Hamilton in Washington DC tomorrow. He played the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Centre in New York City Sunday. Andrea Davis, publicist for Toots and The Maytals, told the Jamaica Observer that the 68-year-old Toots has recovered after being struck on the forehead by a bottle thrown by a drunken