Culturepulse may issue 31 by david kalloo

Issue 31

May2015

Natalia Dopwell in Concert Looking for Claudia Jones Junior Telfer a tribute 1

We would like to apologies for the absence of this month’s column Caribbean Business Buzz. Natalie was unwell but rest assured she will be back with her updates on key Caribbean business analysis and ventures in the region encouraging investment for future growth and development.

Contents Natalia Dopwell in Concert p.4 Tribute to Jr Telfer p. 7 Ansel tribute to Telfer p.10 Caribbean News briefs p.13 Utopia Mas Band p.18

Great news for Grenada nationals in the Diaspora as the country opens a Consulate General in Miami as part of its commitment to strengthening partnership with the Diaspora and to encourage and engage with development through foreign investment.

Looking for Claudia Jones p.19 Women at the Top p.20

Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo Culturepulse is designed and produced by cashewmedia and published by Securisit Ltd.

Summer is upon us here in the UK so look out for loads of activities happening in your local areas and, of course the highlight of the summer, Notting Hill Carnival.

Get in a band, get in your section and as the refrain goes, “live yuh life like yuh playing mas.”

Email: culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk

D.Kalloo Editor

Culturepulse list of contributors’ to making the magazine a success. Natalie Alicia Dookie Lyndon Brathwaite, Ansel Wong, David Wears, Chris Boothman, Nasser Khan, Malaika Crichlow, Amos Armstrong, Soshina Stephen, David Rudder, Jimmy Kainja, Paul Ade, Akilah Holder-Stewart , Michael La Rose, Rhianna Kalloo, Angelique, Dorothy Scott, Memory Pincheck, Erica Williams-Connell, Darren Lewis, Afridiziak, Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, Angela Cox, Jacqueline Sealy and Josh Jelly-Schapiro.

Musicals, is about to be enhanced, at this recital, with the premiere of 2 songs specially written for her by London-based Trinidadian composer, Dominique Le Gendre, with words by Derek Walcott, highly renowned poet from the Caribbean.

A Classic Afternoon of Operatic Elegance

Natalia has recently worked with Dominique on a larger dramatic work in Trinidad, “JAB MOLASSIE”, with music also composed by Dominique. She had also with another Trinidadian international singer, Tenor, Ronald Samm, with whom she will be performing again this summer 2015 at the T&T Operatic Music Festival.

NATALIA DOPWELL, brilliant Soprano from Trinidad & Tobago, in recital with Polish pianist and accompanist, DOMINKA

GLAPIAK

Natalia’s first London recital is a certainly a treat not to be missed! Her most recent CD will be available for sale at this recital on 9th May 2015.

Natalia Dopwell We are extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to hear Natalia Dopwell sing in London, immediately following two performances in Poland, as a specially invited guest of the ReFermata Festival! This invitation was made to Natalia after being awarded her special prize at the 2012 Concurso y Festival de Canto Lirico, held in Trujillo, Peru. Several other prizes awarded to Natalia include her prize at Carnegie Hall’s Accadia Competition, and several Championship Trophies, including, on a recent occasion, “the Most Outstanding Festival Performer”, at the annual Trinidad & Tobago Annual Music Festival held at Queen’s Hall.

Dominika Glapiak An exceptional pianist in her own right, Dominika has welcomed the opportunity to accompany Natalia on this occasion, as well as to perform Piano pieces by her Polish fellowcountryman, Frederic Chopin.

Since her training at the Manhattan School of Music, NYC, Natalia has become a renowned singer of both Lieder and Opera, in the Caribbean and the Americas, after being trained at the Manhattan School of Music, NYC.

She last gave a solo piano recital in London, in March 2015, as part of the Devona Concert Series, under the patronage of the Polish Cultural Institute in London, in collaboration with the Polish Embassy.

Natalia always performs to rave reviews on stage, in Operas such as Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” and Mozart’s “The Impresario”. One excellent review stated that “Natalia’s live

Dominika is the recipient of several awards, in Solo Piano and Chamber Music competitions, both at home in Poland, and abroad, since studying at the Gdansk Music Academy, and later, for her postgraduate studies, at the Anton Rubinstein International Academy in Dusseldorf, Germany.

wire presence could wield her diamante high soprano as Serse’s ‘Atalanta’ or Alcina’s ‘Morgana’ ”! Her repertoire of songs and lieder, which includes Negro Spirituals and songs from 4

Dominika has recently performed in Switzerland, Russia, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Trinidad & Tobago.

In 2014, while Natalia was preparing to sing the role of Female Jab Molassie in my new musical theatre work Jab Molassie, she commissioned me to compose a collection of songs for her and we agreed that the themes would be Caribbean and for the most part settings of or inspirations from Caribbean poetry.

Her most recent CD will be available for sale at this recital on 9th May 2015.

Dominique Le Gendre Composer Dominique Le Gendre was born and brought up in Trinidad and Tobago.

It seemed natural then that the collection should begin with our greatest living poet, Derek Walcott whose poetry and plays will forever be the markers of our time as an emerging young country and for me personally represent the ultimate standard markers of artistic expression.

Her mixed heritage from Martinique, France, Poland and Trinidad continues to inform her musical language. She trained as a classical guitarist in Paris France with Ramon De Herrera and has lived in London for the past 28 years composing extensively for theatre, film and television, dance, art installations and radio drama.

It is an honour to create these songs for Natalia’s voice and the whole collection of songs is dedicated to Natalia and Annette Dopwell. White Egrets III is dedicated to Derek Walcott and White Egrets VII is dedicated to Marina Salandy- Brown and to Vanni Bianconi both of whom are creators and artistic directors of visionary literary festivalsThe Bocas Lit Festival in Trinidad and the Babel festival of Translation in Bellinzonathat genuinely embrace the world from their own tiny geographic locations, one in the Caribbean sea the other in the mountains of Ticino.

She composed and produced the music for all 38 Shakespeare plays in the audio recordings, The Complete Arkangel Shakespeare, directed by Clive Brill. She is a former Associate artist of the Royal Opera House who commissioned her opera Bird of Night directed by Irina Brown and premiered at the Linbury Theatre in 2006. Her works have been commissioned and performed by the Royal Opera House Soloists, Philharmonia Orchestra, Manning Camerata, Lontano Orchestra, Irie Dance, Tête-a-tête, Ensemble du Monde, Ingrid Pollard, Ibis Ensemble, and Calabash Foundation for the Arts, Tony Woollard and Natalia Dopwell amongst others.

Further information from: Jacqueline Sealey 07881 902 273

She is currently co-artistic director of StrongBack Productions with colleagues Pat Cumper and Pauline Walker; a company that produces performance work in Modern Britain from the Caribbean tradition of forging one culture from many histories.

Jsealey17@hotmail.com Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/recital-bynatalia-dopwell-soprano-and-dominikaglapiak-piano-accompanist-tickets16613593706

Notes on White Egrets commissioned by Natalia Dopwell and to be performed by Natalia.

Dominique writes: The two songs White Egrets III and White Egrets VII are from Chapter 4 of the 2010 collection of poems White Egrets by Nobel Lauréat Derek Walcott. 5

Tribute to Junior Telfer Everest Telfer Jr (born August 27, 1929; died March 26 2015)—”Jay” to everyone who knew him—was a stalwart of the arts scene in T&T, and a loyal patron of the trinidad+tobago film festival. We are pleased to publish this tribute to him written by ttff writer-at-large, Joshua JellySchapiro. Junior Telfer was one of those Trinis you knew even if you didn’t. Unmistakable in his daily uniform of red turban, white tunic and bespoke black pants, Jay was a fixture of the cultural scene: a habitué of pan yards and film festival screenings and of the mezzanine at the club 51 Degrees, where well into his eighties Jay could be found liming into the wee hours, dancing with a grace that humbled those a third his age.

Jay Telfer, in turban, at a film festival screening. Seated on the right is his wife, Ruth Telfer

gesture. But as I learned on that first evening, and through dozens of subsequent conversations, the reasons he should be mourned now as a national treasure far transcended his potent personality. Because this vivid character on the West Indian scene, as far too few know, also played a crucial series roles not merely in reflecting his culture’s course, but in shaping its worldly impacts.

Jay’s was a sagacious wit I was privileged to know up close—and in whose earthy wisdom I delighted from our first meeting, years ago, when I was crass enough to ask him why, beyond national pride, he styled himself like a walking T&T flag. (And Jay really was that patriotic: no recent soca song so delighted him like Benjai’s “I’m a Trini”.) Introduced by a shared friend who knew of my interest in CLR James, and who’d intimated that there was a man in Cascade I should meet, Jay had already regaled us, by that time in the evening, with rich reminiscences not only about his old friend CLR, but a half-dozen other historical figures whose paths his own had crossed. But pointing to his head-wrap’s hue, now, he fixed me with a patient smile. “Red is for living with passion,” he said. “And white is for a pure heart”—his heart was never far from his teacher Sai Baba’s locket. “But from here down,” he chuckled gently at his waist, “it’s pure niggerdom.”

His story about CLR James, in this respect, was typical both in its drama—Jay was forced to leave Trinidad, in 1961, for his ties to the great activist-scholar—and for Jay’s uncanny knack, as I’d soon learn, for being present for History. In the late 1950s, both men had been employed by Dr Eric Williams’ independence government. While James edited the PNM’s official news organ, The Nation, Jay worked in the Economic Planning Unit, where he oversaw such signal public works projects as extending the north coast road to Las Cuevas, and building the Hilton Hotel. When James fell out with his onetime student, Dr Williams, Jay mostly agreed with the PM: much as he admired CLR’s intellect, he concurred with Dr. Williams that CLR’s aim of Trotskyist revolution, in Trinidad, were pretty unrealistic. But Jay was also a man to whom personal style and ethics were

Jay was a world-class character: few people manage, ever, to exude the sum of lyric charm he achieved in nearly every

utmost; ideology could never trump either. Which was why, when Dr Williams placed James under house arrest, Jay told his boss this was no way to treat one’s old mentor: the result, when he did, was Jay’s having to leave Trinidad on a few minutes’ notice.

streets. The result? Minsh’s original Paradise Lost. And when Jay and his great love Ruth eventually returned to Trinidad and Tobago for good, in 1977, after spending some years traveling and studying in India, Jay didn’t stop. He helped steward a new musical era, in the 1980s, through his close ties to Roy Cape and Black Stalin. Leading the fight to revive the Little Carib Theatre, on whose board he served until the end, Jay settled in the lovely home in Cascade on whose leafy porch I spent countless hours, whenever visiting Trinidad and while staying in his and Ruth’s spare apartment, reasoning with Jay about poetry and football and absorbing bon mots about loyalty and life that he dispensed like lessons (“What’s the difference between my life and my wife?” he’d say of his cherished Ruth. “Nothing.”).

Such dramatic set-pieces were a staple of stories that were also always imbued, like his life’s chapters, with the dancer’s sense of timing he first cultivated as a boy, dancing in Beryl McBurnie’s company, and then perfected at New York University. This was a man once told by jazz great Thelonious Monk, in a Greenwich Village club where Jay was bussing tables, that he’d never seen anyone dance to his oblique riffs like Jay. Little wonder, then, that when Jay fled for London, he landed right on time. The nightclub he opened there, in an old florist’s shop on Queensway, was called the Ambience. It quickly became the meeting place for a generation of ex-pat West Indians, with surnames like Constantine and Holder and Lamming, crucial to bringing the islands to the world. But with his club’s resident steelband and integrated clientele of socialites and rock stars and minor royals, Jay’s place also had a strong claim to being the swingingest spot in swinging Sixties London.

Jay’s talent for friendship let him forge rich bonds with both women and men, peers and kids alike. He was cherished by the many younger members of a pumpkinvine family to whom he was “the realest filter of beautiful truths”, as one of that family’s members, Valentina Pollonais, put it at his wake. Sitting there on his porch with a cup of cocoa tea, he was also “Uncle Jay”: the old man who’d taken the time, contemplating songbirds in his yard, to name their tunes for his favourite jazz heavies.

If there was a notable from the worlds of progressive art or politics with whom to cross paths, or lure to the Ambience, in those years, then Jay did: from Muhammad Ali to Stevie Wonder to Michael X and Marcello Mastroianni, Jay forged ties with them all. He was a West Indian Forrest Gump, except with brains and depth and a core personal commitment not merely to good style, but to combatting racism’s injustice.

The last time I saw Jay, though, wasn’t on his porch. Nor was it on Port of Spain’s streets, even though it was Carnival Tuesday and that stage, to this streetdramatist par excellence, was a second home. Having taken ill days before, Jay had checked into Port of Spain General Hospital. He’d been unable to wave the flag for his beloved Phase II during Panorama; what little of Carnival he’d caught was through his ward’s open window by the Savannah, across which I walked to visit him, dodging last-lap revelers on Tuesday afternoon. But propped up there in bed, Jay was utterly himself: quoting Tagore and Julius Caesar; charming nurses he called “sister”; trading

When in 1965 a local activist called Rhaune Laslett approached Jay to ask for help in organizing a Notting Hill Carnival, Jay got the neighborhood’s merchants on board and raised the funds so she could hold it outdoors. He also recruited his close chum Peter Minshall, then working in the theatre, to design a band for the 8

verses from old midnight robber songs, with an ailing man, one bed over, whom he called “my true pardner”. Perking up further as the sounds of a passing steelband drifted up from below, his turban was still in place, his tunic impeccable. And when remarked on same, he didn’t miss a beat. “You know the other reason I dress like this,” he murmured. “It’s so that when I’m coming, you know I’m me—that this man, here, is different from the rest.”

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Culturepulse wishes to thank Josh Jelly-Schapiro who kindly consented to have this tribute republished here. The article was first published on the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival website. www.ttfilmfestival.com TTFF

For further information contact us at:

199 Belmont Circular Road Port of Spain, Rep. of Trinidad & Tobago Photo courtesy the author and TTFF.

culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk

Or call: 07920752131 07547875460

Promoting business in the Diaspora

Jay Everest Cecil Telfer Jr By Ansel Wong

….. the rousing heartbeat of a single drum…Peter Minshall How many would know that this was the full name of the man we know as Junior Telfer. Cultural aficionado and UK Carnival Pioneer, Junior “Jay” Telfer, a son of Trinidad and Tobago, died on Thursday th 26 March 2015 at the age of 84. many other cultural and political pioneers operating in London, Junior is remembered also for his Ambience Night Club, in London, that not only served as a haven for the members of the Dixieland Steel Orchestra but a sought after watering hole for a lime, a drink and a protected space for reminisces and ole talk among the T&T community. And a place where even royalty found a space.

For many of us, Junior will not be remembered just for his imposing visage and signature turbans but for the imprints he etched on the social, political and cultural landscape of the United Kingdom. Like so many other Trinis in the United Kingdom, including Lord Pitt, Lady Hollick, Dame Barrow, Naipaul, Trevor McDonald and Dr Colin Prescod, Junior, by his sheer presence, challenged the popular stereotype of the Caribbean migrant. At ease at all levels of British society, exuding gravitas and a perfect command of the Queen’s English, he imprinted his foot prints on British society and in so doing created endearing retentions and reinterpretations of T&T culture by …”thunderously stamp(ing) the

Sonny Blacks, himself a fabled pioneer of T&T culture in the UK, sang the praises of Junior’s contributions to Carnival and T&T culture: “He was a towering giant whose achievements

earth into submission.”(Minshall, 1990)

are yet to be fully understood. We stand on his shoulders and benefit from his legacies.

Before returning to his native Trinidad and Tobago in 1977, Junior participated in nurturing the development of the Notting Hill Carnival that gave it its iconic status today. A respected individual among the

He will be missed.”

Photo courtesy Guardian.co.tt

Caribbean News briefs… Legal ganja

Island wide Wi-Fi

The University of the West Indies campus

The people of St Lucia will soon benefit

in Mona, Jamaica has recently planted the

from island-wide Wi-Fi coverage from a

first legal marijuana plant; days after the

government scheme worth US$4m. The

amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act

Government Island-Wide Network (GiNet)

came into effect in Jamaica.

will boost the island’s Wi-Fi coverage

A licence and marijuana seeds was handed

from 11 percent to 30 percent.

over to the principal, Professor McDonald

Five districts will benefit from the GiNet

at the Mona campus by Phillip Paulwell.

initiative in the first phase, they are:

Professor McDonald on receiving the

Castries, Canaries, Dennery, Micoud and

marijuana seeds and licence said. “It is

Vieux-Fort. Infrastructure will be placed in

now time or the university to apply and

key areas such as schools, public areas,

insure that we de-mystify ganja. We need

tourist attractions and community parks.

to use scientific evidence to counter the

GiNet was made possible through a

misinformation that is taking place.”

contribution by the Taiwanese government

The seeds were planted at the front of the

and the St Lucia government with the

Mona campus.

Taiwan government contributing

Caribbean News streaming

US$3.28m.

Caribbean News Now and ComeseeTv

The second phase will see the bridging of

International have teamed up to bring live

the digital gap in areas including; Laborie,

streaming of various regional and

Choiseul, Dennery North and Vieux Fort

international events to the Caribbean

North. Senator, Dr James Fletcher said the

community across the region and the

venture is, “the most monumental of all

Diaspora.

ICT projects to date.”

The two companies aim to give the

The project is expected to take four years

Caribbean community a robust platform to

to complete making internet penetration of

have their voices heard and their faces

up to 30 percent on the island. Other

seen, with programming 24/7 to a global

initiatives could also see a boost to

audience and to international standards.

increase service up to 50 percent.

www.comeseetv.com/events www.caribbeannewsnow.com

Investing in Technology

facilitating consular representation and continuing to work hand in hand for the

The Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith

benefit of the people of Grenada at home

Mitchell has called on Caribbean leaders to

and abroad.”

start appreciating the link between science and technology and economic growth.

Ambassador for Diaspora and Humanitarian Affairs to the United

Dr Mitchell pointed out that countries

Nations, Derrick James said, “It is a

from Rwanda to Columbia are already

testimony to the government’s

seeing the rewards from investing their

commitment to ensuring the facilitation of

GDP in technology. The prime minister

dynamic and responsive community

said. “I think I have been championing this

engagement between our citizenry and

issue for a while now….more and more

government.”

leaders are accepting the absolute

Your advertisement

responsibility to push this more than we have done before.”

on this page with the next issue of Culturepulse magazine.

Grenada opens Consulate in Miami Grenada has just opened a new Consulate General in Miami as part of the government’s commitment to

We offer reasonable rates for short and long term advertising.

strengthening it’s partnership with Grenadians in the Diaspora and to promote socio-economic development.

For further information contact us at:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said. “It is necessary to have adequate representation as afar as possible

culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk

to facilitate government obligations to its citizens and other partners, as we seek top

Or call: 07920752131 07547875460

realize the shared goal of prosperity for Grenadians at home and abroad in service to our beloved project Grenada. It is an important step in broadening that outreach.” The statement also revealed that the government is also reviewing modalities of “strengthening its

Promoting business in the Diaspora

representation in New York with a view to 14

We are accepting applicants for the following: Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK Teen Talent: need to have a talent-Age 13 – 16yrs - 5ft & over Ms Trinidad & Tobago UK National Queen –you can be married, single, have a child, dress size 14 and under. Age 17 to 30yrs Height 5ft and over

Come and celebrate and participate in Ms Trinidad and Tobago UK National Queen Pageant and Cultural Showcase on the 26th September. This year’s theme “Tobago our Sister Isle” Flora & Fauna. We are inviting young ladies ages 13yrs 30 yrs, residing in the United Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago parentage (at least one parent or grandparent) which represents the multi-ethnicity of its rich cultural heritage. Be part of the journey of self-discovery and intellectual development as, you will develop your interaction, personal grooming and stage dynamics skills while participating in holistic workshops.

Briefing and on-going Interviews starts now until June. Contact Angela - on 0208 875 9975 07958336694 Email misstntuk@carivog.com or misstrinidadandtobagouk@hotmail.com, Website: www.misstntuk.com Face book: misstrinidadandtobagouk

Utopia Mas band launch 2015 This year’s theme is “Le Chic” Bringing the Class back in the Mas Le Chic is our interpretation of the 'elegance' in Mas, reflecting grace, style and beauty in movement. With its origins in French high society, 'Chic' denotes class and refinement. Sections for Notting Hill carnival 2015 Ooh la This section has been designed to surprise and thrill, with engaging colours of orange and peach. 'Oh La La' will make you smile with appreciation. Belle en Noir This section celebrates the beauty in black. It's secretive yet magical and elegant in nature. 'Belle en Noir' is not just about colour, but encapsulates style and splendour in their

Utopia Mas is the brain child of husband and wife David and Judith Brown. They believe that Utopia is the creation of new and imaginative designs – bringing together families, creating new friendships and bringing carnival to the community. Utopia Mas is a young feeling band initially starting off as a children’s band in Bedford and has now expanded to adults in London and surrounding counties. We at Utopia have over 30 years experience in carnival arts. Each year we choose a theme that we bring to life in costume form, using the most current up to date gems, trimmings and fabrics. We also specialise in creating large scale king and queen sized costumes, and disability costumes.

Trini Chic 'Trini Chic' celebrates one of the most iconic and traditional carnival themes, the Native American Indian. This is our 21st century interpretation of the 'Fancy Indian'.

Looking for Claudia Jones What was great to see in this film was the use of people who are alive today that knew and worked with Claudia Jones and who can still recall with clarity the brilliance and resilience of such a charismatic woman who, despite the impossible challenges that confronted her, rose above it all and fought with the might of her pen, not just for Caribbean or black people but for all those who were disadvantaged by racism, inequality and marginalisation. By David Kalloo

While there were good things about the screening, I continue to scream this to the people who attend these events. I hear from the audience the need to educate our young generation and make them aware of our history. Sadly, I could hardly count ten young people in the audience and when one did pose a question to the panel, I felt the response was not a very encouraging one.

I was pleased to see the huge turnout for the recent screening of Looking for Claudia Jones, a film by Nia Reynolds at the TUC headquarters in London. This is a beautiful documentation of a great Caribbean woman who stamped her authority in Britain, having been deported from the US for allegedly plotting to overthrow the US government by force. The film was done independently and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a credit to the all those involved in making and preserving the history of Claudia Jones. There was no doubt that everyone in the audience agreed that it was a superb film.

I trust that those with young children would bring their children to events such as these to fill the gap in the national curriculum and expose them to knowledge that will not only serve to inspire them but to empower our young generation and not be clouded by the so called whitewashing of the curriculum.

Why is it that the major television channels are shunning to commission films ad documentary about Black and minority people who have made history and built Britain to what it is today. The BBC would spend millions on other nonsensical programmes that are sometimes, not even beneficial to the general viewer let alone those in the Black and minority groups.

Looking for Claudia Jones Blackstock Films Dir. Nia Reynolds

Women at the Top Grill, while the high speed rail HS1 also has a woman at the top, a sector generally seen as a man’s job. Social network giant Facebook can also share credit for having a woman CEO.

For as long as women have worked in the male dominated workplace, thy have struggled to gain access to top jobs. In the modern digital age not much has changed and, more and more women are taking action and winning compensation either for unfair treatment, marginalisation and sexual discrimination in the work place.

Women in the UK now hold 16% directorship in UK 100 largest companies. 10 years ago, only 7.2% of females were board members. There is no doubt that the trend is slowly picking up pace where women are holding key jobs in Managing Director roles. There has been an increase in these positions to 12% doubling the figure from 6% in the corresponding period last year. Despite the sharp increase women are still finding it difficult to break into the male dominated roles of high-profile highpaying jobs in the city. Cherie Blair said “The truth is that we have to waited and waited and unless we take special measures to look at the systematic reasons why women aren’t making it to the top, we are never going to succeed.” The trend with women getting top jobs are certainly on the increase and measures are being taken to ensure that the obstacles that impede women from achieving their highest potential are dismantled, however, the question must be asked. Does it go far enough to affect this across race, ethnicity and class as well as gender?

Less than a third of women hold key positions in top city corporations around the world. In the UK the Armed Forces and the judiciary make up just 1.3% and 13.2% respectively while secondary education accounts for the largest sector where women excel to the top seemingly, unchallenged.

By David Kalloo

Over the last couple of years there has been a snails pace change where women are gradually shattering the glass ceiling. Lloyds of London recently appointed a woman at its helm for the first time in the company’s history. The Savoy in London also broke with 126 years of tradition and appointed a woman to head the Savoy 20

Look How Far We’ve Come Community Talk and ‘Look …Commentaries On British Society And Racism?’ DVD Launch

Is Jesus White? Thursday May 14th 6-9pm Abbey Centre, Westminster 34 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU Special guest: Dame Jocelyn Barrow A special three-in-one event consisting of: Is Jesus White? presentation highlighting religion & identity ‘Look How Far We’ve Come Community Talk’ screening & postscreening discussion highlighting racism and other political and societal issues. Look How Far We’ve Come: Commentaries On British Society and Racism? DVD release highlighting history & racism. Special guests drawn form the Look…project contributors. Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Race Relations Act. To book tickets: www.AficanHistoryPlus.eventbrite.com

'Women in Reggae' Film Documentary - The UK Perspective The 'Women in Reggae Series' project aims to explore and document the efforts of female cultural producers and their contributions to shaping the reggae musical culture in the UK. We are searching for female reggae pioneers who made an impact with their music during the 1950's 1980's to interview on camera for forthcoming 'Women in Reggae' Film Documentary - The UK Perspective. This is a historical heritage project being produced by Donald W Harper. We anticipate potential filming dates will be scheduled between April/May/June/July 2015 For further information and how to get involve with the project contact: Yaz Alexander Women In Reggae Project Research PA +44(0)7885221868 yazalexander@hotmail.com http://www.womeninreggae.org/ dwh10@leicester.ac.uk 22 https://www.facebook.com/jamstarsproductions