Plan for the weekend, but also check out the novel and exciting happenings that took place on these three days in history. If you have any interesting factoids of your own, share them with us by tweeting @thewkndr #wkndhstry.
New York Philharmonic’s first concert December 7, 1842
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra had its first concert in the Apollo Room on Lower Broadway, before an audience of 600 on this day in history. Opening with Beethoven’s Symphony No 5, the eclectic three-hour show was led by founder Ureli Corelli Hill. Two other conductors, Henry Christian Timm and Denis Etienne, led parts which included chamber music and several operatic selections with a leading singer of the day, as was the custom.
Sammy Davis, Jr was born on this day December 8, 1925
Considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Sammy Davis, Jr got his first taste of the entertainment business at three, joining his father’s vaudeville group. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Davis was a singer, dancer, actor and comedian. He acted in more than 40 films including the 1960 classic Ocean’s Eleven and was part of Frank Sinatra’s infamous ‘Rat Pack’. Davis was one very few stars, black or white, to receive Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award nominations.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Premieres December 9, 1965
A Charlie Brown Christmas is based on the popular newspaper comic strip Peanuts by Charles M Schulz. Charlie is depressed because of the over-commercialisation of Christmas and is encouraged by his sister Lucy to direct the school’s Christmas pageant to lift his spirits. He tries to keep the pageant traditional, while the other children want to modernise the story. The special aired every year since its debut on CBS through 2000 and on ABC since 2001.
White Cosmo by Nkisi
The One by Kemar Swaby
Prince Buster by Micheal Thompson
Self-Study by Els Meijns
National Biennial 2012
A
rt lovers, you’re in for a treat! This Sunday is the opening of the National Gallery of Jamaica’s National Biennial 2012.
The National Biennial, which took the place of the Annual National Exhibition in 2002, consists of an invited section, featuring well-established artists and a juried section, highlighting specially selected work from local and international creators living in Jamaica. Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hanna, will be the guest speaker at the opening ceremony.
Some of this year’s invited artists are Storm Saulter, Marlon James, Amy Laskin, Oneika Russell, Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, Marvin Bartley, Michael Elliot and Michael Thompson. The exhibition is a representation in the recent Jamaican art, so the works presented were all created within the last two years. There will be 126 works by 86 artists, 50 of whom were invited while the jury selected the other 36. The display will feature work in media such as painting, sculpture, collage, illustration, assemblage, installation, ceramics, photography, video, animation
D’Angel and some fans at a TOYBOX event
OM by Robert ‘Krusha’ Harriott
Unfold Your Own Myth by Jasmine Thomas-Girvan
and textiles, reflecting a diversity of themes, styles and approaches – conventional, experimental and, of course, controversial. The National Biennial 2012 will take place at the National Gallery of Jamaica starting Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 11am. The exhibition will continue until March 9, 2013. Yellow Cake Crossfire by Michael Elliot
Moji’s Birthday Weekend @ Avalon Villa, Portland September is notorious for bringing a flood of birthdays and waves of friends and food to stir the soul. This year, I decided to spend my 40th birthday weekend with seven of my closest friends in paradise at Avalon Villa on the Portland coast. Situated on the shady road that leads to Blue Lagoon, this private getaway was the perfect setting for our weekend of wanton debauchery. From Friday to Saturday, we chillaxed on the open deck that seamlessly extended the base floor of the house over the crystal clear water where we talked, laughed, ate and drank. The ambiance was enhanced by the strategically placed stereo speakers that streamed old school R&B throughout the property, and the ingeniously placed floating wooden cup-holder rack anchored in the shallow waters meant there was no excuse to spend a moment without a glass of my favourite Argentinian red. When things got too chill for the busy bodies, kayaking to Blue Hole or swimming to Monkey Island provided an adventurous option. The four-bedroom villa would not have been the same without the amazing staff; Joseph, Trevor and Hortense pampered us the entire weekend, spoiling us royally with service that literally left nothing to be asked for. When towels were needed, they would magically appear without anyone asking. Food was on time and on point and the entertainment was never dull. Friends, family and a fabulous villa made this one of the best weekends ever and a birthday I’ll never forget. - Contributed by Moji Anderson
Kemar swaby
Graphic designer, jack-of-all-trades, model, fashion designer, amateur photographer and visual artist
Behance: www.behance.net/Karma-Swaby Facebook: www.facebook.com/karmamuse Exhibition: https://www.facebook.com/DirtyCrayons
Photograph by Marlon James
Outside of Kingston, where is your favourite place to go on the weekend?
Hanging out at Smirnoff Exclusive
Well this one has to be a tie. I can’t pick just one, so it has to be Ochi and Portland. They’re just absolutely breath-taking to drive through and explore.They have so many hiding spots, the kind of places you would swear only existed in travel magazines or something. My favourite place in Ochi would have to be Blue Hole. It’s a pretty well hidden spot and it’s a bit of an adventure to get there. My Portland pick is definitely Frenchman’s Cove.
What’s been your best weekend ever? what made it so special?
Carnival Road March 2012
Parring at Big Cups
My best weekend was in Trinidad for their carnival weekend, sorry JA. For me it was just the sheer thrill of nonstop partying and fêting until the carnival ‘Mas’ day. It was like the entire island became a party, as if the whole city just locked down and everyone quit their jobs and said its time for the fête. I don’t even want to mention the women, ’cause that would just make me want
to fly out right now (lol). But for me personally, I live for a good party and thrill so that’s why it’s been the best for me to date.
If you could spend a weekend anywhere where would it be and why? Hmm, this one is a tough one. I love a good adventure and party, but my geeky side would probably win this one and say Japan, because of their technology and the ability to travel through the country and find amazing landscapes and strong cultural background.
Yacht trip to Lime Cay
What will your next big weekend look like? The next big thing for me is the National Gallery of Jamaica’s National Biennial 2012 starting this Sunday, where I will be exhibiting some new and fresh artwork. I’m also excited about another major exhibition I will be hosting on January 5, 2013 at Café What’s On. It’s called ‘Dirty Crayons’.
On site for a KFC commercial
Dirty Crayons 2011 Opening Night
Saturday Grosvenor Galleries Christmas Fair
Friday Bacchanal Jamaica Band Launch Fete Mas Camp (Stadium North) 9pm-3am ADM: $1,500 (presold); $2,000 (at the gate); $3,000 (VIP all-inclusive, presold)
Rib, Roast and Rum 22 Hopefield Avenue, Kingston 5 4pm-12am ADM: $3,000
Yard 2012 CentreStage Theatre 8pm ADM: $1,400 (downstairs) $1,700 (upstairs)
God’s Way 2: Carlton’s Redemption Stephanie Hall Auditorium 8pm ADM: $1,400
Courthouse Drama Olympia Crown Hotel 8:30pm ADM: $1,200
1 Grosvenor Terrace, Kingston 8 10am-6pm ADM: Free
MET Opera: Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito (Encore) Palace Multiplex (Montego Bay) 11:30am ADM: $1,200 (children, students, senior citizens- regular seats); $1,600 (regular seats); $2,000 (box)
MET Opera Live: Un Ballo in Maschera Carib 5 12:55pm ADM: $2,000 (regular seats); $2,500 (box)
Yard 2012 CentreStage Theatre 5pm and 8pm ADM: $1,400 (downstairs); $1,700 (upstairs)
Wine and Roses Pantry Playhouse 5pm and 8pm ADM: $1,400
wknd movies Lincoln (A-16) Carib 5 4:40pm and 8:20pm Palace Cineplex 8:30pm Palace Multiplex 9:15pm (additional showing 6:15pm on Friday) Odeon Cineplex 8:15pm Silver Linings Playbook (A-18) Carib 5 8:25pm (additional showing 5:10pm on Friday) Palace Cineplex 5:30pm Palace Multiplex 6pm Odeon Cineplex 5:15pm The Man With the Iron Fists (A-18) Carib 5 8:20pm Palace Multiplex 9:15pm Life of Pi in 3D (PG-13) Carib 5 5pm Palace Cineplex 2:30pm on Saturday and Sunday Palace Multiplex 6pm on Saturday and Sunday The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (A-16) Carib 5 8:30 pm (5pm on Friday and Sunday; 5:20pm on Saturday)
Palace Cineplex 5:40pm and 8:40pm Palace Multiplex 6pm and 9pm Odeon Cineplex 8:30pm (5:30pm on Friday) Skyfall (A-16) Carib 5 4:45pm and 8:30pm Palace Multiplex 9:20pm (additional 5:20pm showing on Friday) Tinkerbell Secret of The Wings in 3D (U) Carib 5 5:10pm on Saturday and Sunday Palace Multiplex 6pm on Saturday and Sunday Rise of the Guardians in 3D (PG-13) Palace Cineplex 2:45pm on Saturday, 3pm on Sunday Hotel Transylvania (U) Odeon Cineplex 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday
God’s Way 2: Carlton’s Redemption
Wine and Roses
Stephanie Hall Auditorium 8pm ADM: $1,400
Pantry Playhouse 5pm and 8pm ADM: $1,400
Courthouse Drama
Courthouse Drama
Olympia Crown Hotel 8:30pm ADM: $1,200
Olympia Crown Hotel 5:30pm and 8:30pm ADM: $1,200
Pluto and Ernie
God’s Way 2: Carlton’s Redemption
RedBones Blues Café 9:30pm ADM: $2,000
Stephanie Hall Auditorium 6pm ADM: $1,400
Jamnesia Sessions
Starlight: The Sound of Music
Eight Miles, Bull Bay (200m past Little Copa Club) 10pm-3am ADM: Free
sunday Grosvenor Galleries Christmas Fair 1 Grosvenor Terrace, Kingston 8 10am-6pm ADM: Free
Courtleigh Auditorium 6:30pm ADM: $1,500 (presold); $2,000 (at the gate)
Over the Rainbow: Untold stories of Freedom The Theatre Place 8pm ADM: $1, 200
MET Opera: Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito (Encore) Palace Cineplex (Sovereign Centre) 11:30am ADM: $1,200 (children, students, senior citizens - regular seats); $1,600 (regular seats); $2,000 (box)
WHAT TO DO this
WKND