NEWS

SHANTAYE’S WORLD SET TO SCREEN IN LONDON

Shantaye’s World is the creation of Iyanola Pictures, a small Saint Lucian film company. The feature is set to premiere at an invitation-only viewing on 12 November, with open, public screenings to come shortly. The film is set in post-colonial Saint Lucia, and depicts the life of Shantaye Anderson, a bold, black, beautiful, intelligent girl, and her relationship with Jean Claude Le Marche, the handsome son of the community's white doctor, played by the film's co-director, Guillaume Rico. Their love faces an obstacle which threatens its survival, and a future of uncertainty as the young lovers are broken apart by distance.

Shantaye's World took the award for best feature in the Best Micro Budget category at the International New York Film Festival. The story is adapted from a novel by Mathurine Emmanuel, and was subsequently developed as a screenplay by her son, Keddy Emmanuel, for Iyanola. Kolbe Devaux and Antonia Charles star as the male and female leads, respectively.

Iyanola Pictures has previously released Ribbons of Blue, and is poised to dot the world with glimpses of Caribbean history, culture and heritage as they continue to tell stories through film.

For updates, visit www.iyanolapictures.com.

NEWS

EMCCAN APPOINTS A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network (EMCCAN) has appointed Donna Briscoe-Greene as its new chief executive, replacing outgoing CEO Donna Fox. Donna is a Derby-based manager, artist and social entrepreneur. She has in-depth experience of the carnival sector.

Briscoe-Greene has also previously been an artist coach, a professional singer and an entertainer. In 2018 she founded East Midlands Black Arts Associated, an initiative that supports the development and decolonisation of the local arts scene. She has received several awards.

EMCCAN chair Richard Renwick MBE said, “We are delighted to have recruited Donna BriscoeGreene as the new CEO of EMCCAN. She has a real passion for carnival arts and how it impacts the communities we work with. Which is in essence what EMCCAN is all about. She also has relevant skills and will bring new ideas to the development of EMCCAN.” Her EMCCAN appointment took effect in September, replacing outgoing CEO Donna Fox.

ARE YOU A STAR BAKER IN THE MAKING?

The Great British Bake Off is seeking home bakers to enter the iconic white tent and pit their skills against 11 other passionate contestants. The winner will earn the title of Britain’s best amateur baker.

If you’re up for the challenge, enter the 14th series without delay - the deadline for applications is Sunday 4 December. You must be be a UK resident and aged 16 or above on 1 January 2023. Appearance on the show could provide a golden gateway to further opportunities.

Apply online at www.applyforbakeoff.co.uk or request an application form by emailing applyforbakeoff@loveproductions.co.uk, stating your full name, full address (including postcode) and telephone number. Alternatively, call 0117 456 8530.

SAMARA TELESFORD IS CROWNED MISS CARIBBEAN UK 2022

The curtains closed on the Miss Caribbean UK beauty pageant on Saturday 29 October at the Shaw Theatre, London. Out of the eight finalists who made it to the grand finale, Samara Telesford from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines emerged as the 2022 queen.

Samara also won Best Evening Dressed and People’s Choice. She tied as Miss Personality with Gregiana Augustin.

Other winners on the night were Jamaica’s Odavia Moffat and Cayman Islands’ Sarafina Mitchell as first and second runners-up, respectively. Trishauna Stewart from Jamaica took the prize for the Best Charity Fundraiser.

Sponsors and supporters for this year’s show were Sofn'free Naturals, Eleanor Small and Diva Choice, as well as the Shaw Theatre.

UCOM PRESENTS AVES BIRDS OF THE TROPICS FOR NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2023

United Colours of Mas – better known as UCOM – has announced the date for the virtual launch of its 2023 Notting Hill Carnival theme .

On Saturday 3 December 2022, AVES – Birds of the Tropics will be livestreamed on YouTube. AVES is scheduled for takeoff at 7.30pm; put it in your diaries, calendars and alarms now.

NEWS

AFTER NEAR-DEATH FRIGHT, SPARROW SEES THE LIGHT

Veteran calypsonian Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) was baptised at Far Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York on 4 September, causing something of a stir amongst fans who saw a video of the ceremony posted on social media. He is now a member of the Linden Seventh Day Adventist Church in New York.

The 87-year-old singer’s baptism was conducted by Vincentian pastor Claudius Morgan, who himself had been a calypsonian performing under the sobriquet Samaritan. Pastor Morgan had been evangelising in a large tent (n.b. not a calypso tent) as part of a five-week evangelical crusade.

Quoted in Searchlight, Pastor Morgan remarked, “God could use anybody. When it comes to God and salvation, nobody is unreachable, nobody is too hard for God to save.” Sparrow’s motivation, Morgan said, was the salvation of his soul. The pastor stated that Sparrow had been in a coma and had a near-death experience before he was baptised. Sparrow – or Brother Francisco, as he is now known - is reported to have said that he may now stop singing some of his more risqué calypsos. Morgan said he now hopes to baptise fellow calypsonians Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) and Calypso Rose (McCartha Sandy-Lewis). He has already baptised one of Sparrow’s daughters.

Newsday reported Rose as saying: “Long time he [Sparrow] wanted to be baptised. His mother was a Spiritual Baptist.”