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March 21, 2013 

ARTSY FARTSY: ‘Home Again’ Film Screening Review

HomeAgain
Murphy’s Law: an adage that states that “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Sometimes it feels that no matter what we do, life throws us lemon after lemon, knocking over the glasses of lemonade we’ve resigned ourselves to and laughing at us in the process. Other times, the choices we make are the things that steer us headfirst into misfortune. Either way, Murphy’s Law finds its way into our lives at one point or another – and this was one of the unforgettable lessons of Sudz Sutherland’s gripping new film, Home Again.

I was lucky enough to obtain a press pass to the film courtesy of Hungry Eyes Film & Television and G 98.7FM. Home Again opens at select theatres across the GTA, Vancouver, and Montreal this Friday, but I was excited to screen the movie in advance.

Home Alone stars Tatyana Ali, Lyriq Bent, Stephan James, Fefe Dobson, and CCH Pounder as various characters who have their lives changed in Jamaica. Marva (Ali), Dunston (Bent), and Everton (James) are 3 deportees from Toronto, NYC, and London England who all find themselves forced back to a country they all left before the age of 5.

Poor decisions (well-intentioned or otherwise) landed the three back in Jamaica, but Murphy’s Law was what welcomed them with open arms. Home Again unfolds itself in their stories which often intersect in interesting ways, and shows us the lengths that people will go to in order to survive – no matter how many times life tries to knock them down.

The husband-wife team of Sutherland and Jennifer Holness wrote a story that was complex without being too messy, and eye-opening without being too invasive. Each character offered such a multi-dimensional view of family, loyalty, relationships, and the deportation process in general that any one could have had an entire film crafted solely around them. Deportation within the diaspora has become such a common theme that it’s hard to step back and really look at the layout of the process until you’re forced to – and that’s what this movie did for me. I recall some of my father’s friends being deported when I was young, but I absorbed it as something that just happened. You shrug your shoulder, buy a few international phone cards, and move on with life. Home Again exposed the audience to the failures of the system on all sides – the “foreign” country’s unfair deportation practices (usually for low-level crimes), family negligence of proper filing of paperwork, and Jamaica’s lack of support for those who return, unfamiliar and lost in a place that they never knew.

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At many times throughout the film, I wondered if any of our protagonists would have a happy ending. Marva left children behind in Toronto, and her Jamaican family is less than supportive. Dunston hopped from one life of crime in New York to another in Kingston. Everton was the private school-educated young man with a promising future whose naivete affected him the most out of any other character in the film. Needless to say, Home Again overflows with searing reality. In real life, not everyone can have a happy ending, and art definitely imitated life in this case. Gang life, sexual abuse, and drug abuse play as vital roles as any of the characters, but Home Again also has its lighter moments. Themes of love and redemption are strong, and there are crucial comedic moments that add a necessary break from the struggles the main characters face.

I loved the small details in the film as well. Caribbean film usually includes subtitles to assist viewers who can’t catch the fast-moving patois. I often find the subtitles to be jarring – slapped on-screen and sometimes removed too quickly to follow what the character is saying. Sutherland incorporated subtitles that seemed to float across the screen – not taking your attention away, but not leaving you lost in the process. I also loved the nuance used with regards to sex and sexuality in the film. I’m no prude, but I’ve grown weary of the gratuitous sex scenes that I’ve seen in other Caribbean film. I may just be sensitive to reinforcing the hypersexualized stereotypes of Caribbean men and women, but it was refreshing to see sexuality played out in a more subdued (yet equally effective) way. The cinematography was utterly gorgeous – though the film was shot in Trinidad, the arranged settings of Trenchtown, Spanish Town, and other areas of Jamaica were beautiful. My biggest concern was how the actors would pull off authentic Jamaican accents, and I was pleasantly surprised for the most part! My ear could pick out a few actors who were clearly Trinidadian playing Jamaicans, and some other cast members fell flat with a bit of their pronunciation, but overall it was great. In fact, the mixture of Torontonian, New Yorker, Jamaican, and British accents were like musical melodies, and was an audible tie to the diasporic reach of Jamaica, and the Caribbean at large.

Home Again had the theatre laughing, gasping, cursing and the screen, and dead silent. The surprises and “did that REALLY just happen?” moments kept us on the edge of our seats and engrossed in the story playing out in front of us. The heartbreaking moments, the difficult-to-watch moments, the moments that gave us respite from the harsh realities of what we were ingesting – it was all laid out in perfect puzzle piece form, with everything eventually coming together to give us one cohesive view. Though Murphy’s Law was prominent for me, Home Again also left me with a strong sense of perseverance and the fact that the next choice you make might just have the power to turn things around. If you’re looking for an amazing film that educates while it emotes and entertains, Home Again is what you need in your life.

 For my Toronto/Vancouver/Montreal peeps, Home Again hits select theatres starting this Friday! PLEASE go out to support on opening weekend, and let the power of Canadian-Caribbean cinema be known! Check the Home Again Facebook page for more details. For my American friends, check the Home Again site to see when the film might be playing in your area. Caribbean cinema is making serious moves – Storm Saulter is seeing big success with the AFFRM-backed release of his film Better Mus Come (which I reviewed last year), so the sky is the limit for Home Again! Definitely let me know what you thought of the film after you see it! 

February 12, 2013 

SISTERHOOD & FRIENDSHIP: The Door By Ava DuVernay & Miu Miu

What do you get when you combine the following:

  • Beautiful cinematography
  • Beautiful Black women
  • Beautiful clothing
  • Beautiful music

and

  • A beautiful storyline?

As I found out last night, you get The Door – an amazing artistic partnership between filmmaker Ava DuVernay and fashion brand Miu Miu.

Ava DuVernay was the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her film Middle of Nowhere. She collaborated with Miu Miu to create a short film as part of the fashion brand’s “Women’s Tales” series, featuring an awesome showing of Miu Miu clothing – and it is gorgeous. Starring Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and Goapele, this 9-minute short uses everything except words to tell a poignant story of sisterhood and self-discovery. This was a lovely yet unexpected visual that gave me something I didn’t know I needed.

Here’s the description from Miu Miu:

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change. The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness.

“In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”

Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.

Watch The Door here:

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I may be in a particularly sensitive frame of mind right now, but The Door touched me. It made me think about the themes of friendship and sisterhood, love and loss, and who I would lean on in my time of need.

I have a select few close girlfriends who make my heart sing with their love, sincerity, and support. Friends who make me so proud that I celebrate their successes as fervently as if they were my own. Friends who are down for whatever, whenever, however – and I love them. On the flip side, I’ve also experienced the dreaded girlfriend break-up, which has always felt worse than almost any boyfriend break-up in my life.

I once had a sister-friend who would have been the Adepero/Emayatzy/Goapele to my Gabrielle, if it ever came down to it. And if she was Gabrielle, I undoubtedly would have played any one of the supportive sisters to her. I would have bet my last dollar on those facts – but had I ever made such a deal, I would be broke-pocketed and assed-out right now. One day I may write and vent it out, but today I choose to leave the past in peace. I find myself stepping over the charred remains of that friendship with lessons learned, guards up, and a heart temporarily hardened – but I’ve closed that door, and I’m better for it.

Alfre Woodard looks like an older version of my mother, so I always have a soft spot for her and the maternal vibe that radiates everytime I see her. Her presence in The Door was no different, but this time her representation brought to mind someone other than my mother.

We were an unlikely pair. Me – 6ft tall, Black, early twenties, Jamaican-Canadian; her – almost 5ft, White, early sixties, with a shock of red hair and a soft English accent. We worked together in a cosmetics department for a few years, but shared a special Odd Couple-teacher/student kind of friendship. Determining who played what role depended on the lesson at hand, but I definitely think I learned more. The news of her death this weekend shook me harder than I thought it would – sadness mixed with my own phobia of death, then blended with a sense of urgency for more in this fleeting life. The cherry on top of this tragic smoothie? The guilt I felt at continuously putting off sending her an email or making a quick call to see how she was. I’ll email her tomorrow. I’ll give her a call next week. I always thought about her and smiled fondly when I remembered the good old days. I always meant to connect, but never got around to it – and that guilt is a tough pill to swallow. Like the example before, that door is now closed, but I take the lessons and memories and know I am better for them.

Watching The Door when I did, in the particular frame of mind that I did, left me with an all-encompassing feeling of melancholy. It’s a beautiful kind of sorrow though – the kind that makes my breath get caught in my throat, but reminds me that life goes on once I start to breathe smoothly again. Hurt and loss are what they are, but love and sincere friendship can always be found. As in The Door, I remain blessed to be surrounded by women who know my heart and who let me know theirs. I am blessed to have friendships both past and present that bring out my best self. I’m blessed to have the gift of feminine bonds that progress with me through life’s changes, and who’ll walk with me through any door. Thanks to my friends, my sisters, from then and now – I am blessed.

Not sure if Ava DuVernay and Miu Miu would have expected this kind of response to The Door, but there it is! What did you think of The Door? For my ladies, how do you feel about the sisterhoods you have (or have had) in your life?

February 11, 2013 

DOPE READS: Britni Danielle’s Break Out Of Your Box E-Book

When you’re on the track to success and pushing towards your goals and dreams, there’s nothing like having a support group of sincere and likeminded people behind you. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to have family and friends in our corner that push us along, but that isn’t always the case.

Here’s where I’ve found social media has stepped in to save the day. A loooong time ago, I started following writer Britni Danielle on Twitter. I loved the links she posted to her writings, and soaked up the advice she graciously doled out for other aspiring writers and dreamers. When she began mentioning that she was creating a Facebook group called the GOALDiggers (ha!) Project, I made sure I was one of the first to join in. Since then, the GOALDiggers group has served as an awesome sounding board for advice, a place where I can toot my horn, an understanding group where I can vent frustrations, and an environment where I can encourage and help others in their goal attainment as well.

Britni also served as my writing coach for a few sessions, and the knowledge and advice she gave me was priceless. As a writer for publications like Clutch Magazine, JET, Ebony and others, I knew I had to absorb what she had to offer – and her advice has helped me tremendously with my own writing.

In a day and age where people seem to selfishly hoard who they know, what they know, and how they do what they do, Britni is one of the most unselfish and giving success stories I know. While she will humbly say she’s still on her way, I can definitely say she has achieved a level of success many of us will never know – she took charge of her life, created her own lane, and is doing what she loves while taking care of herself and her family. Now, Britni has found a new way to give to those of us who need a push forward with our goals – her new free e-book, Break Out Of Your Box: 5 Steps To Start Following Your Dreams!

As a member of the GOALDiggers Project, I was able to get my hands on a preview copy late last week. I took the time to read and ingest the beautifully written and designed book, and LOVED it.

Want to get a copy for yourself? Click here!

As per Britni’s site, this book covers:

  • How to get clear about your vision
  • How to network with others who will support your dream
  • Why you need to give yourself a concrete deadline
  • How to set measurable goals to achieve your dream
  • How to overcome the need to be perfect
  • Resources to get your started on your journey

I read it, took notes, evaluated what I was currently doing and how I was doing it, and decided to make some tweaks to my game plan based on Britni’s thoughts and examples. At just 30 pages, Break Out Of Your Box is a clear-cut, entertaining, and motivating read that will really start to get your juices flowing and get your wheels turning. Even better – any book that uses a Biggie line as its dedication is good as gold in my eyes!

If you’ve been looking for a way to start making ANY kind of positive change in your life, try Break Out Of Your Box as a guide. Acknowledging that you want better for yourself is the first step – but that self-revelation will be in vain if you don’t start taking the steps towards initiating those improvements! Put Break Out Of Your Box on your must-read list, and get to work! Hey – you can even make it one of your 5 Before 8 and get your day started right ;)

Check out Britni Danielle’s site, and spread the word about her book via social media and email! Have any questions for Britni? Reach out to her via email (Britni@BritniDanielle.com), follow her on Twitter, and check out the GOALDiggers Project Group on Facebook! 

November 28, 2012 

ON WITH THE SHOW: Battle Of The Sexes 2 Recap

BOTS Panel (L-R): Yours Truly, Elle Seon, Lincoln Anthony Blades, and Tosin Bello

Have you ever been asked to do something that you didn’t think you could do – and find out that you actually did BETTER than you could have hoped for? This was my experience at the beginning of the month, when I took part on the panel of Battle Of The Sexes Toronto, created and hosted by Telisha Ng, aka Goddess Intellect.

So, what was I so worried about? Well, I attended the first BOTS Toronto show back in the summer (held after the inaugural show in NYC), and loved it. It was a new kind of event in the city – a classy, sexy, intelligent affair that had attendees coming out in style, ready to debate and discuss issues between men and women. I recapped it in this post, but my major takeaways were that there was much to be said about love, sex, and relationships – and that Torontonians don’t play when they pay for their entertainment. We, the audience, were looking to the panelists to represent for the men and women, so it was definitely on them to come correct.

When Telisha hit me up asking if I’d be on the panel of the upcoming November show, I said yes right away. Immediately afterwards, I wondered what the hell I had just agreed to. I had never been on a panel. I wasn’t the most comfortable with public speaking. I’ve always felt that I’m a better written communicator than verbal. And the biggie: people would be paying money to come and hear what I had to say – and they (especially the ladies) would expect me to represent. I. Was. Shook. However, I had already said yes and wasn’t about to go back on my word – so the nerve-wracking countdown to Battle Of The Sexes 2 was on.

Finally the night had arrived. The venue, House of Moments, was one of Toronto’s hidden gems – a minimalist space adorned with comfy lounge seats, amazing art, and Buddha statues. Appetizers were being passed around, drinks were being served with flair, music was pumping courtesy of Dynamic Vibe Entertainment, and attendees poured in early to take a gander at the vendors in place for the BOTS Pop-up shop. A rum and Coke from the bar and a good amount of chatting with vendors and guests started to get me relaxed and ready for the stage, but there was nothing like that moment when Telisha said, “OK! Time to start!” I downed the rest of that rum and Coke and said to myself, “Here goes nothing!”

The panelists didn’t know exactly what questions would be posed to us throughout the night. The over-arching topic was “Is Monogamy A Myth?”, but I knew that within that topic was a multitude of things that could be discussed. We talked infidelity, the “new role” of side-chicks, interracial dating, polyamory, and the age-old question: are humans meant to be monogamous? Myself and the other panelists, Lincoln Blades, Tosin Bello, and Elle Seon, took turns speaking our truths, inciting controversy, interacting with the audience, and battling each other. As I mentioned before, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get my thoughts out in a cohesive way, but once I cracked my first joke and got laughs, I was good. When I made my first serious point and got applause, I was even better. I realized in the midst of the event that I could do this, that I was doing it, and I was doing it pretty damn well, thank you very much.

Bee’s Top 3 BOTS Moments:

So, a few moments during the show stick out in my mind…

  1. An audience member was commenting on the issue of infidelity in marriage, and stated that she was confident that, if given the opportunity, her married male friends would cheat on their wives with her. Before I could stop myself, I hollered out, “Do you know MY husband?” Hey – he’s got lots of friends, so I had to just double-check if he was part of her equation.
  2. Another audience member made a comment that insinuated that men cheat physically because they are more sexual in nature, vs. women, who are more emotional in nature. I took from his comment that he was implying that men enjoy/need sex more than women, so I grabbed that mic and let him know that “Women like to f*ck too!” I had to apologize to Telisha, because I totally obliterated the ‘no cussin” law as I found out later – but hell. It needed to be said.
  3. Throughout the night, we played to rounds of a game called The Chopping Block, where audience members had to come up and use their best pick-up lines on the panelists. I was given the scenario of working out in the gym, and my suitor had to attempt to pick me up. Somehow, I hoisted my skinny-jeaned and high-heeled leg up on a block on the stage, and gave my best impression of a video girl from Kanye’s Workout Plan video. We won’t talk about how I nearly busted my behind when my gentleman caller just muttered “Let’s go”, and dragged me by my arm out of the venue. Needless to say, the other guy won.

Feedback from the audience members led me to believe that not only had I pulled the “I’m shy and introverted but I’m going to pretend to be a superstar tonight” wool over their eyes, but that we had ALL done an amazing job of representing and giving them their money’s worth. And one thing you don’t mess with is a Torontonian’s money. So I was happy.

It’s so hard to touch on everything we discussed that night, but feel free to check out the review from the woman in charge herself over on Goddess Intellect. Thanks to dope videographers Potential Films, you can take a peek at the exclusive Battle Of The Sexes trailer video! You’ll get to see a lil bit of my workout plan moves too ;)

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Were you at BOTS 2? If so, what did you think of the show? To the major question of the night – do you think monogamy is a myth? All of my American homies, keep in touch via the BOTS site to find out when the show is coming to your city!

November 12, 2012 

ARTSY FARTSY: Toronto’s ‘When Brothers Speak’ 2012

This past Saturday, I was finally able to attend an event that I’ve been wanting to come to for YEARS. For as long as I can remember, something has always conflicted with the dates of Dwayne Morgan’s When Brothers Speak spoken word event – but this year, I jumped on the early bird special as soon as I realized my calendar was free.

Dwayne Morgan is one of Toronto’s premier Renaissance men. Poet, author, speaker, photographer, entrepreneur, community advocate – in my perspective, Dwayne is a man who has his fingertip on the pulse of Toronto, and I’ve followed his work for years. I first met Dwayne when he came to the University of Western Ontario to open our Black History Month celebrations. When I moved to Toronto, one of the first outings my roomie and I had was to his open mic night, called The Roots Lounge. I took my first foray into sensual photography for a photoshoot he did, and I have a number of his books and CDs on my bookcase. With all that being said, I can’t believe it took me this long to attend When Brothers Speak, one of his most-anticipated annual events.

Back in 1994, Dwayne started his company, Up From The Roots,  geared towards highlighting the positive artistic contributions from African-Canadian and urban-influenced artists. From 1994 to this day, Dwayne and Up From The Roots has put on over 50 events, showcasing everything from poetry to music to dance to entrepreneurship at its best. Want to know more? Check out the event listings on Dwayne’s website here.

The look of the night! Ladies – don’t be afraid of a red lip! I think this season is going to be all lip emphasis for me…

Now. On to this year’s When Brothers Speak event. Created to showcase the positive spoken word talents of men of colour from across Canada and the US, it’s garnered rave reviews from everyone I know who has attended in the past. HomieLoverFriend and I braved the horrendous Toronto traffic and made it to the beautiful St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts just in time for the 8pm start. The crowd came out looking lovely, and it seemed like everyone was anticipating a wonderful show. We were treated to a pre-show jam session by DJ Manifest, and at around 8:15pm, the house light dimmed. It was show time.

First up was Just Jamaal, who did some amazing pieces on love and fatherhood. He got the crowd going with one of the tracks from his Ottawa-based hip-hop group, and had the crowd snapping, “mmmmhmmm”ing, and applauding before he left the stage. Next, we were treated to the verbal stylings of Somalia-born, Edmonton, Alberta-raised Knowmadic. Touching on aspects of life in Somalia and representing for Africa while living in Canada, the highlight of Knomadic’s set was his hilarious yet truthful PSA about a world-wide epidemic: Ignorance. Baltimore’s own Marc Marcel was the last poet for the half, and he held no punches. Capitalism, religion, and sex with “psycho” chicks were all covered in the pieces he performed, but his last piece was my favourite. An inspirational piece, he started off by saying “This is the most important year of your life” – and reminded us that there is no time like the present to embrace the gifts we all possess.

Knowmadic

Intermission saw me catching up with homies in the audience, so I missed out on the goodies, picture taking, and booths that were up in the lobby. I imagine that one of the busiest booths would have been Integrity Tours – the touring company that is working with Dwayne to coordinate a trip to South Africa in March 2013. Want more info on that? Check the Facebook event listing here.

The second half of the show kicked off with Prufrock from Ottawa – the 2011 Toronto International Poetry Slam Champion. When he walked out on stage, I figured he was an unassuming dreadlocked poet reppin’ for Jamaica (thanks to the island name embroidered on the bottom of his pant leg). What I didn’t expect was that he would be one of my favourite poets of the night! From pieces about the contributions Black men have made to society, to education inequality, Prufrock was giving it to us all the way real. The standout piece was his letter to Snoop Lion, which started off: “Dear Snoop Lion: You ah EEDIAT.” He earned the standing ovation he received at the end of his set, and gave the crowd some brand new energy.

Prufrock

Next up was Ritalin from Toronto, who performed 4 emotional pieces. After giving a shout out to his mom and grandmother in the audience, he performed 2 especially poignant pieces – one on the effects of domestic violence felt by his family, and one on the Danzig shootings in Toronto earlier this summer. Before he left the stage, he did a partner piece with Dwayne, which creatively touched on the definition of manhood in a way I’ve never heard before.

The man of the hour, Dwayne Morgan

Last, but definitely not least, the boss himself took the stage. Dwayne performed pieces dedicated to his late grandfather, to the love of his life (his 5 year old daughter), and to the pursuit of passions in the face of adversity. His last piece started off with the line, “She said, ‘go in’” and automatically the women in the audience let out an “mmmph!” that seemed to insinuate that all of our minds were in the gutter. Dwayne laughed and started again – and we learned that the piece was nothing like what we initially assumed, but it was probably better than anything we imagined. In his few minutes on stage, he showed us why he’s been so successful for so long. Dopeness.

The Brothers (L-R): Prufrock, Ritalin, Marc Marcel, Dwayne Morgan, Knowmadic, and Just Jamaal

Overall, the night was amazing, and I was SO elated to finally support a night of When Brothers Speak. If you’re into spoken word poetry (and not the corny, trying-too-hard-to-be-artsy-and-smart kind), keep When Brothers Speak – and it’s counterpart, When Sisters Speak – on your radar. Big up Dwayne Morgan and all the poets for an amazing show, and shout outs to Tamika, Panin, Wayne, Tiffany, Dee, Belinda, and Charlene – all my homies who I got to link up with at the show!

October 31, 2012 

INSOMNIAC ENTERTAINMENT: What I Found Online At 3am

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade, right? Well, that’s exactly what I did last night during the latest episode of Bee vs. Insomnia. Sleeplessness has been my new bedfellow since this past weekend, and while it’s completely torturous to go without my beloved sleep, last night I found a way to entertain myself until the zzz’s finally arrived. Take in this completely random post, and let me hip y’all to some of the cool stuff I found while wide awake at 3am.

RoomieLoverFriends

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I’ve made it no secret that I LOVE the new wave of Black web series that have been popping up online. I’m late to this one, but last night after I watched the latest episode of Awkward Black Girl (hilarious!), I started watching Issa Rae and Black & Sexy TV’s latest collabo, RoomieLoverFriends. I only planned to watch 2 of the episodes, but I got thoroughly hooked and watched all 6 that are out! Long story short: Tamiko has a sexy-ass, fine-ass tenant named Jayson, who ends up breaking her off with more than just his half of the rent. This leads to confused emotions, displays of denial, and hilarious commentary from Tamiko’s cousins and best friend, who do their best to help her navigate the new wrinkle in her arrangement. Sexy, funny, relateable, and well-produced with a bangin’ theme song – RoomieLoverFriends is one of my new favourite things to watch. Getchu some – and check out the newest web series on the block, Lenox Ave!

The Hillman Bookstore

Now, I’ve known about this site for a minute now, but I revisited it last night and almost pulled out my credit card right then and there. One of my favourite TV shows was A Different World, so I adore all things Hillman. I was dead-set on attending an HBCU thanks to the show, but since that didn’t happen, The Hillman Bookstore gives me the opportunity for the next best thing. If you’ve ever wanted a Hillman College hoodie or T-shirt, this site has what you need! I might just have to pick up a Whitty Hutton (who remembers that episode of Martin?) and a Randy Watson (hello – Coming To America?) tee as well to add to my collection of Black cinematic paraphernalia.

Battle Of The Sexes Deal

Do you remember my post this summer about the 1st Toronto show of Battle of The Sexes put on by my homie Goddess Intellect? Have I mentioned that I’m going to be one of the panelists for the next show, going down this Sunday? Well if you didn’t know, now you know, folks! The main question of the night is: is monogamy a myth? We’ll be covering all aspects of that question by looking at various facets like infidelity, open relationships, polygamy, and more. I’ll be reppin’ for the ladies with my homegirl Elle Seon, and on the other side of the table will be Lincoln Blades and Tosin Bello. The event will be a really cool and well-rounded one, with a pop up shop, audience games, lively discussion, delicious food and drink, and other forms of mischief and merriment at the new House of Moments venue. So, the cool thing to share is that Miss Intellect has extended a last minute deal for all y’all stragglers who haven’t copped tickets yet – bring a friend, and get 2 tickets for $30! So if you’re in Toronto and want to come and holler out your thoughts about monogamy, grab a homie and get your tickets asaptually!

Bonus: Check the hilarious new BOTS promo video that I’m sure will give us some thangs to talk about on Sunday!

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So, there are a few of the random and wonderful things I came across during my recent run as an insomniac. Have you checked out any dope new webseries that I should know about? Are you going to order something from the Hillman Bookstore? And are you coming to Battle of The Sexes? Let a sista know! I won’t be sleeping anytime soon, so…

September 10, 2012 

ARTSY FARTSY: Caribbean Tales Opening Gala + Lovers Rock Recap

Last week, I found myself in the middle of a Caribbean oasis at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre. The Caribbean Tales Film Festival Opening Gala took place on Wednesday, and transformed the heart of the city into a mini-vacation spot. Food, music, film, and fun – the gala had it all!

For those who don’t know, the Harbourfront Centre is an “innovative not-for-profit cultural organization that creates events and activities of excellence that enliven, educate and entertain a diverse public”. In addition to being one of the most gorgeous spots along Toronto’s waterfront, the Harbourfront Centre is a consistent supporter of arts and culture in Toronto. That being said, it was the perfect venue choice for the Caribbean Tales Film Festival, from the opening gala to all of the film screenings.

The gala kicked off in true Caribbean fashion, with a buffet of delicious West Indian food! Attendees (which included the Consul Generals of Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua & Barbuda, the Hon. Jean Augustine, and Tonya Lee Williams, among many others) milled about while partaking in some of the best jerk chicken and rice & peas I’ve had in a while. Working the Media Room, I got to connect with a number of local and international media representatives, and was very happy to see the immense interest in the gala and film festival at large.

Frances-Anne Solomon (Caribbean Tales Founder) and Allan Jones (G98.7FM)

Guest with Tonya Lee Williams (aka Dr. Olivia Barber Williams on Y&R)

Caribbean Tales Founder and Artistic Director Frances-Anne Solomon welcomed the crowd, led the audience in a birthday song for the Hon. Jean Augustine, and introduced the 48 Hour Film Challenge competitors and filmmakers. Once the official business was through, the Caribbean vibe was continued with an amazing performance by the Trinidadian/Torontonian band Kobo Town. Something was happening in every corner – interviews with filmmakers, red carpet photo shoots, couples dancing to the band, and yells of “Eh! How you goin’?” from old friends who reconnected at the gala. It was an electric hub of creativity, passion, and comradeship, and I was happy to be in the mix!

Finally, we headed from the Lakeside Terrace room to the Studio Theatre for the screening of The Story of Lovers Rock by Menelik Shabazz, a world-renowned British filmmaker. The sold-out screening was led through introductions by Tdot entertainment greats Farley Flex and Motion, with additional words from the Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago. We were treated to a a music video by reggae group No-Maddz, a hilarious short called Joyce and Herman, and trailers for all of the feature films being screened at the Caribbean Tales Film Festival. After the crowd was warmed up, we got right into Shabazz’ film, which I was highly anticipating – I adore Lovers Rock music, so I was excited to learn about its origins and cultural significance.

Media table w/ Louise Noel Ambrose (Eventobe PR) and Dessie Fanfair

With Natasha & David Green – the ’83 To Infinity gala giveaway winners!

Kobo Town performance

The film was interestingly crafted – part documentary, part scripted comedy, it took us through beginnings of Lovers Rock in 1970s Britain to today.  Interviews with Lovers Rock greats like Janet Kay and Maxi Priest gave us the origins of the music, which was born out of reggae and ska from Jamaica. With the immigration of Caribbeans to Britain in the ’60s and ’70s, young Black Brits born to Caribbean parents needed an art form to call their own – Lovers Rock became just that, which quickly blossomed into a culture and a lifestyle. The way you dressed, walked, talked, and interacted with each other was influenced by Lovers Rock, and hearing the recounts from those who lived during the time was eye-opening. Lovers Rock was respite and healing for youths who were faced with racism and identity crises on a daily basis; it was an art form in which women came to hold top ranking; and it was a musical interpretation that clearly didn’t receive the recognition it deserved, as told by the film. The most interesting sentiment for me was that of the first-generation Brits who discussed the juxtaposition of not being fully Caribbean, but not being fully British either. I felt they were telling my story as a Canadian child born to Jamaican parents, and found that I could particularly identify to that part of the film. Shabazz’ film gave us a thorough breakdown of the history of Lovers Rock music, and his passion for the story came through loud and clear. The length of the film made for a long night, being at the end of a work day and the gala itself, but I was happy to have been in attendance.

Farley Flex and Motion

The Story of Lovers Rock filmmaker Menelik Shabazz

After a short Q&A session with Menelik Shabazz and Allan Jones from G98.7FM, we called it a night. The Harbourfront Centre was silent, save for a lone caretaker who was sweeping the halls. He looked a bit surprised to see us all filing out, so I suspected that he was unaware that just hours before, Caribbean Tales had the place bursting with Caribbean flavour. It was an excellent night, and an excellent kick-off to the Caribbean Tales Film Festival!

Thanks to Trendsetters Photography for the photos!

The Caribbean Tales Film Festival runs until September 15th! Check here for schedules and ticket info for upcoming films. If you missed the showing of The Story of Lovers Rock on Wednesday, not to worry! There will be one more screening tomorrow night at Innis Town Hall (Univ. of Toronto campus), 2 Sussex Avenue at 6:30pm! Click here for details and tickets! If you were at the gala, leave me a comment and let me know how you enjoyed it!

August 22, 2012 

ARTSY FARTSY: The Caribbean Tales Film Festival Is On Its Way

Last week, I shared the news (via Twitter and Facebook) that I was teaming up with the Caribbean Tales Film Festival here in Toronto. While the city is abuzz in September for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), I thought I should let y’all know that another festival will be making the city hot!

Photo source: Caribbean Tales

Let’s backtrack. Caribbean Tales is a multimedia company which was founded by wonderwoman Frances-Anne Solomon in 2001. Offshoots of the company include an educational media company, the annual film festival, and Caribbean Tales Worldwide Distribution – the first film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean. With bases in Barbados and Toronto, Caribbean Tales’ vision is to “contribute to an inclusive Canadian society by celebrating the rich traditions of Caribbean heritage storytelling”. Upon meeting with Frances-Anne and the Caribbean Tales team, I learned so much about the heart of the movement – which centres around the tenets of celebrating diversity, telling our own stories, and educating Caribbean filmmakers on navigating the international market.

Photo source: Stud Life Tumblr

So – let’s get to the film festival details! The festival kicks off on September 5th with a gala and film screening at Harbourfront’s Lakeside Terrace, sponsored by the Toronto Consulate General for Trinidad & Tobago. The opening film will be The Story of Lovers Rock by Menelik Shabazz, an incredible veteran Black British filmmaker. I love me some Alton Ellis and John Holt, so you know I’ll be up in that piece on the 5th! Films continue from the 10th-15th at Harbourfront’s Studio Theatre, and schedule highlights include The Batty Boy’s Revenge by Alison Duke and Stud Life by Campbell X (with a panel discussion on queer Caribbean cinema), A Day In A Bajan Life by Penny Hynam, and – wait for it – I’m Santana The Movie by Roger Alexis! If you don’t know about the hilarious Trinidadian puppet shorts featuring the one and only Santana, get thee to YouTube and get familiar!

Photo source: LEXO TV

The Caribbean Tales Film Festival isn’t just about screening the hottest and latest theatrical gems from the Caribbean – it’s also about educating Caribbean filmmakers so that they are able to tackle the international market, get their stories heard/seen, and put the region on the map as a market to contend with. We have Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nollywood, so it’s time to get, er…Collywood (?) out there on the global film scene! In order to assist with this, the Film Festival has created two amazing initiatives. The 48-hour Film Challenge (headed by Michael Miller) puts Toronto up-and-comers to task – can you write, film, and edit a 5-minute short in 48 hours? Completed films will be screened during the film festival, so I can’t wait to see what our homegrown talent comes up with! The Caribbean Tales Incubator is another initiative – a 3-day workshop designed to educate Caribbean filmmakers on honing business plans, creating film and television pitches, and networking with mentors to learn how to get their films sold. In the 10 days of the film festival, I really look forward to meeting all of the Caribbean talent who make their way up to Toronto – it’ll be an exciting time in the city!

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Follow Caribbean Tales on Twitter and Facebook to stay up-to-date on festival details, and hit up Harbourfront Centre for ticket purchase – but do note, there ARE free shows too!

WANT TO WIN TICKETS TO THE GALA? I’ve got you covered!

June 18, 2012 

PARTIES, PLAYS, PALANCING & POPEYES: Bee’s Weekend Recap

Ok. It’s Monday, but who’s still living off of the buzz of the weekend? I better not be the only one!

My weekend was great! If you remember my Toronto event run down from last week, I highlighted a few key events happening in the city.  Outside of doing some writing and a lot of housework, I got to hit up a few awesome events and get myself into a bit of an uncomfortable situation. Let me explain…

Friday night was Fashionably Late’s Sunset Rum Punch party at Dazzling Lounge. When I tell you that rum punch was sweet, it was SWEET. With the drinks, tunes, and summer night’s heat, all I needed was some sand beneath my feet for a true Caribbean experience. Friday night was also the celebration of life for Doran Major, a former CFL player and leader in Toronto’s entertainment scene. Fashionably Late regulars mingled with Doran’s friends, which made for an awesome night!

Saturday night found me at the play Deranged with HomieLoverFriend and a couple of friends. Deranged starred Robin Givens (who made her regular appearance at Dazzling Lounge the night before) and Carl Payne II (aka Cockroach from The Cosby Show and Cole Brown from Martin). Described as “a contemporary urban take on ‘The Hand That Rocks The Cradle’”, Deranged (by playwright Angela Barrow Dunlap) showcased Carl’s natural comedic gift, Robin’s ability to play a true lunatic, and some homegrown Toronto talent. There were twists and turns, suspense, and enough hilarious moments to deem this a great play for a fun night out. But the REAL fun started at the play’s reception after the show! I got to chat and get pics with Robin and Carl (who remembered me from conversations we’ve had on Twitter), and jam to some dope soca music. Even though I cannot stand the song Palance anymore, I took a minute to teach Carl (who’s JUST as hilarious in person as he is on stage/TV) how to do the dance! Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with each and every episode of Martin – so it was a bit surreal given that earlier that day, I was cackling over the “Rent Em Spoons/Marty-Mart’s Meatloaf & Waffles” episode, and now I was chatting with the man who played Cole like we were homies!

HomieLoverFriend and I hit up Popeyes for some good ole chicken and biscuits, when something happened to me that has never happened before. While HLF was off in search of a washroom to wash his hands, I was interrupted mid-bite by a woman who was clearly panhandling. She sweetly complimented my hair, then asked for some change to get food. I added some change to the loonies and quarters she already had in her hand and wished her well. She looked down at her palm, back up at me, then yelled out “THAT’S IT? HOW THE F*CK AM I ‘POSED TO EAT WITH THAT?” I. Was. Floored. Before I could react (and snatch my damn coins back!), she stormed out. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she came back a couple minutes later with a friend to point me out as “that cheap one there”. Welp. I did a serious nervous laugh until HLF came back and asked “So, what did I miss?”

After the Popeye’s incident, my homegirl T and I hit up the club 6 Degrees for a fun old school party – ran into Cole Carl and the Deranged cast, and also spotted Malik Yoba, who’s surprisingly tall (and whose lips were luxuriously moist). I guess Toronto was the place to be this weekend! Good times were had by all!

So how was your weekend? Has anyone else seen Deranged? What did you think? Did anyone go to the NXNE Raekwon/Ghostface show on Sunday night? So sad I missed it :( Let me know how you spent your weekend! 

June 15, 2012 

BLACK WEB LOVE: ABG Season 2 Premiere & Lessons In Opportunity

Photo source: Pharrell’s Facebook

In case your Twitter timelines and Facebook news feeds didn’t alert you, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl Season 2 premiered last night! I’ve been watching this web series since it launched last year, and I have not only been thoroughly entertained (like, laugh-til-you-cry type entertained), but I’ve also been inspired by the growth of the series.

If you didn’t see it, or want to watch again, here you go:

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If you need to backtrack and catch up on Season 1, click here.

Issa Rae, the creator of ABG, is a freakin’ genius. She’s managed to take something that is so common to so many of us (being awkward), and parlayed that into an online phenomenon that has followers all around the world. One of those followers? None other than Pharrell Williams.

Already a musical mastermind, Pharrell has created a new venture called i am OTHER – deemed to be a “channel and cultural movement dedicated to Thinkers, Innovators, and Outcasts.” However it happened (magical fairy dust? whatever elixir Pharrell drinks to not age one damn bit?), Issa Rae and ABG caught Pharrell’s eye, which led to him throwing his support behind her for ABG’s 2nd season, which will be hosted on i am OTHER’s Youtube account. Peep this “State of the Union” announcement:

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Issa is better than me. If I ever had Pharrell standing there with his arm around ME? Chile…anyways. Let me get back on topic.

After I quieted the butterflies in my tummy that crash into each other whenever I see/hear Pharrell, I was nothing less than motivated. Here was a woman who, not so long ago, was just like me. Creative, determined, with an idea in her head and a plan to see it to fruition one way or another. Now, because of her uniqueness, hard work, and quality product, she was now doing Youtube videos with Pharrell like it ain’t no thang. Being backed by i am OTHER like it ain’t no thang. And probably sipping on unlimited amounts of Qream like it ain’t no thang.

Issa Rae and i am OTHER have reinforced the notion for me that opportunity can strike at any time. With that in mind, I’m determined to remember a few key points with anything I put out into the world:

  • Provide quality. Take this blog for instance. The other night, I sat in front of a blank screen for a loooong time. I felt like I wanted to write something, like I had to write something, but had not a lick of something to write about. Instead of pushing out some blah-blah, I decided to leave it alone until I had something that I really wanted to say. Remember that in anything you do, do it to the best of your ability.
  • Be YOU. Always maintain your uniqueness. No one can do what you do the way you do it, and people will notice that. Your opportunity and blessings are meant for you, so don’t block them by continuously trying to be someone else.
  • Remember that anyone can be watching at any time. Don’t let this scare you, let it motivate you! I remember a time when I was putting out resume after resume seeking a job, and found an awesome position because someone saw the work I was doing, and thought I’d be perfect for something else. With today’s social media movements, you never know who’s reading your blog, watching your Youtube clips, or following you on Twitter. Your next big blessing may be just around the corner, about to show up in your email inbox or Twitter mentions…

No matter how dire things may seem, never forget that opportunity is everywhere – you just need to be prepared to seize it! Watching ABG continuously reminds me of this. From improved camera quality to a successful kickstarter campaign to partnering with i am OTHER, I’m excited to see where ABG goes next!

What was the best opportunity you ever received? What opportunity are you hoping comes your way soon? Put it out there! And how damn good was the ABG season premiere? I’m still rollin’…too many quotables! LOL!

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