Of Nutraceuticals and Pharmaceuticals…Healing Plants
Recently I’ve taken to referring to Mommy as a Bush Woman. Why? Because I can’t even think of clearing my throat before she starts diagnosing and recommending which food, bush, fruit skin, herb, or mix up I should take. And, of course, she’s often right (there, Mommy, I said it!). Even Grandpa is in on … Read more
Marley
On Monday night I saw the new documentary about Bob Marley as part of the 2012 DC International Film Festival. So important is “Marley” that it was introduced by the Tony Gittens, founder and director of FilmfestDC. Marley’s director and producers specifically chose Filmfest DC for a pre-release screening; the film had only screened at … Read more
Caribbean Film on Display at the 2012 DC International Film Festival
A couple of weeks ago fellow blogger Mamachel told me that Jamaican film Better Mus’ Come would be shown at the 26th Annual DC Film Festival (aka Filmfest DC from April 12 – 22). Yeeesss! I’ve been dying to see the film that so many audiences have loved. Last year I attended the festival — … Read more
Guest Post | Dancehall, Jamaica, and Me
Not long after I became an active tweeter a young lady using the handle @spyasamy started following me. She immediately started interacting and soon I followed her. It was clear that Yasmine loved Jamaica and Jamaican music and she really loved Jamaican superstar Sean Paul (@duttypaul). It was heartwarming to see, and to honest, it made … Read more
Celebrate Jamaica: The Alpha Boys’ School
Growing up I didn’t know much about The Alpha Boys’ School. I do remember Grandma making mention of it once as a music video by Leroy Smart played on the television. She mentioned that he went to the school and that the school was known both for its music training and for the success its … Read more
Winston Riley Died
Without me knowing it at the time, Winston Riley was responsible for the deep falling in love moment I had with Dancehall. It was a summer vacation and I was in New York…and not New York City but upstate New York. Faaaar! My cousin had a walkman and a cassette with Dancehall on it and … Read more
Celebrate Jamaica: Diane Browne, Kellie Magnus, and Sean Paul
In The Happiness Dress Jamaican children’s author Diane Browne tells the story of a special present for Carolyne from Aunt Inez. The Happiness Dress is delightful, fun, and vivid. I easily imagined Carolyne wearing her pretty dress and…nope! Go read the story! For her work, Ms. Brown earned the 2011 Commonwealth Foundation Special Prize in the “Story for Children” category (scroll … Read more
Dancehall, Ah Wah Gwaan?
Today I could not hold back the Twitter rant about some “fresh” Dancehall to which I exposed my ears. »» I was heated. HEATED. Wait did I say I was done? Nope. My poor ears. Where did I hear the offending “music”? On Federation Sound‘s weekly podcast, specifically the May 6, 2011 edition (#199). No … Read more
Celebrating Jamaica
Eric Donaldson’s “Land of My Birth” 1978 Jamaica Festival Popular Song Contest winner. Listen while you read! O how I wish I never had to leave The Rock’s shores but I did and that’s that…but mi neva run weh and mi nah and nevah fling no stone back ah mi! Now for my own piece/peace … Read more
Heavy Heart
The logical side of my brain is trying to figure out why Miss Lou’s death makes me so sad but it’s losing a hard battle to my emotions, which are screaming to quit trying to analyze and jus’ recognize. She wasn’t related to me yet she’s as much a part of me as she is … Read more
