The Caribbean Imaginary Spring 2016 Lecture Series — bringing attention to contemporary and critical Caribbean issues such as cultural, social and political matters — is being presented by the Institute of African American Affairs at New York University, starting Monday.
St. Kitts-born playwright and Yale University professor Caryl Phillips will tackle “Migration, Modernity and the Caribbean Imagination,” tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., in a conversation with J. Michael Dash. The talk will be held in the Grand Hall of NYU’s Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life, 5th floor, 238 Thompson St. (between W. Third St. and Washington Square South). To RSVP, call (212) 998-4222).
The series continues on March 8 with “On the Caribbean Imaginary,” a talk by award-winning Jamaica-born poet Lorna Goodison. The session, which also will be held at NYU’s Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life, begins at 6:30 p.m. and features Goodison in a conversation with Ifeona Fulani. Visit www. nyuiaaa.org.
TRACK WRITERS HONOR GOLDEN RACE
Fifty years ago, two Caribbean-born athletes competing for New York City high schools kicked off a 2-mile relay race that holds a special place in American scholastic track and field record books.
On Feb. 18, the Track and Field Writers Association made a special presentation at its winter awards dinner commemorating the 50th anniversary of the national record-setting Andrew Jackson High School/Boys High School 2-mile relay race held in 1966.
The amazing race was a dead heat — with Jackson and Boys both clocked in a national record time of 7:35.6 seconds, but Jackson was declared the winner of the duel. The record stood for more than three decades.
The 1966 race, at St. John’s University’s track in Queens, ended with anchor legs Mark Ferrell of Jackson and James Jackson of Boys at the finish line. But, the scholastic duel began with leadoff legs Dominican Republic-born Julio Meade from Jackson and Trinidad and Tobago-born Mark Edmead running for Boys High, in first and second place.
The Track and Field Writers gathering, held at Coogan’s restaurant in Upper Manhattan, featured several of the runners from both teams — including Ferrell, James Jackson and Boys High coach Doug Terry. Jackson coach Milton Blatt died in 1997.
Veteran journalist Marc Bloom, who witnessed the 1966 race as a novice writer and immortalized the contest, in a piece entitled “Me and Julio Down By The School Track,” addressed the gathering.
Meade – a renowned sprinter – moved up to the distance relay and put Jackson in first place on the opening relay leg – with Edmead of Boys High close behind.
“He (Edmead) was the leadoff leg; without him we would have never been in the race,” said Terry, who coached Boys High from 1965 to 1974. “Meade ran 1:54.3 and Edmead ran 1:55.3. “Oh man, I knew I was gonna win that race,” he said looking back on the record shared by the two teams and the win credited to Jackson H.S.
Meade committed suicide in 2001 and Terry said he’s not seen Edmead since he graduated in 1966.
ART EXHIBIT AT ST. FRANCIS TO BEGIN
“Picture This — Visual and Verbal (Re)Imagining of the Contemporary Caribbean,” a group exhibition celebrating the creative duality of writers as visual artists, opens Wednesday at St. Francis College’s Callahan Center, 182 Remsen St. (between Clinton and Court Sts.) in Brooklyn.
The exhibition — which runs through March 31 — features works by Jacqueline Bishop (Jamaica), Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné (Trinidad andTobago), Laura James (Antigua and Barbuda), Iyaba Mandingo (Antigua and Barbuda), Michele Voltaire Marcelin (Haiti), Opal Palmer Adisa (Jamaica), and Mervyn Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago).. To RSVP and get information, call (718) 783-8345 or send email to info@caribbeantheatre.org.
REMEMBERING WINSTON BLAKE
A cascade of condolences were posted on social media yesterday acknowledging the death of Jamaican sound system veteran Winston (Merritone) Blake, who passed away early yesterday morning at University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew, Jamaica.
Blake, who was 75, was well-known in Jamaica and the diaspora for his skills, which included producing talent shows and promoting the careers of now-popular musicians – such as veteran Cynthia Schloss and singer Beres Hammond , as well as operating the well-known Mighty Merritone sound system with his brothers.
Blake was also among the organizers an entertainment at the annual Merritone Family Fun Day and Outdoor Picnic held in Connecticut and starring Jamaican musical performers and games for children and adults.
Reggae singer Maxi Priest, one of the many persons paying respects, posted on Facebook: “My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, fans, and ALL SOUNDMAN, for the loss of iconic Jamaican DJ, Winston Merritone Blake, from the legendary MERRITONE MUSIC SOUND SYSTEM. Sound systems are the groundation vessels that keeps the music alive! “Music gives wings to the heart and soul, and teaches it to fly.” R. I. P. King. Rastafari love and blessings.”
FASHION WEEK WITH GLENROY MARSH
Cocktail dresses, a signature evening gown and men’s casual elegant wear were some of the gifts Jamaica-born designer Glenroy Marsh presented recently to industry buyers and other patrons during 2016 Fall/Winter New York Fashion Week
The “La Vie du Noir Delights” 2016 fall collection from House of D’Marsh, viewed at Coco Mat in SoHo, had an immigrant theme in its concept –a tale of a chic black couple who immigrated to New York from Paris and faced the challenges of racism while maintaining their vibrant sense of style and fashion, according to program notes.
Before displaying the fashion, the show opened a performance by a trio of dancers from the Alvin Ailey Dance School.
This year’s collection was presented with the help of the following sponsors and partners, including Aflik TV, the Alvin Ailey Dance School, Caribbean Food Delights, Coco-Mat, iLAND Magazine, Jamaican-American International Chamber of Commerce, LaFace Models, the New American Chamber of Commerce, New Beginnings Salon, Restless Media, Soft & Beautiful Botanicals by Strength of Nature. Other sponsors included Sinners & Saints (jewelry), Sheena Tomlinson (hair), Joy Lorraine Cosmetics (makeup) and CG & D New York (shoes).
For information, visit www.dmarshcouture.com, send email to info@houseofdmarsh.com or call (646) 361-5087.
ST. LUCIA’S TAJ WEEKES BACK ON CHARTS
St. Lucia reggae star Taj Weekes is back on the music charts with “Love, Herb & Reggae,” the fifth album from Weekes and the Adowa band.
Debuting on Billboard Reggae Charts in the No. 29 position, the roots-reggae release tackles human rights, gun violence and other issues, such as homophobia – which is addressed in the album’s first single, “Here I Stand.”
Weekes and the Caribbean-eclectic Adowa band will be going on a world tour, including performances in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Current band member include Weekes, lead vocals, guitar; Burt (Rads) Desiree, bass guitar; Wayne (Adoni) Xavier, lead guitar; John Hewitt, keyboards; Baldwin Brown, drums; Valerie Kelley, background vocals. For information, visit www.tajweekes.com.
JLP WINS IN JAMACIA ELECTIONS
The opposition won in Jamaica last week putting Andrew Holness and his Jamaica Labor Party in power and ending the rule of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her People’s National Party, according to the Associated Press.
Preliminary results showed the Jamaica Labor Party winning enough seats in Jamaica’s Parliament to form a government. Concerns about the economy and crime have been widespread in the nation. Holness’ campaign has pledged to spark the economy though income tax cuts and other measures.
“We don’t take it that we have won a prize,” Holness told supporters after victory. “The cost of victory is to keep the commitments we have made.”
Simpson Miller became the nation’s first female prime minister in 2006 for a term that ended in 2007. She returned to officer as prime minister in 2011.