A Singing "Mercedes" Blazin' DJ and others: Its JARIA Reasoning @ Stone Love

Its more noted for its Weddy Weddy mid-week sessions, at which dancers put down the latest moves and the sizable roster of selectors keep patrons bouncing to the latest (even more so now that Passa Passa's not in the picture; not they were actually competing, of course);

But things heated up a day (or night) early as the Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) held its periodic "Reasonings" session Tuesday night last - in actual fact a showcase for new and upcoming talent, though a few stalwarts "passed through".

A motley crew of  hopefuls and risers took the Stone Love platform, led by the useful and versatile crooner Ricardo Suave, who tossed in a couple of smart covers (Al Green, Gregory Isaacs) in his short stint. Clinton Black held his own  with his brand of message music.

The gospel-touting Mercedes was the other pick of the night vocally, bringing a joyful energy to her delivery.

DJ Blaze brought some toasting energy late, and he had an "extra". After 'big-ups' to his "team' he brought up hot film star of the moment Nina 'Sky' Grey (above) co-star of the movie "Better Mus' Come".

Selector Geefus ensured levity with his Speedy Gonzalez impressions and razor-sharp selections in between the "live" acts .

Amid the City Towers....The Roktowa

New Kingston's towers of concrete and steel now have a bit more creative flair. the Roktowa Art movement, which has justifiably attracted attention for its artistic and social activism in the downtown area has moved "uptown" so to speak.

On the ground floor of the gleaming white Pan-Caribbean tower now houses a small collection of Roktowa works, with more to come form another location, The Glyph at red Bones. The works in PanCaribbean share space with the latest from Laura Facey.

The Art of the Burger, Eye-Popping paintings and Showing the Biz

The weekend proved a feast for the eyes and the palate, with some mental stimulation thrown in (via the Business Expo) that took us from Deli Works in Liguanea to Manor Park and to the wyndham in new Kingston.
At Deli Works, a somewhat confusing buffet greeted us, but we were soon distracted by the burger menu and decided "Why Not?"
service a little iffy at first, but our quick-thinking attendant ate some humble pie and apologized, leaving us in a better frae of mind to enjoy the meal

And boy, did we enjoy. The onion rings were just the curtain-raiser; not great, but good enough to feed our anticipation. The flan - made fresh in store - took things up a notch, buttery smooth, well-balanced (just the right amount of egg to sugar) and very delicious.

But then, came the piece (or pieces in this case) de resistance. For me, the blue cheese  for her, the Mushroom Swiss The taste?? heaven on earth.

Later that night even more gastronomic delights, buttressed by a cool art show, the debut solo exhibition of teen sensation (18) Laura anne Fung at the salubrious Grosvenor Galleries at the top of Manor Park.

Former Digicel CEO David Hall (shown here with the artist) spoke to the need to celebrate the excellence of Jamaicans in all spheres, recalling the early exploits of one Usain Bolt, and declaring that Fung's energy and talent   would take her to international renown on a similar level.
And, to go with the colour riot, there was absolutely mouthwatering fare on two fronts: first, cheese poppers, veggie spring rolls and jerk chicken from caterer extraordinaire Lorraine Fung(the artist's aunt, how fortunate for us), and then some sweet treats, including some positively habit-forming brownies from Polly Ho.

Come Sunday, the future and present mavens of the Young Entrepreneurs Association united to stage the Entrepreneurs Expo at the Wyndham Kingston. Though service providers dominated, there were manufacturers, such as wrought iron masters Bellindo, makers of the chair and table shown. The Expo is the opening salvo in a week of activities, culminating in a Tribute Ball on Friday evening.

the Wyndham was the scene of the kick-off of Entrepreneurs Week, hosted by the Young Entrepreneurs Association

Weekend Wrap tomorrow

Hop on the Donkeycart tomorrow.......we review Jamaica's best burger, sample soe eye-popping colours at a new solo art show, and dissect the Entrepreneurs Expo

More Wining and Dining - in pictures

Night one of Restaurant week 2K10, Day one of the Jamaica Pegasus Wine Spirit and food Fest, and the Bin 26 wine tasting......all in pics

Wines, Rind [Pork} and other goodies

spent a refreshing Saturday evening at Bin 26 Wine Bar on the grounds of Devon House, sampling the Rex Goliath line of wines (particularly the Merlot) and enjoying whole roasted pig courtesy of Garry Ferguson. Check back here on Monday for my full report and pics. You can also go to www.flavourdujour.info

also coming up, my report on the Jamaica Pegasus Wine 7 Spirits Festival, starting today and into tomorrow. Yum

Teens & Media and "Hair & Now" - the swingin' 60s: Two new Books

had the pleasure over the last 7 days of witnessing two new Jamaican books, both by women, and both looking at important social issues.

First up, the more recent: This past Tuesday, as  we watched for a wily Tomas dipping, ebbing (and ultimately strengthening), well-wishers and media gathered in the Pegasus ballroom for the presentation of media maven Marcia Forbes' treatise (see cover photo right). The book examines the effect of sexual content in music videos on teens and the formation of adolescent values and behaviour. Amid a high-tech, light filed backdrop, the audience heard from Education Minister Andrew Holness and the author herself, while Aggrey Irons presided over the proceedings, and twitterati left their impressions in real time, to be viewed on the Twitter Board next door.

A more cozy atmosphere prevailed a few days earlier at the 56 Hope Road site of the Bob Marley Legend cafe, where Barbara Blake-Hannah, a media maven in her own right  (and the first Black journalist on British TV) launched Growing Out, her literary reflection on her sojourn in London during the famed swingin' 60s. The combination of open-air and covered space helped the launch go over very enjoyably, and the analog atmosphere was perfect. after reading excerpts, Blake-Hannah, accompanied by Beverly Anderson Manley, presented copies to the National Library and to journalists (yours truly included) and fielded questions. Thereafter, it was time to enjoy some hearty Legend cafe hors douevres and  - better late than never - some contemporary African music on CD.

  And the books themselves? Well, I'm yet to read MMAS, but the advance word is good, and my perusals have yielded an interesting expose. Growing Out is very good indeed. Its only in the last ten years or so that memoirs have come into vogue in Jamaica, and in that still-growing field, this tome stands out. Fluid, witty and heart-felt, Growing Out is important for the present generation of Jamaicans (adolescents included) who have little or no clue of the travails endured by Jamaicans who went to the UK in the 50s and 60s, nor of the breadth of their impact on that society. Memoirs are also distinguished by inside info, and whether its on the BBC, London High Society or the interantional marketing and promotion of The Harder They Come, Growing Out succeeds in this regard. Poignant too, are the scars of racism that over toe the book, as well as the "backstory" of Mr Jones that runs concurrently.

Growing Out and MAS are two welcome additions to the still blossoming Jamaican literary landscape. Insight and inspiration, served fresh.