Staff WriterWRITING FOCUS ADJUSTED BY RICHIE DRENZ—10/27/14
Richie Drenz, a fashion designer turned author, has published three novels. The first received the Book Industry Association of Jamaica award for Most Creative Author in 2013. He became a best-selling author, but many critics doubted his talent. Now he is determined to prove them wrong with a new book with a new focus. “The Jamaican Ninja Bert” is his new novel, and it tells the story of a made psychiatrist and his wife, who is made insane after Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announces a new tax package.
HALL OF FAME AWARDS DOMINATED BY JAMAICANS—10/29/14
Jamaicans dominated the annual Caribbean Hall of Fame Awards for Excellence in 2014. The awards ceremony was hosted by the Caribbean Development for the Arts, Sports and Culture Foundation to honor individuals in the Caribbean who have reached the highest levels in their fields. Honored with the awards were Rita Marley, Beers Hammond, Beanie Man, Gem Myers, Etna, Taros Riley, Queen Africa, Amine Blackwood-Meeks, Paul Campbell, Bill Edwards, Patsy Ricketts, Lonnie Little-White, Barbara Blake-Hannah and Kamahi Condi son, Grace Jackson, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn and Andrew Price. John Holt, who recently passed, was received recognition posthumously.
FUJIWARA BRINGS CHALLENGE TO HOMOPHOBIA WITH SCULPTURE—10/30/14
Simon Fujiwara, a British artist, is presenting a challenge to homophobia in Jamaica with a huge sculpture to be displayed at the Jamaica Biennial in December 2014. The work, which is called “Brother 2014,” is meant to explore identity, gender, and colonialism. It was commissioned by TBA21 Academy and is based on the artist’s imaginings of a “fictional brother.”
SHAGGY AIDS IN BUILDING HOUSES IN HAITI—10/31/14
Grammy award-winning Jamaican reggae star Shaggy is scheduled to perform at the 20th annual Building Hope Gala sponsored by Food for the Poor (FFP). The event will raise money for much-needed housing for the poor in Haiti. The gala will be held on February 6, 2014 at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida.
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