World Culture Bazaar Celebrates the Irish Culture

Another successful evening of sharing culture through the arts. This month World Culture Bazaar celebrated the Irish culture. More info to come...

These are the moments

Every once in awhile I meet people who are so enthralled by the steelpan, I smile a huge smile because that's how I feel too!

After a performance one afternoon, I visited Castries Barber Salon. This 40 year establishment always has instruments on hand: guitars, a djembe, bongos, tambourines and if you request it, a keyboard. A man came in with his son and daughter. Right away his daughter came over with the biggest smile on her face. I asked her what her name was and she said Alba. 

Alba tried my steelpan and became very excited. After showing her how to hold the sticks and hit the notes, we began learning the tune, "Mary Had a Little Lamb". 20 minutes later Alba had the learned the song on the steelpan. What an amazing moment. She was beaming with pride. Moments like these make sharing this instrument worth it. Who knows, maybe Alba will become the next greatest pannist. Time will tell... 

Canadian Chinese Junior Golf Association

I was invited to the Canadian Chinese Junior Golf Association over the March Break. Some of the kids that were there were trying golf for the first time and love it. I played for their end of week award ceremony and had a few kids that were intrigued with the steelpan and wanted to see it up close. Thanks for the invite, I had a blast!

World Culture Bazaar Celebrates Black History Month

World Culture Bazaar embarked on a second year of celebrating various cultures through the arts with people of all ages and backgrounds. What a wonderful evening it was learning about Black History with host Dewitt Lee, special guest speaker Kirk Mark and guest artist Josh Benjamin.

York South-Weston BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT

Tuesday, February 25, from 7pm - 9pm at Greenborough Community Church (2000 Keele St)

House of Culture is a local business in York South-Weston.

This will be a great evening of entertainment, delicious food, and inspiring speakers as we celebrate Black History Month together! With performances from local Toronto artists Suzette Vidale, Beyond Sound and Dance Immersion, as well as speeches from Jean Augustine, Alvin Curling, and Lekan Olawoye, we know that the only component we are lacking in this great event is YOU!

We'd love to see you there! Please RSVP at http://yswblackhistorymonth.eventbrite.com/

Please forward this invitation widely in your networks, all are welcome!

Follow the Toronto North Stars all the way to Trinidad Panorama 2014

In celebration of her birthday, Black History Month and 20 years of teaching Jamea Zuberi is embarking on a trip of a lifetime. She will be accompanying school age members of the Toronto North Stars Children Steel Orchestra to take part in a 3 year community building project to the 2014 Trinidad and Tobago annual carnival festival, bookended by the Trinidad and Tobago National Junior Panorama 2014 and the Trinidad and Tobago 2014 National Steelband Panorama finals.

Although this will not be the first time the Canadian veteran teacher will be taking school aged young people to her country of birth, it will be the first time she is taking a group made up of a Jane and Finch community based steel orchestra, sponsored and run by parents, family and friends, starting with her own. North Stars' first sponsors were Ms. Zuberi's own parents - her mother Marilyn Lyder purchased the first set of North Stars' uniforms, and her father, steel pan virtuoso Kelvin Stowe Lyder, is the arranger who mentors the young musician arrangers. Like 19 year old Simon Lendore who arranged his and the group's first composition of Rihanna's "What's my Name" 3 years ago during the band's first rehearsals.

The Toronto North Stars Children Steel Orchestra, # (hash tag) Building Characters of Steel, is a youth driven musical group whose members come from different communities around the GTA. " We are a diverse group of children and young people, age ranging from 6 to 20 years old, who all have a passion for music and performance in common. Our aim is to harness our love for the steelpan as a vehicle on our quest for better knowledge of our Caribbean ancestry, and to achieve a post- secondary education as part of our repertoire."

North Stars has performed in a variety of events including opening the Caribana parade in their first summer 2001, at the Ontario Black History Society Brunch, A Different Booklist calypso tent, and community movie nights.

When questioned about the experience, Ms. Zuberi's only comment was " I am blessed to be the happiest woman alive."

Pink and Black Affair

I was honoured to be invited to attend and perform for the Scarborough Church of God's annual fundraiser. I was blown away by the caliber of musicians involved. Teens and adults all gifted with steelar skills. The MC had the crowd rolling with laughter with his jokes and interactive comedy. The evening ended with the band performing a high energy set which had everyone singing and on their feet. One of the things that I appreciated was the theme of appreciating, caring and showing consistent love to those around us, something that we sometimes take for granted and need a reminder of every once in awhile. #BeTheChange

Pink_Black_Affair.jpg

Learn to play the Steelpan

Are you interested in learning to play the steelpan?

Steelpan classes for teens (14 years & up) and adults will be starting January 22 for 10 weeks. Come and learn about the history and development of this illustrious instrument and learn to play a song.

We have a lot of fun so bring a friend. Limited spots available.

Click flyer to see more info

Marche's Spirits & Spices Week Kicks Off

Spirits & Spice @ Marché Toronto ~ http://www.spiritsandspice.com/

Exclusively at Marché Toronto, Spirits & Spice is a week long celebration that invites everyone to enjoy the warm aromas, savoury spices, pulsating rhythms and exotic cuisine of the Caribbean.

During Spirits & Spice, Marché will feature a selection of Caribbean dishes alongside it’s usual menu items. The food is cooked right before your eyes with seasonal products from the region. You can find Caribbean inspired beverages and smoothies at the juice station, while the bar will carry Caribbean beer, rum and other spirits. Caribbean desserts and even coffee will also be available for guests.

The week kicks of with an opening VIP reception on Monday, January 13th and ends on Friday, January 17th.

Throughout the week there will be celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, live music and exciting contest giveaways. Over 30,000 patrons are expected to take part in the week long festivities, many of which will be delighted for a taste of the tropics in the heart of winter.

Taste a variety of delicacies from around the Caribbean, while sampling the region’s finest spirits and cocktails. There will be plenty of excitement all week long, capped off with an exciting musical finale!

Spirits & Spice is a truly remarkable dining experience and authentic cultural celebration.

Marché Brookfield Place Street Level
181 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Tel: +1 647 350 6999 ext.4

Business hours
Sunday – Thursday
7:30am – 11:00pm

Friday-Saturday
7:30am -1:00am

24 Hour Talent Marathon

World Culture Bazaar, an organization that promotes multicultural understanding through the arts, will be having their first 24 Hour Talent Marathon on New Year's Eve. Visionary and Founder Frank Forde would like  to have a FREE event for the diverse communities of Toronto and give artists a stage to perform and be celebrated. Pastor Basil Miller of Scarborough Church of God graciously opened his doors to the idea. The event will be infused with dance, live music and poetry from all age groups and cultures. 

Highlight sessions for the event will include a New Year's Eve church service, morning Thanks & Praise Breakfast, Kwanzaa Celebration, Family Showcase and awards ceremony for Champions of Culture.

I am excited to be a part of this endeavor. We live in a wonderful city whereby we have the opportunity to share our art & culture with our fellow Torontonians. It is through this sharing we are able to have understanding and respect for others and appreciate what makes them special. #ILoveThisCity

Throwback Thursdays

I have never posted a pic for #tbt better known Throwback Thursdays. For those of you who are new, it's the name of a weekly post theme whereby you post old photos. I found this photo the other day and decided to share my throwback photo. Here it is...

The story behind this photo: This was taken at the Leah Poslun's Theatre in 1998. Afropan Steelband was performing in the annual Snowflakes On Steel Concert.

Congratulations to Souls of Steel Orchestra!

On Wednesday December 4th, Souls of Steel Orchestra and Sanch Canada Inc announced the release of Souls' debut CD, "The Arrival".

Souls of Steel has been in existence for six years and has made an incredible impression upon the Toronto community. Many were in attendance to congratulate the orchestra and their accomplishments.

Steelpan With Souls

Steelpan classes for teens (14 years & up) and adults will be starting January 22 for 10 weeks. Come and learn about the history and development of this illustrious instrument and learn to play a song.

We have a lot of fun so bring a friend. Limited spots available.

steelpan_w_souls_flyer_winter.jpg

Panyard Problems...

Sometimes when you go out and perform you encounter people who want to try your instrument. I always let people try it however I first explain what they can and cannot do and how easily they can put it out of tune by banging on it. Every once in a blue moon, someone comes right up to your instrument and tries to hit it -with their hand or an object...Patience is a virtue.

panyard_problems.jpg

Raising Awareness for MOVEMBER

Movember is a month long international initiative raising awareness and money for men's health (prostate & testicular cancer and men's mental health).

My MOTIVATION for getting involved is because my uncle passed away from prostate cancer. I would like to keep his memory alive by helping to create awareness, especially to the men within my community, about the benefits of taking a proactive approach towards being healthy. As well, I would like people know they should not be embarrassed about seeking help. There are men in our lives who are our support systems, as well, we are should be theirs. The more we educate ourselves & others about these causes the bigger steps we take towards finding their cures.

I will be speaking in more detail about Movember at an upcoming Movember themed World Culture Bazaar talent night. Hope you can make it out and support the men in our community and around the world.