Cultural Voice

Ewan Simpson (Source: The Jamaica Observer) Cultural Voice went behind the scenes for a chat with Ewan Simpson, Musical Director of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC) about the upcoming evening of Music scheduled for December 15, 2013, 6:00 pm at the NDTC Studio (behind The Little Theatre). CV: What does this concert mean in the journey of the singers of the NDTC? ES: The concert is an opportunity to showcase in a more fulsome way the music of the NDTC. CV: What have been the major challenges you've faced since assuming the role of Musical Director? ES: Transitioning to have a solid, consistent set of voices able achieve a desired balance as persons have left, retired and new persons have come in. It is the work it takes to settle down and practice over and over to have a consistent sound. CV: Will there be themes for the upcoming concert? If yes what are those themes? ES: No. There are no themes. It is the music of the NDTC, mostly ...

The Department of Literatures In English, University of the West Indies, Mona, had the honour of launching Professor emeritus Edward Baugh’s Black Sand and Cultural Voice was present. Representatives of the Department came out in their numbers, special mention was made of Sir Kenneth Hall, and Professor Roy Augier. In the audience Velma Pollard, Victor Chang, Karen Ford-Warner, Judith Hamilton, Genevieve Vassell, Monica Minott, Tanya Batson, Earl McKenzie, Erna Brodber, Norval  Edwards, Schontal Moore and Paula-Ann Porter  were among those who showed their support. Professor Carolyn Cooper, a former student who studied at the feet of Professor Baugh, consoled the poet and scholar, who bemoaned writing too few poems (less than 100) thus far. She assured him that his giving of his life to teaching was indeed another form of poetry much appreciated by his many students. Tanya Shirley introduced Dr. Michael Bucknor, who introduced Professor Edward Baugh, the ...

Luis Buñuel’s iconic and internationally acclaimed film “Viridiana”, winner of the Palme d’Or at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival, the first of four films to be presented to invited guests, was compelling. It demonstrated that what would now be considered a shoe string budget can produce an excellent film. Congratulations to the Ambassadors of Mexico and Spain H.E. Gerardo Lozano and H.E. Celsa Nuño for the collaboration. The movie questioned faith versus fate, with strong religious undertones and overtones adding complexity and tension to Viridiana ’s story. The story of an orphaned young girl who grew up in the convent, neglected by her only living relative her rich uncle and who at the point where she is ready to take her vows, is forced by the Holy Mother superior to visit with her uncle before taking the pledge.  Her uncle finds that she reminds him of his deceased wife, and drugs her, in an attempt to keep her in his unhappy home. Viridiana insists on leaving and on...

Nature’s art gallery is always open. We are all appraisers critiquing the creator’s artwork. We critique the creator’s use of shades, colors, textures lines and shape. Art is valued based on collective assessment. Leonardo da Vinci’s painting ‘The Mona Lisa’, considered as one of the best known and most highly valued works of art in the world is constantly replicated by individuals and is for many a standard of beauty. The white tiger in parallel is considered rare and exotic and protected to prevent extinction. Collective Assessment: ‘The Black Man’ The Black Man is art. The shades often considered too dark - lines not carefully drawn - texture not sufficiently smooth. By what measure should the Black man be valued? Did the creator sculpt too many? Can the Black Man be Mona Lisa? Wait! Some will ‘pass,’ maybe, the shades of the ‘Black Man Art’ which are similar to or lighter than that of a brown paper bag.             ...

 Have you seen Cultural Voice eZine's July edition. It was sizzling hot. Send us an email with your feedback so that we can improve your customer experience. Cultural Voice keeps you connected to the hot trends in the creative space... In this issue we chat with the world famous artist Kehinde Wiley, get advice from dancer extraordinaire N'Jelle Gage, explore the homes of young people from cultures across the Globe guided by French photographer John T. and much more! 

On the occasion of the Tercentenary of the École Française de Danse, the Opéra National de Paris and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France are retracing the history of the Ballet de l’Opéra, from Louis XIV to the present day. Concerned with bringing a noble style to the performing arts and laying the foundations for the dancers to turn professional, the king created the Académie Royale de Danse in 1661. In 1669, the king also granted the poet Pierre Perrin the privilege of founding an Académie d’Opéra, which was acquired by Lully in 1672. Thus the Opéra de Paris and its Ballet were created. At the end of his reign in 1713, Louis XIV decided to found a dance school within the Opéra: it was responsible for ensuring the quality of the performers. Initially reserved for adults, the school then opened to children in 1784 and remained faithful thereafter to its vocation of making the repertoire accessible and being open to creativity. The history being recounted here is both that of the ...

Call  for  entries Deadline 30 June !    The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration again invite the world’s youth to submit original and creative videos focusing on PLURAL+ themes: migration, diversity and social inclusion.   Recognizing youth as powerful agents of social change in a world often characterized by intolerance, and cultural and religious divisions, PLURAL+ invites youth to address key challenges related to migrant integration, inclusiveness, identity, diversity, human rights and social cohesiveness, both at local and global levels.  Young people up to 25 years old are invited to submit short videos of five minutes maximum in length.   Michele Klein-Solomon, IOM Permanent Observer to the United Nations, said, “PLURAL+ videos touch very sensitive issues in a very real way.  They look at the realities that people are facing.  We like to see young people...

Cultural Voice visited the Liguanea Arts Festival 2013 and checked out works on display by various painters, photographers, sculptors, and jewelry makers. The Creative Industries continue to generate great buzz, and the Caribbean has a bounty of talent to offer. Here are a few snapshots from the event. More photos are available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ culturalvoice  Nicole Brown Photography on Display CV sends a special “shout-out” to artists such as Rachel Wade-Moss, Kai Watson and Nicole Brown who have all been featured in Cultural Voice’s blog. Cultural Voice remains proud of your growth and achievements, and hope you had a fantastic festival!    

  Concept NV is pleased to announce the visit to Jamaica of renowned New York based portrait painter Kehinde Wiley, April 22 to May 05, 2013.   This exploratory visit will facilitate preparation for ‘The World Stage: Jamaica’ , a portrait exhibition to be presented at the Stephen Friedman Gallery in London, October 2013.   Mr. Wiley’s portraits are typically based on photographs, and include heroic portraits which address the image and social recontextualization of primarily, black and brown young men in contemporary culture. Over the years his extensive ‘World Stage’ series has expanded to include models from countries such as China, India, Israel, Brazil and Senegal.   These portraits incorporate aspects of the history and culture of each country and are often a source of national pride. Jamaica will now be added to this venerable line-up. During his visit, Wiley will conduct photo sessions with people of interest whose portraits will be displayed ...

                                                   The Zinc Shower event was held between April 11-12, 2013. It brought together some of Spain’s most promising entrepreneurs and innovators in the world of the Creative Industries. The backdrop for this occasion was set in the abandoned slaughter house known as the Matadero, giving it a rustic feel and space to immense creativity. Cultural Voice was in Madrid, Spain to witness it all unfold. Here are a few snapshots from the event.      For more intriguing photographs, please go to our Cultural Voice  facebook page!

Musicians Sara Stranovsky & Binga de Castro on CV's latest Cover We celebrate some very groundbreaking women from across the globe in Cultural Voice eZine’s latest issue. Amy Selwyn takes us through the streets of Rome in her “Storytegic” journey after leaving the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC. Pavan Ahluwalia, the current Guinness Book of World Records’ Holder of the title “the fastest Henna artist,” sculpts her beginnings. We also feature female artists from Tashkeil’s production of “Backstage.” Tashkeil is a Saudi Arabian platform for trendsetting designers.   The multi-talented Sara Stranovsky’s story is full of adventures and there is even a surprise video!! We of course included the work of a talented Jamaican Male Photographer Max Earle, who gives new perspective to the island nation! Be sure to check out all this and more!!! Click here to read latest issue!!  

NDTC’s Morning of Movement and Music dedicated to Eduardo Rivero-Walker, Monica McGowan and Maud Fuller   The annual Morning of Movement and Music mounted by the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) in association with The Little Theatre Movement (LTM) will celebrate its 32 nd Anniversary, this Easter Sunday, March 31.   The 6 am performance will take place at The Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive in Kingston, and is dedicated to the lives of Founding Member Monica McGowan, long-standing friend of the Company, Maud Fuller and Cuban Professor and Choreographer, Eduardo Rivero-Walker.   Artistic Director Barry Moncrieffe says that the usually capacity-filled audience, will be treated to a renewed programme featuring the full 50-member Company of Dancers, Singers, Orchestra and Creative Technicians.   “In celebration of the 32 nd anniversary of the NDTC’s annual act of worship, we have added a number of new elements to the prog...