Keino's write

Why is it that when people dare to speak up for their rights they are made to feel they've committed a wrong ? I asked myself this question after having an encounter with a taxi driver this evening. I left work and was too late to catch either the last sailing of the water taxi or the PTSC Coach from Port of Spain to San Fernando so I had no choice but to resort to the conventional taxis. Arrived on the taxi stand and met a ton-load of people and no taxis available.  I was joined by a friend and she and I stood there talking for a while until, eventually, a seven-seater taxi pulls up on the stand.  Said driver gets out, and as some of them do, said he was not making the return trip right away.  He proceeds to gallery himself for a while walking up and down until he indicated that he was ready. Now I should have figured that I would have had some problems with this particular driver because my friend told me she knows him to be one "who does buss style"....

Trevor Rhone was one of the Caribbean’s most well loved and appreciated playwrights and directors. His first big hit was 'Smile Orange' which ran for 245 performances forty years ago when it was first performed in Jamaica. Just prior to his passing in September 2009 Rhone was in discussion with Trinidadian producers to stage an updated version of the smash hit. Now close to two years later, in honour of Rhone’s passing Frontline ...Theatre Productions and Scarlett Project will bring to the newly reopened Little Carib Theatre an exciting remounting of 'Smile Orange'. 'Smile Orange' has been judged “a savage little comedy” (Sunday Telegraph), "a rollicking slapstick satire” (Washington Star). The Jamaican Gleaner exudes: “In the warm afterglow of the production when smiles come easily, if you see Trevor Rhone tell him he still has the last laugh". A genuinely hilarious politicized farce, a satire on tourism that centers on a hotel waiter, Ringo S...

ONE cannot help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia when hearing your favourite Christmas songs. And this was exactly what the audience at Naparima Bowl, San Fernando experienced recently with "Christmas Favourites" featuring sisters Jill-Ann Walters and Josanne Walters-Joseph.   Coming from a well-known musical family in San Fernando, expectations were high. But the sisters met those with style.   Jill-Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Musical Arts from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and is currently pursuing a post graduate degree in Cultural Studies at the same institution. For this, she is researching local calypso/jazz fusions.   Josanne, a Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival Championship winner in the Vocal Solo and Operatic Aria classes, is presently pursuing a degree in Psychology. She has a keen interest in the use of music in the development of children. The various elements of the concert were narrated through "Old Man Pa" playe...

So I recently visited Hilo in St Ann's while covering the 29th Music Festival and Queens Hall, Port of Spain. While browsing through the prepared foods section trying to decide what I should have for lunch, I came across a lovely looking fruit salad containing water melon, paw paw, apple and pineapple. I thought to myself, "this is wonderful" as I really was not in the mood to have anything heavy. The sandwiches did not look very appetising anyway. I proceeded to pick up a few more items, made my way to the cashier and paid for my purchases. Before I left the cashier though, I asked: "Where can I get a fork for this fruit salad?" Cashier: "We don't supply forks with the fruit salad". Me: "What? So how am I supposed to eat this ?" Cashier: "Well I don't know, we don't supply forks with the fruit salad." Well I stood there baffled for a brief moment then decided to employ the line I usually throw out when met with su...

I've been meaning to do a blog for quite sometime now and just could not get the inspiration to write. Today however, while looking at television, I came across the ending of this music video by Dewayne Woods and the words of "Let Go" spoke directly to me. The tears were just flowing from my eyes as I connected with this song. So I immediately went online to find this song which touched me so immensely and I want to share it with you. The message ? Let Go and Let God!!!! "Let Go" by Dewayne Woods Verse 1 I couldn't seem to fall asleep There was so much on my mind Searching for that peace But the peace I could not find So then I knew how to pray Praying helped me please Then He said you don't have to cry Cause I'll supply all your needs Chorus As sooon as I stop worrying Worrying how the story ends I'll let go and I let God Let God have His way That's when things start happening I'll stop looking at back then I let go and I'll let ...

This blog is surely overdue but listening to some of Diana Ross' music this morning prompted me to still speak about my experience seeing her at the Plymouth "Jazz" Festival in Tobago last year. Now the funny thing is, Diana Ross was not the one I was really anticipating seeing. It was Heather Headley. Our own Trini-born divette (my word for a small diva) whose career I began following since she acted as Nala in The Lion King on Broadway and then Aida, in the musical of the same name, for which she won a Toni award. Heather's performance would have been her first on home soil since leaving Trinidad at the age of 15 in 1989. So, as an aspiring singer and actor myself, I was excited to see her - a fellowman (or woman for the politically correct) who is enjoying some measure of recognition in the International arena. But there is a saying that "cockroach should not get in fowl business". Not that I am calling Heather a cockroach, but in terms of Di...