The Tempest Rehearsals

If you don't know, you should know, that Shakespeare in Paradise is happening October 5th-12th. At the center of this theatre festival is The Bahamian adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Dr. Nicolette Bethel, Reva, Dr. Toni Francis and myself adapted the play for the festival. Fast forward four months and rehearsals are underway and I am a part of the ensemble/spirit. Directed by Craig Pinder and Patti Anne-Ali - theatre veterans in the global sphere - is a treat in and of itself. Patti is due to arrive in the country tomorrow, but Craig has been holding his own with rehearsals.

So far we've been examining the play, line by line, scene by scene, all in an effort to gain a better understanding of what is taking place. Results have been fantastic with some rehearsals breaking out in song 'He's the one that I want...' and others have been heart warming. All in all it is a terrific experience and I cannot wait to see where it goes!

District 9 damnit

It was a rush to get there, and we were late already. Twenty minutes late and our movie, "The Goods" wasn't showing anymore...what to do, what to do? Let's watch District 9 damnit. Yes, this post is about said movie - if you haven't guessed it. =p Most of you probably saw this movie, but that's not the point. The point is that this is perhaps the best movie of 2009. Dangerous statement? You bet your ass it is. What gets me though is that G.I. Joe - a movie based on the old Hasbro toy line and 90's pro war cartoon - is described by my peers as 'solid'. I'm not surprised, I'm just tired of the cycle about crappy movies about old toys/cartoons/shit. I know, I know, it all comes down to a person's preference and I read this incredible blog post about artsy movies needing the crappy/box office success to be possible.

Back to District 9, a movie where the aliens are eerily metaphors for our Haitian communities and perhaps those shanty towns present in the Middle East. Yes, someone, somewhere will study this movie for class someday soon.