The Alternative
Routes Team (ART) would like to advise that there are still a few seats available
on Saturday 11th and 18th December 2021 with WINAIR, seating
a maximum of 14 passengers. Additional
flights are also being arranged for 8th, 15th and 22nd
January 2022.
Persons wishing to travel to St Maarten for international connections to Europe, Canada, the USA can now book seats on the return flights to St Maarten on 11th and 18th December 2021 and 8th, 15th, and 22nd January, 2022 respectively.
PASSENGER MAXIMUM LUGGAGE
ALLOWANCE IS 35LBS CHECKED AND 10LBS HAND LUGGAGE
Interested persons are advised to contact Mr. Desmond Meade at 1-954-805-5663 (WhatsApp, Telegram) or email: ds3ic34@gmail.com to book flights or for further information.
Disclaimer: Although this route does facilitate the travel
of persons who have not been able to vaccinate for medical or for deeply
religious reasons, this information is certainly not intended to discourage
persons from vaccination. Most health services at this time encourage
vaccination against covid19. Persons are encouraged to discuss vaccination with
their healthcare provider.
Please note that the charter flight on WINAIR arriving in Montserrat from St Maarten on December 4, 2021, is now fully booked. Additional weekly flights are being arranged with WINAIR, scheduled for 11th and 18th December 2021, and 8th, 15th, and 22nd January 2022, maximum seating of 14 passengers.
Persons wishing to travel to St Maarten for international connections to Europe, Canada, the USA, to shop, or simply for a STRESS-BUSTER can now book seats on the return flights to St Maarten on 4th and 11th December 2021 and 8th, 15th, and 22nd January, 2022 respectively.
PASSENGER MAXIMUM LUGGAGE
ALLOWANCE IS 35LBS CHECKED AND 10LBS HAND LUGGAGE
Interested persons are advised to contact Mr. Desmond Meade at 1-954-805-5663 (WhatsApp, Telegram) or email: ds3ic34@gmail.com to book flights or for further information.
Disclaimer: Although this route does facilitate the travel
of persons who have not been able to vaccinate for medical or for deeply
religious reasons, this information is certainly not intended to discourage
persons from vaccination. Most health services at this time encourage
vaccination against covid19. Persons are encouraged to discuss vaccination with
their healthcare provider.
BRADES, Montserrat (November 14,
2021) – Whether you live in Montserrat or thousands of miles away you will have
the opportunity to experience the 13th Alliouagana Festival of
the Word.
The official dates are November 18 to 20, however, activities begin from Monday the 15th under the theme Our Future, Our Stories.
Festival Coordinator, Nerissa Golden
of Goldenmedia said she was delighted to be facilitating another exciting
programme to celebrate our love for books and the people who create them.
Starting Monday at 10 a.m. the Public Library in Brades will host a week-long exhibition called Write Montserrat: A Literary Retrospective of Our Island’s Authors. The collection will showcase the works of local authors in a variety of genres.
On Monday at 7 a.m, the Good Night Montserrat series sponsored by the Governor’s Office will begin on Facebook.
“We invited book lovers to submit a
video of themselves reading their favourite children’s stories. We have
received submissions from around the world and are excited to share them with
our fans,” Golden revealed.
Residents are encouraged to gather along the Carr’s Bay main road on Thursday, November 18, at 10 a.m. for the Book Parade. This colourful street parade allows primary school children to bring their favourite storybook characters to life.
The Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell Memorial Lecture will be aired on Friday evening on the festival’s Facebook page. Two engaging panel discussions make up the programme starting at 7:30 PM.
The Saturday morning workshops begin online at 10 AM and focus on various aspects of digital publishing from idea to final production and sales. These workshops are brought to you with the support of the Montserrat Public Library.
Books by eight Montserratian authors will be celebrated at the Saturday evening gala. Starting at 6 PM at the Montserrat Cultural Centre, this elegant evening is a fundraising event and will highlight the new works of authors including Edwin L. Martin, Shirley Osborne, Norman Ryan and Jennifer Joseph.
The 13th annual Alliouagana Festival of the Word is sponsored by the Montserrat Arts Council, Goldenmedia, Governor’s Office, the Ministry of Education, Digicel, Montserrat Volcano Observatory, and Friends of AFW LitFest.
Follow the 2021 literary festival activities on Facebook at AFWLitFest or via #AFWLitFest.
Nerissa Golden CEO/Creative Director Goldenmedia LLC
Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram have all gone down in a major outage.
Such problems – especially after they have been ongoing for hours – likely indicates there is a major problem with the technology underpinning Facebook’s services.
A June 17, 2020 press release re BEAUTIFUL CHAOS: PASSION, POETRY, AND PERSEVERANCE, says as follows: Beautiful Chaos, a collection of poetry by Jo-Annah Richards is launched on Amazon.
Beautiful Chaos, a collection of poetry by Jo-Annah Richards is launched on Amazon. Montserrat, W.I. – Jo-Annah is proud to debut her first collection of poetry and her second publication on Amazon.
With a passion for the Creative Arts, second-time author, Jo-Annah Richards releases an enchanting and eclectic collection of captivating poetry. The topics ranging from love to politics, with each poem effortlessly and vividly embodying the beauty and chaos in each situation. Beautiful Blackness, a stand-out poem in the collection conveys a positive message about the beauty and power of being black. It evokes the importance of self-love, pride, and self-acceptance. One stanza powerfully reads: “Too afraid to be displayed in negative stereotypes of blackness, mute We need to discover our own power, our essence, our truth We are the descendants of Kings and Queens, royalty The blood of warriors and survivors flows through our veins, fluidly”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jo-Annah Richards has been writing poetry since the age of ten and the release of her poetry collection “Beautiful Chaos” is the result of passion and perseverance. She has a passion for writing and regularly expresses it through creating speeches, poetry, short stories, and proses. Her love for the Creative Arts extends to drama, dance, and music, which led her to create Fenyx Creations in 2015. The organisation’s objective is female empowerment and pageantry development, which is facilitated by providing training and workshops for young girls. Jo-Annah knows the benefits and impact of self-expression; as well as gaining personal development and life skills. The organisation also allows her to be creative as she utilises her skills to conceptualise the annual pageant and related events.
She is guided by the principle that you are able to achieve anything through passion and perseverance.
Website/Blog and Social media handles Instagram: @joannah14 Facebook: @joannahrichardsauthorClassifiedGovernment NoticesLand NoticesLegal NoticesReal EstateVacancies
Jus Wonderin when the radio dj and the ambassador gonna kiss
an make up
Jus Wonderin who ego got bruised the most in the back and
forth bacchanal the DJ or the Ambassador.
Jus wonderin is the country in a leadership crisis or a Coronavirus crisis
Jus wonderin if is the ambassador or the director lady
deciding how de local media should do their job.
Just wonderin who the cabal is running the Premier’s office
the ambassador or daughters and their friends
Jus Wonderin how de boy who used to drive the party yellow
truck during elections didn’t get any wuk to drive round with the Coronavirus
prevention measures.
Jus Wonderin how come they only hire the MULP and PDM man
dem to drive round to publicize the coronavirus prevent…
Jus Wonderin how de nurses dem and dem coping during this
pandemic
Just Wonderin when we gonna clap too for the nurses and
medical staff for their stellar work during the crisis
Jus Wonderin where the political candidates from last
elections are in helping to encourage and support us all during the curfew.
[10:58 pm, 03/04/2020 Jus wonderin if this government going
to survive till January.
Jus wonderin why the chief tink that he should be given special respect.
Jus wonderin how could they make and enforce laws before
they are punished.
Jus wondering who these government people think they are.
Jus wonderin why we have to send Coronavirus all the way to Trinidad for testing when Guadeloupe is 35 miles south of Montserrat.
Jus wonderin how many people will be affected by the person
by the time result is given after 5 days.
Jus wonderin if primary school children can’t govern better
than this new set of Johnny come lately.
Jus wonderin if the so called British representative is just
as bad.
Jus wonderin why dem Johnny come lately politicians think
they know everything and have all the answers.
Jus wonderin if ideas like wind energy on St George’s Hill
in the 80s was reserved for real politicians.
Jus wonderin if the P R O father should give him a helping
hand.
Jus wonderin if he is from the school of young people who
know everyting
Jus wonderin if the buoys scout government is going to compensate the business people for the money they lost during St Patrick’s celebrations.
Jus wonderin if we now have a Trump style leader.
Jus wonderin why he and his partners in crime think that
they should only be asked questions that they like.
Jus wonderin why they see the media as their enemy, to be
shunned.
Jus wonderin if they are not wise enough to use the media to
get their information to the world.
Jus wonderin if the British man (and woman) does consult
with our AG before dem mek certain decisions.
Jus wonderin if he is a member of the Mr Know All group.
Jus wonderin who is going to investigate all the crimes that
are committed by police men.
Jus wonderin if anyone is willing to bet me 10 to 2 that the
roller is going roll out as a free man.
Jus wonderin if these set of jokers know that the rest of
the world is now trying to catch up with things done here since 1961.
Jus wonderin if I do not know that they will not have a clue
about what I am talking about.
Jus wonderin when will we get those visionaries in
government again.
Jus wonderin if the old guys had all the ideas or they were
advised and guided members of the public.
Jus wonderin if we are entitled to the same compensation or
treatment offered in UK.
So, with all the cancellations around the world, tiny Montserrat, though not claiming invincibility from ‘C virus(s), it’s a whole week plus – ten days of celebrations. Don’t miss out on the specials of this growing Festival…
Here is the official list of events for this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival slated to run from March 6 to 18, 2020.
Courtesy:
Use our hashtag #664greenweek on FB, IG and Twitter and we will reshare your content. Send your event or corrections to discovermni@trulycaribbean.net.
Friday, March 6, 2020
10 am – 4 pm – Mountain a Glow Exhibition, National Museum, Little Bay
6 PM – St. Patrick’s Festival Torch Lighting Ceremony – Silk Cotton Tree, Cudjoe Head
8 PM – Official Opening of St. Patrick’s Festival – Heritage Village, Salem
9 PM – CZF Promotions Presents Car Clash – Salem Ball Court
9 PM – Rhythm Night – Salem Centre
Saturday, March 7, 2020
6 PM – Junior Calypso Competition – Cultural Centre
10 PM – A1 Promotion presents Fully loaded – Good Life
Sunday, March 8, 2020
6 PM – National Awards – Cultural Centre
7 PM – Road to Revenge DJ Finals, Little Bay Beach (Near Calabash Shanti)
Monday, March 9, 2020
9 AM to 4 PM – MSS Heritage Day – Salem Campus
10 am – 4 pm – Mountain a Glow Exhibition, National Museum, Little Bay
11 AM – until – St. John’s Action Club Lunch – St. John’s Centre
10 PM – Fitz & Fabien presents St. Patrick’s Green & White Launch Party – VIP Club
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
10 AM & 1 PM – Heritage Bus Tour of Cultural & Historic sites – Meet at Brades Arts & Education Ctr Car Park
10 am – 4 pm – Mountain a Glow Exhibition, National Museum, Little Bay
1- 6 PM – The Montserrat Action Movement “Together We Strive” – Family Fun Day – Salem Park
6 PM – DHP – 3×3 Basketball, Sports Centre – Little Bay
6 PM – St. Patrick’s Lecture – Cultural Centre Conference Room
7 PM – Red Cross Fundraising Dinner – Sir George Martin Auditorium – Cultural Centre
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
10 AM & 1 PM – Heritage Bus Tour of Cultural & Historic sites – Meet at Brades Arts & Education Ctr Car Park
6 PM – Rhythm Night – St. Johns Centre
8 PM – Bethel School Reunion – Night of Entertainment – Salem Park
8 PM – Time Out Bar & Grill Live Band Music
10 PM – Girls Invasion Pt. 2 – Cultural Centre
Chuch-Gut Ent./ Energy Promo – Sound Clash – Good Life Night Club
5 pm – Pre Lime
12 AM – Clash
Thursday, March 12, 2020
6 AM – Scriber’s Freedom Hike
10 AM – 5PM – St. Patrick’s Business Expo – Brade’s Arts & Education Centre
6 AM – 6PM – Top Notch Promotions – St. Patrick’s Beach Fete – Old Road Bay
10 AM & 1PM Pick Up – Heritage Bus Tour of Cultural & Historic Sites – Meet at Brades Arts & Education Centre
2 PM – National Trust/ 50th Anniversary Flower Show & Tea Party and Hat Parade – Salem ($20)
The Montserrat Arts Council (MAC) has a mandate to foster the development of art; uplift the condition of arts and artists; advise the Minister on art and cultural matters; ensure the implementation of the government’s cultural policy; implement government’s regional and international cultural commitments; and co-ordinate the activities of the agencies in Montserrat responsible for cultural activities.
It is on that background of responsibility that the MAC with an operational budget which is 100% funded by the Government of Montserrat, moved to appoint a Head of Planning and Production.
Vernaire Bass
The announcement came in a release on September 2, 2019, which said that “Vernaire Bass has been appointed to the position of Head of Planning and Production.”
Miss Bass is a recent returnee to Montserrat and brings to the position more than 10 years of experience as a project manager and business strategist. Bass acquired a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Business and Business Law at the London Metropolitan University in 2009. Since leaving university, Vernaire has worked for large U.K. organisations including the Royal College of Physicians, the Ministry of Defence, Capita PLC, Birmingham City Council, and most recently for the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Montserrat.
MAC’s Director Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott said Bass’ “extensive experience in project management, programme design and execution made her a natural fit for the Head of Planning and Production role. She comes to the MAC at a time when we are repositioning the organisation to better support the development of culture as a strong economic catalyst. I am very pleased to have her join the team.”
The senior role leads on logistics and planning of all MAC programmes, including festivals and cultural events. She will also support the director as the point of contact between private stakeholders and vendors on production-related matters and is expected to identify new cultural industry products that will enhance Montserrat’s tourism product and generate economic activity.
Returning, ready for growth overall and better performances by 2021
4th Dymension set up TTT Live morning host Rishi to explore Plymouth
ASG – Dr. Douglas Slater
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. Douglas Slater, said that CARIFESTA was “another exciting experience and a platform for regional integration”.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert said he was also pleased with the tremendous financial and other contributions made by the private sector towards the success of CARIFESTA. “This CAIFESTA XIV was a resounding success, it was incident-free, highest quality, well attended. It was a safe place for your family,” he said noting that Port of Spain intends to build upon the festival “into tangible actions affecting our national policies for the creative arts.
“We will use what we have learnt here to revitalise our rural and urban communities with cultural showcases and unique community-oriented festivals,” Imbert said.
It can be said that it is on this backdrop Nerissa Golden filed the following official release which serves as a report covering what is referred to as a ‘commendable performance’ from the Montserrat delegation and the upgraded Montserrat Art Council’s plan to take higher the “areas Montserrat can play a key role at the next festival,” which is to be held next door in neighbouring Antigua.
Opening night to a glittering showcase of regional culture
Golden in her official capacity is already calling for “A greater investment in promotional material must be made. Those in the hospitality industry should consider participating in future festivals…”
LITTLE BAY, Montserrat – CARIFESTA Logistics Coordinator and outgoing Interim Director of the Montserrat Arts Council Nerissa Golden has returned with the remaining nine members of the 29 member delegation. Mrs. Daphne Cassell Head of Delegation joins with Miss Golden in stating that the Montserrat Delegation has participated commendably in the festival. Mrs. Cassell said that she is pleased with what the delegation has achieved at the festival.
“Montserrat has not sent a delegation of this size to the regional festival in many years and this was a trial run in preparation for a heightened presence in 2021. There are various moving parts of participating in the festival and we also lacked an artistic director, therefore, the focus was on understanding all that is involved and ensuring we are better positioned for the next one and our artists and products are at the standards expected for an international stage,” Cassell stated.
Tabu along with the other artists in the Across Boundaries Art Exhibition 8-26-19
The work of Visual artist Kelvin “Tabu Duberry” was selected to represent Montserrat in the Across Boundaries exhibition at the National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago. Six of the 10 pieces sent were used in the exhibition which featured artists from across the Caribbean and ran for the length of the festival. He also participated in the Artist Talk along with fellow artists from Belize, Haiti and Guyana. Tabu also taught classes at his booth in the Craft Market and shared his work with the thousands who visited the CARIFESTA Grand Market daily.
Montserrat Festival winners Trevvle, Nyne and Sylk performed during the popular Live at Lunch show in the Grand Market at the Savannah. Trevvle also performed at the Carifesta Youth Village held at a nearby high school. “Carifesta XIV was a great experience for me. My performances were well received and I took advantage of the opportunity to network. As a young recording artist, being able to perform at CARIFESTA solidified my direction as I traverse the music industry,” shared Trevon “Trevvle” Pollard, the reigning Groovy Soca Monarch.
Nia Golden on stage at the Trinidad & Tobago Central Bank
Vocalist Nia Golden was part of the All Jazzed Up Show at the National Academy for the Performing Arts. She performed with the James Jesse Joseph Band, a combination of musicians and singers from Haiti and Trinidad. She also had performances at the Trinidad & Tobago Central Bank and on CARIFESTA Radio.
Authors Chadd Cumberbatch, Juliana Meade, and Nerissa Golden read at various events at the Bocas Lit Fest tent which was also at the Grand Market. Meade also represented various crafters and designers on the island and offered memorabilia and other locally made products at the Montserrat Country Booth.
“It was again a wonderful experience and more persons should think of going to participate and share in this amazing cultural experience,” said Meade. “People from the diaspora should look at it as a learning vacation for what can be done on the island. It brings new ideas to focus on. It will also assist in improving the size of the Montserrat contingency.”
The virtual reality experience of the Plymouth Recreation project by 4th Dymension was a popular attraction at the Country Booth. Jerely Browne and Carlon Braithwaite were able to share this VR experience on Trinidad’s most popular television morning show, TTT Live Now. The video from their interview has already racked up over 10,000 views on Facebook.
Children were intrigued by the virtual reality experience although there is an age requirement to be able to use the game
“My experience at CARIFESTA was epic. The whole atmosphere in Trinidad, the way they set up the presentations, the vibes, the culture is one to remember. I’m happy that I got to go as 4th Dymension to display our hard work. I am truly thankful to all who made it possible for selecting us to go to CARIFESTA XIV,” Browne shared upon his return.
Golden along with Browne attended the Script to Screen talk, an event hosted by the TT National Artist Registry for aspiring filmmakers. Golden was one of the featured presenters discussing film financing and promotion.
“While at the event we began discussions on what areas Montserrat can play a key role at the 2021 festival. The country booth was busy every day, all day and with more than 15,000 visitors daily to the Grand Market, it was a great space to share information on Montserrat and how people can come to visit. Greater investment in promotional material must be made. Those in the hospitality industry should consider participating in future festivals as there is a lot of interest from Caribbean people,” Golden said .
Montserrat masquerades at CARIFESTA
“There is much Montserrat can do on the knowledge level at the symposiums, in technology and also in exposing the meaning of the mask and rituals of the Montserrat masquerade who were a definite hit at the festival. We hope our artists work harder at building their careers and our entrepreneurs improve the quality of the products being developed so they are comparative to what other islands are bringing to CARIFESTA. The MAC must also establish a committee immediately to plan and secure funding for Montserrat’s participation in CARIFESTA 15 in 2021.”
The Office of the Premier was the main sponsor of the delegation to CARIFESTA XIV. Six members of the official delegation paid their own way to the festival. Additional financial support was received by the Department of Trade, the Ministry of Communications and Works ICT Division and 4th Dymension.
LITTLE BAY, Montserrat (August 2, 2019) – The Board of
Directors of the Montserrat Arts Council is pleased to announce that Kenneth
Silcott has been appointed as the new Executive Director.
Chairperson Dr Clarice Barnes welcomed Mr. Silcott, who
will take up the new position on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Silcott previously
served as the Head of Planning and Production with the Council from 2015 to
2018.
The MAC’s Executive Director has the responsibility to
manage and provide strategic direction for the implementation of the Cultural
Strategic Plan, National Cultural Policy. Develop, promote and ensure the
preservation of Montserrat’s culture. He will also be expected to provide
professional and efficient oversight and management of the island’s national
festivals and events, including the annual Christmas Festival, to enable the
generation of economic activity, while preserving and promoting Montserrat’s
culture.
The new director is a former clients
service manager with JP Morgan, an author, songwriter and calypsonian. He won
the Montserrat Festival Calypso crown in 2017. Silcott, is also President of
the St. John’s Action Club, which works to improve the village community and
care for the elderly and youth. He also serves as Chairman of the St. John’s
Community Resource Centre and the People’s Warden of the Anglican Church.
Nerissa Golden, who served as the Interim Director while
the board conducted the job search, will work along with the new director until
September 30, 2019 to implement several new policies and continue preparation
for the Annual Festival slated to begin December 21, 2019 to January 1, 2020.
LITTLE BAY, Montserrat (August 13, 2019) – Permanent
Secretary in the Office of the Premier Mrs Daphne Cassell heads a delegation of
29 to the 14th edition of Carifesta which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago
from August 16 to 25.
The delegation comprises seven members of the Emerald
Shamiole Masquerades along with their musicians and chaperones. Also in the
delegation are Montserrat Festival winners Calypso Monarch Garnet
“Sylk” Thompson, soca monarchs Trevon “Trevvle”
Pollard and Samrun “Nyne” Woodley. Vocalist Nia Golden, two
members of 4th Dymension, poet Chadd Cumberbatch as well as representatives
from the tourism and business community are also in the group.
“This CARIFESTA should be a learning experience in an
effort to prepare for the event when it comes to Antigua in 2021,” said
new director of the Montserrat Arts Council Kenneth Silcott. “We want to
be ready to make an impact and be ready to showcase the best of Montserrat’s
culture.”
Several television appearances have also been arranged for members
of the delegation.
Visual artist Tabu Duberry will be the artist in residence
on TTT Now, the morning news and variety show on Friday. Ten pieces of
his work are also part of the Caribbean exhibition at the National Museum and
Gallery for the duration of CARIFESTA.
“It’s been a challenge but a lot of fun pulling the
plans together for the delegation”, said Nerissa Golden, Logistics
Coordinator for the Carifesta group. “Montserrat will be very visible at
the festival in art, dance, literature, media and music.”
The Office of the Premier made available EC$100,000 for the
CARIFESTA delegation. Other sponsors for the trip are the Department of Trade,
the Ministry of Communications and Works’ ICT Division and 4th Dymension.
The main delegation leaves the island on Thursday, August 15. The opening ceremony will be on Friday, August 16 at 7 PM.
Learn more about the more than 200 events happening over 10 days at carifesta.net
