Geoffrey Holder
Broadway famed Geoffrey Holder has passed on. He was 84. Geoffrey holder was a household name across America especially during the 1970s and 1980s. One of the two Tony Awards Holder won was for the remake of the classic Wizard of Oz.
Holder was proud of the nation of his birth, Trinidad & Tobago. He was one of EVERYBODY’S most loyal readers and kept the magazine for his sister to read when in New York visiting.
More from EVERYBODY’S on the passing of Holder later.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO PRIME MINISTER
CELEBRATING REPUBLIC DAY IN BROOKLYN
THURSDAY, SEP. 25
TROPICAL PARADISE BALLROOM
1367 UTICA AVE., BROOKLYN
Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will celebrate Republic Day with nationals of Trinidad & Tobago and other Caribbean states at a town hall meeting on Thursday, September 25 beginning at 8:00pm at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, 1367 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, NY. “It’s an honor for our Prime Minister to spend Republic Day with us,” says Michelle Young, a prominent Trinbagonian-New Yorker.
Trinidad & Tobago became a republic on August 1, 1976 with a president as head of state and not the British monarch. However, Republic Day is celebrated every September 24 to commemorate the opening of the nation’s first Parliament under the Republican constitution.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar is in NY attending the 69th United Nations General Assembly.
In addition to addressing the General Assembly, the prime minister is also participating in several meetings and conferences on population and development, climate change and other environmental topics.
Last evening she was a guest at a reception hosted by US President Barack Obama.
Before she arrives at Tropical Ballroom on Thursday, Prime Minister Bissessar will visit two landmarks in Brooklyn’s Trinbagonian community. She will first stop at Charlie’s Records on Fulton Street. Charles produced the great calypso hits of the 1970s-1990s. One of his daughters, Olympian Tina Charles, plays for WNBA New York Liberty. The prime minister’s second stop will be Conrad’s Bakery at Utica Ave.
After formally addressing the anticipated large crowd at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, Trinidad & Tobago first woman prime minister will socialize, meet and greet in celebration of Republic Day.
Several other Caribbean leaders are addressing the UN General Assembly. Maybe some will remain in New York during Oct. 4-5 weekend. If so, they may attend the Oliver Samuels play, Dolly House, at York College Center for the Performing Arts.
Over the years, many prime ministers when in NY have attended several plays and shows produced by Herman Hall Communications. The last surprise visit was Prime Minister Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A call from Secret Service informing this magazine and the performing arts center at Howard University that Prime Minister Gonsalves would be attending an Oliver Samuels that evening. And, the prime minister came.
The cast of the comedy play, Dolly House
JAMAICAN MAFIA THRILLER MOVIE PREMIERS
Veteran actor Paul Campbell
Brooklyn, NY: The big screen movie, “Jamaican Mafia,” premiered in two movie houses last Thursday in Valley Stream, NY. The producers, director actors and actresses in “Jamaican Mafia” hope that a national movie distributing company will distribute the movie across the U.S., Canada, England and the rest of the world.
There is no reason why a national movie distributor should not market and distribute Jamaican Mafia. Financially, it will be successful because the movie appeals to global movie goers who love gangster thriller and sex prone movies. All the actors and actresses in “Jamaica Mafia” led by Paul Campbell and screen writer Mykal Fax are excellent.
The Producers and director deserve high praise for their casting abilities. Many prominent business persons in Caribbean-New York such as Bobby Clarke of Irie Jam Radio, entrepreneur and radio personality David Squeeze Annakie, Dale Gefield of People’s Choice Furniture and Soca Jean of Tropical Reflection Ballroom are in Jamaican Mafia.
The setting of the movie is not in Jamaica and neither is the storyline. The setting is the heart of one of Brooklyn’s Caribbean neighborhood, East Flatbush. It’s the Jamaican mafia family of Brooklyn Vs the Nigerian mafia family of Brooklyn.
I guarantee Jamaican Mafia will please thriller seeking movie lovers. It is similar to the Hollywood blockbuster, The Godfather of the 1980s and more recently, Goodfellas.
I don’t think the motion picture people who classify movies have yet categorized Jamaican Mafia. When the do, the Jamaican Mafia will be classified for adults; parents must use their discretion if planning to take their children. I will not recommend it for children under fifteen.
It is a good movie to see by adults. … Herman Hall
EVERYBODY’S Mag. is confirming the death of Hopeton Lewis, one of Jamaica’s great entertainers. He had massive hits in the 1970s. He became a born-again-christian and specialized in gospel music until his death. Hopeton passed at his home in Queens, NY after years of prostrate issues. His last performance, in June, was covered by this magazine. He sang one song since he was released from a hospital a few days before.
BROOKLYN, NY – SEP 1: Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio led over 1,000,000 revelers in Brooklyn’s Carnival parade. Overall, the Labor Day Weekend of carnival events were peaceful. Thousands of visitors from Canada and other states came to Brooklyn for the annual event which originated in Harlem, NY in the 1940s.
With New York State primary scheduled for September 9, the carnival was the perfect place for people seeking public office and those seeking re-election such as Governor Cuomo.
This year the WIADCA attempted to charge the small Caribbean-American media houses to cover the carnival.
Oliver Samuels latest play, Dolly House, starring Oliver Samuels, Audrey Reid, Dennis Titus and Ruth Ho Shing will be presented at Wingate Campus, Brooklyn and York College, Queens, in the City of New York, October 4-5, 2014.
Like other Oliver Samuels’ plays, Dolly House is appropriate for the entire family.
Dolly House is a brilliant blend of Jamaica and the Caribbean much loved topics – politics, power, intimacy, class, mistrust and betrayal – packaged into a hilarious play.
It is Caribbean theater and comedy at its best which have audiences laughing from the raising of the curtain to the end of the play. “I am still laughing. I saw Dolly House in Toronto,” says Veronica Collins. “As usual Oliver was at his best and the twist and turn of the comedy through brilliant acting by Audrey Reid, Ruth Ho Shing and Dennis Titus still have me cracking up. Tell me when it is coming to Boston or New York and I’ll come down to see it.”
Emailing her cousin in NY, Jasmin living in Kingston wrote, “Every time I go to see Oliver I’ll say this is my last time because I have seen so many of his plays. Yet, I go back and each time it’s a different experience. I have seen Dolly House two times already. I encourage fans to see Dolly House.”
The setting is a tenement yard in Kingston. Who knows! It may have been the same tenement yard Bob Marley described in his classic, “No woman no cry.” With a Chinese woman (Ruth Ho Shing), a young dreadlock man (Dennis Titus) and a higgler (Audrey Reid) as tenants of the landlord (Oliver Samuels), something must happen in that yard and in the building, “Dolly House.”
Last Mother’s Day weekend Samuels sold out Dolly House at venues in Toronto. The final leg of the tour begins in September in Florida and will end in the UK in November.
Once Oliver and the cast return to Jamaica in late November, they will begin rehearsals for their 2015 production, a new play.
October 4-5 is the only time Dolly House will be staged in New York City.
EVERYBODY’S Magazine and Herman Hall Communications promoted Oliver Samuels plays from 1990-2011 but took a sabbatical in 2012 and 2013.
Brooklyn, NY – July 11 – Dr. Keith Rowley, Opposition Leader in Trinidad & Tobago’s Parliament and Political Leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM), held a town hall meeting this evening at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, NY.
Dr. Rowley spoke about a variety of problems and challenges facing Trinidad & Tobago. He said a PNM Government under his leadership will do a better job in decreasing crimes, enhancing education and the economy than the present government.
Rowley also spoke about regional issues and how he will strengthen the regional body known as the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
The meeting was primarily attended by PNM supporters in Brooklyn as well as by other nationals of Trinidad & Tobago many of whom are not affiliated with political parties in Trinidad & Tobago but came out of curiosity to hear and see a future prime minister of their beloved nation.
Dr. Rowley answered posed to him at random. Most of the questions to him were about the deteriorating crime rate in the twin-island nation.
Tomorrow, Saturday, July 14, Dr. Rowley will be in the Borough of Queens where he will hold a similar meeting.
Pat Boothe
EVERYBODY’S Magazine Editor
Passed On
I regret to announce the passing of Patricia Boothe, EVERYBODY’S Magazine editor. Pat suffered from a heart problem most of her life and succumb to it last Friday at New York University Hospital after a brief illness. She leaves behind her son Leon, her mother Mrs. Boothe, a sister Maxeen. They reside in New York and her brother and other relatives in Jamaica. She was only in her mid 50s.
Pat was very dedicated to me and primarily responsible for the editorial growth of the magazine especially during the decades of the 1980s and 1990s. She preferred to be a behind-the-scene person and shunned the limelight. She declined to do interviews with personalities. She took delight in arranging for me and others to do them.
She could have easily interviewed Bob Marley, members of Third World, Steele Pulse, Michael Manley, Maurice Bishop and other groups and personalities. Instead she took delight in transcribing the interviews and editing them for publication.
Due to the decline of the magazine industry and Pat failing health, I tried to give Pat less assignments but she never lost interest and asked to do last minute copy editing.
In 1987, the 10th anniversary of EVERYBODY’S, Pat made a massive montage of almost every photograph that appeared in the magazine. Today most visitors to the magazine are attracted by it. You can say the history of the Caribbean between1977-1987is in the montage from Janelle Penny Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago becoming Miss Universe, Mary Eugenia Charles of Dominica becoming the first female prime minister in the region to Eric Gairy at his hotel suite in New York City upon learning his Grenada Government was overthrown to President Ronald Reagan visit to Jamaica and Barbados.
Although she was not involved in the planning and implementing the magazine’s cultural events including plays and concerts, Pat attended almost each program and encouraged friends to purchase tickets.
I am shattered over Pat’s passing. She inspired me and without her EVERYBODY’S would have folded years ago.
Herman Hall, Publisher, EVERYBODY’S, the Caribbean-American magazine.
St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda: The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) led by Gaston Browne has regained power after 10 years as the opposition party in the nation’s parliament. Over 90% of the country’s eligible voters participated in the June 12 national elections. Around 11pm, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of the United Progressive Party (UPP) who governed for ten years called Opposition Leader Browne to congratulate him for his party winning 14 of the 17 parliamentary seats.
Prime Minister Spencer then addressed the nation by officially conceding defeat and thanking the people of Antigua and Barbuda for conducting a fair and free election. “I wish to say to the people of Antigua & Barbuda that the democratic process in our nation is alive. The electorate of this country made a statement … They made a choice and of course, I have to accept.”
The outgoing prime minister also told the nation that he had already called the incoming prime minister. “I congratulated him and told him I look forward to the ABLP governing this country in the interest of Antigua & Barbuda and that they can be assured of my support in the discharge of their responsibilities when I am satisfied that they are acting in the best interest of the people of this nation.”
Prime Minister Designate Gaston Browne will be sworn-in later today by the Governor-General as the nation’s fourth prime minister.
New York , April 21- As part of their goals to present meaningful programs to the Caribbean-American community, Western Union and Grace Kennedy are presenting a lecture series, “Engaging the Diaspora – Enriching the Caribbean.” Speakers include James Moss Solomon, Exec-in-Residence at Mona School of Business, University of the West Indies; Don Wehby, CEO, Grace Kennedy Group; Sean Mason, Regional Vice President Caribbean, Western Union and Attorney-at-Law Brian Figeroux, a specialist on immigration. The series is free to the public. It will be held at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, 1367 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
“The Impact of President Obama Dream Act on Education” and “Economic Integration through Education” are some of the topics scheduled for discussion. The audience will be welcomed to ask questions, participate in discussions and share their experiences.
Non-Profit organizations and community businesses are invited to exhibit their products and services courtesy Western Union and Grace Kennedy. Organizations and businesses must register for table space by May 2nd.
Complimentary refreshments and hors d’ouvres will be served. Great prizes offered and expect many giveaways.
Residents in other boroughs – Queens, Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island – and those living in Westchester and Long Island please be aware that the New York City series is scheduled only in Brooklyn.
To get to Tropical Paradise Ballroom from Westchester, Bronx and Manhattan by car use the Van Wyke. From Long Island one can use the Belt Parkway.
By train: Any train to Utica Avenue then transfer to the Utica Avenue bus going to Kings Plaza.
For additional information call (718) 693-0300.