Supporting Our Caribbean Cultural Theatre
Eye On C’Bean Community

Maxine Hamilton Alexander

I am forming the opinion that most of us Carib-bean folks are unaware of the Caribbean Culture Theatre... Because…because the last three weekends, SHORTS, a production put on by this organization was poorly attended with the exception of the last two nights. Now the space can only hold one hundred of us at a time.

The production was hilarious! People were laughing, holding dem side, some…stitches. Talented lo-cal actors from our community taking the stage, bringing a little piece of home to us here in Brooklyn and it is not far; is just downtown Brooklyn. It’s convenient to all kinds of transportation — dollar vans, subway, bus, taxi or car.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people who did not hesitate to support the cause. Additionally, much thanks to E. Wayne McDonald – Caribbean Cultural Theatre, for loaning a night for fund raising for the upcoming Brooklyn Caribbean Youth Fest 2005; Heritage is Timeless.

I have an affinity for the arts. It is a vehicle, which transports us from one place to another. I like to think of it as a teaching tool. The play SHORTS is based on Freddie Kissoon’s writings. I say iths because the production returns in April, running from April 7 thru April 28, 2005. Kissoon’s flair for documenting the foibles of island life is legendary and has earned him the Hummingbird Medal in his native island, Trinidad and Tobago. He has over sixty productions for stage and screen to his credit in addition to a career spanning almost half a century. By the way Caribbean Cultural Theatre is non-profit, so the organization needs our community’s support.

Besides that, this Saturday, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at Medgar Evers College, there will be an event called “Have we lived up to the philosophy of the Honorable Marcus Garvey?” put on by Sons and Daughters of Jamaica. Designer Violet Russell-Forest will be showcasing her wearables.

For more information please contact Jose (718) 712-5034.

Earlier on I mentioned the Brooklyn Caribbean Youth Fest 2005; Heritage is Timeless.

This event takes place this summer in Prospect Park. It is a cultural event specially aimed at the Caribbean Immigrants/Americans youth population. In order to be a community, we have to act as a community.

I witness daily, the departure from our core Caribbean cultural habits by our youths. Popular youth culture has always been a norm for every generation. However, there are values and virtues which build foundation and structure.

The Brooklyn Caribbean Youth Fest 2005; Herit-age is Timeless will be addressing fundamental issues concerning our Caribbean youths. For more information on that event you can call me, Maxine (718) 927-6817. We need youth organizations and volunteers for the event as well as financial support from our community at large. We will never have anything unless we support events and organizations which endeaver to improve our quality of life.

This is the only way we can carry out the mission and reach our goals.