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Cecil (Maurice Bryan), Rose (Rishille Bellamy),, Joseph (Shayne Powell) and Clarence (Andrew Lawrence) discuss love and life in Last Call.
Ever heard of Myrtle Bank Hotel? In the golden era of downtown Kingston, from the late 19th century to perhaps the mid 20th century, it was THE hotel. It was known for luxury and prestige. Lorna Goodison, well-known Jamaican poet, writes of how awed she was when as a youngster her older sister, Barbara Gloudon, then a cub reporter, took her to the hotel. In Keiran King's musical, Last Call, the oppulent hotel becomes the setting for a tale of love lost and rediscovered.

Written by Keiran King with direction from King and Mike Daley, the plot follows four high school friends who  reunite by design and coincidence at Myrtle Bank Hotel in 1949. The play features musical direction by Karen Armstrong and choreography by Paula Shaw. Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the play is the live band, including the obligatory ultra cool bass player,  which plays the accompaniment to the musical numbers sung by the talented cast. With respect to singing ability, Andrew Lawrence must be giving special mention as he is particularly talented.

This weekend (August 18 - 21) is the play's last. It will run from Thursday to Sunday at 8 pm, with matinees  at 5 pm on Saturday and Sundays, at the Phillip Sherlock Centre of the Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The play, with its heavy air of nostalgia, offers a means of looking back to a more golden era and a much more optimistic time in our history. Ir is well-worth attending.
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L-R: Rose (Rishille Bellamy),Cecil (Maurice Bryan), Daphne (Sakina Deer) & Joseph (Shayne Powell) in a group song.
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From L to R, Rose (Rishille Bellamy) and Daphne (Sakina Deer) catch up in Last Call.
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Sakina Deer plays Dphne, the sultry cabaret singer at Myrtle Bank Hotel.
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YardEdge's Karin Wilson-Edmonds recently went on a JCE tour. This is what she had to say.
This past Saturday, I ventured out with a group of art enthusiasts on the inaugural Kingston Art Trek- our mission, to visit a cross-section of Kingston’s galleries. The creation of Jamaica Cultural Enterprises (JCE), a new tour company specializing in cultural tours of Jamaica, the Kingston Art Trek is designed to expose participants to a wide range of local art and artists. It also turned out to be an education on the history and landmarks of Kingston, as well as a great opportunity to meet fellow art aficionados!

JCE’s Karen Hutchinson was an excellent tour guide, highly knowledgeable on local art and on Kingston’s history and highlights. She expertly guided us around the various galleries, while simultaneously trying to keep us on schedule- not an easy task with so much to see!

We visited a total of six galleries, three downtown and three uptown, including Emancipation Park in New Kingston, Revolution Gallery, the National Gallery of Jamaica, Studio 174, Roktowa Gallery, Heather Sutherland Wade’s gallery and Grosvenor Galleries. A comfortable bus kept us from worrying about traffic and parking and allowed us to focus on the sights and sounds around us.

We began the day at 10 am sharp with coffee at Emancipation Park, where we viewed Laura Facey-Cooper’s Redemption Song, which although we’re all quite used to now caused quite a stir when it was originally unveiled.

Read full article here.

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Guest blogger Saran Hutchinson shares with us her thoughts on Scotchie's Restaurant in Kingston.
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Scotchie's dining huts surrounded by plants and flowers
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Half Way Tree, on Chelsea Avenue aggressively close to Chelsea Jerk Centre - traditionally considered THE Kingston jerk joint - has blossomed a new buzz worthy dining option.  Scotchie’s has come to Town.  This much to the great pleasure of those of us who before would yearn for a country outing in part to stop at Scotchie’s and sample their varied offerings. The restaurant had its beginning in Montego Bay, St. James many years ago and from there migrated to Drax Hall, St. Ann.  It has gained worldwide recognition, having been featured in numerous television programmes and magazine articles.  The now notorious Star Jones, formerly of ABC’s “The View” named the Montego Bay location as one of her favourite dining spots.
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Restaurant patron on his way to get his jerk
In Kingston, the venue is a well manicured area with flowers and plants which have been thoughtfully chosen it seems, to provide a kind of green retreat in the urban centre and a variation from typical dining in the metropolis.  The food is GREAT, though some have commented that it is inconsistent.  I was lucky on both my visits to get the pork - or “Arnold” as we Jamaicans like to call it - just in time, and for me the flavour and seasoning were just right.  The jerk is authentically spicy, even without the addition of the hot sauce.  For some the chicken is a viable option but considering myself a true jerk fan, it would have been unforgivable to pass on the pork.  Conch soup, breadfruit, sweet potato, corn, hard dough bread, and festival are also available on the menu and the patrons seem to be coming in droves to feed what can only be described as a Scotchie’s addiction.  When I arrived at exactly twelve noon on Saturday afternoon, there were three cars in the parking lot, including mine.  By the time I had finished and was leaving, the more than adequate parking area provided was full.  Kingstonians are down with the Scotchie’s movement!
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Paul, a cook, exposes the chicken for the camera
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