Bring In The New Year With Saida Baba Talibah

Don't miss this beautiful documentary, screening on Bravo! New Years' Day at 7pm.

Don't Miss SAIDAH BABA TALIBAH on Heart Beat This Tuesday @ 7pm on Bravo!

WORLD TELEVISION PREMIERE: JAN 1 2008

SAIDA BABA TALIBAH: STEPPING OUT

Saidah Baba Talibah is a truly gifted performer, who possesses a refreshingly energetic personality and a presence that exudes a shimmering warmth. Her voice, powerful and inspiring, holds a deep-seated sensuality and a soulful mastery rivaled by such music legends as Minnie Riperton and Etta James. Her versatility tickles your senses and speaks to your heart. She is a respected performer, who can command an audience and hold her own on stage.

Directed by:Mars Horodyski

ARTIST PROFILE: Following in her mother's footsteps, jazz singer Salome Bey, Saidah has found her own voice in this multi-talented family. Saidah has sung back-up for Divine Brown, Maestro, By Divine Right, Alannah Myles, Damhnait Doyle, Roger Hodgson(SUPERTRAMP), Dennis DeYoung(STYX), HERO(DarpMalone & E-Dot), Zaki Ibrahim, Syreeta Neal, Saukrates, Jully Black, Marc Jordan, Redman and Res.

View the trailer here.
**************************

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...

Heart Beat

in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..." Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Don't Miss SAIDAH BABA TALIBAH on Heart Beat This Tuesday @ 7pm on Bravo!

WORLD TELEVISION PREMIERE: JAN 1 2008

SAIDA BABA TALIBAH: STEPPING OUT

Saidah Baba Talibah is a truly gifted performer, who possesses a refreshingly energetic personality and a presence that exudes a shimmering warmth. Her voice, powerful and inspiring, holds a deep-seated sensuality and a soulful mastery rivaled by such music legends as Minnie Riperton and Etta James. Her versatility tickles your senses and speaks to your heart. She is a respected performer, who can command an audience and hold her own on stage.

Directed by:Mars Horodyski

ARTIST PROFILE: Following in her mother's footsteps, jazz singer Salome Bey, Saidah has found her own voice in this multi-talented family. Saidah has sung back-up for Divine Brown, Maestro, By Divine Right, Alannah Myles, Damhnait Doyle, Roger Hodgson(SUPERTRAMP), Dennis DeYoung(STYX), HERO(DarpMalone & E-Dot), Zaki Ibrahim, Syreeta Neal, Saukrates, Jully Black, Marc Jordan, Redman and Res.

View the trailer here.
**************************

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...

Heart Beat 

in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..." Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Gifts of Laughter and Music

Season's Greetings from all of us here at CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene.

Looking for a gift to give this Christmas? Trinidadian author and artist Valerie Belgrave's historical romance novel Ti Marie is launched in the US this month, and can also by ordered online @ Amazon as well as www.valeriebelgrave.bravehost.com

“Ti Marie” is a truly great read that everyone will enjoy. Valerie Belgrave brings to light wartime, racism and slavery aspects, in this wonderfully creative and outstanding novel.”
-Ghostwriters Literary Reviews

“A novel of real imaginative power.”
-Trinidad Guardian

"A novel for those looking for something meaningful as well as entertaining to read."
-Daily Express

IN OTHER NEWZ: We have been busy, busy, busy finishing our music series Heart Beat. On Tuesday Christmas Day, the 5th episode will be broadcast on Bravo!

Gifts of Laughter and Music is the story of the relationship between flugelhorn player JoJo Bennett and singer/saxophonist Fergus Hambleton. The two came together in 1980 to form The Sattalites, first as a teaching vehicle which developed into a nationally renowned band. Jo Jo's deep reggae roots melded with Fergus' love of '60's pop vocal harmonies creating a unique flavor. Sattalites fans continue to gather to hear them at the famed Orbit Room on College Street. ARTIST PROFILE Pioneers of the Canadian reggae movement, The Satallites came together in 1980. They have performed at thousands of shows, at universities and clubs both here and in the US and were the first Canadian band to be invited to perform at Jamaica’s "Sunsplash". DIRECTED BY Lana Lovell Visit the Heart Beat website to see the Trailer and get more info. Heart Click HERE to listen to Verlia Stevens interviewing FERGUS HAMBLETON on her weekly radio show "Limin' with Verlia in the African Diaspora." CKLN is a proud sponsor of HEART BEAT. **************************************************** CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present... HEART BEAT in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad) "We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."Muhtadi, Master Drummer. Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators. Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez. Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Don't Miss ALEX CUBA on Heart Beat Tuesday 18th @ 7pm.

4th in our series of documentaries HEART BEAT profiling Caribbean-Canadian musicians,
"The Making Of Alex Cuba" is the Toronto Star's Choice for this Tuesday night viewing!

From the Cuban countryside to rural British Columbia discover, we present Juno winner Alex Cuba.Director Safiya Randera's gorgeous documentary observes the artist in his emerging success as an international musician, from recording in Havana's famous Egrem Studios through behind-the-scenes footage of the upcoming music video, "Tu Boca". Join Alex Cuba as he looks within his own history for discoveries on bridging culture through music.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW TRAILER
Heart Beat is gracially sponsored by CKLN 88.1 FM. Click HERE to listen to CKLN's Verlia Stevens interviewing ALEX CUBA on her weekly show "Limin' with Verlia in the African Diaspora."

****************************************************

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Don't Miss BROWNMAN on Tuesday 7pm on Bravo!

World Television Premiere: December 11th on BRAVO!

EPISODE 3: Nick "Brownman" Ali: The Life and Times of Brown


Toronto jazz creator Brownman is a force of nature. This restless inventive doc captures his prodigious talent, and contagious passion for his art.

SHOT, DIRECTED & EDITED BY
Alberto Suarez

ARTIST PROFILE
Born Nick ‘Brownman’ Ali, in Trinidad; 'Brown' is one of most in demand Canadian trumpet players currently. His recording credits total over 100 albums with studio presence at Sony and Universal.

REVIEWS
“…a thoughtful soloist with an intriguing blend of quirks and lyricism."
Mark Miller, The Globe and Mail

“Between his endless studio and session work, sideman jobs with bands in the reggae and Latin scenes and his peculiar cult success in… Estonia, Ali has become one of the busiest players on the scene.”
Matt Galloway, NOW Magazine

“…jazz visionary…"
Sarah Cairns, View Magazine

“As both sideman and leader, this fiery young musician has played every major Jazz Festival and Latin venue in Canada, touring both this country and the U.S. extensively, has represented Canada at the Havana Jazz Festival, Cuba multiple times and is quickly becoming a known and sought after entity in Europe. One of the hottest names in Canada today. Watch for him!”
Scott McLaren, The Jazz Journey, CHRY Community Radio

“Just like his creatively restless idol (who passed away in 1991 at age 65, following a 50-year career), Ali is a prolific and adventurous spirit.”
Errol Nazareth, Eye Weekly

“Nick Ali & Cruzao…the finest Latin-jazz group Canada’s ever produced."
www.latinjazznet.com

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Join us for Heart Beat EP 2 - Kobo Town.

Singer/songwriter Drew Gonsalves and the members of Kobo Town are one of Toronto's most exciting contemporary calypso bands. In 'Storytelling', these talented musicians invite us into the dazzling world of wordplay and images that define calypso tradition and Trinidadian culture, reflecting on their ten-year musical journey to Kobo Town and sharing the musical styles and legends that continue to shape it.

DIRECTED and EDITED BY
Safiya Randera

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Justin Lovell, Alberto Suarez

View the Trailer HERE

“Kobotown is set to unleash a new musical style on the world with a fusion of old and new traditions from the West Indies. Lead singer/ songwriter Drew Gonzalves’ vividly melodic lyrics backed with a heavy bass and rhythm section inspire people to move both physically and spiritually.”
Karam Delby, Canadian Music Network

“…unique blend of traditional calypso, roots reggae and West Indian folk music… "Kobo Town 's music reflects today's Caribbean-Canadian diaspora, melding traditional Trinidadian music and new sounds encountered in Canada , including funk, jazz, Haitian kompa, Cuban descarga, and Congolese soukous…”
www.allaboutjazz.com

“…underlying the songs are bottle and spoon rhythms, syncopated flute and violin melodies, strumming cuatros and heavy reggae bass lines which indicate a marriage between West Indian musics old and new - a dialogue between a fading folkloric tradition and the sounds that prevail in our time.”
Organic Entertainment, NowOnTour.com

“Kobotown’s aim is to carry on the tradition of kaiso, following in the steps of people like the Roaring Lion, Mighty Spoiler, Lord Invader, King Radio and Attila the Hun but speaking to the issues of our times and continuing to add to the musical mix. They are doing an excellent job.”
Small World Music, The Live Music Report.com

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Join Us Tonight on Bravo! for the Launch of Heart Beat - 13xhalf-hour profiles of musicians

Tonight tune in to Bravo for Ep 1 of our brand new documentary series Heart Beat, featuring Master Drummer Muhtadi.

View the Trailer for the show right here.

And to celebrate the Series launch, last week CKLN 88.1's Verlia Stevens sat down in studio with Muhtadi to talk about the series, his music and his life. It's a riveting half hour interview: If you missed it on CKLN 88.1 on Monday night catch it on our podcast!



Listen to Verlia Stevens interviewing Muhtadi on CKLN 88.1FM

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Grateful thanks to Steve Stober for allowing us to use the photo above of Muhtadi.

Updates &...

...Reminders...

On Sunday 25th November: Following a "Filmmakers' Brunch" hosted by the NYADFF, A Winter Tale will receive it's second New York screening.

Where & When: THALIA THEATRE
2537 Broadway at 95th Street @ 6pm

To order tickets for A Winter Tale : (212) 864-1760 or Click here

On Monday 26th November: the Trane Studio presents a special screening of What My Mother Told Me, and 2 new docs from the Heart Beat series.

Where & When: Trane Studio,
964 Bathurst Street, @ 7pm

Tuesday November 27th: "Heart Beat" 13 beautifully crafted point-of-view documentaries profiling Caribbean artists in Canada, premieres on bravo at 7pm!

A Winter Tale @ The 15th NY African Diaspora Film Festival

Dear Friends:

Thank you for coming out in such numbers to the extraordinary Tribute to Jamaica's icon Leonie Forbes, hosted by the Jamaican Consulate in New York yesterday evening.

I sincerely hope that you will join Miss Forbes, actor Peter Williams and other members of our cast for the Opening Night Gala for A Winter Tale at the New York African Diaspora Film Festival on November 23rd.

Please invite your friends. Spread the word!

See you there,
Frances-Anne Solomon
Director.

Where & When: ANTHOLOGY FILM ARCHIVES
32 Second Avenue @ 2nd Street @ 7.45 pm

The screening will be followed by a reception and Opening Night Party.

On Sunday 25th November: Following a "Filmmakers' Brunch" hosted by the NYADFF, A Winter Tale will receive it's second New York screening.

Where & When: THALIA THEATRE
2537 Broadway at 95th Street

To order tickets for A Winter Tale : (212) 864-1760 or Click here
For more information about the festival please consult the New York African Diaspora Film festival website.

***************************************************************************
About "A WINTER TALE" (Canada, 2007)

Frances-Anne Solomon's award-winning feature A Winter Tale tells the emotional story of a Black men's support group that begins to meet at a Caribbean restaurant, following the shooting death of a young child. It features a talented ensemble cast led by Canadian stars Peter Williams and Michael Miller, and Caribbean icons Leonie Forbes and Dennis "Sprangalang" Hall.

The movie opened this year's ReelWorld Film Festival, and took home the Tonya Lee Williams Award for Outstanding Canadian Feature. Since then it has been touring the international festival circuit, to acclaim by media and audiences alike.

"A Winter Tale is an intensely powerful story about the reinstallation of moral responsibility in Toronto's black male community. Its prime movers walk it in real life like they talk it in this must-see fiction feature... - The Montreal Gazette

"...violence is not a spectator sport, and nowhere in this film could you simply watch — you felt the call to action, and even discussion." Expose Entertainment Magazine.

The New York African Diaspor Film festival is the largest showcase of Black Films on the East Coast, this year presenting more than 100 film over 17 days and featuring an eclectic mix of Urban, Classic, Foreign and Independent films including many World and US premieres.

For more information about the film, please visit AWinterTale.ca
For festival Info please visit The 15th NY African Diaspora Film Festival.

Nigerian scam.

Nigerian scam using my name.

If you receive the below from "me" - do not send money, it's a well-documented "Nigerian" fraud scam. I have been locked out of this account (awintertale@gmail.com), and cannot do anything to stop it. I have reported it to the police, and written to google, but they haven't responded yet. I apologise to everyone on my mail list.

Here are links to other "victims" of the scam:
http://groups.google.com.sb/group/Gmail-Problem-solving/browse_thread/thread/0a6a4e4bf2a639e3/ed7630ce36acca23?#ed7630ce36acca23
http://taxiplasm.net/2007/10/13/my-gmail-was-hacked/
http://gmailhijacking.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/gmail-account-hacked-into-and-hijacked-google-refuses-help-with-this/
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-Problem-solving/browse_thread/thread/2acd04c3c3bf3bb1

The letter:

EMERGENCY!!! (I NEED YOUR URGENT HELP)

Hello,

How are you doing today? I am sorry i didn't inform you about my traveling to Africa for a program called "Empowering Youth to Fight Racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education, the program is taking place in three major countries in Africa which is Ghana , South Africa and Nigeria . It has been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that i found myself is very hard for me to explain.

I am really stranded in Nigeria because I forgot my little bag in the Taxi where my money, passport, documents and other valuable things were kept on my way to the Hotel am staying, I am facing a hard time here because i have no money on me. I am now owning a hotel bill of $1,600 and they wanted me to pay the bill soon or else they will have to seize my bag and hand me over to the Hotel Management., I need this help from you urgently to help me back home, I need you to help me with the hotel bill and i will also need $1,800 to feed and help myself back home so please can you help me with a sum of $3,400 to sort out my problems here? I need this help so much and on time because i am in a terrible and tight situation here, I don't even have money to feed myself for a day which means i had been starving, so please understand how urgent i needed your help.

I am sending you this e-mail from the city Library, I will appreciate what so ever you can afford to send me for now and I promise to pay back your money as soon as i return home. So please use the details of the hotel manager below to transfer the money to me through Western Union money transfer because that is the only way i could be able to get it fast and leave because i need an id to pick up the money through western union. This is the information below....

Name: David Brooks
Address: 16 Johson Street
City : Victoria Island
State : Lagos
Country : Nigeria
Zip Code : 23401
Text question: To who
Answer: Frances

After you have send the money, email to me the western union money transfer control number or you can attach and forward to me the western union money transfer receipt so that i can pick up the money and leave.

Hope to hear from you soon. Although, the embassy here have promised to give me a covering travelling papers that i will need to have my way back home, all i need right now is the money to settle up the bills and leave.

Love - best wishes
Frances-Anne
Frances-Anne Solomon
Leda Serene Films & CaribbeanTales
99 Gore Vale Avenue
Toronto, Ontario

MOVIE NIGHT @ THE TRANE STUDIO

Please come to MOVIE NIGHT at the TRANE - and see WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME, as well as previews of two more of our stunning HEART BEAT DOCS.

HEART BEAT begins airing weekly on BRAVO! from November 27th @ 7pm.

On Monday 26th Novemember, the Trane Studio has invited me to present a special screening of my controversial award-winning film What My Mother Told Me.

"Exquisitely beautiful and profoundly moving, WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME is the story of Jesse, a young woman from England, who goes to Trinidad to bury her father. Reluctantly she agrees to meet her mother, whom she thought had abandoned her when she was a child. Her mother tells her stories, revealing a troubled and violent past."

WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1996 and was a Toronto Star Best of Festival. It's won awards at: The Festival of Black International Cinema, Berlin - Best Film Depicting The Black Experience, Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival - HBO Best Feature, and Through Her Eyes Women of Color Film Festival - Producer's Choice Award ... among others.

ALSO SCREENING: two more documentaries from our hugely popular Heart Beat Series, that will have it's worldwide television premiere on Bravo! on November 27th at 7pm.

KOBO TOWN: STORYTELLING
directed by Safiya Randera

and

SAIDA BABA TALIBAH:
STEPPING OUT
directed by Mars Horodyski.

I'm hoping that Safiya and Mars may come along to talk about their work.

What an incredible evening! Don't miss it...

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Leonie Forbes & Peter Williams to be recognised in New York

Leonie Forbes to be honored by Consulate General of Jamaica in New York

Toronto – November 7, 2007

Actor and Broadcaster Leonie Forbes will be honored at a special reception being hosted by the Jamaican Consulate General in New York on Tuesday November 20, 2007, to recognize her work as a film artist who has achieved success in the Jamaican and international industries.

Also being recognized at the event will be Jamaican-Canadian film and television star Peter Williams.

Both actors will be in New York to attend the reception and screening of their award-winning feature film, A Winter Tale, which will have its US premiere as the Opening Night Gala at the New York African Diaspora Film Festival on November 23rd.

Known as Jamaica’s First Lady of Theatre and Film, Leonie Forbes began her career training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Her talent, drive, and dynamism established her as one of the Caribbean's most respected artists. She has received many awards including: the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government; the silver and bronze Musgrave (top awards of the arts, culture and science in Jamaica); and the Institute of Jamaica's Centenary Medal. Forbes graced the silver screen in major Hollywood pictures, performed in dozens of theatrical productions, and has worked as a radio broadcaster and programmer in Jamaica. Her selected credits include: Old Story Time, Arawak Gold, Champagne and Sky Juice, and Smile Orange. Her film and television credits include: Shattered Image, Milk and Honey, Passion and Paradise, What My Mother Told Me, and Children of Babylon.

In 2003 Forbes starred in the ground-breaking Caribbean-Canadian sitcom Lord Have Mercy for which she was nominated for a Gemini Award - Canada's equivalent of the Emmys - in the category of Best Actress in a Comedy or Drama.

Forbes’ latest role is in Frances-Anne Solomon's powerful award-winning feature A Winter Tale, which has been selected to open the 15th African Diaspora Film Festival in Manhattan in November.

1995 Genie Nominee Peter Williams who stars in the film alongside Ms. Forbes, is one of Canada's finest actors. Williams has built his impressive career acting in Canadian films such as "Soul Survivor", directed by his brother acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Williams, and "Love Come Down" directed by Clement Virgo, as well as many Hollywood film & television programs like "The Chronicles Of Riddick" and "Stargate SG-1".

A Winter Tale tells the emotional story of a Black men's support group that begins to meet at a local Caribbean Takeaway restaurant after the shooting death of a young child. It features a talented ensemble cast, including Forbes and Williams, and took home the Outstanding Canadian Feature Film Award at the prestigious ReelWorld Film Festival, as well as Best Feature at the Trinidad Film Festival, among several other awards.

A Winter Tale will have its Gala premiere at the ADFF on November 23rd, with additional screenings on November 25th and Dec 1st.

Heart Beat Launch

The "Heart beat" Launch, October 30th 2007 was a great success!. Thanks to you all for coming and packing out the place.

Please visit this link for some photos from last night’s event. Heart Beat begins airing on Bravo on November 27th at 7pm.

Too bad we only had time to screen two of the docs - though very well received. But on Monday 26th November, The Trane has invited me to screen my film What My Mother Told Me, and we plan to show at least one if not more of the Heart Beat docs then. We'll let you know which one(s) closer to the time.

Photo: Good thing someone had the sense to take decent pics that evening, as though I'm here with a camera, I had my hands full. Here are JoJo and Fergus of the Satallites on either side of Brownman, moi in the middle, Alberto Suarez (director of "The Life and Times of Brown") and Drew Gonzalves from the band Kobo Town.

"Heart Beat" is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.

The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Caribbean Tales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
"Heart Beat"
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Invitation to the Launch of Heart Beat

My dear Friends,
Please join me to celebrate the Launch of our new documentary series "HEART BEAT"

@ Trane Studio, 964 Bathurst Street,
October 30th @ 6pm.
Please RSVP by return

The evening's program will feature a Sneak Peak at some of the episodes
plus special performances by -

Master Drummer MUHTADI & Friends,
DREW GONSALVES of Kaiso Band KOBO TOWN,
& the incomparable BROWNMAN & his ELECTRYC TRIO.

Admission: Free.
Cash bar.

Bring a friend! Spread the word...
See you there,
Frances-Anne

****************************************

"Heart Beat" is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.

The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Caribbean Tales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
"Heart Beat"
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

A Winter Tale: TALK IT OUT in Scarborough

In July, we launched TALK IT OUT, our nationwide anti-violence tour of A Winter Tale. This project uses the film as a tool for community engagement. We invited communities across Canada to work with us to set up screenings of the film, followed by discussions of the issues raised.

I am now delighted to announce our first community-sponsored TALK IT OUT, organised by Ginelle Skerrit (in photo, left), Executive Director of Warden Woods Community Center, and funded by Warden Woods Community Centre, Malvern Family Resource Centre, Tropicana Community Services, Youthlink, West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Services, East Metro Youth Services, Rosalie Hall, Agincourt Community Services, Second Base Youth Shelter, and East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club.

The event is for youth and families in Scarborough and will take place on Monday 29th October from 6-9.30pm, at Eglinton Town Centre Cineplex.

There will be a reception and then the screening/discussion will follow.

Ginelle Skerrit said: "All of the youth workers (who saw the movie) thought it was an important film and are excited about the opportunities it creates to dialogue on the issues. They found the film was REAL".

Stay tuned for future screenings in the following areas: Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, York University/Jane Finch, and Downtown Toronto.


In other newz: Here are some of the online reviews - more to follow - from my September festivals tour. I visited Montreal, Halifax, Trinidad and Bradford, UK. (The photo above was taken after our Closing Night screening in Bradford) The experience of sharing the film with different audiences was great and I'm sure many good things will flow from it. I'd like to thank: Pat Dhillon and Nadine Dominique in Montreal; Sylvia Hamilton, Juanita Peters, Fil Fraser and Lou Gannon in Halifax; Bruce Paddington, Annabelle Alcazar, and Marina Salandy-Brown in Trinidad, and Addy Rudder & everyone in Bradford, for making this an exceptional time for me.

Our next stop is New York City where we will be opening the 15th African Diaspora Film Festival on November 23rd.

Gayelle the Channel's CEO Chris Laird crashes the morning show "Cockadoodaldoo", to talk about A Winter Tale..

Frances-Anne interviewed for Global Voices by Janine Mendez Franco

A Winter Tale in Caribbean Beat Magazine by Donna Yawching

A Wnter Tale reviewed at Now Is Wow multimedia artist Elspeth Duncan's blog

Vaps: Another Trini blog comments on A Winter Tale.

Francomenz Janine Mendes-Franco's blog

Hardbeatnews

Enjoy! And talk soon.
FA

Heart Beat...

CaribbeanTales presents Heart Beat, an exciting new Canadian-Caribbean musician profile series, coming to Bravo!

Toronto – October 4, 2007

Music fans will gain a deeper appreciation for the sounds of the Caribbean this November, with the launch of Heart Beat - a unique 13-episode documentary series which showcases Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada’s most dynamic musical creators. Heart Beat will premiere on Bravo! on Tuesday, November 27 at 7 p.m.

The series is created and produced by award winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Justin Lovell, Alberto Suarez and Mars Horodyski.

Each half-hour episode tells the story of a different Caribbean performer, and explores the depth of their artistry. Featured artists include Master Drummer Muhtadi, Kaiso band Kobo Town, Jazz trumpeter Nick “Brownman” Ali, and many many more.

The official Heart Beat series launch event will take place on Tuesday, October 30 at the Trane Studio, when guests will be treated to live musical performances, as well as an advance screening of a couple of episodes from Heart Beat.

EP 1 : Muhtadi:
‘Muhtadi’ profiles one of Canada’s premier percussionists. A celebrity in his own right, Master Drummer Muhtadi plays djembe, bongos, congas, timbales, steel pan, has been performing professionally for over 30 years, and is the force behind the Muhtadi International Drumming festival, now in its 7th year. He has worked with a host of renowned performers, including Mary Wilson from The Supremes. Each year Muhtadi returns to Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival to perform with the world famous Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.

EP 2: Kobo Town:
Singer/songwriter Drew Gonsalves and the members of Kobo Town are one of Toronto’s most exciting contemporary calypso bands. In ‘Storytelling’, these talented musicians invite us into the dazzling world of wordplay and images that define calypso tradition and Trinidadian culture, reflecting on their ten-year musical journey to Kobo Town and sharing the musical styles and legends that continue to shape it.

Creator & Producer Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and producer whose recent credits include the feature film A Winter Tale (2007), documentary series Literature Alive (2005-6), and the sitcom Lord Have Mercy! (VisionTV, 2003). She is the president and artistic director of the two companies she founded: Leda Serene Films and CaribbeanTales, and has also worked as a radio, film and television drama producer for the BBC.

Leda Serene Films is a film, television and new media production company that has produced an impressive range of award-winning programs—from feature films to more innovative multi-media projects—and has made its name as a producer of high-quality dramas and documentaries that celebrate diversity- strong personal stories from different cultural perspectives in the global diaspora.

CaribbeanTales is a not-for-profit multimedia company committed to producing educational films, videos, and new media projects that celebrate the rich tradition of Caribbean-heritage storytelling, using any and all types of media and state of the art technology. Projects include Literature Alive, a multi-facetted multimedia project including documentaries audio books, and an educational website about Caribbean-Canadian authors, and our Annual CaribbeanTales Film festival.

SCREENING TODAY AT THE NFB

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for coming out on Monday for the ReelWorld Case Study of A Winter Tale. We had a very interesting discussion and it was great to see you all ...

Don't forget: This morning THURSDAY 13th @ 10.30am is our special screening at the NFB!!!

On Friday I am heading off to Atlantic Canada - my first time - and on Tuesday, heading home.... to TRINIDAD where A Winter Tale will be screening at the TTFC.

Please check out these festival websites, they look really nice, and I am proud of them:

A Winter Tale @ Atlantic film festival:

A Winter Tale @ Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival : OPENING NIGHT FILM

A Winter Tale @ Bite The Mango FIlm Festival : CLOSING NIGHT GALA -

Have I mentioned that A Winter Tale will be screening at the Abuja Film Festival in Nigeria? Our Nollywood premiere!...

I'll continue to send you updates from my travels...

Love, FA

Tonya Lee Williams' Indie Film Lounge

The reception for the Indie Film Lounge was for me the place to be at TIFF last night. It was good to see so many well-heeled, well-spoken folks of color come together in this city to celebrate the next generation, "The Emerging 20". It was also fantastic to recognise that there are now a number of us doing significant work and being recognised for it... something like a critical mass of creative and business individuals of color in Canada.... creating great shows, sustaining our careers...


The Indie Film Lounge Case Studies are at the Pilot Tavern - I will be there tomorrow Sept 10th, with "A Winter Tale", and on Tuesday 11th reps from the NFB will discuss their diversity program.

Also: Don't miss the special screening of A Winter Tale on Thursday 13th at 10.30 am at the NFB, 140 John Street. Space is limited so make sure you RSVP to awintertale@gmail.com.

Photos: Reelworld's CEO Tonya Lee Williams with filmmaker Clement Virgo; Reelworld Programmer Hayet Benkara and actor Rupinder Nagra, First Fridays Warren Salmon & friends, Indie Film Lounge Co-ordinator Gloria Kim amid the Emerging 20, Director Sudz Sutherland and his wife and Producer Jennifer Holness with Clement Virgo; Global's Production Executive Karen King.

September Screenings of A Winter Tale

ReelWorld Indie Film Lounge - Case Study
September 10th, 12pm - 1.30pm @ Pilot Tavern, 22 Cumberland St, Toronto
This event will take the form of a Case Study of the film from development through to distribution. I'll be joined by Anne Frank and Indira Guha of Telefilm Canada; the moderator is award-winning filmmaker Lalita Krishna.

Special Toronto Screening @ NFB Mediatheque
September 13th, 10.30am. @ 140, John Street, Toronto
Join me for this special Toronto screening of A Winter Tale... Space is limited so if you'd like to come, RSVP to: awintertale@gmail.com.


Atlantic Film Festival
September 16, 7pm @ Empire 8, Park Lane, Halifax, Nova ScotiaWe're heading east and look forward to meeting up with potential community partners from Canada's largest Black community, in anticipation of the Halifax leg of TALK IT OUT – our nationwide anti-violence tour of the film - scheduled for next year.

Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival
September 19, 8pm & September 23, 5pm @ MovieTowne Cinema, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Our Caribbean premiere, in my home town. I am especially proud that A Winter Tale will be opening the festival on Wednesday September 19th, with an added screening on Sunday September 23rd.

Bite The Mango Film Festival, UK
September 27, 7pm @ National Media Museum, Bradford, UK
A Winter Tale will be crossing the pond to premiere in the UK at this important European festival of World Cinema...
A Winter Tale will be the Closing Night film !

4th Annual Abuja International Film and Video Festival
25th - 28th of September 2007 @ the Shehu Musa Yardua Centre Abuja. Date TBA. Our African premiere!

A Winter Tale @ The 13th Bite The Mango Film Festival

Friends:
Please join me for the UK Premiere of my film A Winter Tale @ The 13th Bite The Mango Film Festival. A Winter Tale will be the Closing Night Gala!

September 27th - 8.00pm
@ National Media Museum, Bradford

Invite your friends. Spread the word!

See you there,
Frances-Anne Solomon
Director.
______________________________________________

About "A WINTER TALE" (Canada, 2007)

Frances-Anne Solomon's award-winning feature A Winter Tale tells the emotional story of a Black men's support group that begins to meet at a Caribbean restaurant, following the shooting death of a young child. It features a talented ensemble cast led by Canadian stars Peter Williams and Michael Miller, and Caribbean icons Leonie Forbes and Dennis "Sprangalang" Hall.

The movie opened this year's ReelWorld Film Festival, and took home the Tonya Lee Williams Award for Outstanding Canadian Feature.

"A Winter Tale is an intensely powerful story about the reinstallation of moral responsibility in Toronto's black male community. Its prime movers walk it in real life like they talk it in this must-see fiction feature... - The Montreal Gazette

"...violence is not a spectator sport, and nowhere in this film could you simply watch — you felt the call to action, and even discussion." Expose Entertainment Magazine.

The Bite The Mango Film Festival is one of Europe's most important showcases of World Cinema, presenting an eclectic mix of award-winning feature films, inspirational short films, masterclasses, seminars and star guests.

For more information about the film, please visit AWinterTale.ca
For festival Info please visit The Bite The Mango Film Festival