News Americas, Brooklyn, NY, Thurs. June 8, 2023: New Yorkers will join the Guyanese American community to celebrate Guyana’s 57th Independence Anniversary on Sunday, June 11, 2023, when the annual Guyanese Independence parade on Church Avenue in Brooklyn.

In a statement Tuesday, Kevin King, Vice Chairman of the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York announced that Jamaican dancehall superstar Busy Signal will headline the event. For his part, Reanno Vevon Gordon, whose stage name is Busy Signal, promised to bring the house down with a stellar performance.

Busy Signal performs during the Busy Signal and Major Lazer Party at the VIP ROOM on July 30, 2013 in Saint Tropez, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/Getty Images)

King also announced that Busy Signal will also be honored by Jamaican American Congresswoman Yvette Clark and the Guyana Independence Committee for his outstanding contribution to dancehall music.  

Appearing on Brooklyn’s Caribbean Power Jam Radio last Friday night, the obviously pumped dancehall legend said he was honored to be invited to perform at the Guyanese Independence celebration, as he sees himself as part of the One Caribbean family. 

The parade kicks off at 11:30 A.M. on June 11, 2023, at Church and Albany Avenues. The parade will proceed East on Church Ave, North on Flatbush Avenue, East on Parkside Ave and into Prospect Park, for the grand independence concert at LeFrak Center. Over twenty-five Guyanese artistes will entertain the usually massive and jubilant audience. The celebration will feature a special tribute to the twenty-one school children who perished in the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire.   

Adding star power to the landmark celebration will be seventeen-year-old swimming sensation, Raekwon Noel, who copped five gold medals at the 2023 CARIFTA Championship, popular Attorney at law Nigel Hughes, Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine, Chairman of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), Michelle Gibbs, and EmblemHealth Vice President, Ann Marie Adamson, all Grand Marshals of the parade.  

The artistes line up include Eddie Neblett, Maji, Trevon Vibez, Denise Belfon, Big Red, Poonam Singh, Nesta Nelson, Denisha McCurchin, Gavin Mendonca, Supper Terry One Man Band, Granny Ivy, Mattic Queen, Jadel, Bollywood star Rohied Chan, Skinny Banton, Freezy, Odayne Rhoden, Linky First, Sabance, Chris Nelson, Jarel Bartholomew, Brandon Harding, Warchild, Pablo G, Zebuluon the Councilor, Thugy Lord, Kurtlee, Subance, Mandella Links, Hypasounds, Jorey, and Busyfreelandz

The Guyana Independence celebration in New York is the largest Guyanese celebration outside of Guyana and the second largest West Indian American celebration in New York City, after the Labor Day parade.

Democratic Leader in the US Congress Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, , New York  City Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and several other New Your State and City elected officials, will attend.

Other honorees include Attorney Keith Scotland, a member of parliament from Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Airlines, Raekwon Noel; physician Dr. Keith Cummings; Director of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), Jean Violet Baptist; Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine; health insurance executive Roger Singh; recording artiste Poonam Singh, EmblemHealth Vice President, Ann Marie Adamson; director of the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA), Claire-Ann Goring, folklorist/musician Gavin Mendoza, President of AscentCorp, Lawrence Fanfair; Queens Deputy Borough President, Ronda Binda, Founder and CEO of Caring for Others, Eslene Richmond Shockley, Rupununi Indigenous Youth Leader, Shavez Hendricks, Businessman Agaz Asgaraly, Physician, Dr. Gordon John, Poultry Nutritionist, Dr. Colwayne Morris, Guyanese reggae legend, Mortimer Sofyley (Natural Black), Savvy Bistro and Bar, Joshua House for Children founder Carlton Guilliams and Environmental Engineer, former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams.      .    

Tickets are available at Eventbrite, German’s Restaurant 410 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11203, Pam’s Bakery 4620 Church Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11203, Caribbean Vision Center 1012 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226, YRP Barbers 1086 Rutland Road, Brooklyn NY 11212, Sybil’s Restaurant 13217 Liberty Ave, Queens, NY 11419 and First Option Juice and Salad Bar 1832 E2nd street, Scotch Plains NJ 07076 and Spice N Thing Restaurant 442 Main Street, East Orange, NJ 07018.

For more information call 929-487-5095 or visit: www.celebrateguyananyc.com

Source: Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York

News Americas, Johannesburg, South Africa, Fri. June 02, 2023: The Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed MultiChoice Group is about to debut it’s biggest ever prime-time drama series, Shaka Ilembe, an epic 12-part tale that follows the origins story of the legendary African monarch and military strategist, King Shaka. Six years in the making, the highly anticipated series boasts the talents of some of South Africa’s biggest stars, including Coming 2 America lead actress Nomzamo Mbatha.

With the epic series launching across sub-Saharan Africa on MultiChoice’s video entertainment service DStv this June, Shaka Ilembe is already attracting significant interest outside of the continent. MultiChoice Studios, the busy sales and distribution arm of the sub-Saharan business, is hard at work introducing the title to international buyers at film markets from Cannes to Los Angeles, building on a growing MultiChoice slate of original production exports including the Emmy nominated Reyka and the Deon Meyer penned Trackers.

For Nomsa Philiso, CEO of MultiChoice General Entertainment, Shaka Ilembe offers audiences worldwide the opportunity to immerse into a rich dynastic African story, set in the 1700’s.

“We are confident that this series will travel. It speaks, not only the heritage of the Zulu Nation, but to the fascination that the world has always had with King Shaka. It speaks to Africans owning the stories that their ancestors lived. And it celebrates that, long before colonialism, beyond the pages of history, there was a majestic ancient era of African Kings and Queens, warriors, healers, and leaders who lived, loved, ruled, battled, and above all, entrenched a legacy and culture that endures even today. Further, the series was filmed in isiZulu so it carries a distinct language identity, but it will be sub-titled in multiple languages so audiences from across the globe can enjoy it.”

Central to the Shaka Ilembe story is actress Nomzamo Mbatha, who balances her Executive Producer responsibilities with fulfilling a life-long ambition to play King Shaka’s beloved mother, Queen Nandi.

Speaking to her dual roles on Shaka Ilembe, Mbatha says, “This series is rich in depth, and was shot in 4K on a tremendous scale that fuels the narrative. From the fierce battlefield choreography and the meticulous accuracy of the wardrobe to the resonance of the script, it’s remarkable. And while this is a fictional story, it’s inspired by real events, people, and places. Already, ahead of our domestic launch audiences at home are very supportive because, they know like I do, that TV series like Shaka Ilembe transcends entertainment, and delivers representation, diversity, and progress.”

Mbatha leads off a top-flight ensemble cast featuring some of the country’s most charismatic leading men – Lemogang Tsipa, Senzo Radebe, Wiseman Mncube, Thembinkosi Mthembu and Mondli Makhoba alongside powerful character actresses Khabonina Qubeka, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Dawn Thandeka King and rising star Hope Mbhele. Meanwhile, playing the boy destined to be King, is gifted young newcomer Ntando Zondi whose prodigious talent was unearthed during the filming of the series.

Filmed in South Africa, SHAKA ILEMBE features much of the country’s magnificent wildlife and scenery, including the mountains, savanna, and coastline of the lushly beautiful province of KwaZulu Natal, home to the majority of South Africa’s Zulu people. Key filming locations here included the towns of Eshowe, Nkandla Forest, Port Edward, Drakensburg, Mooi River and Zulu Falls.

Meanwhile other parts of the series were shot on a purpose-built backlot near the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Cradle of Humankind” where Emmy and Academy nominated showrunners Bomb Productions hosted the King of the Zulu Nation, His Excellency Misuzulu kaZwelithini, during a special visit to the set for the Royal to see first-hand the level of detail and care that was employed to ensure that the authenticity of the set.

For Mauro Black, MultiChoice Studios Content, Sales, and Distributions Director, it is this credibility of intention and execution that makes SHAKA ILEMBE a powerful cultural export.

“International buyers are discerning about what they will bring their local audiences from the global TV marketplace. So, from inception, SHAKA ILEMBE was crafted to weld an immense depth of oral, written and illustrated Zulu history into the framework of a highly watchable prime-time drama. The result is a deeply meaningful but profoundly enjoyable title that should win fans in markets as diverse as Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.”

With over 8000 people contributing their skills to create Shaka Ilembe, the series has already won the support of five of South Africa’s biggest brands (Telkom, LottoStar, Grant’s Whisky, Toyota SA and Santam) who all signed on as commercial partners within days of seeing an extended preview of the series.  In addition, it’s Academy Award and BAFTA nominated Creative Director Angus Gibson and Sundance winning Executive Producer Desiree Markgraaff have drawn from the best of South Africa’s talent, including acclaimed Zulu musician Mbuso Khoza whose skill and vision drives the series soundtrack.

By NAN ET Writer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 12, 2023: Grammy-winning Jamaican star Shaggy has gone soca!

The star has teamed up with Trinidad and Tobago soca stars Patrice Roberts and Kes, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Skinny Fabulous to launch ‘In The Mood,’ a 7-track EP that leans in heavily on the genre of soca.

Drawing from inspiration from the vibrancy of the Caribbean, and the fast-paced exuberance of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Shaggy applies elements of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and Dancehall by way of the soca hitmakers.

Check out “Whine and Jumping” featuring Patrice below.

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, LONDON, England, Tues. May 9, 2023: The actress playing the older Queen Charlotte in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story was born in Guyana. Golda Rosheuvel was born to a Guyanese father and an English mother.  She moved to England when she was five.

Rosheuvel, 53, is known for her theatre work and a number of on-screen roles including Porgy and Bess, Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet, Angels in America, Bad Girls: The Musical, and Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2018, Rosheuvel played a lesbian version of Othello in Othello.

In 2019, Rosheuvel was cast as Queen Charlotte in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton produced by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on December 25, 2020, with positive reviews from critics.

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in episode 206 of Bridgerton. (Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2022)

She now plays the older Queen Charlotte in “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” in the new Netflix series spinoff.

“Charlotte is thrown into this world that doesn’t accept her at first, and she has to power through and work it out…Even as she’s being vulnerable, she knows who she is. This is a strong Black woman,” says Rosheuvel of the role.

Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story takes fans of the Julia Quinn novels-turned-series back in time. Pivoting away from the romantic shenanigans of the Bridgerton family before the next installment of the Regency-era drama, the six-episode series depicts the earliest days of Queen Charlotte’s – the younger queen played by India Amarteifio and the older by Rosheuvel – reign. In the Bridgerton prequel, we peel back the layers of the royal’s icy demeanor and learn the heartbreaking context behind her stern approach to the crown. Queen Charlotte is a love story, but it’s also a narrative of Black girl magic — and the sometimes unbearable weight that comes with it.

Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: If you’re looking to venture out to the Caribbean, either island hopping on a cruise or sticking to one location, you’re likely to want some entertainment throughout your journey. Well, there are a lot of options to choose from, and they vary depending on where you’re going. But some things are universal and universally loved, and you can find them amongst the greatest bars and restaurants in the Caribbean.

So, what can you find to entertain you beyond the sun and the cocktails? Take a look at our list to find out.

Music

The Caribbeans are famous for knowing how to get a party started. With the best tunes on offer, it really doesn’t matter if you know the genre, you know the big names, etc. You can simply show up to a venue and enjoy the locals playing with whatever they have handy.

Wander down your nearest strip, and you’re bound to find a pub with a live band and enjoy a night of dancing and singing.

Of course, the Caribbean is made up of a lot of different cultures from different islands, but the best part about that is that you’re going to get something different wherever you go. But the thing they all have in common is the ability to make the listener feel alive.

Mentalist

This is a show where you get to ask the age-old question: is telepathy real ? Modern mentalism is all about reading energy and minds to pull off mind-bending tricks. Less juvenile than the idea of a magician, mentalism involves reaching deep into a person’s mind and extracting the truth. They have abilities like precognition, clairvoyance and telepathy and can demonstrate them to members of the audience. It makes for a shocking and bizarre night out.

They aren’t as common as other acts on a typical holiday strip, like music acts and comedians, but you can ask around to find interesting acts in the area.

Drag

Depending on where you go around the Caribbean, you might find yourself enjoying a bottomless brunch with a drag act. Drag artists are essentially modern (better) clowns with better material. It’s not just the outfit that will make you sick with jealousy that they offer, but great stand-up and crowd work, usually with a lip sync performance or maybe even some original music to add to the act.

Get the girls (and guys) together and enjoy an excuse for a cocktail in the morning, as if the sun wasn’t enough of an excuse.

Magician

Along the same lines as a mentalist, magicians are much beloved in the Caribbean. They make for a great family-friendly choice on the islands or on your cruise. Pulling off a mix of crazy tricks that a daredevil might only attempt for real and card tricks to entertain. There is a lot of pageantry to it that makes for an entertaining show. It’s a great option to give your kids a bit of entertainment and let them know that magic is still alive.

NewsAmericasNow.com