Next month’s highly anticipated KingsToon festival will provide the opportunity for local and regional animators to get a foothold in the growing US$222.8 billion global animation industry.
The two-day event will be held at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Andrew, from June 20 to 21.
Jamaica’s growing crop of local animators will get a chance to showcase their talent at the event.
State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 28, informed that the event will bring together, international and local leaders in the animation industry, international and local universities, Jamaican professionals, and visual arts students and practitioners.
He said among the objectives of the festival is to… READ MORE
Students from six high-schools across the island showcased their entrepreneurial skills and business development projects during the “I am the Change Expo: An Initiative to Develop Young Entrepreneurs” today at the Mona Business Lodge. The project is a partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the Mutual Building Societies Foundation. Participating schools are: Seaforth, Porus, Green Pond, Godfrey Stewart, McGrath and Mile Gully High Schools.
Launched in 2011, the Young Entrepreneur “I am the Change” Programme encourages innovation and business development through entrepreneurial activities. Since its inception, the Digicel Foundation has invested approximately $15 million. During the course of the last year, students were charged with developing mobile applications that would assist with solving issues within their schools and communities. These apps include; emergency notifications, study guides, job search mediums and produce distribution channels.
“This has been a great experience. One that has provided us with a number of opportunities and the chance to meet successful entrepreneurs in Jamaica,” noted Ashley Ann Porter, Mile Gully High student. “The programme has really been wonderful and I want to thank all the sponsors including Digicel Foundation, MBSF, JN and all the others for making this happen.”
Samantha Chantrelle, Executive Director of Digicel Foundation applauded the efforts of the participants, saying, “The work displayed by the students today is not only amazing, but truly inspiring. I am confident that these students have bright futures ahead of them and I commend their teachers and mentors, for having played instrumental roles in their development.” Chantrelle also reiterated the commitment of the Foundation to Youth endeavours across the island, “The Digicel Foundation remains fully committed to the empowerment of our youth through innovation and the use of information technologies.”
Shelly-Ann ‘Dr. Sexy’ Weeks, writer/producer/host of Sextacy on Fame 95FM is making a big move to Nationwide 90FM with a new radio show DR. SEXY LIVE.
For almost three years Shelly-Ann has been the voice of Sextacy on Fame 95FM on Mondays at midnight. Over this time period, she has grown loyal listenership with persons following her programme for her frank and open views on sex, relationships and sexuality among other things.
“Education is at the foundation of everything I do,” says Shelly-Ann. “I recognize that because sex is still a taboo topic in Jamaica many persons are misinformed on quite a few topics. I want to do my part in equipping my audiences with facts about sex and sexuality so that can make informed choices and ultimately achieve satisfactory sex in their lives.”
When asked the reason for the move, Dr. Sexy commented “My show is very interactive and my audience gives continuous feedback, I have gotten many requests to have the show on air more often. Another deciding factor was that I really want to see the full potential of the show and reach more people. All of this will be achieved through my airing in an earlier time slot, longer show and more nights on air at Nationwide 90FM.”
Dr Sexy LIVE starts on Nationwide 90FM, June 3, 2013 and will be aired Mondays to Fridays 10:00PM to 2:00AM.
Shelly-Ann ‘Dr. Sexy’ Weeks – Picture Courtesy of Skkan Media Ent
About Shelly Ann ‘Dr. Sexy’ Weeks
Shelly-Ann ‘Dr. Sexy’ Weeks is the creator, writer, producer and host of Dr Sexy Live (formerly Sextacy on Fame 95FM) and is no stranger to the media as she has written for publications such as The Gleaner, Jamaica Observer and BUZZZ Magazine. She currently writes a weekly column in the STAR called SEXY CHAT. She has made many guest appearances on TV Talk shows for her expertise on sexuality including, Smile Jamaica, The Susan Show, CVM @ Sunrise, The Karen D Show and she was a host on CVM Naked Truth. Shelly-Ann holds Certification in Clinical Sexology from The Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, USA. Her mantra is simple: People who have satisfactory sex live longer, happier, healthier lives.
Like Shelly-Ann ‘Dr. Sexy’ Weeks on Facebook by clicking here
Listen here on NationWide Starting Monday, June 3rd by clicking here
Jamaica is overloaded with talented people with a knack for innovation and business zeal. Hence when the World Bank, through its Jamaica Country Office, contacted me to be a Ambassador for its upcoming KingsTOOn Festival, a 2-day Animation Conference and Film Festival to be held at UWI Mona Visitors’ Lodge on June 20th and 21st, I did not hesitate.
To be honest, I was brimming with enthusiasm for several reasons, chiefly because of the opportunity, but more importantly the general ethos of ‘animating Jamaican creativity’ (the event’s theme). What particularly tugged at me was how the festival could be a catalyst for employment and, prospects for professional careers for Jamaicans and foremost a platform for interactions with persons/companies in the global animation industry.
On Friday, May 24, 2013, I and 11 other youngsters from Jamaica and the Caribbean accepted our roles as “KingsTOON Animation Media Ambassadors”. Amongst our duties are: Actively promote KingsTOON Festival; engage young Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals about the festival and the animation competition. In this regard, over the next couple weeks leading up to the KingsTOON Festival, I will be sharing blog entries and interviews here, tweeting from @Lgrandison and posting pictures via my Instagram account.
MORE ON KINGSTOON
KingsTOON is a 2-day Animation Conference and Film Festival, bringing together leading global animation companies with local animation companies, operators, investors, students and policy makers to turn talent and skill into a significant and professional career to satisfy a growing demand/gap for animation products. The festival which takes place over two day, June 20-21, 2013, at UWI’s Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre will help Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals etch a share of the over US$222.8 billion industry.
The first day will feature panel discussions and workshops on the opportunities, and how to position oneself to take advantage of the situation. Day 2, will showcase Jamaican and Caribbean talents working in the industry and related fields. The day will also feature the announcement of the winners in the KingsTOON Animation Competition for:
• Best Script and Storyboard (Jamaica)
• Best experimental animation (Jamaica)
• Best character (Jamaica)
• Best final animation product (Caribbean)
For more information on the details of these categories and the competition please visit here
Winners will receive full scholarships to study animation in Canada at Sherdian College and Nova Scotia College courtesy of the Canadian High Commission; Animation tablets; animation software; Mac Computers; Internship with companies in the Caribbean and training with Canadian software company ToonBoom.
Enter the Animation Competition now! Visit http://www.facebook.com/Kingstoonfest for more info.
Jamaican and West Indies cricket legend, Ambassador Courtney Walsh, will be a guest of honour at Wray & Nephew Contender on May 22, 2013.
In 2000, Courtney Walsh broke the record for holding most Test Wickets, one that stood for the next four years. He captained the West Indies for 22 Test Matches during 17 years of representing the regional squad, from 1984 t0 2001.
“Courtney Walsh is a proven Contender within the international sporting arena, and as such, we found it fitting to honour him at Wray & Nephew Contender, our marquee televised sporting series,” noted Cecil Smith, Marketing Manager of Owned Brands at J. Wray & Nephew. “Walsh’s presence will without a doubt, motivate our boxing participants, as they should always strive to further their craft to the highest of heights.”
For the May 22nd staging of Wray & Nephew Contender, not only will Mr. Walsh be a guest of honour, he will also participate in the announcement of the bout’s winner, and receive a presentation for his vaunted place in Jamaica’s sporting history.
The Yellow Team’s Devon ‘Concrete’ Moncrieff, and Richard ‘The Frog’ Holmes of the Green Team, will face-off in the quarterfinal bout on Courtney Walsh’s night of Honour.
Sixteen professional boxers entered Wray & Nephew Contender for a share of nearly $2 Million in prizes. The winner will receive J$1 Million and the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Middleweight Boxer and the Wray & Nephew Contender. The second place winner will receive $500,000, 3rd place $250,000 and 4th place $200,000.
Launched in 2010, the Wray & Nephew Contender has enjoyed unprecedented success. The television show has enjoyed record viewership during each of the first two seasons and the live fights at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) attract sell-out crowds each week.
The fast rising contemporary reggae artiste Keznamdi has been blazing a trail across the musical landscape with thought provoking lyrics woven together to form infectious melodies and has now heralded his arrival to the reggae scene by releasing his first EP, appropriately dubbed, Bridging the Gap.
Keznamdi, who has been winning fans on both sides of the Atlantic, sees Bridging the Gap as a good chronicle of his musical and spiritually development through reggae: “Bridging the Gap means bridging all generations, all nations, and all cultures together through the music. Music is my life and the issues on the EP are topics that affect me to varying levels”.
Through Bridging the Gap , Keznamdi focuses on issues that appeal to all classes, races and age groups. The EP is sewn together with social commentary and thoughts on man’s interaction with each other with a fair amount of questions and answers on male and female relationships.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alumnus, singer and composer of “Stand By Me” Ben E. King is in Jamaica for a special Mother’s Day Concert dubbed ‘An Evening of Musical Memories and Excellence’.
The special Mother’s Day concert is being staged by the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica’s (LMAJ) Kingston Chapter, and will be held on Mother’s Day at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.
The former member of the Drifters known for hits like “There Goes My Baby,” and “Save The Last Dance For Me” will be in town”, will be joined by a mixture of local talents for a splendid evening including, Harold Davis, Maria Myrie, Boris Gardiner, Carole Reid, Jon Williams, Rory Baugh, Onaje Bell, Paulette Bellamy and Ouida Lewis.
The event will help raise money for the outreach projects catering to the elderly and shut-ins associated with the Lay Magistrate and Justices of the Peace and will be held under the distinguish patronage of Custos Rotolum for the parish of Kingston the Honorable Steadman Fuller, C.D., JP.
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