Those wishing to reach literary nirvana shall look no further than to The Calabash International Literary Festival, the most anticipated literary event in the Caribbean. This year’s festival highlights include a reading from former M*A*S*H* actor turned activist Mike Farrell, anniversaries of important musical and literary works from the Caribbean, and the announcement of the prestigious 2007 Commonwealth Writers Prize.Returning to Jake’s Resort in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, May 25-27, Calabash has consistently delivered inspirational performances for the past six years from some of the most renowned authors, poets and musicians. This year, twenty-nine diverse and uniquely gifted artists will combine their talents into several themed programs. Free to the public, this festival offers three days and nights of spoken poetry, excerpts from novels, thought-provoking discussion and music - not only from Jamaica, but also around the world.
Friday, May 25
Calabash will kick off on Friday night, May 25 with a Jamaican style dinner at Jack Sprat seaside restaurant, followed by a one-man performance piece by renowned stage, TV and film actor Roger Guenveur Smith titled, Who Killed Bob Marley? Edgy Indie, Brooklyn publisher Akashic Books, will host an exciting mix of genre and voice featuring Felicia Luna Lemus, Joe Meno, and Aaron Petrovich.
Saturday, May 26
Among the offerings on Saturday, former M*A*S*H* actor turned progressive activist, Mike Farrell will read from his memoirs, Just Call me Mike, and be interviewed by Colin Channer during Chatterbox. America the Beautiful gives the stage to three African American Women poets, Elizabeth Alexander, Linda Susan Jackson, and Patricia Smith followed by readings from nominees of the Commonwealth Writers Prize.
Sunday, May 27
Calabash devotes most of its last day to pay homage to important literary and musical works of the Caribbean such as the 50th Anniversary of The Mystic Masseur by V.S. Naipaul (Trinidad) and the 30th Anniversary of Bob Marley’s Exodus and Third World’s 96 Degrees in the Shade. Wayne Armond, Stevie Golding, Billy Mystic, Seretse Small, musicians from Jamaica will perform a tribute with voice and guitar. New this year is the announcement of the prestigious 2007 Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, one of the most significant literary prizes in the world.
A Literary Endeavor
The mission of the Calabash International Literary Festival Trust is to transform the literary arts in the Caribbean by being the region’s best-managed producer of workshops, seminars and performances. The organization is able to do this through strategic partnerships, media relationships and government support. However, perhaps the single most important reason is because Calabash is a magnet for some of the world’s most gifted authors. For more information, visit: www.calabashfestival.org.
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