TAN – The Afro News

Artist Freddie McGregor

CALGARY REGGAE FESTIVAL – Aug 18-20

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary : The Calgary Reggae Festival takes place Aug 18-20 at Shaw Millennium Park and various other locations in the city. This year’s lineup reads like a Reggae Dream Team. Read the full story

Jerome Classic meet record threatened by Perdita Felicien

By ALLAN MAKI-CALGARY : Eight steps to the first hurdle. Three in between. Sprint, then lean at the finish. If Perdita Felicien has run the 100-metre hurdles once, she’s run it 10,000 times or more.

The difference these days is where she’s running – in a new city with new teammates and a new coach. It is all part of a fresh lead-up to the competition that has broken her heart and challenged her psyche. Read the full story

Calgary Mayor Aaheed Nenshi

By Len Chan

The Afro News Calgary : The Southern Alberta Heritage Language Association, along with the India Canada Association, were the proud hosts of a multicultural gala night. Held at the Jack Singer Epcor Centre, the well-attended event enjoyed performances from many cultural organizations. Read the full story

Elaine (LIL BIT) Shepherd

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary

The Calgary Reggae Festival took place Aug 21 with the main venue at Shaw

Millenium Park. Now in its 7th year, the festival is an all day event featuring international and local talent as well as performers from across Canada. The headliner act again this year was Reggae legend, Beres Hammond, back for the second time.

Read the full story

Judy Liddle is in the right of the photo and on the left is Judy's sister and in the centre is MC for the evening Cornel MendesPhoto Len Chan

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary : A Fundraiser for Hope Centre Orphanage of Trinidad was held May 7 at Winston Heights Community Centre and was well attended and strong support for the Orphanage. Co-ordinated by Judy Liddle the fundraiser included a silent auction.

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Gary Martin Left and Sam Lay(Right) Black History Month Calgary

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary

The Black History Foundation of Canada during Black History Month was pleased to have brought in Blues Hall of Famer Sam Lay. Sam Lay was born in 1935 and began as a Drummer in Cleveland and in1954 working with the Moon Dog Combo, In 1959 in Chicago he worked with the Legendary Little Walter.

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Andrew Parker, Senior VP of Emirates Airline withTransportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond, announce results of a study at Robson Square.

Emirates Airline  revealed findings of a study showing flights into Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary would bring an increase in tourism spend, taxes and jobs.

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A senior's information session Calgary left Debbie Belgrave Sybil Braganza Barb Biggs

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary

 A senior’s information session was held at the end of November at the Antigua & Barbuda Association Clubhouse to provide information to Seniors and to the 55 plus age group. Thousands every year are approaching that age bracket and often are not aware of the services available from the City of Calgary and the many organizations in the Province and City that cater to this age group. The information session was hosted by the City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services with speakers Barb Biggs and Sybil Braganza. Co-ordinator is Debbie Belgrave Research Policy Analyst with the City of Calgary and those in attendance approaching the So Called Golden Years are not thrilled about the thought of reaching retirement. The major reasons would be Financial,Health Services,Transportation and for those who become disabled. Barb Biggs and Sybil Braganza both Social Workers with the City had the class follow the Seniors Directory of Services and hoped that Seniors would make use of the services available. Of note is the Kerby Centre Services such as Meals on Wheels, Kerby Centre Seniors Grocery Delivery and another popular program is called Snow Angels. The Snow Angels when their is lots of snow and cold temperatures encourages Neighbours or friends to shovel the sidewalk area where Seniors reside and unable to shovel their own walk way. Often Seniors if they fall on the ice and snow can sustain serious injuries and broken bones. The Snow Angels Program also allows an entry name for nomination for a Westjet Travel Voucher or Two Tickets to the Calgary Flames Game.

Majority of those attending were Jamaicans and Analyst Debbie

Belgrave(Turner)is Jamaican

ZAMBC’ s First Independence Day Celebration– A Huge Success!

Finally! A sigh of relief and pride washed over many BC Zambians on October 24, 2009 as their countless days of planning, meetings and negotiating came to fruition. That evening, the newly formed association of Zambians living in British Columbia (ZAMBC) celebrated a momentous occasion when it launched its first official event in honour of Zambia’s 45th Independence anniversary. As part of its mandate, the association intends to encourage, to promote and to maintain the rich cultural heritage of Zambia, as well as to foster greater communication ties between Zambians living in BC and those living abroad. The executive body comprises of the: Chairperson Andy Mtambo, Vice Chairperson Mary Chibinda, Treasurer Sitwala Muhongo, Vice Treasurer Lillian Mukanzo, Secretary Ireen Chibinga, Vice Secretary Sau Ngosi, Trustees, Saul Phiri and Angela Malyo.

The event not only saw a delightful turn-out of persons from the Zambian community but the myriad of other nationalities that were represented could hardly have gone unnoticed. Highly represented and not to be left out were a number of Zimbabwean and Mozambican families who would have wanted it no other way.

The evening started out with the singing of the Zambian national anthem and an opening prayer. Then it was followed by an awe-inspiring and informative presentation by the younger Zambian generation who showcased Zambia – its beauty, its secrets and much of its rich oral and cultural traditions. Additionally, as part of the entertainment package, a slide show organized and produced by a group of exuberant teenagers took us into the lives and homes of a number of the Zambian families living in BC. Then finally, the moment that everyone was waiting for arrived – the food! Oh what joy! The unique attribute of this occasion was that the food was not prepared by a hired caterer, but by the Zambian women folk who poured their hearts and souls into providing a host of delicious and mouth-watering dishes from which it was terribly difficult to only choose a few. So most of us just had a bit of everything! The opening of the dance floor by Louis Kabwe culminated the evening’s celebration. Attendees danced until they were wet and even so, they never stopped until the clock struck 2:00am.

The organizing committee wishes to thank all the participants, including those who were not able to be present, attendees and volunteers who helped to make the event the success that it was. Special thanks go to our Zimbabwean and Mozambican brothers and sisters who came out to support us in large numbers. The committee also wishes to thank Salem’s Beauty Supplies and Touch of Africa for their generous gift donations.

Door Prize Winner and on the right is Pres. of Calgary Antigua & Barbuda Assoc. Claude Spencer

The Antigua & Barbuda 28th Anniversary of Independence Celebration

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary

The Antigua & Barbuda Association of Calgary celebrated the 28th Anniversary of Independence of Antigua & Barbuda with a Dinner and Dance at Crossroads Community Hall Nov. 7. The Hall was fully attended and most important was the top notch Buffet under the direction of Clarence Williams. President of the Assoc. is Claude Spencer and during the opening speech Claude thanked all of his Executive Members and Volunteers for making this a special evening. The Association has their own Building and has also donated to a number of needy organizations. They also have provided scholarships to their young people who are attending Post Secondary and also a number of their members are part of the Mas Making group known as Sykotik Mas. Special guest was Constable Lawrence Cross who is from the Calgary Police Diversity Unit for the Caribbean and America’s. Entertainment from Diversity Dance Group and the Band for the evening was Explosion Band and Kic Up Sound.

Third Left is Adejoke Taiwo Fashion Show co-ordinator along with her Models

By Len Chan The Afro News Calgary

The Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary hosted its 16th Annual Gala Nite celebrating the 49th Anniversary of Independence for Nigeria. This event was held at the Thorncliffe Community Centre. The theme for 2009 was ” Strength In Diversity”. The President of the Nigerian Association is Dr. Samuel O  Oluwadairo. The celebration always attracts a full house. With Nigeria being an oil producing Nation, many in attendance are employed in the energy sector. A lot of non-Nigerians over the years have been long time supporters and attend year after year. The Association also honored its past Executive and Trustees as well as doled out Scholarships to its young people who are or will be attending Post Secondary Institutions. Entertainment included performances by Amara Ubor Dance, Egwu Ubor Dance, Ikenga Masquerade and a Fashion Show by designer Adejoke Taiwo. Adejoke Taiwo, is a Fashion Buff behind the clothing line Alala a line that infuses African fabrics with contemporary design. She was also one of the contestants on Project Runway Canada and is a graduate of Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Fashion Degree. Alala is a noun in Native “Yoruba” Language of Nigeria and is defined as Dreamer. Adejoke also took part i the Oct 4-10 Alberta Fashion Week and her selection and exposure on Project Runway Canada shows just how talented this designer is. For the Nigerian Gala Fashion show, One can see the Nigerian style but also blended to North American needs for men and women. One can surmise that for professional workers, Adejoke’s designs can be worn for elegant office appearance and when the day is over the same fashion is like having ready made evening wear. For more information visit www.adejoke.com. For Humanitarian Charity the Nigerian Association also donated to INN FROM THE COLD to help organizations assist the homeless. The website for the Nigerian Association in Calgary is  www.nigeriansincalgary.ca.