Wi gwaan hab a bashment time
By Jody Feagan
Jamaica Week
Mon–Sun, Jul 6–12, various times
Teatro and Café Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25/Relox 50A
| “Ya, mon!” Ease on down to the Biblioteca Pública for Jamaica Week, featuring Jamaican movies, food, drinks, art showings and reggae music. The weeklong events culminate with a three-night run of Jamaica, Farewell, a one-woman play winning rave reviews from LA to NY to the UK. |
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“Say wha!”
It’s almost too much to fit on one small island: a revolution, a dream, a heartbreak, a handsome CIA agent, a duffle bag, a million dollars, machetes, goats, prostitutes, bullets, adrenaline and kerosene. When they are mixed together, what else is there to do but run for your life? This is the story told in Jamaica, Farewell, which stars playwright, Debra Ehrhardt, an NAACP award-winning writer and performer. “Winning” is what a critic from The LA Times calls Jamaica, Farewell. “The evening’s real pleasure is Ehrhardt herself. She’s got it going on, living every day like Independence Day.”
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Jamaica, Farewell has toured all over the United States and Britain and won New York Fringe Festival in 2007. The performance in San Miguel is produced by San Miguel Workshops
www.sanmiguelworkshops.com. |
“Go ‘a dance!”
At the “Meet the Playwright Party” following the opening night performance of Jamaica, Farewell, you’ll sample Jamaican cuisine and drinks and dance to reggae music. The party is 50 pesos, and proceeds will benefit the Teen Writers Workshops. If you’re a Literary Society member or want to join, entrance to the party is free. (For more information about the Literary Society, go to
www.authorssala.com. )
“Lick two dominos!”
Jamaica’s unofficial national pastime is, without a doubt, playing dominos. Bring your set and meet up with friends at the Café Santa Ana, where they are offering Jamaica Rum Punch drink specials the week of July 6–12.
“Jamaica me crazy!”
Jamaica floral photographs will be on exhibit and for sale at Café Santa Ana from celebrated LA photographer Judith Anderson. Professor Emeritus at Cal State Fullerton, Ernest Velardi, says of Anderson, “Her vision discloses that life and land endure with dignity, grace and humility.” Her show includes stunning, larger-than-life close-ups of hibiscus varieties and colorful Jamaican flora and fauna. Prices range from US$20 to $65.
“Jeezam!”
A Jamaican cooking class at Casa Castilla offers instruction and printed recipes for Sorrel Jamaican Punch, Jerk Chicken, Rice & Peas, Callaloo-styled Greens and Bread Pudding for dessert. The class is 250 pesos per person and includes comida. To reserve space, email Jody Feagan at
jody@sanmiguelworkshops.com.
Space is limited.
“Kiss mi neck!”
A week of Jamaican movies is slated for Teatro Santa Ana beginning on Monday with the 2003 film, Harry Belafonte: An Evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends, in which the legendary calypso performer is joined by several musician friends from the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa. In the 1972 flick, The Harder They Come, impoverished Jamaican musician Ivan Martin (Jimmy Cliff) wants more out of life, so he makes the move to the capital city of Kingston. In One Love: the Bob Marley All-Star Tribute (1999) the greatest hits of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley are performed by respected musicians of pop, rock, hip-hop and reggae including Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Tracy Chapman, Ben Harper and many more. Other movies include Rockers, a rock reggae film from 2000 and Bob Marley, Spiritual Journey from 2003.
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*We are going to have a great time. |
Jamaica Week
The complete schedule for Jamaica Week is listed in Que Pasa. Tickets for Jamaica, Farewell are 200 pesos in advance and 250 pesos at the door. Movies are 60 pesos; other prices as noted.
Schedule for Que Pasa
Monday, July 6
3pm Harry Belafonte: An Evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends (2003)
5pm Rockers (Rock Reggae, 2000)
7pm The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff, 1972)
Tuesday, July 7
5pm Bob Marley, Spiritual Journey (2003)
7pm Belafonte: An evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends (2003)
Wednesday, July 8
Noon–3pm Jamaican Cooking Class (Hospicio 20, 152-0478), 250 pesos
7pm The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff, 1972)
Thursday, July 9
3pm Rockers (Rock Reggae, 2000)
Friday, July 10
3pm One Love: the Bob Marley All-Star Tribute (1999)
8pm Jamaica, Farewell, Teatro Santa Ana
9:30pm “Meet the Playwright Party,” Café Santa Ana, 50 pesos (Literary Society members free)
Saturday, July 11
8pm Jamaica, Farewell, Teatro Santa Ana
Sunday, July 12
5pm Jamaica, Farewell, Teatro Santa Ana
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