Carib stories told at African Diaspora fest
The rich culture of the Caribbean is well-represented in the 2020 African Diaspora International Film Festival, which will be presented virtually from Friday to Dec. 13. There are Caribbean connections in at least 16 films in the festival, which features a host of “culturally and socially meaningful feature and documentary films about the human experience of people of color all over the world.”
A truly global experience, the 28th edition of the festival includes productions from 31 countries and “26 world, U.S. and New York premieres.”
Among the Caribbean contributions are works with connections to Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Curacao and the United Kingdom.
Shari Petti’s documentary “Jump!” examines the “spiritual and mental healing” of youngsters in the JumpTT physical theater program in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Thus Spoke the Sea (Men Sa Lanmè Di),” from Haitian director Arnold Antonin is described as a “very poetic documentary” about the director’s homeland and the ongoing “love story” between Haitians and the sea.
Marcia Weekes’ docu-drama “Barrow: Freedom Fighter,” a Barbados contribution, tells the story of the island nation’s first prime minister. The production is narrated by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, whose father and maternal grandparents were born in Barbados.
“The Story of Lovers Rock” is chronicled in the Menelik Shabazz work about the popular reggae music subgenre — which influenced Culture Club, The Police and other British bands.
“Ava and Gabriel” by Felix de Roy comes from Curacao, and there is “Papa’s Song,” a Sander Francken film, set between Curacao and the Netherlands.
Ticket prices range from $2 to $15, festival passes are available and there are also special events for the opening, gala, centerpiece and closing.
For details, a full schedule, tickets, and more information, visit the festival website at nyadiff.org.
Hair La Monde products debut
Veteran hair stylist and business owner Corenza Handy had a lot on her mind during the COVID-19 crisis — her Kayhairnista Hair Salon, her staff, customers and her own family. But with hard work and determination, she successfully launched her Hair La Mode hair products line during these trying times.
“It just dawned on me, in a time of worry, that you can definitely work on your purpose and things that you were put here to do. So, that’s basically what I did,” said Handy, who was born in Guyana and educated in the U.S.
“I really try my best to just work hard and put my best foot forward,” she said.
Luxe Lavish Marula Hydrating Shampoo, Argan Oil Restorative Hair Mask and Shine Boost Thermal Protectant are some of the many products in the Hair La Mode line, “created for her customers and their hair care needs,” says Handy.
As a young girl, she migrated to the U.S. and attended school — which included cosmetology school and a college degree in business management.
“Working with hair for so many years, I realize and I’ve studied the way hair grows and the way hair can flourish.
“So, that’s really what my motivation was behind coming up with the line,” said Handy, who got “a lot of emails and calls” from customers and other seeking hair care solutions during pandemic restrictions.
Back in Brooklyn, adhering to strict precautions, her Kayhairnista Hair Salon, at 919 Coney Island Ave., is open.
After a March shutdown, a July reopening and another shutdown when the shop’s neighborhood had high COVID rates, Kayhairnista is back with “a lot of precautions” for safety.
For information on the salon and the Hair La Mode line, visit myhairlamode. com.
It’s a ‘healing’ book
With healing as the goal, inspirational words and visual art have come together in the new book “RE LEASE + BE COME: The Story of 2 Souls” by Barbara Bullard.
“The book is a collaboration of Bullard’s inspirational words of physical and spiritual healing and Al Johnson’s paintings that explore the depths of consciousness,” according to Balboa Press, the book’s publisher.
With the her readers in mind, Bullard hopes “that they too are self-empowered. Every day is a choice to unveil, release, become and inspire.”
In addition to Bullard’s and Johnson’s moticontributions to the book, there are invaluable offerings from global luminaries, reinforcing the tome’s theme of “letting go, receiving and healing.”
The international list of contributions includes Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury of Bangladesh,former Under-Secretary-General; Sanskrit Professor Nadine Berardi; Parsons School of Design faculty member Nick Dawes; Shri Sankaran Namboodiripad, chief priest of Sivananda Yoga Ranch; and Sonia Manchanda, founding partner of SPREAD Design+Learning.
“I believe this book offers a significant opportunity to stimulate global consciousness and to serve as a stepping-stone into the next realms of human evolution,” said Ambassador Anwarul. “I am encouraged that this publication will be made available to galleries, holistic centers, and integrative social media campaigns.”
To purchase the book, visit b-bullard. com/releasebecome. The publication is also available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble