Trevor Rhone - file

NEW YORK (JIS):

Noted Jamaican dramatist and playwright, Trevor Rhone; musician/folklorist, Irving Burgie of Barbados and Jamaican novelist/poet, Ainsley Burrows, will headline this year's presentation of 'Telling We Own Story', part of activities celebrating Black History Month in February, in New York City.

The month-long programme is being coordinated by the Caribbean Cultural Theatre of Brooklyn with five scheduled stops across the state from opening day, January 30 to February 27, when the programme closes at the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza/Flatbush Avenue intersection, Brooklyn, New York.

"Our offerings for Black History Month honour cultural pioneers, showcase innovative new voices, exude pride and celebrate vision," declares Jamaican, E. Wayne McDonald, artistic director of the Cultural Theatre.

Mr. Rhone's work takes centre stage during this year's Classic Stage and Screen Series with an intimate account of his journey from the poverty of rural Jamaica.

As told through 'Bellas Gate Boy', Mr. Rhone's captivating narrative reveals a master storyteller at his best, Mr. McDonald told JIS News.

DATES

'Bellas Gate Boy' will be presented at York College in Jamaica, NY, on Friday, February 1 at 8:00 p.m.; St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, February 3, at 6:00 p.m.; Rockland County Community College, Rockland, NY on Friday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m., and St. John's University, Queens, NY, on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Mr. Rhone will also be a featured guest at the Flatbush branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, 22 Linden Boulevard, on Tuesday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m., where Mr. Burgie will join the noted playwright to share their insights on career and cultural identity in an interactive session with members of the audience.

'Africa Unite', a film that is part of the 60th birthday concert tribute to Bob Marley, will be screened at St. Francis College, downtown Brooklyn, NY, on February 12 at 7:00 p.m.

The programme closes on February 27 with the monthly platform for published and unpublished writers. The session will be anchored by Mr. Burrows who will read from his most recent work, 'Black Angels with Sky Blue Feathers'.

Additional programme information can be obtained online at www.caribbeantheatre.org.

Partners for the Black History Month celebration include the Caribbean Literary and Cultural Centre, Jamaican Civic and Cultural Association of Rockland and TSO Productions.