'Hanging out' with Mervyn Morris

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Although the annual late May stagings are over, a decade of readings and music has indelibly stamped Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, 'Calabash country'. In the aftermath of the Calabash International Literary Festival's cancellation this year, the community staged the Breadbasket Festival, the Two Seasons Guest House hosting its literary component, the Talking Trees Festival.

Now, Two Seasons proprietor Christine Marrett is hoping to host writers who wish to get closer to the muse of Professor Mervyn Morris, issuing an invitation to 'hang out' with the author and academic on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31.

The residential setting is part of an initiative towards arts-based tourism, although Marrett concedes that previous invitations to hang out with noted dance, art and music practitioners have not had many takers. Still, there is optimism for the Morris instalment. "We are hoping this one will take off, perhaps because it is Calabash country," Marrett said.

A maximum of 16 persons will be accommodated at Two Seasons for the weekend and Marrett said "the idea is that because of the small group setting you can get to interact with the expert on a one-on-one basis, outside of the formalised workshop setting".

On the evening of the first day, Morris will speak about his own development, discussing some of his poems from genesis to publication. The following day the participants' work will be discussed. "He will help participants develop their own muse," Marrett said.

She opined that as Two Seasons is in a very quiet area, with open spaces, it is especially conducive to writers honing their craft.

Although Two Seasons is in 'Calabash country', the weekend session is based not only on the former festival but also the number of events that have sprung up in its wake, among them the Asante Adonai Literary Lyme in St Ann and Kingston Pon Di River in St Andrew. Plus, in the summer period, Marrrett is hopeful persons will be amenable to taking the Treasure Beach trip.

Already there are rumblings of the Breadbasket Festival establishing its own weekend Marrett said as Two Seasons proprietor she intends to be a part of that "with our own version of Talking Trees".