Quickies: Poetry Society features Cherry Natural

The Poetry Society of Jamaica hosts an evening of poetry at the Edna Manley College Amphitheatre on Tuesday, August 30, starting at 7:30 p.m. The featured poet is Cherry Natural and the fellowship will also form part of the countdown to the Poetry Society's project Verse vs Verse.

Verse vs Verse is an initiative being undertaken in association with CXC and the National Association of Teachers of English to, among other things, build, encourage and inspire a deeper appreciation and application of literature among students.

Along with Cherry Natural, the fellowship also includes the selected works of a particular writer shared throughout the fellowship, an open mic segment, books on sale by I-Nation Books and artwork by Marcel Messam.

Raine sings 'In The Dance'

The country's first regionally and globally syndicated television programme, In The Dance, presented by LIME and BlackBerry, featured fast-rising singer Raine Seville last week. She performed Tra La La, a track exclusively produced for the show.

The 30-minute entertainment show airs each week on TVJ and continues to display home-grown talent through dancers, performing artistes and fashion. Co-executive producer of the show, Chez Gayle, says In The Dance is "proudly culture packed. Last week's show, especially with Raine's performance and the clash between the dancers, was very exciting. More than that, however, 21Entertainment is more than happy at the fact that it won't just be Jamaicans that will enjoy this culture-packed show".

Raine Seville's performance of Tra La La has been receiving positive reviews. The song, produced by The Wizard, is a fast-paced, great feel-good song, which Raine is absolutely in love with. "I love Tra La La. It's a sexy, feel-good track and it falls right in line with the other songs I'm known for. Aside and apart from that, it's a track that many love and are very responsive to, and for that I'm very grateful," she said. In The Dance is aired at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Miss Congeniality for Ja's Miss Cinderella

Jamaica's Miss Cinderella, Tyler Rae Nesbeth Rerrie, won the Miss Congeniality title at the finals of the Cinderella International Scholarship Pageant in Las Vegas, USA, recently. Jamaica is the only country outside of the USA to ever walk away with a title at the competition.

The Cinderella International Scholarship Pageant is a youth development programme founded in 1976 in the USA and is the largest and most prestigious scholarship pageant system in the world. The pageant offers many opportunities for young achievers to develop and nurture their artistic talents, while showcasing that which is distinctly their country's culture. Over the years, the pageant has grown to the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands, Guam, South Korea, Singapore, The Bahamas, and now Jamaica.

According to Jamaica's pageant director Shellian Levy, "Young, talented individuals are not only given the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the international pageant, but also a chance to be granted a cash scholarship to be used to further the winner's education. The pageant is interested in developing young minds. Plans are already under way for next year's Jamaica Cinderella Scholarship Pageant."

Aspirational brand pays for no 'Situation'

Abercrombie & Fitch has offered to pay Jersey Shore's Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino to stop wearing its garments. The clothing brand is "deeply concerned" that the 29-year-old reality TV star has been "causing significant damage" to the retailer's image by wearing its items, and is worried his connection with the fashion line could be "distressing" to its fans.

The company explained in a statement: "We are deeply concerned that Mr Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans." Abercrombie & Fitch also revealed it had offered a "substantial payment" deal to other Jersey Shore stars.

The statement continued: "We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast and are urgently waiting a response."

The Situation - who is often seen on screen wearing garments designed by the clothing retailer - is well known on the show, which focuses on a group of hard-partying Italian-Americans in New Jersey, for his fake tan, washboard stomach and intensive grooming regime.

'Kate Plus 8' axed

Kate Gosselin's reality TV show Kate Plus 8 has been cancelled. The programme - which follows the life of the TV personality bringing up her eight children, fraternal twins and sextuplets, whom she had with ex-husband Jon Gosselin - has been axed by TLC, but the network is planning one-off episodes in the future.

A network representative revealed in a statement: "TLC has decided not to renew another season of Kate Plus 8. By the end of this season Kate Plus 8 will have hit the 150-episode mark (including Jon & Kate Plus 8), an exceptional milestone. TLC hopes to check in with Kate and the family periodically with specials in the future."

Reacting to the news on Twitter, Kate - who shot to fame on Jon & Kate Plus 8, which documented the pair bringing up their eight kids before their divorce in 2009 - explained in a series of tweets: "We've had a great run! Six years of whirlwind fun-filled adventures, thanks to TLC and our many, many supportive and diehard fans! While it is very sad for me and the kids (there were many tears at the breakfast table this morning!), we are ... looking forward with great anticipation to our bright future! As is very typical for me, I am choosing to ... see the positive in this situation and I am excited to consider the ... many more invigorating opportunities that may come my way!"

Two bands at Redbones

Tonight StoneDub and Blu Grass in the Sky, two Jamaican alternative reggae bands, will come together to host a night of live music at Redbones Blues Café, 1 Argyle Road, New Kingston. StoneDub frontman Jason Lee Worton (who also works as guitarist for Protoje as part of the Indiggnation Band, sometimes Jah9, the Uprising Roots Band and others) promises the night will be full of energy and beautiful reggae, dubrock and rock music.

StoneDub will be followed by Blu Grass, a band that has been featured on the Jamaica Jazz Festival and recently released a music video for their single 'High Grade Love'. Showtime is 9:30 p.m.