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Port Antonio, Jamaica – Raw Food Celebrity Chef, artist and culinary griot Dr Aris Latham returns to Jamaica from Panama and in fact from a world tour to launch NATURAL LIVING on March 1, 2015 at B ay View Eco Resort & Spa in Port Antonio, Portland. The event is billed as a Feast and Celebration of, you got it, “Natural Living’ incorporating mind, body & spirit for a holistic experience. Dr. Aris LaTham was born in Gatun, Panama Canal Zone. He is a direct descendant of an African-Caribbean family of Culinary Griots, as well as, a vegan legacy bestowed by way of his Indian ancestry. LaTham has become a world renowned crusader in the area of wholesome foods. His linguistic and culinary interests have been shared with many diverse people throughout Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australia, the Caribbean and Europe. Dr. LaTham, is also known as ‘T he Sunfired Gourmet’ , and has been a strict vegan for 45 years, eating Sunfired Foods exclusively for the past 39 years. He was voted one of the top vegetarian chefs in the USA by Vegetarian Times Magazine , and has been featured in Essence, Jamaican Eats, Vegetarian Gourmet, Health Quest, Upscale, UK’s Balance, and Japan’s Tarzan Fitness Magazines, amongst many others. The 2012 Second Edition of Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in Americaacclaims: “…the raw food movement owes much to Dr. Aris LaTham, a native of Panama. He is considered to be the father of gourmet ethical raw foods cuisine in America. Dr. LaTham debuted his raw food creations in 1979, when he started Sunfired Foods, a live food company in Harlem, New York. In the years since, he has trained thousands of raw food chefs and added innumerable recipes to his repertoire.” Dr. Latham preparing one of his meals. The Launch of NATURAL LIVING adds value to the Wellness Tourism Product in Jamaica and will attract foodies and the Baby Boomers to this emerging sector. LaTham’s creative array of wellness offerings include: Sunfired Wellness & Detox Center, Raw Food Culinary Institute, Vegan Restaurant, Juice & Roots Tonic Bar and Healing Sulphur Mud Hole. On March 1, 2015, the celebration of NATURAL LIVING will include Ayawear Cultural Fashion Show (Music & Dance). What a wonderful day to celebrate life with specially invited guests and guest artistes. Portland will come alive with the culinary artistry and energetic personality of the renowned Celebrity Raw Food Chef, Dr Aris Latham! Join in the excitement, fun and celebration. For more information, contact The Bay View Resort Website or call (876) 993-3118 or (876) 843-5147.

Internationally acclaimed Jamaican reggae singer, Shaggy will headline a concert scheduled for Heroes Day, March 14, 2015, at Victoria Park, St. Vincent. The “Angel” singer will be performing alongside his frequent collaborator, singer Rayvon, who both perfomed in 2008 at the then Rhythm and Blues Concert at Emerald Valley Casino. Other local acts will be the ‘every green’, internationally recognized Vincentian calypso/soca recording and performing artiste, Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus. Reigning Soca and Ragga Soca Monarch, Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper, will also blaze the stage, with what he said is a determination to show that his recent showing in Trinidad and Tobago has done little to diminish his energy. He will be joined by five-times national Soca Monarch, Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle, who is expected to carry over some of his well- received new numbers he performed during the 2015 carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago. And there is still room for more Vincy soca. Rondy ‘Luta’ Mc Intosh is expected to ‘motivate the crowd’ in a manner only he can do. Add a cast of DJs, including 3rd Element Sounds, Top Ah D Line Sounds, Emerald Sounds & Energy Overload, and a Garifuna band from New York among other cultural performers, and National Heroes 2015 ‘Shaggy in Concert’ is the place to be.

Reigning Miss Bermuda Lillian Lightbourn took to the runway this week as she modeled for various fashion brands at the prestigious New York Fashion Week. A regular of the New York Fashion Show, this year Lillian was modelling for New York based contemporary fashion label Alice & Olivia, ESOSA, and up and coming brand Omondi, making its NYC debut this year.

Mussels Chorizo in Mango Coconut Sauce is one of Chef Irie’s signature dishes. INGREDIENTS 3 Tb Canola oil or olive oil 1/4 cp Chopped Red Onions 2 clove Diced Garlic 1/4 tsp Chopped Ginger 1/4 cp Diced Red and Green Peppers 2 tsp Diced Jalapenos 1 tsp Diced Scotch Bonnet pepper 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes 4 tbsp Cumin Seeds 4 links Firm Chorizo, casing removed and diced 2 sprigs Thyme 1 - 2 lbs Fresh mussels 1 cp Sauvignon Blanc wine 1/4 cp Diced Mango 1/2 cp Cherry Tomatoes 1 cp Coconut Milk 1/4 tsp Lemon Zest 1 tsp Black pepper 2 Tb Butter 1/4 cp Chopped Cilantro Rustic bread or baguette bread, sliced and toasted INSTRUCTIONS Prepare the mussels washing them and removing any visible beard. check for live and dead mussels. tap them on edge of bowl. If they are open and then close they are good. If they stay open toss them. Add oil to saute pan on medium heat. Add onions, garlic, ginger and saute for 1 minute then add the peppers and cumin seeds. Saute for 2 minutes then add chorizo and thyme and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add the wine, stir the pan and add the mango and tomatoes. Cover the pan and reduce the heat. Cook until all the mussels have opened, 3-5 minutes then add the coconut milk and lemon zest. Cover again for another 2-3 minutes then add butter, pepper and cilantro. Stir the pan and remove from heat. Put mussels in bowl and add toasted bread slice atop the mussels and serve. By Chef Irie

PBS viewers across the United States will be invited to savor the flavors of the Caribbean when, beginning in April 2015, they can “ Taste the Islands with Chef Irie .” From preparing homemade spicy jerk seasoning to Latin inspired mussels chorizo in mango coconut sauce, Jamaican-born host Chef Irie will tantalize viewers with traditional and gourmet Caribbean recipes. Programming nods from more than 130 PBS stations around the country will make “Taste the Islands with Chef Irie,” a seven-part series, the first Caribbean cooking show and the first Jamaican-produced series to be aired nationally on the PBS network. In each episode of the series, Chef Irie will create mouthwatering fare inspired by his Jamaican upbringing, the wider Caribbean, and his travels around the world. For example, in one episode steamed Jamaican-style snapper is prepared en papillote, and in another, Latin guava cheese pasteles are deconstructed to create a mousse served in phyllo tart shells. The show will also feature cameos by Caribbean celebrities including Inner Circle of “Bad Boys” fame; British reggae fusion singer, Maxi Priest , who topped US charts with hits like “I Just Wanna Be Close to You” and “Set the Night to Music” in the 1990s; Trinidadian Olympic sprinter turned NBC sports analyst Ato Boldon ; and St Vincent’s “ Turn Me On ” hit-maker, Kevin Lyttle . During the course of each show, viewers can listen in as the chef and guests discuss food from their native countries, their travels, and impromptu cooking lessons he offers them. Hugh “Chef Irie” Sinclair is a professional chef with a palpable love of creating delicious food. He holds degrees in both Architecture and Culinary Arts. His high profile clients include Macy’s, the Knight Foundation, and the Jamaican Jerk Festival franchise. Fans of Caribbean cuisine can receive updates, view images, watch previews, and find recipes on the show's website, www.tastetheislandstv.com . Jamaican Consul General Franz Hall applauded Blondie Ras Productions, the production company behind the series, for their milestone achievement. “It is with pleasure that I extend heartiest congratulations to you on your most recent accomplishment in bringing “Taste the Islands with Chef Irie”... to mainstream media,” said Hall. The series is presented by South Florida’s WPBT2 and distributed by American Public Television (APT), distributors of popular public television programs including Downton Abbey and America’s Test Kitchen. Christopher Funkhouser, vice president of Exchange Programming and Multicast Services at APT, says, “Cooking is one of the most popular genres on public television and we expect audiences will respond enthusiastically to the new series.” The Jamaica Tourist Board whose new slogan is “ Home of All Right ,” provided major funding for the show. Popular media personality, Calibe Thompson of Blondie Ras Productions is the executive producer and director of “Taste the Islands”, working in collaboration with Caribbean television industry stalwart, Lukkee Chong of Frame by Frame Productions to bring the project to fruition. Thompson comments, “We’ve received such tremendous support from our community, and we’re proud to be bringing the best of our culture to a national platform.” Blondie Ras Productions is a Miami-based video production company that creates Caribbean-inspired lifestyle content for an international audience appreciative of cultural diversity. The company seeks to become the preeminent source for Caribbean-related television content. Blondie Ras Productions is the company behind the “Taste the Islands,” “The Caribbean Diaspora Weekly,” “Miami Fitness TV,” and “Island Origins” television shows.

The latest video by St Lucian recording artiste and songwriter Chrycee is a definite statement maker and shows just what happens when a good girl turns extremely bad. The R&B single " Bad Girls Anthem" is a battle-cry for broken-hearted lovers the world over. Filmed at different locations in Saint Lucia by All Biz, and directed by Guillaume Rico, the video features a side of the flame-red-haired artiste that audiences have yet to see. Scenes featuring candle wax and chains are just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s just say all ‘good girls’ who think of going bad will be singing this anthem! Chrycee, who has also recently released a video for her last song “Heavenly”, explained the inspiration behind the contrasting “Bad Girls Anthem.” “I was sitting around with a group of friends and of course we got around to talking about relationships and the way it seems like good girls, you know, sweet girls like us, always seem to get our hearts broken or get hurt,” she said. “I joked that we should start to be ‘bad’ girls and we needed an anthem. It was really in jest but then when I got home I couldn’t get the idea out of my head and I started to put together the lyrics which flowed out of me because I was coming out of some relationship issues of my own.” Chrycee explained that she tapped into that dark side and drew on the emotions to write the song “Bad Girls Anthem” which was previously released and produced by Rawl Alcide of Deja Vu Digital. After receiving approval for a Grant from the Ministry of the Creative Industries, (St Lucia) Chrycee got to work on the video with All Biz. “At first I wanted to do something that was still quite tame but the production guys heard the song and they really wanted the video to reflect that darker side. So here I am in boots, a short cat suit, holding a whip and getting revenge for good girls everywhere,” Chrycee smiled naughtily. “I had so much fun acting like a totally different person, like a dominatrix, and the male models in the video were such good sports that they challenged me to go all out.” Chrycee added that the video is “pure imagination, it’s extreme” and “it’s in no way real life.” “I am by no means telling people to torture or encourage it,” she offered. The artiste explains that she hopes when women and men listen to the lyrics and watch the video they understand that the song is about self-preservation. “Sometimes when we are in relationships we lose our sense of self and we sacrifice so much. A healthy relationship should not take away what makes you who you are. You have to protect that. So if things do fall apart you still have your identity.” So, does Chrycee consider herself a good or bad girl? She laughs: “Definitely a healthy balance of both!”

"Imagine being shot for your sexual preference. For one Jamaican woman, it’s a reality. A gay man, Jamaica’s most prominent gay activist had to escape because of death threats. In fact, Jamaica has been called “the most homophobic place on Earth.” The Abominable Crime, a film by Micah Fink about shocking anti-gay violence in Jamaica, closes out the AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange TV series." The seventh season of AfroPoP : The Ultimate Exchange concludes with The Abominable Crime, a film that gives voice to gay Jamaicans forced to flee their homeland due to endemic anti-gay violence. The film will air on WORLD Channel on Monday, February 16, at 8 pm ET/10pm PT as the final episode of the innovative documentary series on contemporary art, life and culture in the African Diaspora. AfroPoP is hosted by actress Yaya DaCosta , executive-produced by National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) and co-presented by American Public Television (APT). In 2006, TIME Magazine posited that perhaps Jamaica was “ the most homophobic place on Earth.” The island nation is renowned for its anti-gay violence, with homosexuals facing assault, stabbings, rape and even murder. The bias translates into the law, with 91 percent of Jamaicans opposed to repeal of the anti-buggery (anti-sodomy) law, according to an opinion poll conducted by Jamaica’s The Gleaner newspaper in September 2014. Micah Fink’s The Abominable Crime , named after the Jamaican law that criminalizes homosexual acts, takes viewers beyond the headlines to the real-life individuals affected by anti-gay violence. Simone, a single mother shot for being a lesbian, faces the heartbreaking choice of hiding with her daughter in Jamaica in constant fear for their lives or escaping alone to seek safety and asylum abroad. Maurice, one of Jamaica's leading human-rights activists, challenges his country’s anti-sodomy law, only to receive a flood of death threats that force him to flee to Canada. But with other lives at stake, will he risk it all to return to continue his activism? The film was made possible by a grant from The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. “My hope is that The Abominable Crime will help shatter stereotypes about gays and lesbians, said Fink. “We encourage viewers to take a deeper look at homophobia, including some of the long-term impacts of it on individuals and on the Jamaican society at large, including on the battle against the HIV pandemic.” “Micah has brought an extraordinary human touch to the issue of anti-gay sentiment and attacks in Jamaica by introducing audiences to two brave souls deeply affected by it,” said NBPC Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz. “Their courage in the face of life-threatening violence will be an inspiration to all.” Additional films in the series—which can be seen on public television stations around the country as well as online on WORLDChannel.org, local public station websites and blackpublicmedia.org—include Maggie Betts’ The Carrier, Hélène Harder’s Ladies’ Turn, Keren Shayo’s Sound of Torture and Terence Nance and Barron Claiborne’s AFROPUNK presents The Triptych. The Carrier is a heartening exploration of the lengths to which a woman and a community in Zambia will go to stop HIV from infecting the next generation. Ladies’ Turn follows a team of girls and young women fighting against misogynistic and religious sentiment for a chance at playing soccer. Sound of Torture is a harrowing tale of Eritrean refugees who escape an oppressive regime at home, then land in Bedouin camps where they are tortured, raped and otherwise abused. A triptych is a series of three connected works of an artistic, literary or musical nature, and AFROPUNK presents The Triptych is an artful portrayal of a trio of today’s most celebrated visual artists: Sanford Biggers, Wangechi Mutu and Barron Claiborne. AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange is produced by Angela Tucker and directed by Duana Butler. In addition to the WORLD airings, APT will distribute AfroPoP to the full public television system in February 2015. To find out more about the series, visit www.blackpublicmedia.org. For information on when and where to watch, including additional air dates for each of the episodes, check your local listings or go to www.APTonline.org or www.WORLDchannel.org.

Nigerian dancehall star Patoranking signed a deal with VP Records' distribution arm, VPAL Music, to release his debut album. He is the first African dancehall artist to partner with the world’s largest reggae company. VP Records has been home to Jamaican dancehall superstars like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Mavado, Busy Signal and many more. Jay Jules, the territory manager at VP Records Music Group Africa, expressed his enthusiasm. “VP Records’ team and I are proud and excited about Patoranking joining our renowned home of internationally recognizable reggae and dancehall superstars. African dancehall is at an exciting place. This deal is simply the next step to break our first African dancehall artist in the global music arena. VP records is undoubtedly in the best position to facilitate this,” he states. MTV Africa exclusively announces the details: As of one of the younger, bolder new voices of this generation, Patoranking rose to prominence in Africa with his unique blend of dancehall and reggae music. In 2014 alone, the singer-songwriter received a total of 18 major nominations and 9 wins – including Nigeria’s most sought after title for Next Rated Act at the Headies Awards and Best New Act Of The Year at the City People Entertainment Awards. His popular releases include “Alubarika” (which means God’s blessings) featuring Timaya, “Girlie O” and “Girlie O Remix” featuring Tiwa Savage). He has also collaborated with popular Nigerian artists, including MI Abaga on “Enemies” and Seyi Shay on “Murda” Patoranking’s music is a conscious version of dancehall that references social and political issues. His influences include Buju Banton, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Lucky Dube, Chaka Demus, Majek Fashek, Blackky, Blackface, Tuface and Marvelous Benjy.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – As part of the activities to commemorate the 70th birthday of the Hon. Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Sunday (February 8) unveiled a new life-size statue of the late reggae icon at the Trench Town Culture Yard, Marley’s former home. L-R: Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill; Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Clyde Harrison; sculptor Scheed Cole; and Minister of Youth and Culture, the Hon. Lisa Hanna The statue, sculpted by Scheed Cole, who hails from Trench Town, was commissioned by Minister McNeill as part of a multi-million dollar renovation of the culture yard that is being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). This is in keeping with the Ministry’s drive to develop cultural heritage sites across Jamaica and further enhance and diversify the island’s tourism product. Minister McNeill said Bob Marley’s “gift to Jamaica is incalculable. His achievements, and those of his fellow artistes who have followed in his footsteps, have put our country on the map as the mecca of popular music. Today the tourism sector continues to attract hundreds of visitors who come to see the country that produced Bob Marley.” “As a part of our tourism development strategy we are focusing on cultural and heritage tourism and, over the past three years, the Tourism Enhancement Fund has expended some $500 million on upgrading our cultural and heritage sites across the island. The commissioning of this new statue of Bob in the yard where he grew up is a natural fit in this thrust,” Minister McNeill added. Congratulating Scheed Cole and the many other persons involved in the Culture Yard project, Minister McNeill said, “This new statue will doubtless attract even more visitors to our shores and to Trench Town in particular. Of equal importance is the fact that its presence will serve to inspire the youths in his old neighbourhood. It will encourage them to believe in themselves and understand that they can achieve success despite perceived disadvantages.” The unveiling of the statue preceded a community symposium, titled “Trench Town Culture Village: From Vision to Reality” that included presentations by Minister of Youth and Culture, the Hon. Lisa Hanna; Chairman of the Agency for Inner City Renewal (AIR), Dr. Henley Morgan; JaRIA’s Junior Lincoln; and Executive Director of Mediamix/Palm TV, Lennie Little-White.

Jamaican reggae star Jimmy Cliff, R & B sensation Robin Thicke and rapper Flo Rida are part of the stellar lineup for this year’s Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival slated for April 30 - May 10, now in its 24th year. The 11-day festival will be featuring hundreds of musical performances and art showcases throughout the island. Also scheduled to perform at this year’s event are two-time Grammy-winner Jon Secada, Beres Hammond, Krosfyah, two-time Grammy-nominee Joey DeFrancesco, Chronixx, Arturo Tappin, Alain Jean-Marie featuring Grant Stewart, Michel “Meshach” Nestor, Jesse Billy, Derede Williams, Pan Fusion and Timbalive. Completing the line-up is a string of other local entertainers, together with more than 100 local artisans, who will perform at jazz venues island wide throughout the festival. The festival which is organized by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board continues to attract some of the most recognizable and sought after names in the music business and has become a magnet for visitors from the US. Performances will be set against the iconic and historic Pigeon Island National Landmark backdrop, along with other scenic vistas across Saint Lucia, showcasing an innovative infusion of Music and Arts designed to highlight the island's rich historic and cultural legacy.

The 5th "Varadero Dances" International Festival began on Tuesday in that famous beach resort, organized by Paradiso, a company specialized in cultural tourism on the island. The Festival, which will end on February 14, is considered by the company as a special occasion, for the opportunity it provides to know more about salsa and other Cuban rhythms, in addition to enjoying classes, workshops and music to dance to. The inaugural gala took place at La Comparsita cultural center while a concert by the Buena Vista Social Club Project and the groups Legendarios and Sierra Maestra has been scheduled for Wednesday at the Plaza America Convention Center. Also scheduled for Wednesday is a salsa marathon, while on Thursday participants will be able to enjoy a rumba evening and on Friday there will be a casino dance competition. A special evening has been programmed for Valentine's Day at Varadero's Amphitheater, 140 kilometers east of Havana.

Ziggy Marley won his second straight Grammy Award last night (Feb 8), for Best Reggae Album “Fly Rasta,” beating SOJA's, Amid the Noise ; Sly & Robbie's, featuring Spicy, Chocolate The Reggae Power ; Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Back on The Controls; Sean Paul's Full Frequency and Shaggy's Out of Many, One Music , to get his hands on the coveted. Last year he won in the same category for “ Ziggy Marley in Concer t.” In 2007 Marley won his first solo Grammy for Love is My Religion . Three years later, he won a Grammy for Best Musical Album for Children with Family Time . In total, Ziggy Marley has seven Grammy wins under his belt.