At this time of year its gets a bit hectic for me. The fact of the matter is I started a few projects which I did not anticipate would need alot of nursing then realized I have a bit too much. I am using all the hours of the day then borrowing some from twilight to midnight. Have had to place some of the things I been working on, over a low fire and tend to my brainchild.

Brainchild: BROOKLYN CARIBBEAN YOUTH FEST (BCYF). 2009's festival is set to happen, Saturday, Sept 12, 2009 @Prospect Heights Educational Campus 3-9 pm. It will fulfill this year's goal of spotlight on folk songs written and composed by Irving Burgie. The mission of the hosting organization Hamptonians New York (Brooklyn based/non-profit) is to showcase and preserve Caribbean culture the legacy of Caribbean-Americans for future generations.

Its the 5th year and a milestone achievement, all things considered. The venue is a new location. Hopefully, this decision will be a huge success. The affair is a marvelous showcase of soul stirring rhythms that is irresistibly ENTERTAINING. Moving indoors .... honestly questionable, since our audience have enjoyed stretching out, chilling on a blanket while they take in the festivities however, it could be the best place for us this year.

The Nethermead, Prospect Park our original home to me, was a top choice location which gave allowance for growth nonetheless, its been TEDIOUS. As we make this transition, we are looking forward to a year that we leave an indelible mark. Besides, the Caribbean-American community have a tendency to come out late on Saturday for these type of things. For the most part they clean-up home, do laundry, food shop and then hit the malls before they check out the social scenes.

In any event, every September for the past 5 years BCYF highlights, groups from across the state of NY and last year NJ and Philadelphia got in on the action This is growth that I'm personally very proud. Some 25+ performers strut their stuff on stage with exuberance. Each year the audience grows so we are definitely reaping public and as well as media interest. Yipeeeeeee!!

It is really an IRIE affair. Great vibes too. There is a tight embrace of grassroot expressions and traditions that are passed down through time. We have an even tighter grip on the richness, the diverse dynamic of the Caribbean. No other region in the world is as diverse in culture as the Caribbean region.. not even New York.

So until that time...keep checking in. Some serious gorilla marketing is on the way.

Its been awhile since I came to visit. I am here today. During the time I was away I was busy thinking and doing. In any event, I've been wanting to do a few woman get-together for the longest and on Friday, July 31, 2009 I'll be having a Karaoke Night.

I am hoping for a evening loaded with fun and bookend with LAUGHTER. Every day we get up and do what we do... very little time set aside to just absorb simple pleasure. After looking in the mirror and looking at a near 50 years old woman staring back at me I knew what to do.

How many times do I have to get news of someone's death or illness; a friend or colleague experiencing major challenges before I take action. Lets share some happy news.. last night I/we____. This weekend I/we ___________. Fill in the blank

After this event I'll be planning an "Alias Night" followed by "A Crazy Hat Afternoon" We got to make time to LAUGH OUT LOUD.

The Jamaica Star :: Commentary :: One of the happiest countries on Earth ... :: July 8, 2009

The Jamaica Star :: Commentary :: One of the happiest countries on Earth ... :: July 8, 2009

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Congressman Ed Towns & Mr. Irving Burgie (Composer & Lyricist) All night we were saying, Day-O, singing Day-O, the Congress Man gets up and say "O-Day" Pic courtesy of Gregg Richards. From 'Reflection on a Legacy"-6/6/09

We have finally slowed the grieving for pop icon Michael Jackson in my home. It was something that happened because ..no lie MJ was huge. It is a lost in many ways but the cycle of life continues. I wanted to go out and have some Caribbean food then blog about it today but I've fallen behind with other projects that I must attend to.

I'm also getting comfy with the book The 8th Habit, From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey. Very insightful piece of literature. Its is my nightcap. Between the glass of wine, some jazz, is this book and at the end of it zzzzzzzzzzzzz!

On my list of things today is to connect with Glenville Lovell to get that interview with him on the way. Was shopping in Marshalls a few years ago and came across one of his novels. Bought it, read it and sent it to a friend. Good read. I'd met him a few years before at a reading for his first novel. Nothng against my colleague but in plain Jamaican lingo... mi had to try hard nuh feh drap asleep.. Lawd is only the writing that did kip mi politely awake... not every writer must read dem own writing. Hush Glenville.

Additional I've made arrangements to tape a segment with Horace "Gabu Jr " Wedderburn. Gabu drums for the Lion King. He happens to be a person from my childhood. In those days 3 years older made a huge difference and me 8 and Gabu 13 make mi little pickney. His younger brother Clyde however who was in the same class as me through to high school, was my company. He is one of the first boy that I recognize as having had a crush on me. LMOA. Anyway, Gabu and I will be meeting for what I am anticipating as a truly great experiecne share. Gabu is from the island of Jamacia.

I will be learning many things as a result of this blog.. things about my Caribbean roots and culture that I will in turn teach, share or remind you. By the way.. I will be breaking out in my native tongue ever so often.. some things are best said that way, so brace yourselves.

The death of Michael Jackson recently placed me in a tailspin for more than 48 hours. Death comes, sometimes unexpected but it comes. Michael Jackson's death came like a force out of nowhere and blasted a crater in the center of the world leaving us on the banks to mourn and ponder.

I never imagine that I'd be crying for hours, tearing for days over this. Face it, Jackson have done what few have managed to achieve somewhat... unite the world. I felt like I knew him personally, yet I never met the man. I felt like he was a friend. I was not even sure I was sad or happy since John Public found all kind unconceivable unpleasantries to break him. And its not like he did not already have enough of his own load bearing.

One of my twin is so into Jackson, it took three trips into Manhattan to various tributes for her to reconcile his death. I was watching a movie with my youngest girl around 2-ish when I heard the thumping of Amber's feet running down the stairs. Thats a constant occurrence here. It doesn't take much to cause excitement and the staircase is really short. My concern was that did not fall and sustain serious injury. I really did not pay too much attention to her until she flopped down beside me muttering something about Michael Jackson. Then I noticed that she was trembling.

Three years ago I started giving them an annual daily planners and requested that they write out what they want and how they plan to get what they want. She has taken it more seriously than her two sisters. One of her wish was to meet Michael Jackson (MJ) so she wrote it on her wish list in her planner. Its a wish that will not be fulfilled. The realization of that truth had my daughter on an emotional broiler. It forced me to release her to seek and find her own path to peace.

She had the cell phone in her left hand and her hand up to her cheek. She asked for me to stop the movie so she could see the news. Her sister was annoyed so when there was no breaking news I allowed her go back to the movie while Amber tweet for the latest info. I pulled her close to me and tried to comfort her with what I felt was the truth. "He'll be fine" I said. "He is not dying or dead because he was rushed to the hospital". "Mommy" she said "people are tweeting that TMZ reported he was not breathing" I decided to stop the movie, switch back to TV, scan the channels and wait for news. Half hour later it came that Michael Jacskosn died from cardiac arrest.......but, but, bu..t MJ was invincible how could he die?

I've thought about it, talked about it but I never imagined the reality of such a thing. What a calamity. A colossal lost to the world. He was a genius, a humanitarian, a different kind of man, a black man. So on that Thursday afternoon my girls and I sat on the large sofa which we sit on often with bathed breathe, switching from one channel to the next feeding on the news. Tears streaming down our faces. The other had twin busted in the door 3 hours later. She was crying. We hudled and cried and cried.

It was going on 7 O'clock when Amber broke the circle, walked over to the amplifier, hooked her ipod up turned up the volume ".... I'm bad, I'm bad" and started to dance. We all got up and began to dance, and scream, and dance, tears still flowing. Tears turned to laughter and then chatter about our fav. From one song to the other we celebrated with loud cheers the life of an artist we adored, we admired, whose talents we had great respect for.

I light a candle and placed it at the corner of the door. Two days amber went to Harlem to write on the wall that was created and place a letter in the srine. The biggest MJ fan is my ouse had found her door to peace of her idol's death. "I danced and cried with stranges mom. I've never ever in my life thought I'd see people of all color, race, size and social status come together without any issues.... it was great." Rhythms, roots and culture... R.I.P to Michael Jackson. Rock on.