By Heidy Morales

NOW PLAYING!
Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae

Running Time: 97 minutes
Directed by: Stasha Bader
Producers: Valentin Greutert (HG Films), Betty Palik (Muse)
Executive Poducers: Simon Hesse (HG Films), MIchael Prupas (Muse)

For those of you lovers of great Reggae music, this documentary is a great lesson on how the sound came about. Director Stascha Bader brings us an in-depth session with many of the musicians of the late 60’s, who created the path for Reggae music even before Bob Marley. In this music documentary, we come to know each musician in a more intimate manner….

The film is narrated by Stranger Cole. To list a few, the musicians interviewed for the film are U-Roy, Hopeton Lewis, Sly Dunbar, Ernest Ranglin, Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Dawn Penn, Ken Boothe, Derrick Morgan, Leroy Sibbles, the Tamlins, Gladstone Anderson, Hux Brown, Bongo Herman, and Scully Simms. Many of you will know Dawn Penn from her unforgettable track “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)”; this is a classic… everytime that tune is played the room becomes alive. She discusses how that song has endured for so long and continues to be as popular as when it was originally released. We also get to hear Hopeton Lewis sing “Take it Easy” as well as a rocksteady version of “Rivers of Babylon.”

In many other reviews, this film is being compared to another music documentary… That of Buena Vista Social Club by Ry Cooder. In that film, the musicians are interviewed along the way and they also reunite to re-record their original songs. This is also the case with Rocksteady; many of the musicians go back to the studio to reprise the songs they recorded over 40 years ago. An anchoring figure is that of Sly Dunbar, the original drummer for many of the great tunes that were produced during that time. To see all these musicians gather at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica once again is a sight to behold and a genuine musical history moment.

Throughout the film, we come to understand the nature of many of these great songs. The fact that Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 played a large role in what messages artists wanted to send out in their music. Ken Boothe’s “Freedom Street” and U-Roy’s “Stop that Train” are examples of the political and economical climate of the time. The film is filled with great moments; including one in which Rita Marley takes us on a tour of Trenchtown; the area in which Bob Marley lived and created much of his music.

The film is now playing at the Carlton Cinema in Toronto. The soundtrack will be released this very August. If you’re a serious music lover and a Reggae music fan at that, go see this film. You’ll find it interesting, funny and a great musical experience. You’ll get lost in time and in music.

by Jennifer Finjan

Have you had your Jainism experience yet?

There is only one DJ in Toronto whose talent and escapades have led to his showmanship being  called ‘an experience’. This includes the audience being witness to a happy-go-lucky guy with an infectious smile, unique sound, who has an energetic, animated presence behind the decks. The Jainism Experience is that promise and Simon Jain is that DJ. When Simon was asked to describe his music he explained it as “”dance-floor friendly beats that make you weak”. He loves all genres of music, including electronic music  – and it shows. When he’s entertaining the masses he gets down with the music and enjoys it – every second of it!

By Mikhail Saavedra

It is not very often that you find yourself faced with a unique look as well as formidable intelligence. Marina Victoria challenges certain misconceptions of what a models should look like and just what they might concern themselves with. Of Ukrainian and Korean descent she could be ideal child of the multicultural millennium. Born in the city of Yevpatoria in Crimea, Ukraine; Marina came to Canada when she was but 9 years old which from our conversation certainly gave her a more worldly perspective on the world. She sat down with Alternavox to share with us her views:

by Shamim Ahad

” Shamim, I have two tickets for speed dating tonight. Don’t argue. It’ll take two hours and then you can go back to the exciting task of preparing your taxes. Get out of your work clothes, get pretty and then get yourself to Six Steps Restaurant by 7:30. Forget those spreadsheets. Don’t forget to floss!”

By Greg Braining
Yale Environment 360

In his quest for a fuel of the future, Roger Ruan has found a valuable resource in something nobody else wants — the wastewater from Minneapolis’ largest sewage treatment plant. The University of Minnesota professor is tapping into this rather unlikely source to grow single-celled algae and produce a diesel-like biofuel.

Ruan is one of many researchers around the world working to make biofuel from algae at a price that is competitive with gasoline and diesel fuel. But his project — along with several other sewage-to-fuel experiments — has a distinct advantage over competing algae-to-fuel efforts: His nutrient-rich feedstock is free and available at a nearly constant rate all year long.

For more info: http://tiff.net

By Alan Kennedy

By Mikhail Saavedra

Prep: 8 min, Cook: 8 min.

* 1/2 lb. rotini or other spiral pasta
* 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
* 1-1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
* 1-1/3 cups fresh carrots, shredded
* 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
* 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
* 1 Tbs. lime juice
* 1 Tbs. jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
* 3/4 tsp. chili powder
* 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
* 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cook pasta in boiling salted water 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add next 4 ingredients and toss.

Combine remaining ingredients,except cilantro, in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously. Pour dressing over pasta. Add fresh cilantro and toss thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

By Allison Hall

Okay, so you’re getting married! As a bride you have tons of things on your mind and want to make sure everything is perfect. Something that you need to consider as soon as you’ve picked out your dress is your hair. Wedding ready hair can be a major process as you have so many options to consider. The purpose of this article is to give you some guidance on  preparing yourself and your hair to ensure that you look your absolute best on the wedding day.

By Elissa Frittaion

“We all come into this world naked.  Everything else is drag.” ~ Ru Paul

Wikipedia states that drag, in its most general sense, means ‘any clothing one wears’. It is also used to refer to any costume that carries symbolic significance. This usually refers to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of the other gender. “Drag queen” first appeared in print in 1941. Typically, today, the term ‘drag queen’ refers to any person (usually male), gay or straight, who performs in campy, over the top dresses and shoes, huge wigs, extreme makeup etc. Drag queens sometimes impersonate female celebrities but also have their own persona, complete with a dramatic stage name. They sing, they lip synch, they dance and perform in shows.