Colin Channer TENTH ANNUAL CALABASH INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL…TREASURE BEACH, JAMAICA
By Bill Milligan
Memorial Day weekend will see a convergence of new and international literary giants descending on the beautiful southern coast of Treasure Beach, Jamaica, for a three day festival of poetry, music, food and fun. This will be free and open to the public at Jakes.
Over the past ten years this festival has been rapidly attracting internationally known poets, with 2010 highlighting Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Russell Banks, Sharon Olds, Geoff Dyer, Nami Mun and Colson Whitehead. Reggae giant Freddie McGregor and talented Etana will perform a late night concert overlooking the beautiful Jamaican waters. The late Jamaican director Trevor Rhone’s 1976 classic comedy “Smile Orange” will be featured on opening night and closing the festival will be a lyrical exploration of Bob Marley’s final studio album “Uprising.” Seminars and writing workshops will precede the festivals performances.
The creator of Calabash, Jamaican novelist Colin Channer, along with poet/playwright Dr. Kwame Dawes and freelance producer Justine Henzell founded this poet’s paradise in 2001. The New York Times calls this a “mini Woodstock on the Caribbean” and Mr. Channer reservedly agrees but adds that the festival has a “Scandinavian sense of organization with a Tropical sense of ease.” A diversity of peoples and ages (early 20’s to 60’s) will experience the lushness of Jamaica, and “satiation of all their senses” laughingly said Mr. Channer. The Festival will host between three and four thousand people over this three day period. All of the poets donate their time, effort and tens of thousands of dollars to make this festival a reality. Other major contributors are: Chase Fund, Jamaican Tourist Board, Jakes Hotel, Villas and Spa, Flow Jamaica, American Airlines, United States Embassy Office of Public Affairs, Macmillan Caribbean, Akashic Books and Wisynco Trading.
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of Calabash will be the releasing of an anthology of 100 renowned poets who have participated in the festival over the past 10 years, with Colin Channer and Kwame Dawes editing this beautifully bound book, “So Much Things to Say.” It features works from Li Young Lee, Derek Walcott, Elizabeth Alexander, Martin Espada, Michael Ondaatje and many other distinguished poets.
Mark your calendar for this unique and sensory stimulating event (May 28-30,2010).
Detailed information, biographies, and a schedule of events are available at
Detailed information, biographies, and a schedule of events are available at
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