ByBlacks Rating: BBBBB Waiting for the lights to come down in Aki Studio Theatre, I am acutely aware that I have left 2014.

The Piece of Mine Festival is the only Black Theatre Festival in Canada.

The Jamaican essence emanates energetically throughout Toronto, emerging and replenishing relentlessly within the hearts of many Jamaican Canadians.

2 days before previews, and I’m speaking with Jamaican born Director Nigel Shawn Williams, about his current Directing career and his latest jaunt, BINGO!, written by award-winning Canadian playwright and

ByBlacks Rating: BBBB

Natasha Powell, alongside Jasmyn Fyffe, is the co-creator behind the spectacular dance production Gimme One Riddim, which is having its third run at the Harbourfront Centre’s national dance series NextSteps,

Before there was reggae there was ska. This little known fact is being resurrected and celebrated in the 2014 version of Gimme One Riddim, the highly successful dance and theatre production being remounted for the third time in less than one year.

It’s summer 2011 and I’m curious about this one-woman show advertised in the Toronto Fringe Festival. Jumping on the subway, arriving just on time, I sat in a pew (yes a church theatre) quite befitting this original play.

“No racial, no religious, no cultural title is required to witness this happiness and internal peace and serenity.” -VOICES OF ORISA-Echo of African Spirituality.

ByBlacks Rating: BBBB Tick tock. Time moves quickly through this co-production by Obsidian Theatre and Factory Theatre.

ByBlacks Rating: BB 1/2

ByBlacks Rating: BBB AfriCan Theatre Ensemble presents COMA, a new play by Jude Idada, at the Al Green Theatre Oct. 30-Nov 3, 2013.  A two-hander is a tall feat to accomplish. Yes, there are 3 people in the play but the majority of the dialogue rests between Osasu (Wale Ojo) and his sister Ifueko (Bridget Ogundipe).