Stratford, Ontario

Let music sound while he doth make his choice; 
Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, 
Fading in music ...
Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice 

Creole Documentary & Mauritian Sega Band at Island Soul Festival, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

I went to Harbourfront Centre on Sunday August 4th to see the Creole segment of my friend Christene Browne's documentary Speaking in Tongues: The History of Language during Island Soul Festival. Christene is a talented film producer and director, and you can read more about her accomplishments on her website. Since Mauritius is mentioned in the documentary and I say a few words of Creole in it, I was thrilled to be at Harbourfront that day to see it, and have a chat with Christene.

But as I rushed to the Studio Theatre,  I was pleasantly surprised to hear a familiar sound ... sega music from Mauritius blaring from the speakers. And of course, on stage was a Mauritian band and dancers rolling their hips and flipping their colourful ruffled skirts in rhythm to their gyrations. I was ecstatic. I had not expected my little island would be represented at Harbourfront in the Island Soul Festival. I thought it was mostly a Caribbean celebration since it was happening in conjunction with the Caribana Carnival Parade 

After  the 20 minutes documentary, which was very incisive and relevant, definitely worth watching for anybody interested in languages, its history and influence on our lives, I literally ran towards the stage to catch the last few sega songs. It was a gorgeous summer day, with spectators sprawled on the fake grass. Everybody seemed so relaxed and totally enjoying the music and dancing ... that it felt like  a bit of Mauritius had been transplanted to Toronto.

After the show I met the band, and had a chance to speak Creole, a bit rusty but nevertheless the familiar sounds, and the spontaneous warmth of  the performers brought back the heartfelt connection to an island I left ages ago.

Mew Lake, Algonquin Park

By the lake

we walked by the lake holding hands

precious minutes soon to vanish in the dusk

I wanted to flap my wings like the seagulls and fly

spread my love to the world in the never-ending sky

A misty evening in Toronto

"Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."

E. L. Doctorow

Spring ... a carpet of scattered blossoms

Still Blooming ...

Tony Paglia at Desotos Open Mic

Tony Paglia is a very dear friend and talented guitar player who sings with great emotional depth. His music ranges from rock, reggae, R & B, soul, funk and much more. He plays solo, duos and also with his band The Nomads. He's jamming here at Desotos' Thursdays Open Mic. Desotos is one of my favourite restaurants and a friendly venue for musicians.

Dusk in the countryside

Toronto at dawn

It's such a treat to wake up early, and get lost in the awesome sky as it spreads its orange and purple hues over the city. It's also the best time to write, when the mind is fresh and full of possibilities ...

Speaking of writing, Ellington's, a café on St. Clair Avenue West, has become my favourite place to hang out in the morning, not only to write, but to listen to the morning jazz jam, and mingle with musicians, writers and artists. Winston, the owner has created a casual, artsy, world-music kind of atmosphere that is so inspiring. A little home away from home.

Smoky Toronto

Smoky Toronto on a cold winter day.

Wendy Weiler chante Sous le ciel de Paris

Ma chère amie Wendy Weiler chante superbement en français une chanson d'Edith Piaf au Reservoir Lounge à Toronto avec le groupe The Mediterranean Stars. Voyez la sur youtube

My dearest friend Wendy Weiler sings fabulously in french an Edith Piaf song at The Reservoir Lounge in Toronto with the band The Mediterranean Stars. See her on youtube

Fading Toronto

Fire

"There is a slumbering subterranean fire in nature which never goes out, and which no cold can chill." Henry David Thoreau

The path of the night

"One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night." Kahlil Gibran

Best Wishes ...

As the year ends, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, much love, and all the best for 2013.

Chapter from my novel in Immedia's anthology

A chapter from my novel has been published in Mauritius, in Immedia's anthology titled Facing Challenges. The book will be officially launched on December 7th at Domaine Les Pailles by the President of the Republic, Mr. Kailash Purryag, and the former President, Mr. Cassam Uteem.

Now, this is one incentive to finish editing the rest of the chapters. But can anyone whip an artist to produce faster? I'm one of those who crawl like a turtle ... yeah, slowly and surely, I've strung words into sentences, then paragraphs, then chapters. But the polishing part is another challenge. Imagine spending the day bouncing words inside your head, wishing them to turn into pearls, but they often rebel and spin into headaches. I'm thankful to wonderful friends who don't mind whacking me with a good dose of pressure when I'm not on track ...like repeating over and over, "when is that book going to be published?" Okay, it's happening soon, for real. Look, a chapter has been published already. One chapter a year? Let's see, mmmhh it may take over 69 years to get the whole novel out. That certainly puts things into perspective. All right, keep up the pressure. I'll aim for 2013.

Time to get back to the novel instead of rambling on here ... And there's a photo exhibition I'm working on also, not to mention the silk painting. And all the problems around the world that I wish I could solve ... and closer to home, I wish our politicians would move forward and close the Darlington nuclear station and switch to solar, wind and other alternative renewable energy, and I wish there were less greed and more love to spread around ...

A few hardy leaves bask in the last glow of fall

Awareness

Here's an article that I find very inspiring. It's about breaking routines, finding awareness, and opening up to a more fulfilling life.

"The hidden potential that doesn't get expressed lacks in only one place: your awareness. As you open your awareness, life opens its possibilities at the same time. Routine is replaced by new input into the brain." Deepak Chopra

The Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Fire playing over bubbling water ...

Before winter sets in ... will the writing be done?

Fall is here already, cool but still sunny. Working away on my novel. Currently editing and hoping to finish before winter sets in ... or will I?

Writing a novel is a consuming task that sucks away all my creative thoughts, my heart, my soul and demands that I tame restless,undisciplined words into coherence over and over. I often wonder what insanity drove me to this. But as I get closer to the end, it's easier to wrestle down the self-doubts and see a vision, a dream come to life. The baby has gone through a long gestation and is eager to pop out.

Sharing some quotes about writing that I can relate to:

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout with some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
― George Orwell

“Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depth of your heart; confess to yourself you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

“A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone's knowledge of himself and the world around him.”
― Dylan Thomas

“If I do not write to empty my mind, I go mad.”
― George Gordon Byron

“The role of a writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say.”
― Anaïs Nin

“Fiction is the truth inside the lie.”
― Stephen King

Summer in Montreal

Spent a few wonderful days in Montreal this summer. On the first evening, I was thrilled to stumble upon a short street between Guy and St. Mathieu where musicians were playing and passers-by dancing. Not sure whether the street was permanently closed off from traffic, but its vibrancy was so inspiring.

I think we should do the same in Toronto and close off Baldwin street, my favourite short street. And even better, we could send our musicians there and bring theirs here so there's a creative and enriching exchange between these two cities. And while we're at it, why not start a high-speed train service between Toronto and Montreal?

I also happened to be there during the St. Catherine Street sidewalk sale. There were plenty of clothes, but also musicians in every corner. Montreal seems ready to make music, and party at every opportunity. Bands of drummers performed along the street, getting everybody's feet moving to their powerful beats. Jazz, world music, rock, you name it, they were all there ...

The creativity continues on the walls of many buildings along St. Catherine. I love that city. A bientôt Montréal ...