Entertainment

In My Fathers House : (Play Review)

Sadness. Pain. Confusion. Lies. Murder. Suicide. Love. Death. All words that explain the epic play, In My Fathers House.

Published

10 years ago

June 30, 2014

DaRuddest Jones

Sadness. Pain. Confusion. Lies. Murder. Suicide. Love. Death. All words that explain the epic play, In My Fathers House.

In every family there are trials and tribulations. We all have family secrets as well as family lies and this play written by Marc D. Lyons captures that essence.

He captures the intensity of brotherhood and unity all while exploiting the divisions of strength and age.

When all else fails some days all we have is the bond of family and there is no stronger bond than that of siblings.

There may be arguments and fights but together they cry and together they dry the tears away. family secrets can taint the core of the family apple and in this play that is bitterly displayed.

The stage : In My Fathers House

_____________________

The stage is set in the home of the father of 3 sons, Frank, Lewis, Kyle and Will. Unfortunately the brothers are not returning home with good reason. Their father is very ill with Alzheimer’s disease. He is in a place that they believe to be the point of no return. They return to the home of their childhood because they are being faced with a huge and life changing decision. The father has asked for the sons to kill him so he can escape the prison of his illness. The most emotionally numb and resentful brother Lewis decides that he is who would live out the task while the youngest brother Kyle is totally against the idea.

: Marc D. Lyons

: Mitchell Ugwuezi

: Keith Cyriaque

: Ronald E. Smith III

To thicken the plot the brothers learn that the mother that they believed to have died during the birth of youngest brother Kyle actually did not. The truth is that she left the family because the father was abusive to her. Rather than telling the sons the ugly truth the father lied to save them the pain of abandonment as well as trying to maintain his own image. Prior to learning the information all of the sons were resentful of the father because he was abusive and neglectful during their childhood. After finding out the bitter truth they had a change of heart and a new found appreciation of him for at least returning home from work everyday and raising them. But though it seems like there will be the sunshine of actually being able to meet the estranged mother, that feeling is short lived as brother Will informs them that she has died.

After learning the disturbing news youngest brother Kyle retreats to a place of lost emotions. There is a scene where he totally breaks down and cries uncontrollably. His whole life he lived with the heartache of believing that he was the reason that his mother was dead. To learn that she was alive the whole time and recently died is a deeper reality than he was prepared to comprehend.

The earth shattering turn for the worst is saved for the end of the play. The youngest brother Kyle kills the father after the older brothers decide that they would not follow through with the act. After discovering the acts of Kyle the 3 older brothers break down and cry on the living-room floor. While they attempt to comfort each other from they tragic discovery Kyle walks out and you hear a single shot. Kyle kills himself.

This play is so beautifully written and owns so much passion. It was by far one of the most powerful and emotionally stimulating experiences I have had during a play. There were no flaws just 4 strong black men delivering a powerful and emotional story. They left their audience with a roller coaster of emotions.

The play had a two night run but I hope they decide to move forward and do all they can to deliver it to the masses.

Starring:

Keith Cyriaque – Kyle

Marc D. Lyons – Will (Instagram)

Ronald E Smith II AKA Y-Rests – Lewis (Instagram)

Mitchell Ugwuezi -Frank

In My Father’s House

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Entertainment

U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates a successful St. Thomas Carnival

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals celebrate the success of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival.

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Sizzla (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals celebrate the success of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival.

Table of Contents

2024 St. Thomas Carnival

Kicking off with cultural staples including the Prince & Princess Show, Queen Show, Calypso Monarch, and Panorama, the St. Thomas Carnival festivities welcomed thousands of revelers, including locals, the diaspora, and visitors, to the shores of Charlotte Amalie for a multi-day celebration spotlighting the broad culture and traditions of the island territory.

“Carnival in the U.S. Virgin Islands is growing, allowing us to display our rich and vibrant culture to the world,” shares Commissioner Joseph Boschulte of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. “This success is a testament to the continued hard work of our Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals staff whose unwavering efforts showcase our home islands.”

Performances

Machel Montano kicked off six nights of free nightly concerts in the Festival Village, followed by performances from KES the Band, Sizzla Kalonji, Patrice Roberts, Barrington Levy, Adam O, TeeJay, Spectrum Band, Temisha, and more. On Saturday night, international superstar Shaggy closed out the village, performing hits like “It Wasn’t Me,” “Boombastic,” and “Angel” in front of thousands of fans.

: Machel Montano (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

: Patrice Roberts (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

: Sizzla (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

: Shaggy (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

Children’s and Adult Parade days were filled with revelers in bright and ornate costumes adorned with jewels, feathers, and traditional madras fabrics.

“Every year, we want to bring the best experiences to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands for carnival. We are extremely excited to continue growing our national celebrations and welcoming the world to experience them with us,” adds Ian Turnbull, U.S. Virgin Islands Director of Festivals.

More info on St. Thomas Carnival

With carnival arrivals growing by nearly 27% compared to 2023 and record event attendance throughout April’s celebrations, the USVI Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals continues innovatively leading transformative progress in carnival culture and destination marketing within the Caribbean region.

Carnival season in the U.S. Virgin Islands will kick off again in less than two months when the St. John Celebration begins in late June.

For more information on the St. John Celebration, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/experiences/carnivals-festivals.

Black Excellence

Inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards

Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Published

2 months ago

March 20, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Get a look inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

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About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.

Honorees

This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.

Check out some photo highlights inside the 17th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Shavone Charles attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Loni Love attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Nkechi Okoro Carroll attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Danielle Brooks attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Host Method Man speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Joey Badass, Gail Bean, Patina Miller, Kathryn Busby, Brandee Evans, Da’Vinchi and Shannon Thornton onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Patina Miller attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Tamera Mowry attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Boris Kodjoe attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

For more, please visit http://www.essence.com/bwih2024

Culture

U.S. Virgin Islands Announces the Performance Line-up for St. Thomas Carnival Village Featuring Shaggy, Sizzla, Patrice Roberts, and Machel Montano

The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals has announced the performance line-up for the 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village.

Table of Contents

72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village

The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.

“The anticipation around this year’s St. Thomas Carnival is at an all-time high, and the Village night performers reflect the continued influence and growth of our territory’s three carnivals,” exclaims USVI Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.

Center Stage

Adam O, Rudy Live, Temisha, Karnage, Blind Earz, VIO International, and Spectrum Band are among the performers who will take center stage to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Every year, our goal is to pay homage to the vast Virgin Islands and Caribbean culture that is at the cornerstone of these annual celebrations for natives and visitors alike,” added USVI Division of Festivals Director Ian Turnbull.

Haitian kompa band VAYB and Dominican salsa orchestra Chiquito Team Band will provide a cross-cultural immersion of sound, highlighting the diverse musical interests of Virgin Islands residents.

First-time performers

Rounding out the village are a few first-time performers in the territory, including TeeJay, Jada Kingdom, and Kollision Band, and returning favorites Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, and Grandmasters.

Kids Night Out Village Night

This year, the Division of Festivals will host its first Kids Night Out Village Night, with activities including the Toddlers Derby, Best Dressed Doll, and performances by TMK and OTB.