Humor is a powerful tool for social commentary – and an effective one, without a doubt. A sharp wit can get the audience laughing – but thinking, at the same time.
Here are two of the best Jamaican exponents, who will be talking (and most likely, performing) next weekend. I am looking forward to it. Come and enjoy (and buy a copy or two of Blakka’s new book, “Riddim and Riddles”! ) Mikey Abrahams has just produced what he calls a “protest song,” too, on the Riverton dump fire. Well worth watching and sharing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxrstDVv9gQ&feature=youtu.be
Kingston, Jamaica: Two of Jamaica’s leading comedians, Owen Blakka Ellis and Dr. Michael Abrahams, will be combining their creative skills for ‘Fun and Joke Aside,’ a talk on the seriousness behind comedy. The event, slated for Sunday, April 12, 2015, is being staged by the Department of Literatures in English in collaboration with Blue Moon Publishing.
Armed with wit and verbal dexterity, Ellis and Abrahams will use ‘Fun and Joke Aside’ to discuss humor as a tool for social change. The two are celebrated comedians who have established careers. They have honed the skill of ‘taking bad tings mek laugh,’ using their gift for creating laughter to bring attention to important issues in society.
Owen Blakka Ellis is a writer, actor and educator. Known mostly for three decades of work as a comedian, he has written for stage, screen and television as well as taught English Language, Literature and Theatre Arts at the secondary and tertiary levels. Ellis has a deep interest in the intersection of gender, culture and the environment which all coalesced in his first full collection of poetry Riddim & Riddles (Blouse & Skirt Books).
Dr. Michael Abrahams is a medical doctor and columnist by day and poet and comedian by night. He has had a prolific career in satirical poetry that has brought him to stages across Jamaica including several poetry and literary festivals. Abrahams is particularly known for his political satire. He has tackled issues as varied as Jamaica’s 50th independence, Tessanne’s conquering of The Voice and, most recently, the public debate surrounding Hon. Minister Lisa Hanna and Father Richard Ho Lung.
‘Fun and Joke Aside’ borrows its name from one of the poems in Riddim & Riddles and promises a morning equally rich in entertainment and insight.
‘Fun and Joke Aside’ will begin at 11:00 am at (N1), the Neville Hall Lecture Theatre, the University of the West Indies, Mona.
For more information contact:
Tanya Batson-Savage: 456-7544
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