ONE ROOM SHACK released

PRESS RELEASE

ONE ROOM SHACK, the debut poetry publication from Delroy Nesta Williams, comes from a special place, his heart. And within his heart is a myriad of issues and ideas that were egging to get out. One Room Shack can be described in one short phrase, simply special. Special not only because it is the first book from the author but also as a dedication to the “mothers” that have influenced Nesta’s life.

The poems address various issues including poverty, failure, personal struggle, “faith and hope… but the greatest of these is love.”

Mr. Williams is the Immediate Past President of the National Youth Council and by all accounts an advocate for various youth issues, some of which come through clearly through his poetry. He attributes his love of poetry and writing from an early exposure during his high school years at the Dominica Grammar School and his interest in creative arts.

ONE ROOM SHACK contains poems and thoughts that all can comprehend and take as words of discovery, wisdom, comfort, warmth and inspiration. The book also signals a transitional and developmental stage in his writing and personal life as well. We encourage you to share in the moment and make it your own.

FREE EXPRESSIONS POETRY COMPANY is proud to release this publication, ONE ROOM SHACK, Delroy Nesta Williams’ labour of love to the World…

For additional information please contact:

FREE EXPRESSIONS POETRY COMPANY

56 LIME STREET, BATH ESTATE

ROSEAU

COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

cini26@hotmail.com

1 (767) 615 5881

My First Poetry Publication... One Room Shack

My First Poetry Publication... One Room Shack will be available from next Tuesday August 02nd 2011 at a cost of XCD10.00.

One Room Shack is a reference to my humble beginnings and illustrates my challenging childhood. One Room Shack contains poems of love, hurt, poverty, inspiration, faith and love of country and people.

For more information please contact me at:

Free Expressions Production Company

56 Lime Street, Bath Estate

Roseau,

Commonwealth of Dominica

cini26@hotmail.com

1 (767) 225 6367/615 5881.

In the news!!!

I've been busy over the passed two weeks and haven't been posting much on my blog. I've been on the campaign trail as I seek a second term as the President of the National Youth Council of Dominica. I also partnered with my uncle to host a Father's Day activity for the Blue Blue community, Bath Estate. The media houses have basically been my home.

Here are the links to the stories:

Re-election

Father's Day

Voter ID Cards

New Kings of Football

It's official now and nobody can doubt it, the Bath Estate Football Club are the new kings of football aka soccer in Dominica.

Last night, the newly crowned back to back DFA Premier League Champions and back to back Newtown Football League Champions, beat the stalwarts, Harlem United, in the Champion of Champions match at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

Although the team was hampered by the injury of star player Mitchel "Baggio" Joseph, captain and leading scorer Kurlson "Maxi" Benjamin scored twice to ensure that the boys from Harlem had no chance to disrupt the beautiful run that the boys from Bath Estate have been enjoying lately. Final scores Bath Estate 2 - Harlem United 1 (compliments Randolph Peltier).

For more photos, check out my Facebook album: Estate Champions

Blue, Blue...Estate For True

Nesta

Event-full Saturday

Yesterday started so wrong but ended so well, alot better than I had expected. There were alot of bumps on the road but by the time the day ended it was a smooth ride.

After a hectic morning and bad weather making my way to Castle Bruce (East coast of Dominica) for the 8th Bi-Annual General Assembly of the National Youth Council, I was re-elected President for my first two-year term but my second stint at the helm of the Organization. I have a team of rookies as well as experience players as it relates to youth work and youth organizations but i'm hoping for the best and we continue with the good work that we have started.

If I thought the bad weather of the morning was passed and it was gonna be all sunshine for the rest of the day, then I was dead wrong. I found myself in the midst of a traffic jam in Massacre and Canefield because of floods. Yes the land of many mountains floods, well flash floods anyway. With waters reach near half way up the vehicle I was driving, it felt like something from out of the movies and it wasn't just in once location, we had to cross three different large pools of muddy, dirty water. The ladies were scared but still found some strength to take photos and giggle away from time to time.

And if you thought that my day was over and the excitement was done then you are still wrong. Last night, my team (Bath Estate Football Club), of which I am a former player and PRO won our second Newtown Football League Championship in two years, yes back to back champions, beating our bitter rivals 2-0. What makes the victory even sweeter is that earlier this year, we were beaten by the same Cesseme Street team 3-0. Revenge is so sweet.

Off course we had to flaunt our victory with a motorcade/parade through the streets of Roseau and Newtown making them fully aware of who the real champions are, hats off to the Estate Boys. Blue, blue...Estate For True.

Estate again

Newtown aka Harlem may be the mecca of football in Dominica but for sure Bath Estate is the future. And every year, we prove again and again why that is so with a crop of young talent that bag trophy after trophy in all leagues, be it the national or off season football leagues. If only we could be Cesseme Street this year, then all would be good.

We lost to them about two weeks ago during the Quik Zone Cup, no i didn't blog about that loss but last saturday, we put a second or third (i can't recall since we win so often) trophy on the mantle after destroying Kingshill Veterans 2 goals to 1. National striker Kurlson Benjamin netted the two goals, one coming from the penalty spot as a dagger in the hearts of the opponents late in the second half. Goalkeeper Neverson Jno. Baptiste did his outmost best to ensure a clean sheet but the vets managed to put one by him in a scramble situation. It was a tough win and Veterans played at their highest level possible to try to steal this trophy from the Blue Blue Crew. That is a clear, factual statement seeing that we beat that same team last night (5 goals to 2).

All in all, we got it on lock, Cesseme better look out later in the league as we building from strength to strength. Next time we not letting down our fans. Harlem people better watch out, we gonna paint Cesseme Street all blue. Blue Blue, Estate for true.

Nesta

Poetry in de Estate house

The Bath Estate Community Centre played host to some experienced players as well as the new crop of Dominica's poets on Friday June 12th, 2009.

Poetry shows, although still a niche activity, always recieves a receptive and appreciative crowd and from the first poem all indications pointed to a powerful, inspiring show. The Bath Estate Development Committee, through its energetic and powerful Vice Chairwoman, Mrs. Shawna Johnson ensured that all who made the journey on the night were treated to a wonderful display of word power.

With experienced acts and up and coming performers, the blend of of poetry and song, again left the audience wishing for more. Although simple in its set up, the show had a wonderful feel to it even with first time host Delroy Williams (me) dabbing in and out adding a slightly charged comedic aura to the proceedings. This was a welcome site at the Community centre which has seen its activities scaled down over the past few months because of renovation and improvement needs.

At every poetry show that I have attended or participated in, there has always been a surprise and that friday night surely didn't disappointed, instead it surpased expectations giving two suprise acts for a measly EC$2 contribution at the door. Medina Bellot, in her creole poetry, had the crowd locked into her performance, with not only her words but her facial expressions. There is something about the creole language that gets the crowd to really feel the performer and hang on to the every word. Clifton Lewis or Cocoa T, as he is popularly known even displayed his new book (Hidden Words of Love) and gave a powerful rendition of his love poems to the pleasure of the female audience.

Other noteworthy performers included: Reynold Gustave, Harry Sealy, Monelle Alexis and Tamara Lowe who gave an encore performance of her love poem. Songbirds Tasha Peltier, Royette Laurent and Tina Alfred also added a powerful element of love to the show through their singing. Poetry is truly alive in Dominica and its re-emergence as a powerful artform is definitely around the corner. This is especially so if groups like the Bath Estate Development Committee and the National Youth Council continue to give artists the opportunity to showcase their writing talents.

Nesta

H1N1 hits home

H1N1 or Swine flu, as it is commonly called, has been going across the globe like a passenger with a frequent flyer coupon and now it is in Dominica and even worse it is next door. Well actually i'm not sure where it is really at my neighbours but it is in my community, Bath Estate.

Since yesterday morning i've been bombarded with calls about it and everyone worrying. I even heard some one say that they should kill the man who brought it here, but you know how people tend to overreact when things like that occur.

The community is on high alert now and i'm hoping that things should go back to normal soon, I hope that this doesn't put a dent into the weekend poetry show, I was really looking forward to it.

For more info on this and related stories visit Dominica News Online

My fave five of the week

Another week; another list of my five favourite things of that week:

1. the 4D Ag Centre Bath Estate team are back to back national football (soccer) champions. Blue Blue, Estate For True; going for a three-peat;


2. Got some donuts and banana bread from my friend Michelle; a peace corps volunteer at the National Youth Council of Dominica; you can check out her donut story on her blog. She always have some wonderful baked goods, keep em coming Michelle, I want to put on some weight, lord knows 140 aint much, lol;


3. Had a wonderful night on Monday; Walked through Roseau up to Goodwill and spent some time in the middle of the Lindo Park football field looking at the "stars" for about an hour or so;


4. My farmers treated my supervisor, karen (my friend) and I to lunch; we had a one pot brath and some wine, Johnny Walker Red Label Scotch. My farmers really know how to treat me well, lol, except when they arguing for seeds and fertilizer, then it is a verbal onslaught. But at the end of the day it's all good.


5. Hosted the environmental program (Environment and Sustainable Development) last night on Kairi FM radio. We discussed Invasive Alien Species as the theme for International Day for Biodiversity (today) as well as Access and Benefit Sharing for Genetic Resources.
   
   Nesta

We are the Champions!!!

Yes, we have done it again, we are back to back champions of the Mr. Ping Doors and Windows Premier League of the Dominica Football Association (DFA).

4D Ag Centre Bath Estate has made good on its promises to its community and sponsors to secure the national championship for a second straight year. There was never any doubt though since from the first round the team was leading the standing with only a periodic lapse due to regional duty during the CFA Caribbean Champions Cup.

Although the champions have been crowned since last week, the team took on Southeast yesterday and was on their way to giving the team a beating before the game was called off by the always controversial referee Carlisle Jno. Baptiste.

Bath Estate was already leading the match by 3 goals to 2 with Kurlson "Maxi" Benjamin scoring two and Mitchell "Baggio@ Joseph scoring the other goals for the Blue Blue squadiee.

Now it's off to Newtown for the offseason league where we intend to bit every single team even rivals Cessame Street.

Blue, Blue, Estate for True
You done know...

Big up to the entire team: Kurlson "Maxi" Benjamin, Mitchell "Baggio" Joseph, Michael "Big Joe" Joseph, Imran "Boxhead" Gage, Charles "Charlie" Hypolite, Ezra "Bang Bang" Richards, Angus "headless" Pinard and the rest of the crew

Nesta

the joy of ludo

My family isn’t like any other but in many ways it probably is like yours. we have our fights but we have our good times too. Some of the fights turn violent too, with even a show of blood shed on accasions.

But all that changes from time to time, when we get across from each other on the Ludo board. Ludo has been a part of our family for over twenty years, I remember learning to play around the age of five.

On any given day, if you take a walk on my street in Bath Estate, you can hear screams, it may even be described as howling, but don't be afraid it may just be me, my aunt or one of my cousins celebrating kicking out a player from the board or winning the game. And the beauty of it is that we play in front of our house, in the open for all our neighbours and friends to hear. Some of our neighbours have even been known to join us.

Oh how we have graduated from ludo being just a causal game, to the competitive spirit that now arises every time the board, die and markers are taken out from its hiding place. It has to be hidden else the kids would probably lose the markers and that would surely cause a catastrophy. And according to my aunts, he who spares the rod, spoils the child...

But in ludo, it's actually an eye for an eye... you kick me out, watch out because I will be back to kick you out of the game.

nest@

Blue Blue, Estate For True

If you're a home-based Dominican, particularly one who follows the local pop culture, an avid follower of sports, particularly football (soccer) or just someone who listens to the radio then you would surely have heard this catch phrase a million and one times.

Blue, Blue, Estate For True: has become a calling card for the thousand of young persons living in the former lime fields (Lacourdre) or now referred to as Bath Estate. Long infamous for its "wild" youth, Estate can now boast of its influence on the local entertainment and sporting scene.

The youth of the community has long been known to support local musical giants Triple Kay and even WCK. The bands can thank the juveniles from the outskirts of Roseau for a number of its hits including peanut, send your body, sorti dessan and more recently a number of chants used during their jam sessions.

Bath Estate is also youthfully famous for another reason, its football team. For years the team came up short in the local competitions to rivals like Harlem United, St. Joseph, Dublanc, Southeast United and even Cesseme in the Newtown Football League. But now the team has put those days of being runners up behind them and are leading the way. According to sources on the team 4D Ag Centre Bath Estate is the future of football in Dominica with key players on all national teams (a total of nine on the senior team).

With it's first national Premiere League championship last year (2007-2008) the team qualified for the CFU/CONCACAF Club Champions Cup and now has the task of taking on 2-time champions, W. Connection of Trinidad and Tobago. A team full with international stars from countries like Columbia, Brazil, Venezuela, Trinidad, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and the Dominican Republic.

The match takes place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium on Wednesday 18th March from 7:00pm and is the biggest football match to hit the new stadium. Organizers expect over 7,000 persons to flood the stadium fully clad in blue. A colour known to spur on the team, although their official club colours are yellow and green (in respect of the days of the lime fields).

Blue, blue fever will be alive and kicking, one just hopes that it creates the twelvth man that Bath Estate needs to defeat the Caribbean giants.

In case you are wondering who I am rooting for, I am the public relations coordinator for the Bath Estate Football Club, a former player (2002 - 2007) and I live in Lime Street, the capital street of Bath Estate.

Nest@

P.S. The return leg takes place in Trinidad the following Wednesday March 25, 2009

Poetry session at Bath Estate

I (the one in red and black below) haven't performed any of my poems since the National Literary Festival in Dominica last year, not because i was keeping away from performances but the timing of the sessions always coincided with some other activity that i had to do.

This time it did clash with a calypso show, but i decided that since it was in my home community that i couldnt shy away from performing and i was glad that i had the opportunity to share my craft with fellow poets, community members and onlookers.

The crowd started rather small but very appreciative and grew as the night got darker and at the end we had what could be referred to as a full house, although we were actually in the yard of Mrs. Shawna Johnson, fellow poet and our hostess for the night.

My second showing of the night went alot better than the first, by that time i had gotten over my nerves and after seeing performances by Alpha Dennis and others had grown in confidence and just let my poems out much to the delight of the crowd. My first time in front of the crowd i delivered more reflective poetry (see timely reflections in a previous post) and the second time around i delivered two of my favourite love poems.

But the night wasn't about me, it was about developing a friendship with other poets, some of whom i had already known and others very new to me. I can still picture Miss Kimasha Sylvester performing Eat It, a piece that recieved a standing ovation and an encore performance. It had the crowd laughing and calling out for more. Overall, the ambiance was very good with our hostess going above and beyond showering the crowd with jokes, gifts and even her own thoughtful poems.

I'm so looking forward to the next one, which isn't that far away because i am coordinating the competition and poetry show dubbed "The Next Great Love Poem" and all indicators point to a successful outcome.

Poetry performance is not a mainstream event in Dominica but that may not be for very long if we, present crop of up and coming poets, have our way, be on the look out...

nest@