a bit of KOTE for the soul

I keep forgetting to post this lovely little write-up on the arts festival in Kingston held two weeks ago. There was this one as well.

You probably figured I would say this, but Kingston on The Edge or KOTE (of what, exactly? you decide, we all decide…) as it is called is definitely a keeper; for one thing, the print coverage wasn’t nearly as bad as usual. You could almost sense that the reporters had some passion and interest in their topics, and that they were literally moved – physically and intellectually – out of their usual high-handed dismissive treatment of all things Jamaican. It seems to me that the reporters discovered what some of us have known for a long time: only the energies that come from the arts can really make us see ourselves differently, and re-invent ourselves as often as we need to. I hope the readers get it. Certainly, I think the many participants did, some of whom were already in the choir.

Now, if the organizers can figure out how to remain non-commercial, and to resist the gravalicious, brown-minded foolishness that is already beating down the doors, then Kingston will be able to join the royal circle of cities that give a shit about the inner, psychic lives of its citizens. I think I’ll participate in KOTE next year.