分类： entertainment

The lobby of a hotel is often the first impression guests have of their stay, setting the stage for their entire experience. When interior designer Joelle Smith and her team at If Walls Could Talk were commissioned to renovate the lobby of one of Negril’s most iconic boutique hotels, they embraced the challenge to craft a space that embodies Jamaica’s essence—where craftsmanship, coastal living, and comfort converge. The result is a masterclass in sustainable design, cultural storytelling, and modern minimalism.

The iconic Halloween extravaganza, Mask, is set to make a grand return to the Sport of Kings venue at Gulfstream Racetrack in Hallandale, South Florida, on October 25. This year marks a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 25th anniversary, promising an unforgettable night filled with surprises and electrifying performances. Co-founded by Jamaican Jaime Young, Mask has become a staple in South Florida’s entertainment scene, blending Caribbean culture with Halloween festivities. Attendees are encouraged to unleash their creativity by donning extravagant costumes, embodying their alter egos for a night of freedom, fun, and flair. This year’s edition, aptly titled ‘The Masked Performer Edition,’ will feature a special birthday celebration for Gyptian, the renowned reggae artist who turns 42 on the same day. The event will be powered by a lineup of top-tier DJs, including Delano of Renaissance, Selecta Renegade, DJ Nicco 876, DJ LS One, and Nocturnal Sound, led by Papa Keith. These maestros will keep the crowd moving to the infectious rhythms of reggae, dancehall, and soca. Young, a veteran promoter with three decades of experience in South Florida, has curated high-profile events such as Stages Miami, Naked, French Reserve, Truckstop, and Foam Wet Fete. He proudly describes Mask as Miami’s premier annual themed costume event, a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and connection.

Dancehall-reggae artist Short Ghad, born Conrad Williams, has channeled a harrowing personal experience into his latest musical endeavor. While living in Sweden a few years ago, the artist faced a life-threatening betrayal from close friends, an incident that inspired his poignant track ‘Reason.’ The song, which has gained traction on mixtapes and FM radio, captures the raw emotions of that betrayal. ‘One of my so-called friends threatened my life. I was shocked and immediately wrote the song,’ Short Ghad recounted. The accompanying music video, which narrates the touching story, has amassed over 101,000 views since its release. ‘Reason’ serves as the title track for his upcoming EP, which also includes tracks like ‘Never Say Sorry’ and ‘Feel Like.’ The EP, according to the artist, embodies his artistic vision and has already garnered significant attention on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where fans worldwide are sharing and creating content around his music. Short Ghad, who hails from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, initially gained recognition as a DJ before breaking into the music scene with his 2022 debut album ‘Feel Nice.’ The 19-track album, a tribute to love, blended dancehall, reggae, and Afrobeat, earning him a top spot on iTunes’ Reggae chart in Sweden and substantial streams on Spotify and Facebook. Recently, he has been promoting his music through live streams on TikTok and performances at local events like BoomBox Fridays and Weddy Weddy Wednesdays. ‘2025 has been a breakout year for me,’ he said, reflecting on his growing success in the industry.

In a surprising turn of events, a Hong Kong arts hub abruptly canceled the revival of an LGBTQ-themed play, ‘We Are Gay,’ just hours before tickets were set to go on sale. The play, written by renowned playwright Candace Chong, explores a love triangle between three men and was initially staged in 2022. Its planned return to the West Kowloon Cultural District in November was halted following complaints that the production ‘defames’ Hong Kong. The cancellation marks another setback for the city’s LGBTQ community, coming shortly after lawmakers rejected a bill in September that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples. The cast expressed disappointment but vowed to continue rehearsals and seek alternative performance opportunities. The West Kowloon Cultural District, a government-appointed statutory body, cited ‘a large number of complaints’ alleging the play ‘promotes confrontation and defames Hong Kong’ as the reason for the cancellation. Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau supported the decision, while Beijing-backed newspapers criticized Chong for allegedly using cultural work to oppose political norms. Cast member Anthony Wong defended the play, stating it does not depict the government or its policies. This incident follows the cancellation of Pink Dot Hong Kong, a major LGBTQ event, earlier this year due to venue denial by the same cultural district.