COFFEE TALK: Michael O'Hara's Olympic dreams + the new Edward Seaga documentary + Where is Keiran King?

LARGER THAN LIFE: Revolutionary leader, cultural pioneer, record-setting parliamentarian, fifth Prime Minister of independent Jamaica. The Edward Seaga story is the stuff of legend. Paying homage to this one-of-a-kind nation-builder, the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC), in partnership with the CHASE Fund, has made am exhaustive little documentary, Edward Seaga: From Rebel to Leader (See TALLAWAH's upcoming review), which got a well-supported premiere at King's House on Sunday evening. Full of candid testimonials and revelatory highlights from Seaga's decades in politics, his One Don leadership, and aspects of his family life, the two-and-a-half-hour presentation yields a fascinating and insightful look at the measure of a remarkable man. Following Sunday's screening, Mr. Seaga, who was accompanied by wife Carla and other members of his family, was swarmed by former colleagues and other esteemed Jamaicans all awaiting their turn to congratulate the man of the moment. Others mingled, meanwhile, gabbing about the inspiring journey they'd just witnessed. [Mr. Seaga's] journey," Shirley Tyndall noted during her interview in the documentary, "is his determination and courage in not shying away from the countless challenges he faced." Guests joining the Seagas and Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen at King's House included Dorothy Lightbourne, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Andrew Price, Fae Ellington and Christopher Samuda. 

PLAYING THE FIELD: In case theatergoers are wondering why they haven't heard from Keiran King in almost two years that's because these days King is busy pursuing higher education. The provocative playwright, who's written and produced sophisticated gems like Mr. & Mrs. Blacke, Taboo and Last Call - all staged at Mona's Philip Sherlock Centre via his own Backstory Productions - is reportedly in he throes of studying for a Master's degree out in California, while keeping his finger on the pulse of Jamaican pop culture and news-based hot topics. This past Sunday, he published a cheeky, well-reasoned column (about taxation and the lottery) in The Sunday Gleaner's In Focus, which has left folks wondering if he'll become a weekly contributor. "Keiran marches to the beat of his own drum," a source tells TALLAWAH. "You never know what to expect." 

AT HIS OWN PACE: Though Michael O'Hara has a couple more teenage years left he's already look ahead to and planning for life as a responsible adult making his way in the big leagues. "Five years from now I want to get my Masters in Business. I'm looking forward to making the Jamaican Olympic team and to just make my family, friends and country proud," the junior sprint champion and Calabar High senior tells Sleek Magazine. "The 18-year-old, who dominated the Class One sprint double at Champs earlier this year, says his daily training regimen has become a fail-proof one. "I get up in the mornings, have some fruits, alongside a healthy breakfast. Then start my training programme. I usually take time from that just to talk with my friends then jump right back into training." In the end, Michael reflects, only his best is good enough. "Knowing that you did yourself proud, that I made myself proud. Having an Olympic medal, that's the greatest inspiration for me."

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