ON THE RADAR: Met Opera’s new season poised to thrill + Nettleford Arts Conference promises to edutain + Usain Bolt makes his Ellen Show debut

ROLE MODEL: Usain Bolt’s major television appearances are usually for one of two purposes: to grant a sit-down feature interview (a la Piers Morgan) or to surprise an unsuspecting fan. Eight-year-old Demarjay Smith, an athletic kid with a passion for push-ups, couldn’t have guessed that his trip to The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week would include the opportunity to not only meet The World’s Fastest Man, one of his idols, but to face off against the lanky Jamaican sprinter, in mini 100M showdown outside the studios. In the end, young Smith “took the gold” in a photo-finish and was presented with a box containing Jamaican memorabilia by his defeated competitor. > Watch highlights via this YouTube clip. 

ARTS IN MOTION: Attendees at this year’s Rex Nettleford Arts Conference will be treated to four days of workshops, demonstrations, dance and other performances, all observing the theme “Growing the Arts: Breaking Boundaries”. An initiative of the Edna Manley College, held in honour of the legacy and memory of one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished artist-academics, the conference is being held from Oct. 14 through 17. The events expected to draw the largest turnouts are a dance recital, “Breaking Boundaries”, scheduled for the Little Theatre on Oct. 14 and ‘Water the Roots”, featuring live music, on Oct. 17 at The Bridge on the college campus. 

HIGH DRAMA: What better way to celebrate its 10th anniversary than with a feast of dazzling productions full of spectacle and rich in entertainment value? The Metropolitan Opera HD Live, in partnership with Jamaica’s Palace Cinemas, has put together a package (encompassing the 1015/16 season) sure to thrill and satisfy Jamaican opera lovers – with encore performances as an added bonus. From October 3’s grand showcase of Verdi’s Il Trovatore to the April 30th premier of Strauss’ Elektra, the pickings are big on classics and high drama. Among the best bets? Verdi’s Otello (Oct. 17), Puccini’s Manon Lescaut (March 5) and Madama Butterfly (another example of Puccini’s genius), scheduled for live screening at Carib 5 on April 2. For more info, visit metopera.org/HDLive or call Palace Cinemas at 928-1240.

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