Official uVu Blog

Miami-Dade In Focus

The count down is on for the 2010 Miami International Film Festival so if you want to be in it, tune in to find out what it takes to be a part of Miami’s premier film festival.  From Miami-Dade College's In Focus series comes this story.

Entertainment 411 with Eli Vera

It is never too soon to plan your visit to the Miami International Book Fair.  Here's Eli Vera with the 4-1-1.

uVu Question of the Week

In a down economy, what is the best way to go about building good credit?

The Harder They Come

uVu met with the director and cast of the musical hit The Harder They Come, inspired by the 1973 movie of the same name. Opening on August 29th, 2009 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, the play features a cast of 16 Jamaican born performers. Popular songs such as Higher and Higher and By The River of Babylon are performed by a killer band of outstanding reggae musician and the cast.

The play originally from London, makes its U.S. premiere in Miami where the Caribbean community remembers well the smash hit movie featuring reggae star Jimmy Cliff. The Harder They Come brought Jamaica to 

the international scene with writer, producer and director the late Perry Henzell.

The play brings to life once again the story of young singer Ivanhoe Martin who arrived in Kingston, Jamaica to become a reggae star. The drug fueled and corrupt music industry led him to live a life of one of Jamaica's most-wanted outlaw. Watch a preview of the play and interview with cast and director.

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Riding Out The Storm - Suelaymie's Story

Suelaymie Benitez, 24, of Miami tells us how she's coping with the recession after losing a job.

Watch the video here and share your stories with South Florida, together we can help each other "Ride out The Storm."

Tavis Smiley Moving to Midday in Miami

 From his celebrated conversations with world figures, to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders, as a broadcaster, author, advocate and philanthropist, Tavis Smiley continues to be an outstanding voice for change. Newsweek profiled him as one of the “20 people changing how Americans get their news” and dubbed him one of the nation’s “captains of the airwaves.”

Miami Today Newsmaker Profile - Judge Joel Brown

Joel Brown, a judge since 1990, was elected chief judge of the Miami-Dade Circuit Court, Florida's biggest circuit. Brown most recently served as administrative judge of the family division. He takes over at a challenging time with budget cuts and a burgeoning case load bloated by thousands of foreclosures. He sat with Miami Today's Risa Polansky to discuss the challenges ahead and his record of judicial innovations.  You can read the full interview in Miami Today

Miami Broward One Carnival Band Launch

Miami Carnival is about to celebrate its 25^th anniversary this October and for the first time since 2003, Broward and Dade are coming together to sing the agreement to implement the One Carnival Host Committee Initiative. 

Carnival is a key element of the Caribbean culture and is being celebrated each year by people wearing costumes and dancing in the street to the sound of Soca, steel pan or live bands. The “Caribbean Carnival Circuit” starts in February with Trinidad & Tobago and ends in October with

Miami

.

Broward and Miami Carnival attracted more than 100 000 tourists in each area and the combination of both should be a major events in

Miami

on October 11^th, 2009, when the parade will take place in the street of Downtown Miami, then Bicentennial park.

uVu was at the Miami Broward One Carnival Band Launch on August 23th, 2009 at

Mahi

Temple

where about 20 bands displayed their costumes for this year.

The event was full of color, music and the crowd was really excited about the numerous theme being presented for this year such as Exotic Garden - The Glow of Love by Carnival Nationz , Candy land by Generation X,  Reflections of the Rainforest by Party People, It's a Jungle out there by Ti Chapo  " Kutlama (Celebration) by China Mas Group,  Pirates Invation by Caribbean USA (CUSA) " or Splendor of the Seasons  by Fun Generation  among many others.

The Miami Broward One Carnival will feature many fetes (parties), but the main parade is set to take place in Downtown Miami.

Pictures by Islandbox.

Joan Baez: How Sweet The Sound

In the first comprehensive documentary to chronicle the private life and public career of Joan Baez, this film examines her history as a recording artist and performer as well as her unwavering journey as the conscience of a generation. Following her 2008/2009 world tour, the filmmakers captured Baez in performance and in intimate conversations with individuals whose lives parallel hers.
Watch a clip on uVu and catch the program on WPBT2 in October.

Back to School with Issues?

Broward County School Superintendent James Notter joins us on Issues to discuss back-to-school news such as swine flu precautions and how budget cuts and teacher layoffs might impact the county