As anybody who knows me knows, I'm very involved in comedy. Comedy is not a hobby for me it is fun, but it is work. Comedy for me is creativity, communication and commerce. And I'm happy to see that the local comedy scene is constantly active and getting even more vibrant, as two brand-new regular comedy series are set to start soon. Comedy nights at Chasers Café will debut soon with a new series called 'Fifty FUNny Minutes' hosted by yours truly. And Donavan 'JR' Watkis of Roxstarz Entertainment will launch his 'Cackle Nuff' comedy series at Red Bones Blues Café on May 30. The first edition of Cackle Nuff will feature performances by Leighton Smith and the versatile Iceman.

And tonight I'll be at Fiction Lounge busting more laughter in anticipation of even much more laughter, as we officially launch another season of the Ity & Fancy Cat Show. So yes, Sundays will soon be laughing days again.

And talking about Sunday, I had a whale of a time on the mother of all comedy shows Sunday gone. I was one of four members representing Team Jamaica in the 8th annual Trinidad vs Jamaica Mother's Day Comedy Clash. This unique and undisputedly successful series is the brainchild of two top Caribbean-Canadian comedians, the hard-working and prolific Jay Martin (Team Jamaica) and a man who has thrilled Jamaican audiences on quite a few occasions, the affable Jean Paul (Team T&T).

The other members of the Trinidadian team were hard-hitting, straight-talking queen of Caribbean comedy Donna Hadad; the provocative Marc Trinidad (who loves to 'draw card' pon Jamaicans), and a superbly funny and impressively original young comic named Sterling Scott. And, along with Jay and me, the Jamaican team that whipped them included the talented and seasoned Keesha Brownie - a fast-rising female Jamaican-Canadian comic whose 'yard stage' debut is more than over due, and Roy Day, who I was so good, I kept asking myself 'how come a di first mi a see dah breddah yah?'

musical clash

There was also a musical clash with selections by DJs Malachi Street and DOC It was really a great show. Of course, the audience consisted mainly of 'Trinis' so it will be hard to convince them that they never won the clash. But even schoolchildren in Tunapuna know that as we prove with our athletic feats, the success of Reggae Boyz and with our recent fifth-straight win in the regional cricket series, T&T can 'bad-up' and beat up on any other Caribbean nation, but when dem meet Jamaicans dem buck Jamaica is 'murderation station'.

OK, don't take me serious! I'm deeply committed to Caribbean unity. It's all fun and games and I love my Trinidadian peeps. And seriously speaking, although Jay and Jean have successfully used the 'clash' theme to market the show, it has never been a site for fierce competition or antagonistic rivalry. Sure, we poke fun at each other. There are always funny comparisons between Jamaican and Trinidadian cultures, and a few friendly jabs have been traded yes, but the Mother's Day Comedy Clash has always been, and still remains a unique tribute to mother and a celebration of Caribbean culture using the therapeutic thrill of comedy.

And seriously speaking, although eight comics clashed humorously on Sunday, the winner was everybody, the champion was Caribbean comedy, and the prize went to the audience.

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