Arturo headlines 'Jazz on the Range'
Friday, November 20 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/features/0,111262.html

CELEBRATED Caribbean saxophonist Arturo Tappin will be the headline
act when the Blue Range presents its first Jazz on the Range concert
tomorrow from 6 pm at Blue Range Park, Diego Martin. Tickets cost $175.

Described as "the smoothest, sexiest horn man the Caribbean has to
offer", in recent years Arturo has been busy kicking his solo career
into high gear with his roots reggae-jazz fusion. His dynamic live
performances and charismatic idiosyncrasies on stage have been the
reason why he is known throughout the region as the musician's musician.

His first album, Strictly Roots Jazz, was recorded in 1994 during a
three-day jam session with friend and music wizard Dennis Bovell
(along with Bovell's "Duh Band") while on tour to London. Shortly
after this he recorded his second album Java, both of which are
licensed to Pioneer Records in Japan thanks to Dermott Hussey.

The release of these two albums in combination with his reputation
for putting on explosive shows led him to Perform at the Edinburgh
Jazz Festival, Soho Jazz Festival, Miami AT&T Caribbean Jazz
Festival, St Lucia, Antigua, Curacao, St Vincent, Grenada and
Barbados Jazz Festivals. He also appeared at the Stockholm Water
Festival in Sweden, Pan Ramajay right here in TT, the Bahamas Musik
Festival, St Kitts Music Festival, Bob Marley Birthday Bash (Negril
and Kingston), Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, Montego Bay Jazz and
Heritage Festival and Miami Reggae Festival. The Barbadian-born
musician has played and/or recorded with many major artistes and
groups including Red Rodney, Milt Hinton, Monty Alexander, Ernest
Ranglin, Jacky Terrason, Roberta Flack, Courtney Pine, Al Harewood,
Roy Haynes, Ellis Marsalis, Oliver Jones, Doc Cheatam, Pete King,
Mutaburaka, The Wailers Band, Third World, Mikey Bennett, Dennis
Bovell, Jazz Jamaica, Sandra Cross, Gary Crosby, Eddy Grant, Panazz,
Robbie Greenidge, Luther Francois, Bongo Herman, U Roy and Dean Frasier.

The evening will also feature other artistes: The Sean Thomas
Quintet, The group "Rafael" with Russel Durity, Gerald (Slam)
Charles, Mervyn de Gannes, Ralph Davies, Errol Ince, Dougie Redon, as
well as others including Frenz in Muzik and Dean Williams.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

CD REVIEWS
Tribute to Tito Lara—a soca parang gem
Mr Muzik
Published: 20 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/11/20/tribute-tito-lara-soca-p\
arang-gem

Today Mr Muzik welcomes journalistic colleague
Michelle Loubon to the world of song-writing. Her
first effort—Tribute to Tito Lara—is fantastic.
The song is well-researched and displays the
ability of the bubbly, talented and hard-working
Loubon. Tribute to Tito Lara is getting generous
airplay—and deservedly so. Sung by the loveable
lunatic Crazy, Tribute to Tito Lara will, in
time, join the ranks of classic soca parang
songs. It’s a credit to Loubon, who has made sure
we do not forget the legend of parang Tito Lara,
who died earlier this year. I hope to hear more from her.

I’m always thrilled when I hear an excellent soca
parang song. It puts me in the mood to shake a
leg. Tribute to Tito Lara straddles two worlds.
It’s danceable, and if you’re the quiet type, it
makes for good listening because of its
well-constructed lines. Crazy’s other Christmas
offering—White Bird—is different. It doesn’t have
the usual rhythmic soca parang feel one
associates with Crazy. The song is simply crazy,
and will take some time to grow on listeners. I
really hope it does. It makes you wonder if Crazy
has drifted off to another planet, or went on a
spiritual journey. Tribute to Tito Lara is on the
Ma$tamind Christmas compilation now on sale at all record shops. Buy it.

Never a dull moment
Christmas releases are coming thick and fast.
Joining the torrent is the effervescent Denyse
Plummer, who has just released a rhythmic medley
of six songs. Whew! This CD is just what the
doctor ordered for your Christmas cheer. It can
only add to the merriment. There’s never a dull
moment on the CD, called Xmas Party Medley, as
the songs fall like a pack of cards. Songs on the
CD are Relator’s Bottle and Spoon; Kitchener’s
Drink Ah Rum; Frankie Atwell’s Merry Christmas;
Kenny J’s Paintbrush; and, Singing Francine’s
Hooray Hurrah and Parang Parang. Xmas Party
Medley is arranged and produced by Jason Dasent
and recorded at J Studio. So what are you waiting
for? Grab your bottle and spoon and let’s party
to the medley, now on sale at all record stores. Ask for it.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Artistry concert series ends with Trini bhangra
Published: 20 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/11/20/artistry-concert-series-\
ends-trini-bhangra

Hennessy cognac presents the finale of its exclusive Artistry concert
series this evening at the Space La Nouba Nightclub, La Romaine,
where they present Hennessy artistry Bhangra.
The event will feature a fusion of local chutney, classical Indian,
soca and dance talent as they create their own trini version of
bhangra music. Performing on the night are Rikki Jai, Patrice
Roberts, Rooplal G, Richie Ram, bMobile Shiv Shakti Dance Crew, and
Elle Incorporated. The event will be aired live internationally via
provider Awdio.com in conjunction with Triniscene.com.

Bhangra music is a form of music and dance that originated in the
Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It began as a folk dance
conducted by Punjabi people to celebrate the coming of Vaisakhi, a
Punjabi festival. The specific moves reflect the manner in which
villagers farmed their land. Today, bhangra survives in different
forms and styles all over the globe, including pop music, film
soundtracks, and even collegiate competitions.

Patrice Roberts

Patrice Roberts is a young Trinidadian who is rapidly edging her name
among the elite in the music industry. Roberts has been the premier
soca artiste in the Caribbean for more than a decade and has
established herself as the leading draw at major events in New York
City, Miami, Toronto and London and throughout the Caribbean
diasporas. She is recognised as a leading performer in the soca music
genre and is highly regarded as a great songwriter.

Roberts began her career as early as 1992 at age 9. In 1995, she and
her panel of back-ups entered the Sangre Grande Junior Calypso
Monarch Competition, where she placed first. This earned her rave
reviews and standing ovations wherever she performed. In 2000, she
was named Toco personality winner. In 2001, Roberts copped the
National Junior calypso monarch, National Junior soca monarch and
National Library calypso monarch, which earned her a chance to
perform at the Junior Carnival in Miami. She also performed in
Barbados at the Crop over festival where she shared the stage with
the likes of Alison Hinds.

On July 13, 2003, Roberts performed at the Africa House in the United
States. On August 6 of the same year, she performed at KC Hideaway
and later on the 29 she performed at the Brooklyn Museum in the US.
On September 20, she performed at Super P's launching held at the
palace in the US; on September 28, she again performed at the Africa
House in the United States. In 2006, Roberts became the youngest
female artiste to win a road march with the song Band of the Year
which she jointly sang with Machel Montano. She has been described as
one of the best soca artistes in the Caribbean.
Some of her many hits include Love of my life, The Islands, Band of
the year, Light it up, Always Be, Sugar Boy, Till Tomorrow, Culture
and Wuking Up.

Rikki Jai

Rikki Jai was born Samraj Jaimungal, the fifth child in an East
Indian family of six in Friendship Village, San Fernando. Raised in
the Hindu faith by a mother who spoke Hindi, Jai discovered a love of
music and began performing with local Indian bands Triveni and Naya
Andaz. His calypso career began in 1989 on the Spektakula Forum stage
with a song by Gregory Ballantyne titled Sumintra. The song about an
East Indian woman who told her boyfriend about her preference for
soca over the Indian artiste Lata Mangeshkar became an instant hit.

Many other hits would follow including, Show me your motion (1990)
and Wine on a Bumsee (1993). After 1993 Jai began performing and
recording primarily in the chutney soca arena and hits such as
Doolahin, Rosie Bilna and Jarah Lagehla propelled him into the
international arena. Jai captured the Chutney Soca Monarch title in
1998/1999 and the National Chutney Monarch title in 1999/2000.

In 2001 he tied for first place (with Bunji Garlin) for the Young
Kings title and in 2002 for the fourth time in five years, Jai was
chosen Chutney Soca Monarch. He is currently represented by Question
Mark Entertainment, and is in high demand for his energetic and
charismatic performances all over the US, the UK and beyond. Jai
recently completed a tour of five cities in Germany (performing as
part of a contingent to promote T&T culture and to support the Soca
Warriors' effort), and has had his music attached to a new Bollywood
film project that releases worldwide for summer.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

A celebration of the mas
KEITH SMITH
Friday, November 20th 2009
http://www.thetobagonews.com/index.pl/article?id=25659802

"MAS MAN is several possible movies synthesised
into a description of three decades of visual
'synchronised wonderment. Â Dalton Narine deftly
integrates contextual commentary by Keith Smith,
Christopher Cozier, Meiling, Alwin Chow Lin On,
Alyson Brown, Martin Daly, Pat Bishop, David
Rudder, Pelham Goddard, Sheila Rampersad, Milla
Riggio and other cognoscenti of the culture and
arts of Trinidad and Tobago. Â

Mr. Narine's story telling is edifying and
gratifying from the opening sounds of Adesh
Samaroo's "Rajin Jeem Jeem Joom" to Allison
Hinds' "Roll it Gal' closing. MAS MAN is more
than David Rudder "Trini to the Bone"; it's about "all ah we".

Peter Minshall should agree with that opinion
given how his work is depicted in this movie."

The above is taken from the promotional blurb of
"Mas Man", a film by my friend Dalton Narine who
has long shared with me a love for the steelband
in general and "All Stars" (in his case) and the
long defunct "Hilanders" (in mine). It is not
that I am not an "All Stars" fans or he a
Hilander's. It is just that my pan immersion was
in Hilanders and his in All Stars_although, even
here the distinction cannot be so clinically
marked since both Dalton and I lived close to
Hilanders at one point which resulted in his
having a Hilanders loyalty even as I remain
steadfast in my appreciation of the great
steelband that All Stars continue to be.

As well as pan, Dalton and I share a lover for
mas. In my case that began with my playing a
variety of "sailor" mas with the Success Village,
Laventille, band, back then when village tailors
used to bring out their own sections while
keeping to the Bertie Marshall-mandated overall
theme of the band, a helicopter pilot mas I
played, complete with parachute, vivid in my memory to this day.

Hilanders folded and I gravitated to "Irvin
McWilliams," Port of Spain's so-called "black"
people band and when that , too, folded, I became
part of the Minshall merriment first as a
masquerader and then as the manager of the
Laventille Rhythm Section which was part of
"Minsh's" musical ensemble until he brought down
the curtain on his Carnival involvement, that
period being the second high point of my Carnival
career, the early Hilanders experience being the first.

What a time I had in Minshall. Imagine, if you
will, the euphoria I felt on Carnival Monday
afternoon, 1986, when David Rudder, crowned
calypso king the night before, invited me on the
"Charlie Roots" truck when in tandem with Chris
"Tambu" Herbert he delivered stunners such as
"The Hammer" and "Bahia Girl." the two day
extravaganza crowned with a Wrightson Road last
lap lagniappe that saw "Roots" playing ad
singing, as the evening sun went down, some o the
great kaiso hits of yesteryear Rudder, even at
the height of his own success, paying tributes to
the masters who came before him and whom he
acknowledged as the people who had "seeded " him.

What a collaboration that was _Minshall and
Roots! The latter responsible for the aural
orgasm (I can think of no better word) and the
former for the visual. And what visuals! Old-time
mas made modern magic in the hands of a man who,
just like Rudder with Kitchener, Lion, Executor,
Sparrow and the royal rest, understood and
appreciated his debt to the breakthrough mas men,
first and foremost the late and great George
Bailey, both the calypsonian and the designer,
reaching for their genre's future by seeking (and
finding!) nourishment in its roots.

As we now wallow through a dread time when "mas"
is made in China and the road march is a melange
of mostly North American pop, I stand forever
grateful to Dalton who persevered with what must
have been a daunting task, Trinidad and Tobago
not known as a country with a penchant for
preserving things not least in the Carnival
cavalcade which sees everything poised to be
thrown away as not just last year's but Carnival
Tuesday's costumes, Mr Narine knowing, more than
most, that it is by setting our creativity in the
"stone" of today's film technology that we can
show future generations all that used to be brilliant about us.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Soca parang Christmas tent a huge success
Peter Ray Blood
Published: 18 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/11/18/soca-parang-christmas-te\
nt-huge-success

It's definitely the next best thing to sliced Christmas ham. The
country's first parang soca tent opened its doors last week Wednesday
and what an exhilarating experience it's been. So much so I returned
for two consecutive nights to the Christmas Caravan Soca Parang Fiesta.

Open weekly at De Nu Pub in Woodbrook four nights a week (Wednesday
to Saturday), the venture is the brain child of southerners Joey
Rivers, Myron Bruce (Myron B) and Catherine Ashby. Popular comedian
Damion Melville, costumed as a hip-hop Santa Claus, is perfect in the
role of show emcee. With the programme opened by journalist/actor
Keino Swamber, this novel project boasts some of the country's top
entertainers of the Christmas season, including Crazy, Ninja, Poser,
Dee Diamond, Walter (Coro Coro) Taylor, Joseph Adams and Skatie. Also
on board are Eunice Peters, The Incredible Myron B, Oscar B, Brian
London, Hamidullah, Fireball, Jo-L, Jerry Howai, Errol Bailey,
Ronoman and newcomer Mr Thin Man. Comedians Errol Fabien, George
Gonzales, Clifford Learmond and Wendell Etienne complete the line-up.
Last week, Denyse Plummer, who has a scintillating medley of soca
parang ditties on the airwaves, promised to make the occasional cameo
appearance.

Embellishing the quality at the tent is a full-strength band, under
the musical direction of guitarist Joey Rivers, plus a trio of
competent female vocalists doing back-up. A must-see at the tent is
Mr Thin Man, whose infectious Put Down de Gun wins no fewer than
three encores per night. His song, which was actually released last
Christmas and which he claims no radio station plays, carries a
strong message to the bandits and gunmen.

On opening night, the show was graced by the presence of Trinbago
Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) president Eric Taylor (Pink
Panther) and a number of dignitaries. Tent manager Bruce said the
roving caravan would run for six weeks, initially based at De Nu Pub
but going to communities nationwide, including Arima, Palo Seco,
Maraval, Couva, St Mary's Village, Point Fortin and San Fernando. The
first four nights at the tent have attracted sold-out audiences, and
showtimes are 7.30 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 6 pm on
Fridays and Saturdays.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

lv carnival website
http://www.lvcarnival.com/

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Sweet Lime La Romaine launches Parang Fridays
Published: 17 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/11/17/sweet-lime-la-romaine-la\
unches-parang-fridays

Sweet Lime Restaurant, located on South Trunk Road, La Romaine, will
be launching its first annual Parang Contest. Nine competing Parang
groups come from all over Trinidad and will present their songs at
the eatery every Saturday, between November 21 and December 5. On
each weekend, three bands face off against each other, required to
perform 45 minutes each, in front of a live audience. Winners will be
determined by audience votes and the winning bands will return to
compete against each other in the semifinals on December 12-13.

The final will be held on December 19, with the winner receiving the
grand prize of $10,000. It's not just Sweet Lime South having all the
fun this yuletide season, though. Its northern sister restaurant is
presenting the best of parang every Friday evening, after work. Last
Friday's feature act was Love Bunch, and this Friday Los Hombres
Sexuales is billed to hold the spotlight at a special Carib/Red Bull
after-work promotions evening. Sweet Lime on Ariapita Avenue,
Woodbrook, is also hosting its monthly Wine & Jazz evening, tomorrow
at 7 pm, featuring Marcus Steel and Francis Prime.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Chalkdust: Money well spent
by Juhel Browne jbrowne@...
Tuesday, November 17th 2009
   http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161558738

   Calypso icon Horace 'Chalkdust' Liverpool says what he has seen of
the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) so far was money
'well spent' with a lot of space for steelbands .

Liverpool, who will be one of the tutors teaching calypso at NAPA,
said 'it (the building) wouldn't assist the calypso art form in any
way. It will assist the calypso art form if we have classes and
training programme'.

He was speaking to reporters who had just completed a tour of the
NAPA facility facilitated by the Urban Development Corporation of
Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).

Liverpool was there doing sound checks in preparation for a
production arranged by the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT),
which is scheduled to take place at the NAPA concert hall this evening.

He said that UTT, which will be managing the classrooms and two
multi-functional rooms that can double as small theatres which have
capacities 300 and 175 seats respectively, is now working 'on
training programmes in calypso and carnival.'

'We are now writing the courses and we are now validating them. I am
sure that by next year those courses are going to start...We have a
thing called Caribbean music. We are having degrees in Carnival arts
so that persons can get their masters programme in Carnival arts,'
Liverpool said.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Expectant with child and joy..Destra Garcia
Laura Dowrich-Phillips
Published: 15 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/woman-magazine/2009/11/15/expectant-child-and-joy

For the first time since she picked up a
microphone at the age of ten, Destra Garcia will
not be actively involved in Carnival activities.
The heavily pregnant singer has decided to stay
out of the festivities of next Carnival as she
prepares to give birth to her first child, due in
January—the height of the season.
It’s going to be torture, she acknowledged, but
her main focus these days is her unborn child.

“At this point I am not ready to make the child
yet but I can’t fathom performing the way I am
accustomed. If I can’t do it 100 per cent I can’t
do it at all, I will get frustrated,” she said.
Though she won’t be on stage, at least before her
baby is born, Garcia has already released her
offerings for 2010, a pan song and her party tune
called Fireworks. Asked if that is her Road March
contender, Garcia replied: “We don’t make Road
March contenders, we make bad tunes.” After
missing out on the Road March title twice with Is
Carnival and Bacchanal, Garcia said it’s always a
disappointment and she prefers not to focus on
that again. Ensuring she has songs out there is
important for her career however, especially
since she won’t be in the fetes to promote them.

Her band members, she said, are free to do what
they want but after Carnival, the band will
resume performing as usual. In the meantime, the
singer will spend her Christmas preparing for the
arrival of the baby, whose sex she is not going
to reveal. She is renovating her home to make
room for the baby and any other future baby. Oh
yes, Garcia has plans for another child. “In
about two to three years I will go again. I grew
up with a lot of siblings so I don’t want one
child, I know what its like to have siblings. I
am definitely going back,” said Garcia, the
eldest of four children. If nothing else,
pregnancy has made her a very happy person. She
laughs often, sometimes for no obvious reason.

“I can’t stop smiling, I am almost giddy,” she
said, thankful that she hasn’t experienced the
nausea and morning sickness that her mother
experienced with all of her pregnancies. “When I
found out I was pregnant, I was waiting but
nothing happened,” she said, rattling off the
things she hasn’t enjoyed such as the swollen
hands and feet, her spreading nose and the baby’s
vigorous movements. “I feel like I have a snake
in my stomach. I’ll be having a conversation and
the baby will just pop out on one side. I sing
Bacchanal and I making a bacchanal in my belly.”
Garcia said she has always wanted children and as
a young girl, envisioned herself with three—two
boys and a girl. She fully intends to continue
performing while she nutures her young family,
stating that children will not determine when she steps out of the spotlight.

“The day will come when I won’t be active in the
fetes but it won’t be because of the children. I
don’t let other people influence changes in my
life,” said Garcia, staying true to her
headstrong Scorpio nature (she celebrated her
birthday on Tuesday). She won’t let other
people’s opinion of her decision to have a child
outside of wedlock force her into marriage
either. “Not while I am pregnant, I want to look
fierce,” she said, laughing. “I always wanted to
have children and get married and as I got older
and more career oriented, marriage took a back seat.”

Stating that a child should not be the reason for
marriage, Garcia said she and her boyfriend Brian
Morris, who is also her manager, have been so
focused on developing her career that they are
now getting used to the idea of family life and the concept of marriage.
“Role models model what to aspire to. They
consider me a role model because I worked hard
and I acquired a lot in my career not because I
had a child out of wedlock. That doesn’t change
what I have achieved nor is it a stumbling block
to what I will achieve,” she said.

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Legacy, Genesis in deals to win masqueraders
Sean Nero
Published: 15 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/11/15/legacy-genesis-deals-win\
-masqueraders

The global financial crisis is causing a re-think of how to do
business, and local entrepreneurs are not being left out. Bands like
Legacy and Genesis are finding new ways to transact business. And it
is very creative as evidenced just over two weeks ago when mas' band
Genesis International announced an alliance with the Chancellor Hotel
in St Ann's, Port-of-Spain.

Under that arrangement guests can save big when they buy hotel
packages that include playing mas with the band. The Desert is the
Genesis portrayal for the Carnival 2010 Parade of Bands competition.
Now comes news that rival band, Legacy, has struck an arrangement
with Win Communications with its pretty mas' presentation, Masala.
This was confirmed at a media conference held at Crobar on Ariapita
Avenue on November 6. The tie-up is expected to boost the bands
through recently-planned Carnival programming on television and radio
frequencies.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

TUCO supports PM
Saturday, November 14 2009
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

ERIC TAYLOR, president of Trinbago Unified
Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) is in support of
Government’s decision to ban promoters from using
sporting facilities for Carnival fetes and cultural shows.

He also supports Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s
call for the promoters to construct their own venue to host their shows.

Taylor said as a country, if we want to progress
in culture and sports then if a venue should be
used for both sports and culture, proper
arrangements must be put in place at the end of
the event “so the sporting facility is not taken
back to repair work — you have to be fair. One
cannot eat their cake and have it.”

He said the Government cannot be accused
justifiably of doing nothing for culture since
artistes could see their involvement with the
opening of the Port-of-Spain Academy for the
Performing Arts which was opened on Monday.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Fun and revelry on Socaparang Cruise
Published: 13 Nov 2009
  
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/11/13/fun-and-revelry-socapara\
ng-cruise

Part of the massive crowd enjoys Scrunter’s
performance. Photo: Courtesy TriniScene.com
Hundreds came out last Saturday night for the
annual Yorke Inc Socaparang Cruise, aboard the MV
Treasure Queen. Featuring undisputed parang soca
king Scrunter, the massive crowd danced the night
away to supporting acts, like Grenadian soca
artiste Nnika, former Byron Lee & the Dragonaires
frontman Oscar B, and DJs CG and DJ Darryl.

It was CG and DJ Darryl who started the ball
rolling at exactly midnight, providing a wide
variety of music to the delight of the crowd.
They ushered on Nnika, performing her 2009 soca
hit single—Sweet Sugar Stick—and the versatile
Oscar B, who thrilled the crowd with some of his
major hits, including Butterfly and Tatti Dance.
The Tobago artiste also showed his versatility in
rendering smash hit She’s Royal.

But the biggest thrill came from the man of the
moment Scrunter, who belted out both big soca
tunes—like Judith, Oil in de Coil, Jumbie—and
parang soca hits like Home Made Wine, She Gone
Parang, Anita and more, which had the crowd
jumping, dancing and having great fun till the wee hours of the morning.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Revellers hosts festive viewing
Sean Nero
Published: 13 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/11/13/revellers-hosts-festive-viewing

Mas band Trini Revellers is using the Christmas season, now upon us,
to get masqueraders in the Carnival mode. Last Friday, the former
Band of the Year winner (large) employed the services of parang group
Los Cantos de Amor to give diehard and perspective masqueraders some
yuletide cheer, while they viewed creations from its portrayal,
Festivals of the World. The weekend shindig was one of many events on
Trini Revellers' activity calendar for the coming fortnight.
Bandleader David Cameron said the events would serve to further
promote the costumes in the band. Cameron said although Trini
Revellers is registered as a large band, the outfit was intent on
staying manageable.

Its target is 2,500 masqueraders. During this year's national
festival, the band had 100 more. Despite the lucrative opportunities
associated with expanding the band's size, Cameron said: "We're
looking to trim down. The infrastructure on the road is unmanageable.
When you get to Adam Smith Square, it's the worst. People converge
into the road because the pavement has vendors. "Piccadilly Street,
East Dry River, is no problem. The Savannah is okay, but downtown is
problems. We have to address that with the Mayor (Murchison Brown)."

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Agitation celebrates 60 years of laughs

Carol Quash
Published: 13 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/11/13/agitation-celebrates-60-years-laughs
 

Ramjattan Ramdeen also known
as John Agitation.


It is good when people can acknowledge the good you did posthumously. But it is even better when they can do so while you are still alive, as was the case with stand-up comedian John Agitation (Ramjattan Ramdeen), who was publicly honored on November 8 by members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul of T&T. “Well papa,” the auditorium at the La Joya complex in St Joseph was packed with young and not-so-young patrons, as they sang along and tapped their feet to the performances of the top-of-the line artistes paying tribute to Agitation’s 60 years of service in the business of relieving stress. Special mention was made to his unforgettable impression of the late Dr Eric Williams.

A wide range of tributes were paid, from dance performances by Ian Baptiste and bMobile Shiv Shakti Dance Group, to parang by the Brazil RC children’s band, Chris Morris and Amber; from calypso by Contender, William Bannister of the Klassic Ruso tent and the Mighty Shadow, to traditional ballads by the Golden Voices Choir and members of the Lydian Singers. And when the man himself, described as “the last of the s... talkers” took to the stage, it was chaos in La Joya. At 83, Agitation described himself as a “senior senior citizen” but did not miss a beat. He was, however, mindful of the spiritual background of the organisers of the programme and kept his tall tales clean. He even went so far as to use biblical verse and scripture to add to his humour. When Agitation left the stage, it was with the satisfaction that he had done what he does best­made his audience forget their problems, even if for a brief moment. Tournay!

Ma$tamind Christmas keeps getting better and better
Published: 13 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/11/13/matamind-christmas-keeps-getting-\
better-and-better

Even before that mouth watering aroma of ham and cloves can tantalise
your nostrils, and before the first speck of hidden dust is teased
out of darkened corners, there is one Christmas tradition that truly
signals it is really that time of year once again. It is when you can
turn on your radio, or click play on your mp3 player and fill your
musical space with the sounds of the season, like Da Ma$tamind and
his melodious family serenading you with unforgettable and
irresistible Parang Parang! A
Ma$tamind Christmas 4, once again invites you to not just to sing
along but to celebrate the joy of family and friends this season.

This album will make you laugh, shake old memories loose and
thoroughly enjoy every moment of this beloved holiday. This year,
Ma$tamind Productions has been blessed to once again work with long
time much-loved "family" members like Third Bass, Val, Naki, Eddie
Charles, Simple Dread, Merc, and Peter De Royce. As a special treat,
also added to the cast of singers for this 4th edition is the
reigning Soca Monarch and Road March King of St Martin, T-MO.

In addition, the album can boast of having the honour of welcoming
back true parang soca royalty in the voices of the one and only Crazy
together with the incomparable Leon Coldero. But the musical majesty
and surprises do not stop there, since, for the very first time, Mr
Soca Parang himself, Poser, who has had all of us taking a drink of
this and a drink of that over the years, is also featured on A
Ma$tamind Christmas 4. This compilation is guaranteed to put a smile
on your face and to get your Christmas season started on a joyous
path. One cannot help but feel the peace and harmony that fills the
air this time of year, as the songs play.

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

PM shocks promoters
By Joan Rampersad Friday, November 13 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/news/0,110834.html

SHOW PROMOTERS reacted with shock yesterday at Prime Minister Patrick
Manning's call for them to build their own facilities to host
cultural events rather than use sporting facilities for fetes and shows.

Manning made the call to promoters while speaking to reporters on a
walk about in his San Fernando East constituency on Wednesday. This
comes as the Ministry of Sports has banned cultural shows from all
sporting facilities including the Hasely Crawford Stadium and Jean
Pierre Sports Complex.

Promoter Randy Glasgow yesterday said: "The PM's statement shocked me
because a couple years ago, William Munro, the Caribbean Prestige
Foundation chairman and I, went to him with a plan for a 12,000
capacity facility and he told us there was no need to build because
the government is building a facility already."

Glasgow said all they wanted from the Government was land and they
would have constructed the facility. "Culture and sports are the
backbone of any country and it is counter productive to have sporting
facilities non active for much of the year," Glasgow said.

Another promoter Frank Martineau said Manning's statement left him in
a state of disbelief. Asked about his Divas in Concert show Martineau
said: "I'm still of the view that an audience with the Prime Minister
can convince him to reverse the sporting policy decision."

Gregory Fernandez who quit as CPF executive president amidst the
furor over the move to ban cultural events from sporting facilities,
issued a 16-point release to the media yesterday accusing the PM and
Sports Minister of attempting to pit sportsmen and artistes against
each other.

"The issue of venues for culture is not about 'fetes' or 'promoters',
it is about the culture and traditions of the people. The events held
in these and other venues are part of an international brand of
Trinidad and Tobago and part of the billions the country earns from
Carnival and culture," said Fernandez.

He also claimed that a National Cultural Policy was drafted by
persons within the industry and then the Director of Culture more
than a year and a half ago, to deal with this and a host of other
culturally sensitive issues. "This draft policy was supposed to go
for immediate national consultation. It has disappeared inside the
ministry since then," said Fernandez, adding that this policy would
address solutions for culture problems and would address the needs
for all the activities by stakeholders including large events. "We
are calling on the government to release the draft national cultural
policy for immediate public consultation so that we can solve some of
the problems being faced by the artistes and cultural communities of
TT," Fernandez stated.

Munro, chairman of CPF, promoters of the International Soca Monarch
competition stated that every year they hear of problems with venues
but the government has always co-operated with and assisted them in the past.

Asked about the meeting with the PM which Glasgow referred to, Munro
stated that he couldn't remember it but admitted to having such talks
with Glasgow. Asked where the Soca Monarch will be held next year,
Munro said: "If they want it, they will allow it to go on. There are
only two places that can accommodate the show. The Queen's Park Oval
and National Stadium. If neither is available, the event will not go on."

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Dick-Forde: Academy not for fetes
Friday, November 13 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/politics/0,110851.html

THE Port-of-Spain Academy for the Performing Arts might not have been
designed to hold Carnival fetes but it can host different types of
cultural events.

This was Planning, Housing and Environment Minister Dr Emily Gaynor
Dick-Forde's response to promoters, one day after Prime Minister
Patrick Manning said they should build their own venues if they did
not respect the Sports Ministry's decision to ban the staging of
cultural shows and Carnival fetes at sports facilities.

Dick-Forde was addressing yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at
the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.

She asked whether some people felt the academy should have been built
to hold Carnival fetes.

The minister supported Manning's position that the academy did in
fact possess smaller spaces to hold more intimate events such as
theatre productions.

"Those facilities are in the college part of the academy.

All that was showcased on Monday (when the academy opened) was the
broader theatre," she said. Dick-Forde added that the University of
Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) will hold a press conference about these facilities.

Dick-Forde said the maintenance contract for the academy is not yet
finalised and the contractor, Shanghai Construction Group, will pass
on the specific data about the facility to whoever is charged with
this responsibility.

She said Cabinet agreed that UTT would oversee this aspect but would
not be directly involved in the academy's maintenance.

After saying measures would be examined to ensure the safety of
patrons attending shows at the academy, Works and Transport Minister
Colm Imbert said the construction of the Customs and Excise Building
on Wrightson Road is at least one year overdue.

"My understanding is that there is some dispute between Udecott and
the contractor (NH International)," Imbert said.

Dick Forde had no comment to make on a housing project in Valsayn
which involved a company owned by late contractor Hafeez Karamath.

"That is Karamath family business," she said.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Parang in Maraval tomorrow
By SEETA PERSAD Friday, November 13 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/features/0,110878.html

IT IS compulsory for all ten parang bands in this year's competition
to participate in this weekend's show which takes place at the
Maraval Basketball Court tomorrow from 8 pm.

President of the National Parang Association of TT (NPATT), Neil
Marcano said the season is unfolding nicely this year as all the
bands have already been given the opportunity to perform.

"Due to the late start last year, many of the bands complained of the
lack of opportunity to showcase their new song. This year each band
performed more than four times already," he said.

Reigning Parang Champion Los Alumnos De San Juan will be on stage
tomorrow along with Los Paranderos De UWI and Los Pastores Amantes,
Los Tocadores, Sabor Del Caribe and Amona Y Amigos and Friends,
Sancouche, Rio Suave and Voces De Promesa.

Sancouche, one of the bands performing tomorrow, was formed in 1991
to perform at the Carifesta Community Festival in the Point Fortin region.

According to Richard Lee, lead guitarist and musical director of
Sancouche, the band's name is a true representation as the repertoire
consists of varied music.

"The style of music played is not the traditional style of parang
bands as it infuses the different influences of our cultures," he said.

"We have however not thrown out the traditional parang. Tunes such as
castillian and joropos are top on our list of songs," Lee said.

Members include Anthony Peter Lee (lead cuatro player), Mitra
Lacaille (rhythm guitar), John McGuire (rhythm guitar), Andre
Guevarro (rhythm cuatro), Ronald McIntosh (box bass), and Lorna Dyer
(percussion). Lisa Lee is the lead vocalist with Delissa Solomon and
Malika Burkeas vocalists. Darren J Dyer is the manager of the band.

Lee said the band performs at venues throughout TT at private and
public functions.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Kelwyn and Gene at Satchmo's
Friday, November 13 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/features/0,110877.html

TOMORROW, Satchmo's on Ariapita Avenue is where lovers of Christmas
music will want to be as crooner Kelwyn Hutcheon does his thing
accompanied by the Felix Roach Trio.

Special guest artiste for the evening is celebrated guitarist and
recent sitarist, Gene Lawrence.

During the first half of the programme, Hutcheon is expected to sing
some of his favourite classic love ballads, before introducing
Lawrence to entertain patrons.

Hutcheon will also team up with Lawrence to do a medley of three
bossa nova numbers, all from Antonio Carlos Jobim, which he is
gleefully looking forward to.

Towards the end of the concert, Hutcheon will sing about four
Christmas songs with the intention of getting the crowd to join him
in singing his signature song, "Kiss me for Christmas".

He told Newsday: "Everybody should know the words by now!"

Patrons can enjoy a three-course dinner plus a glass of wine, or just
take in the show. Reservations may be made by calling Satchmo's at
622-2629 or 622-6683.

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Joyce Productions cordially invites you to the "THANK YOU FETE"
Sunday, November 15, 2009 5:30-until inside of The Townhouse 6835 La
Tijera off Centinela.

Joyce wants to show her gratitude to all of YOU for supporting all of
her 2009 events: Recession Fetes 1, 2 & 3, the Annual L.A. Carnival
Showdown and special thanks to all the "WE ARE ALL ONE" masqueraders
& everyone else who helped with Joyce Prods winning Largest Band of
L.A. Carnival 2009!


Admission: FREE

Food: COMPLIMENTARY


GOOD MUSIC! GOOD FUN! GOOD TIMES! COME HAVE A TIME WITH JOYCE PRODUCTIONS!


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Calypso boss wants casts at tents cut
Sean Nero
Published: 12 Nov 2009
Sean Nero
http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/11/12/calypso-boss-wants-casts-tents-cut

President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian
Organisation (Tuco) Eric Taylor (Pink Panther),
is pushing for the exhorbitant casts at calypso
tents to be slashed as part of a series of
measures to overhaul operations at tents if they were to be viable.

He said entertainers with weak material must be
honest and step aside for the best bards to be
heard by talent scouts to ensure more enjoyable
productions were staged. He said the tradition of
having 30-plus calypsonians performing on one
night was impractical and that, along with false
encores, must be stopped. Taylor said tents
managers and entertainers alike continued to
offer the same products in the same packaging,
claimed that it was new and expected consumers to
buy them. He said there have been too many
advances in entertainment and production for
calypsonians to still bring presentations that
bordered on the historic and, worst of all,
predictable. Taylor believes that calypsonians
need to work with image consultants while tent
managers leap into the modern world of event
management, which will address the issues
relating to poor time management and other misgivings at shows.

He said he already has communicated his position
for Carnival 2010 to several tent promoters who
have been hard-hit by a lack of sponsorship and
dwindling patronage over the past decade, all
directly linked to poor management. He cited a
sharp increase in tent attendance this year but
said promoters were far from turning around the
industry. At present Tuco operates six tents
across the country, which are dependant on
taypayers to open their doors. Kaiso House, in
Port-of-Spain, is managed by Tuco while the north
zone executive promotes Klassic Ruso, which is
also in the city. Kaiso Karavan is produced by
the eastern region. In San Fernando, Kaiso
Showcase is managed by the executive of that
region. The Tobago arm of Tuco promotes
Magnificent Glow and Super Liner tents. Taylor
said he communicated his position to Michael
Osuna (Sugar Aloes), but was yet to meet with
Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro), who operates The Icons
Calypso Tent. No such overtures have been made to
the lone all-female Divas Calypso Cabaret International.

He added: “Our emphasis is going to be on the
programmes in the tent. Tents must be closed by
11.30 pm. That means shows must start on time.
The cast must be cut. As calypsonians, we must
have the maturity to know and say our songs are
not the best. “We don’t want to bore people with
long drawn-out programming. The customer is
always right. For too long we have been caught up
in our own little world and have not been
concerned about our stakeholders—the customers,”
he added. But Rudolph Ottley, manager of Divas
Calypso Cabaret International is not impressed by Taylor’s remarks.

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

New soca track from Shurwayne
Thursday, November 12 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/features/0,110812.html

Shurwayne Winchester...ONE OF TT’s hottest soca
stars is ready, and set to take the streets by storm.

“Lonely Road” another SWLimited masterpiece from
Shurwayne Winchester and the band YOU hits
www.shurwaynewinchester.com exclusively for green
card members first, this week — then the track
takes the airwaves, mere moments after.

Already released are “Murdah”, the J’ouvert
chipper, “Chippin” alongside Prestan and “Gyal
Wine Up” alongside Jamaican dancehall artistes, RDX.

Earlier this week, Shawn “Mastermind” Noel,
producer and vocalist with YOU submitted his 2010
offering, “Whole lot of girls.” This too, is a
sign of things to come in the season.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Kalicharans launch C2k10 mas at Sting
Published: 12 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/11/12/kalicharans-launch-c2k10-mas-stin\
g

   A fabulous time was had by all who attended the launch of Ivan and
Wendy Kalicharan's C2K10 presentation of Outta D' Rainforest, at
Sting Night Club, La Romaine, on October 24. The talented husband and
wife team has been producing mas in San Fernando for the past 26
years and has won the coveted Band of the Year title on 15 occasions.

Based on reports from those who attended the launch, it seems that
the Kalicharans are well on their way to winning number 16. They won
the title last year with their presentation titled Spectrum of the
Sea. Some of the sections this year are Morpho Butterfly, Gerbera
Flower, Poison Ivy, Oil Spill, Macaw, D' Leopard and Trio Tribe.

Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Soca shakedown

HD Family: No Machel, No Problem!
Aba A Luke
Published: 12 Nov 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/sports/entertainment/2009/11/12/soca-shakedown
 

FROM TOP LEFT: Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts, Zan and Umi Marcano.


Patrice Roberts is the boss, Farmer Nappy, the veteran, Zan, the cool operator and Umi Marcano is definitely the dancer-boy. The foursome are the HD Family­not HD mind you, as that title’s reserved for Machel Montano, the man who’s ruled the soca game for more than ten years. Going into 2010, Montano has opted to focus on other things, leaving his team to travel their own journey, even amid whispers of doubt and uncertainty. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase our talent and we’re taking every minute of it,” says Roberts. They’re a close-knit bunch. At Xtatic Ltd in Port-of-Spain, they met with the Guardian and with ease, they completed each other’s sentences, joked about shared moments at photo shoots and rehearsals and shed light on what they’ll be doing in 2010. “This is not the first time Machel has left the band. In 2002, when he got the recording contract with Delicious Vinyl Records, he had to leave Xtatic, and at that time, it was a risk,” says Farmer.

They don’t see what many in the entertainment industry have been chattering about­the risk of the band losing its following because Montano won’t be the headline act for Carnival next year. In fact, Patrice says she thinks it’s a strategy. “You know Machel always tries to re-invent himself.” The new boss, as the guys call her, explains that Machel will be back and forth and he will be around, just not centre-stage. They agree that this new outfit will be a little different for the people to absorb, but they are confident that they will serve their purpose well. Already, 24-year-old, Patrice Roberts has hits for 2010 and on her heels are her cohorts, Umi, Zan and Farmer. Marcano’s track, In Front Of Meh, has set a standard going into 2010 that many may find difficult to outdo, while Farmer has a collaborative track with Kerwin DuBois that is set to come to the fore soon. The members of the HD Family know that Machel’s presence on any stage creates a stir, so with that in mind, Patrice says, “we’ll be re-inventing ourselves individually, we’ll be creating great hits.”

She says Zan will be changing course a little, testing the waters in the power soca category, while Umi too, will be increasing his momentum. The band is not a soca band. “We all have individual strengths. We’ve done techno and other types of music. Our ambition as a band isn’t to do soca only,” says Zan. Farmer Nappy, the veteran, has been in the local entertainment industry for many years. At the age of 13, he sang onstage with David Rudder and Charlie’s Roots and he has been alongside Machel from the days of Xtatic to now. His role in the band is that of guiding, as he notes: “people have been asking how it is I am not the leader, since I have been with the band for so long. I just want to say, I am a team player and I recognise that Patrice has more hits than me, but it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t come to me to ask my opinion. At the end of the day, we are one family.”

They say this move by Machel was premeditated. They say he’d spoken of it on many occasions. Now, given the opportunity, they are determined to succeed and, even with their leader in the backseat of the bus, they guarantee that their journey in 2010 will be no less sensational.

CEO of Caribbean Prestige Foundation quits
Wayne Bowman wayne.bowman@...
Thursday, November 12th 2009
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161556299

   Gregory Fernandes has resigned as CEO of Caribbean Prestige
Foundation (CPF), producer of the International Soca Monarch, Groovy
Soca Monarch and Schools Soca Monarch competitions.

Fernandes handed in his resignation yesterday after the foundation's
administrative assistant, Karena Sukhu, issued a release distancing
the CPF from statements made by Fernandes at a news conference on
Tuesday on the banning of cultural events at the Hasely Crawford
Stadium and Jean Pierre Complex by Sport Minister Gary Hunt.

Fernandes has called on the Government to reverse its policy on use
of the Stadium and Complex because there is nowhere else to hold
large events during Carnival or outside the season.

He has also criticised the new Academy for the Performing Arts,
saying it will not solve the problem of a lack of venues for shows.
(See Page 4)

The CPF release stated that the foundation did not host the news
conference hosted by Fernandes as CEO of CPF at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel, where promoters and artistes protested the lack of venues.

The release praised the Government for its support of culture and
ideology of Vision 2020.

'Caribbean Prestige Foundation did not host the media conference held
at Crowne Plaza on Tuesday, November 10, and the appeals and opinions
expressed misrepresented the foundation's stance.

'Trinidad and Tobago's social, economic and cultural growth are
bursting at the seams. If a young person, indeed, anyone who wishes
to pursue their development in almost any field of endeavour, there
is a comparable programme that can be pursued,' the release stated.

The release added that the reason thousands of people are turned away
at the gates of shows such as the Soca Monarch is because of the
shortness of preparation time for the venue.

It said there are challenges in identifying venues for large-scale
shows, but the foundation is confident that the Government will
assist in finding a solution for the 2010 edition of the
International Soca Monarch final.

Fernandes said yesterday: 'If they say there is no issue and that
there are no problems as far as venues for shows are concerned, then
I am out of there. We have all been frustrated over the lack of
proper venues for our shows for years and had decided to make yet
another appeal for a solution.

'I have been with Caribbean Prestige since the beginning when
(William) Munro and I started the Soca Monarch. This is not the end
of me and the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.'


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
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'A man of great vision' 'Almanac' laid to rest
Rohandra John
Thursday, November 12th 2009
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161556269

Calypsonian Morrel 'Luta' Peters said yesterday he was not satisfied
with the level of care his fellow calypsonian, Anthony 'Almanac'
Francis, received when he went to the Port of Spain General Hospital
(PoSGH) for medical attention after falling ill last month.

Peters made the comment at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
on Independence Square, Port of Spain, yesterday, moments after he
attended a funeral service for Francis.

Peters told the Express his friend was not treated properly while at
the hospital and this 'bothered' him.

'Up to the time of his ( Francis's) death, they had not yet completed
his diagnosis... what they were saying was that he should come back
to do a scan as an outpatient, but the scan never took place, so up
to the time of his demise, they were not sure what (the problem) was.

'They even wanted to discharge him at one point, even though he was
weak and lived alone and had no one to go home to,' Peters said.

Peters said he was the one who transported Francis to the hospital
when he started feeling unwell on October 26. He passed away on
November 6 while warded at the PoSGH.

He said he visited Francis regularly while he was at hospital, along
with fellow friend and calypsonian Errol 'Bally' Ballantyne.

Peters, who had earlier addressed mourners, fought back tears as he
reminisced about the times he shared with Francis.

Ballantyne told the Express yesterday a post-mortem conducted on
Francis revealed he had pancreatic cancer.

He said the doctor dealing with Francis's case had suspected he had
some form of cancer and a second test was to be done to confirm his
condition. But the test never came off because 'the machine to do the
test had broken down or something of that sort'.

'He passed away and never had the test. But I am not blaming the
nurses at the hospital, but the inadequacies at the hospital. They
have to work with the limited resources they have. The doctor was,
however, very professional,' Ballantyne said.

Members of the calypso fraternity yesterday turned out in their
numbers to pay their last respects to Francis, who was praised for
his contribution to the calypso art form.

Dr Hollis 'Chalkdust' Liverpool, who also addressed mourners, said
even though Francis was visually impaired, he was a man with 'great
vision' and knowledge.

Visually impaired ex-tempo king Lingo also paid tribute to Francis in
song, and credited him with laying down the foundation for artistes
like himself. 'He was like a father to me,' Lingo said.

Francis's signature tune, 'Build a Better World', blasted from
speakers following the service at the church yesterday.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html

Almanac's funeral today
Wednesday, November 11 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/news/0,110703.html

VETERAN calypsonian Anthony Francis, more popularly known as Almanac,
who passed away on Friday last, will be laid to rest today at the
Woodbrook Cemetery, Mucurapo Road, Mucurapo, following a funeral
service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Independence Square.

There will be a viewing at the Cathedral from 12.30 pm.

Francis was a foundation member of the North Zone of the Trinbago
Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) and a cast member of the
Klassic Ruso Calypso Tent.

During his 46-year career as a calypsonian, he performed in many
Calypso tents and was committed to the art-form, TUCO said yesterday.

"As a composer he was always on the job and penned hundreds of
calypsos on a vast range of topics. Despite being visually impaired,
it didn't deter him from being present at most cultural functions and
calypso shows. As an elder in the Calypso world, he provided good
support for his peers as well as being a mentor for the younger artistes.

"Almanac will be remembered through his music and his physical
presence will be missed at every Calypso show,"TUCO said as it
extended condolences to Francis' family and friends.


Roj (Roger James)

The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:  http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week: http://tnttimes.com/golive
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs: http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html