Credit: Machel Montano HD.com

Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters will not provide funding for the National Chutney Foundation’s (NCFTT) National Carnival Chutney Soca Competition (NCCSC) in San Fernando. Peters said he had no intention of backing a rival competition to the National Chutney Soca Monarch Competition, hosted by Southex Promotions. The minister said he was instrumental in having the event moved to Port-of-Spain with the hope the show would expand. Former San Fernando mayor and committee member of the NCFTT, Ian Atherly, said at a media conference last week Wednesday he had hoped to discuss funding for the South event with Peters. However, addressing the media during his visit to steelbands and mas camps in San Fernando on Tuesday night, Peters said: “I am not going to fund that.”

Peters said Caribbean Airlines was bringing hundreds of visitors into T&T and he wanted the show to capture that audience which could contribute to the economy. He added: “So why should we now fund this new show with people who want to have a parallel competition? “I mean that is craziness. We are trying to encourage and people are not understanding that. I, as minister with the responsibility for culture, have the whole of Trinidad and Tobago to think about. “I just cannot think about one person’s interest or two persons’ interest. “We are encouraging Soca Monarch and Chutney Soca Monarch to expand. These are the two biggest events for Carnival and if you expand them the benefit would be for the country.”

Peters added that nothing was being taken away from the people of south Trinidad and saw no wrong with the competition being relocated to Port-of-Spain. He said he was instrumental in having the Chutney Soca Monarch moved to Port-of-Spain and there was a reason for that. He explained: “When you look at it in San Fernando, every year you see the same people. That is because it has outgrown Skinner Park and we need expansion. “If it is that in San Fernando you have Chutney Soca Monarch and it is not expanding and the people are going to Port-of-Spain with it, we have buses that are going to bring people from San Fernando to Port-of-Spain,” Peters added.

Credit: Trinidad Guardian

CaribPR Wire, Tues. Feb. 1, 2012: As if winning the Caribbean T20 tournament as part of the championship Trinidad and Tobago “Red Force” cricket team and being member of a star-studded Sydney Sixers squad that went onto win this year’s glittering Australian Big Bash title, much to the delight of his millions of fans and followers worldwide wasn’t enough, the energetic, high-profile West Indian international cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, hasn’t simply been sitting back relaxing during a rare few days off in his hectic schedule.

Instead, accompanied by his agent and close friend, Grammy-award winning international superstar Beenie Man, the charismatic Bravo has been back in the studio, busy recording a hit new single which was released late Monday evening via Trinidad’s leading stations, Slam 100.5FM and Synergy TV, causing a media and fan frenzy over the catchy new track.

But Bravo, nicknamed the “Caribbean Powerhouse,” hasn’t stopped there. The exciting new Dwayne Bravo Surprise-A-Super-Fan initiative is also becoming an enormous hit with his supporters around the world after Bravo and his team decided to show his deep appreciation for his global fan base by surprising unsuspecting “Dwayne Bravo Super Fans,” nominated for a Bravo Surprise Visit by their friends and family. The sporting celebrity stated that he wants to use the “Surprise-A-Super-Fan” initiative to “inspire” people to reach for the same goals he has worked towards all his life, and to give something back to his fans for their years of unwavering support.

His management team have also put into place a carefully constructed social media campaign ahead of his much-anticipated official website launch, with the Brand Bravo campaign set to include exciting competition giveaways from sponsors, signed memorabilia from Bravo himself and ongoing updates on the sporting megastar’s cricketing successes and his forthcoming commercial projects, including an exclusive new clothing line set to launch in 2012.

Despite a hectic schedule and a multitude of ventures being developed under the shining star of Brand Bravo, the gifted 28 year-old cricketing all-rounder remains humble, down-to-earth and certain about one thing: cricket remains his greatest priority and biggest love; his determination to get back into the West Indies uniform being his most crucial focus.
The hit new single by Dwayne Bravo and Beenie Man, “Bad Man Soca,” is out now! Listen to the tune for your chance to win exclusive, autographed memorabilia via Dwayne Bravo’s official Twitter and Facebook pages. Sponsors, advertisers, media, international leagues and tournaments seeking partnerships with Bravo are urged to contact his Agent, Emma Everett via: agent@officialdwaynebravo.com

Credit: Barbados Gazette

Toronto based Sound Crew – D’ENFORCAS have become the newest members of World Famous DJ Family – THE HEAVY HITTERS lead by the legendary DJ ENUFF (Notorious B.I.G’s DJ) out of New York.

SINCE ITS FOUNDING 10 YEARS AGO, the Heavy Hitters have quietly become the most influential and relevant tastemakers in urban lifestyle today. Its New York based founders, DJ Enuff and the late DJ Threat, envisioned a DJ collective whose sole purpose was to play great music while empowering the equally great DJs who also spin the same great music.

The DJ family includes the likes of DJ Camilo from HOT 97 NY, DJ Prostyle from Bad Boy Ent. and BET, Kayne West, DJ Felli Fel, Beverly Bond, the late Roc Radia, DJ Timbuck 2 and more. The Heavy Hitters are a trusted name, and one that took years to make.

The Heavy Hitter brand is synonymous with quality, success, and what’s cool, as well as talent. And it’s this talent that is the cornerstone and truly the hallmark of each individual Heavy Hitter: CEO DJ Enuff must be of the opinion that he or she is among the best at what they do before they can call themselves a Heavy Hitter.

D’ENFORCAS are the first DJs in Canada and the first SOCA DJs in the world to be asked to join the Heavy Hitters Family and can be heard every Saturday from Midnight to 1am on 100.7 CHIN FM.

For more info: www.DENFORCAS.com or www.HEAVYHITTERDJS.com/v1/

Credit: D Enforcas

Here are the finalists in the 2012 edition of the Digicel lnternational Power Soca Monarch and the Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch.

Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch Finalists
1. Kees Dieffenthaller (Defending Monarch)
2. Destra Garcia
3. Blaxx (Dexter Stewart)
4. Erphaan Alves
5. JW & Blaze (Jason Williams & Ancil Isaac)
6. Kerwin Du Bois
7. KI (Kris Persad)
8. Machel Montano
9. Nadia Batson
10. Patrice Roberts
11. Chucky (Roderick Gordon)
12. Benjai (Rodney LeBlanc)
13. Shal Marshall
14. Super Jigga TC (Terrin Callender)

Digicel lnternational Power Soca Finalists
1.Machel Montano (Defending Monarch)
2. Fireman (Delroy Hooper) (St. Vincent)
3. Destra Garcia
4. Prophet Benjamin (Devon Samuel)
5. Blaxx (Dexter Stewart)
6. Erphaan Alves
7. Hard Knoxx (Gerald Lewis) (Antigua)
8. Swappi (Marvin Davis)
9. Michael Mercer (Barbados)
10. Nadia Batson
11. Neil Iwer George
12. Shurwayne Winchester

The Festival Management Committee presents Toronto’s biggest summer Carnival and festival – from July 16 to August 2, 2012 with: 

·       Living Art through the presentation of stunning costumes known popularly as Mas’ at the Junior Carnival for kids age  2 to 16 years and Marquee Lakeshore Boulevard parades in a cosmopolitan Toronto. 

·       Performance Art capturing the original music in its diverse forms – soca, calypso, pan, and chutney music to animate the masqueraders and propel their dance steps as well as spectators. 

·       Ritualism motivating millions of visitors that have continued to make the city of Toronto the destination of choice for an absolute stunning Carnival event. 

Our festival takes place at various locations in Toronto engaging many sectors of our city and citizens.  This year we are offering improvements to the traditional events. 

Junior Carnival Official launch – July 16.  It’s all about the kids. This year, the event would be moved to a new location. Downsview Park. 

Festival Official Launch – July 10.  It’s the event that attracts wide media coverage especially by our media sponsors – television, radio, print media, and social media. It presents a snapshot of what’s on for the Festival. 

GTAA Launch – July 20.  It’s another year for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority partnership with the Festival Management Committee to promote the festival at the gateway to the City of Toronto with Caribbean entertainment and tastings. 

Citizenship Ceremony – TBD.  Witness new Canadians being sworn in as citizens of Canada within a welcoming flavour of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and Festival.  Location:  North York Civic Centre. 

Carnival Art – July 29 to August 12.  A unique display of Carnival costumes and the history of the festival featuring photography capturing Carnival around the city and also featuring the pioneers of the festival with the recollection of the festival over the years. 

Media Conference at the Royal Ontario Museum – July 12. 

Junior Carnival – July 21.  The kid’s version of the Marquee parade attracting over 30,000 spectator visitors comprising families and featuring 2,000 mini masquerades, some as young as two years taking place close to one the city’s priority neighbourhood with partners such as 31 & 32 Division of the Metropolitan Police. This year the festival would be at the Downsview Park. 

CTV/CP24 BBQ – July TBD.  It was so successful the last two years that they’ve decided to do it again – an outdoor BBQ from Queen Street to Richmond Street that celebrates the festival with costumes, music, and of course, delicious food. 

Annual Gala– July 27.  An elegant evening at the Liberty Grand that showcases masquerade models, music, dancing, exotic food, and signature drinks – sensational sights, sounds, and tastes. Attended by sponsors, donors, and partners, this event attracts the well-heeled clientele who bid on exciting prizes to support an identified cause.  Location: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex located on the waterfront – the epitome of luxury and elegance. 

The Calypso Tent Music Series (CTMS) – The Calypso Tent Music Series (CTMS) will run for 5 weeks on weekends beginning June 9th and ending July 8th.  Location: TBD.

Kaiso 365 – Calypso Monarch Finals – July 23.  After weeks of performances, calypsonians that have made the final cut will compete for the crown!!! Finalists compete for Canada’s top Calypso prize. Humour, double entendre and wit, lyrics range from personal to political, social commentary to celebration.Location:  TBD 

Calypso STARS Showcase – August 1.  Gareth Burgess, Carnival Arts characters: Moko Jumbies (Swizzlestick Theatre), interactive Sailor Dancers (Hummingbird Dance Co.), and the Midnight Robber (Afro-Caribbean Dance Co.), Ossie Gurley & Calypso All Stars.  Location:  Harbourfront Centre. 

King and Queen Competition and Show – August 2.  A spectacular display of the talent and artistic skill of the designers and costume builders of the King, Queen, male and female individual costumes paraded in front of a captivated audience. These masqueraders compete in costumes that weigh two to three times their body weight.  Location: Allan Lamport Stadium – capacity 6000 spectators. 

Pan Alive – TBD. This event showcases the talent of steel pan performers ranging in age from early teens to adults as they perform their original renditions to the aficionados and judges at the Allan Lamport Stadium.  We are planning to move the event to a full day event as opposed to an evening event.  Location: Allan Lamport Stadium 

Grand Parade – August 4.  This is the marquee parade that is the showcase of the Festival.  After months of preparation, masqueraders in colourful and striking costumes and steel pan bands wind their way from the assembly area at Exhibition Place along a 3.5 kilometre stretch on Lakeshore Boulevard.  This performance of bejewelled masqueraders continues to draw millions from all over the world to see the live performing street art year after year.  With opportunities for VIP seating in designated, controlled areas which will include upgraded seating, tents, and marketplace.  Location: Exhibition Place, Ontario Place, Lakeshore Boulevard.   

Tropical Rhythm Food Festival – Islands Come to the Islands at Ontario Place – August 5 and August 6.  Continuing the tropical Caribbean ambience of the festival, cool down on the south beach at Ontario Place or have fun in the park while enjoying ‘de lime’ with food, music, dance, and an array of fun activities for two days. Be up close and personal with the Bahamian Jankanoo band, ShortKnee performers from Grenada and the Rhyming chef who combines his unique talent of cooking and rhyming – the best way to end the long weekend. Enjoy the Tropical food festival and island hop to tasty, spicy morsels of Caribbean islands.  Location – Ontario Place, a cultural and entertainment park within easy reach of the city. 

Canada Rugby League – TBD.  A new event featuring fans of rugby league is adding the sporting dimension to the festival. “Governed by the Rugby League International Federation, the sport is officially played in 57 countries across the world. Most popular in England, Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific, the largest professional associations are the National Rugby League and the European Super League, with a combined fan base of over 100 million”. The event in Toronto will feature a matchup between the Jamaican international team and Canada for the first annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Cup) and include a concert featuring artistes from Jamaica. Location: TBD.  

Issued By:

Stephen WeirFestival Publicist| stephen@stephenweir.comor sweir5492@rogers.com2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT.CANADA. M4P 3E3Tel: 416-489-5868 | Cell: 416-801-3101www.stephenweir.com

Former San Fernando mayor Ian Atherly has objected strongly to the removal of the finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch Competition from Skinner Park to the Queen’s Park Oval. He saw it as the final nail in the coffin of San Fernando Carnival, which, he said, was dying at a fast pace. He added: “We want back our Chutney Soca in San Fernando which is the ‘silk’ event in South. That is ours. It was born and bred in San Fernando and supported by everyone south of the Caroni Bridge down to Icacos. “We, the paying patrons, built it from nothing into something that is now international and it has been stolen from us.”

A total of 42 artistes have been selected to compete in the semi-final round of the competition, scheduled for January 21 at the Rienzi Complex, Couva. The finals will take place on February 11 at the Queen’s Park Oval. Atherly, who is also chairman of the Plipdeco board, said in addition to that change impacting on the revenue- collection of the city, he saw it as a bad precedent. “If we do not speak out now, next year we may lose Calypso Fiesta. This must not be allowed to happen,” he insisted at a news conference  at Atherly’s By The Park, San Fernando, yesterday.

He said he remained silent since the promoter, George Singh, announced the move to Port-of-Spain last year, due to a lack of an adequate venue. Atherly said he thought voices would have been raised in objection and a lobby would have been made for the show, the only national final competition in the South, to remain at Skinner Park. Speaking in his capacity as an “advocate” of the Sando Alive Committee, Atherly pointed out that over the years, there had been an erosion of major events in the southland. He added: “I hurt for San Fernando. We used to have semi-finals and national finals of Panorama in San Fernando.

“We had the San Fernando Jazz Festival, which Dawad Phillip also started to keep the culture alive. That was starved for lack of funding. “So many other events which brought revenue to San Fernando have gone and as far as I am concerned, this is a move to kill San Fernando Carnival finally and we must not allow that to take place.” He said all elected parliamentary representatives, mayors and chairmen of regional corporations must join hands and “walk on the promenade and Cipero Street to protest the removal and lobby for its return.” Randy Mohammed, who sat in on the news conference with Atherly, said due to the void left by the Chutney/Soca Monarch Competition, they had submitted a proposal to the National Carnival Commission (NCC) to host two shows in San Fernando. They are a Pan-On-The Move and a Rhythm Group Competition. Approval is still pending, based on the availability of funds.

International Soca sensation Machel Montano is contemplating getting his feet wet in the 2012 edition of the Groovy Soca Monarch contest. Saying he had received numerous requests for him to participate in the competition, Montano said he just might give it a chance. The defending Power Soca Monarch champion said while he had a few more songs in the making, he would definitely like to perform his hit single, Mr Fete for the groovy title bid. Speaking at the media launch of Prestige Fete yesterday at More Vino’s Restaurant at San Fernando, the king of soca said: “Well, yes you know everyone was begging me to do it last year and I had to focus on one thing at a time. But I feel right now is a good time to give that boost to the industry and to the other artistes. I still have some things in the bag but so far Mr Fete looks like the song I would like to represent with.” Machel believes his chances of defending his Power Soca Monarch title are very good, saying that it all comes down to the skill of the performer on the night. He said he had never been known to disappoint and he planned to keep that tradition alive as he is already prepared for the Soca Monarch.

Asked if he was wary of Iwer George’s challenge after a close finish last year, he replied: “I do not worry about anybody; I hardly ever worry, period. Why worry when God is in charge.” In this exclusive interview, the soca star said as he celebrated 30 years in the industry he hoped to release his new double album titled Double M, by this weekend or early next week. Though his intention was to defend his Power Soca Monarch title, he said the competition was not his main focus for Carnival 2012. “Well, you know competition is not really my thing. To me it is all about the experience first of all and the passion. You have to feel that passion to be number one and I like people to come out and enjoy my shows.
“I am not really about singing one song, winning money or just performing. I really like to entertain and I think it is important to the industry, that you have artistes who are wholesome and can bring out a product for people to follow,” he said.

Reigning TUCO North Calypso Monarch Duane O’Connor has been selected for the 2012 Young Kings Calypso Monarch Competition. Also making it to the final are Roy Cape All Stars vocalist Blaxx, his Dil-e-Nadan counterpart Derrick Seales (Dr Seales), and 2011 International Soca Monarch finalist Roderick Gordon (Chucky). Yesterday, the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) announced the qualifiers for the final, scheduled for Monday, February 6 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA),Port-of-Spain. All finalists are asked to contact the office immediately at 40 Duke Street, Port-of-Spain, and provide a recent photograph, a copy of their lyrics and their music scores. For further information Tel: 623-5470.

More info

The 2012 Young Kings Calypso Monarch finalists, in alphabetical order are:
•  Blaxx;
•  Bro Alpha;
•  Dee Diamond;
•  Derrick Seales (Dr Seales);
•  Dr Will B;
•  Duane O’Connor;
•  Hamidullah;
•  Kenson Neptune (Ninja);
•  Nigel Salickram;
• Olatunji;
•  Roderick Gordon (Chucky);
•  Rondell Greaves;
•  Sekon Alves;
•  Sheldon Nugget;
•  Stephen Marcelle;
•  Tobago finalist; and
•  Tobago finalist.

Credit: Trinidad Guardian