Oh goosh, look at rum! A resplendently decorated Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain took on the appearance of a rum paradise last Sunday when Angostura hosted Rumland, an elaborate marketing and promotions event. By special invite hundreds descended on the venue to imbibe local rum in every imaginable form-there was even a vendor distributing cherry and guava-flavoured "rum cones," a rummy's alternative to snow cone.
Rum Zones were enticingly named as they showcased the various brands of rum distilled by Angostura. Amongst the themes were Single Barrel Tunnel of Lust; 1919 Rumcanation; Black Label Shot of Terror; and, the Forest Park Freak Show.There were also numerous fun games to be played, including Hoop-la, Dartboard, Skee Roll, Spin the Wheel, Dunk Tank, Big Mouth and a Mechanical Bull. Very few patrons managed to stay aboard the wooden bovine for more than ten seconds.
Delectable food was in abundance, also themed as Japanese, Jamaican, Spanish, Arabic, Creole and East Indian. Throughout the night the lines were long for some mouth-watering sushi, as well as for the ribs, French-cut lamb chops and succulent chicken.
The pierce de resistance however at this rum bash were performances by Kes the Illusionist, Rikki Jai, Dil-e-Nadan, Kes the Band and Machel Montano HD. Each act did its best to try to outdo the other, in the end the patrons being the beneficiary to a night of excellent music.This year's Angostura Rumland far outdid its predecessor, last year's edition (Bold), as well as matched the best Carnival all-inclusive parties held in this country in recent years.
Sweet pan andkaiso in New York
The tempo is quickening for the annual West Indian Labour Day Carnival, scheduled for September 5, in New York. The biggest West indian Festival comes on the heels of the Scotiabank Caribana, held last weekend in Toronto, Canada, as well as similar displays of T&T Carnival in Houston and Washington.
However, the eyes and ears of all pan enthusiasts are focused on the Big Apple as the pace quickens for Panorama 2011, and J'Ouvert where steelband music is played exclusively.Defending Panorama champion Sonatas is looking to retain its title, with Yohann Popwell in the arranger's chair. This Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars pannist has been doing well in the Labour Day Panorama, but is yet to show his class in the Big League back home with Solo Harmonites.
A revitalised Arddin Herbert is back with Casym and, judging from his fourth place showing in this year's Trinidad Panorama competition with Caribbean Airlines Invaders other arrangers are watching him closely.Veteran Eddie Quarless has the assignment at Harmony, and Brian "Bean" Griffith at Pan Royals. The Brooklyn Labour Day Panorama is sure shaping to be one crackerjack competition.
Meanwhile, all Trinbago will get the chance to hear the hottest soca band in the USA-Special Request-popularly called Request at this year's festival. The band kicked up a storm in Houston Carnival, backing several artistes, including Lord Nelson, plus delivering their energetic brand of soca.
Everybody's Calypso & Soca Tent-Revue, a permanent component of Brooklyn's West Indian Carnival, is featuring more than 30 calypso and soca superstars; from Calypso King of the World Mighty Sparrow and reigning T&T Chutney Soca Monarch Rikki Jai to Shadow, Becket and Denyse Plummer.
The calypso tent runs from August 28 to September 2, 7.30 pm nightly, at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, 1367 Utica Ave, Brooklyn (between Foster and Farragut Avenues). The rest of the cast includes the likes of 2011 Barbados soca champion Edwin Yearwood; 2011 Dominica Calypso Queen Tasha P; Antigua's Swallow; Sugar Aloes; Singing Sandra; and, Lord Nelson.
The 2011 Everybody's Calypso & Soca Tent tentative schedule features a themed show each night, including Clash of the Islands (August 30); Trinidad & Tobago 49th Independence Anniversary Salute (August 31); and, Barbados Salute and Chutney Night on September 1.
Pan in the air
Meanwhile, back at home, it's pan in the air as the Northern Region of Pan Trinbago is hosting its Pan Night this evening at the Charlotte Street pan theatre of bpTT Renegades, in Port-of-Spain, at 7 pm. Last month's steelband event at this venue was over the top and the same is expected with a premiere cast that includes Witco Desperadoes, Phase II Pan Groove, PCS Silver Stars, T&T Defence Force Steel Orchestra, Renegades, and Rapso high priest Brother Resistance.
Tomorrow night, it's a formal affair as Pan Trinbago hosts its Awards Ceremony (In aid of the Sydney Gollop Benefit Fund for steelbandsmen and women,) at National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain
There's more sweet pan on Sunday, when Caribbean Airlines Invaders Steel Orchestra holds its innovative Steel and Sax Sunday Lime, in its panyard at 147 Tragarete Road, Woodbrook from 6 pm to midnight.Featured acts include host CAL Invaders, Woodbrook neighbour Phase II Pan Groove and saxophonist Jonash Prime, son of Francis Prime.
Peter Ray Blood -e-mail: bloodline@ttol.co.tt