Onward to Republic Day

Frenetic. That’s the most apt way to describe last weekend’s 50th anniversary of Independence activities of a cultural nature. It all began as early as the Thursday night when Ice Picks hosted its annual Independence party at The Harvard Club in St James. A lot of people who attended this party were all droopy-eyed for the military parade on Independence morning, but they not only cheered the marching troops along Tragarete Road to King George V Park, but still had enough in reserve to attend one of five after-parade brunches hosted by steelbands. Of the lot, the Carib Woodbrook Playboyz event was the largest, with hundreds of people spilling onto Tragarete Road, blocking traffic, in spite of some very heavy rain.

 

 

Soaked and partying in the showers, pan enthusiasts were entertained by Witco Desperadoes, Republic Bank Exodus, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, and D’Tunapuna Vibrations Engine Room. Turning in an exhilarating performance was former Road March champion and Soca Monarch SuperBlue, thrilling guests with his winning soca items. After some much needed sleep, it was on to the Queen’s Park Oval in the evening where the Prime Minister’s office staged the impressive Journey to Jubilee concert, produced by Brian Mac Farlane. For two solid hours the capacity filled venue was entertained by some of the nation’s best performers, some of them being Neval Chatelal, PCS Silver Stars, Signal Hill Alumni Choir, Tony Prescott, Rikki Jai, de Mighty Trini, KI & JMC 3Veni, De Original De Fosto Himself and Aaron Duncan. 

 

 

Saturday’s roster of events was just as packed with Playboyz’s 50th Anniversary of Independence Fiesta being one of the best attended with thousands jammed between French and Colville Streets, along Tragarete Road. Starring from multiple stages until midnight were Sparrow, Phase II Pan Groove, Renegades, Silver Stars, Starlift, Exodus, Desperadoes, Steve Sealy, SuperBlue, Scrunter, Ronnie Mc Intosh, Pelham Goddard & Roots, Los Alumnos De San Juan Parang Band and Old Time Mas Characters. And so, as we march on to T&T’s 36th anniversary as a Republic state, on September 24, culture will again be very much in the forefront. The agenda includes on September 23, Angostura Rumfestival 2012; One Republik show and fete; ReThePublic...The Concert, featuring Black Stalin, Roy Cape All Stars, 3Canal & the cut + clear crew, and Republic Bank Exodus; and, the eagerly awaited launch of Trini Revellers’ C2K13 mas—Brazil. On the topic of C2K13, next year, avant garde mas band Image Nation, led by artist Patrick Roberts, will be portraying Green Corner. Also, red-circle September 22 as the date Genesis, led by Ian and Nina McKenzie, launches its C2K13 mas band—Mirror—at Chaconia Hotel, Saddle Road, Maraval.

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Carnival Faces master class

Former popular House of Jacqui model Trudy Young is coming home this month to preview ‘a new face’ to Carnival.

Young is the owner of Carnival Faces, a leader in the Carnival Make Up Artistry industry, in Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Miami and Orlando, and debut its first Carnival Faces Artists Master Class on September 22, at Crowne Plaza, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, from 8 am. Dabbling in the mas make up whirl these past couple years in T&T, the Miami domiciled artistes has given in to numerous requests to share the experience and expertise with the talented and aspiring artists of T&T.

Young explained that her September 22 master class will be an interactive workshop, and will be encouraging artists to learn new and effective make up artistry tips and techniques. With more than 22 years of experience in the beauty business, Young’s work consists of fashion, beauty and bridal. Young’s portfolio is an impressive one as she has worked with Bobbi Brown, Smashbox, Trish Mc Evoy, Lancôme, Dior, and Sasha USA. She has also worked runway shows and photo shoots for Escada, Miami Fashion Week, Miss Miami/Broward Carnival Pageant, Miss Mastana Bahar USA, Generation X, Big & Strong One Island Body Paint Band, Island Gems and numerous glamour and carnival related events. Lunch and light refreshments will be served at the master class.

 

For additional information and registration call Anica (473 8747) or Niki (468 8135), e-mail [email protected] or CarnivalFaces.net

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Five Independence calypso monarchs since 1962

Several readers contacted me over last weekend, enquiring about my listing just three Independence Calypso Monarch competitions since 1962. Allow me to clarify. In all, eight Independence Calypso Monarch competitions have been held since 1962, producing five winners—Lord Brynner, Chalkdust, Cro Cro, Watchman and Chucky. However, only three were sanction—1962, 1987 and 2012,—won by Lord Brynner, Cro Cro and Chucky.

 

 

Independence Calypso Monarchs – 1962-2012

 1962: Lord Brynner - Trinidad & Tobago

 1972: Chalkdust - We Are Ten Years Old

 1987: Cro Cro - Happy Anniversary

 1988: Watchman - Boots and Brains, Gun Religion

 1991: Cro Cro – Rise African Rise, Get Something and Wave

 1993: Watchman - How Low, Once Yuh Black

 2005: Cro Cro - Independence Gone, They Love Me Now

 2012: Chucky - Bear With Me

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Birch celebrates

photo/caption: birch.jpg: He wasn’t home to accept his Humming Bird (Gold) national award but pan scientist Bertram “Birch” Kellman celebrated his recognition in the United States with friends, including Solo Harmonites elder and Pan Trinbago awardee Hu Loy. In photo, Kellman celebrates with Hu Loy’s nieces, Tobagonian New York residents Wendy, left, and Tricia Mc Neil. The only tuner ever used by BP Renegades, this multi-talented musician has succeeded in giving the Charlotte Street steel orchestra its unique sound, the sound which earned it nine National Panorama titles, a feat bettered only by Witco Desperadoes. A most deserving national medal awardee, before beginning to tune pans, Birch was an accomplished double-second pannist, playing with the national steel orchestra of the 60s. In addition to Renegades he has also tuned for Desperadoes, Solo Harmonites and host of other prestige steelbands.

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The Outside Woman comes to town

The bane of married women and women in committed relationships, the “outside woman” is being glorified by entrepreneur Glenroy Watson. The Outsde Woman is the name of Watson’s newly opened eatery and open air pub on Phillip Street in Port-of-Spain. I have tasted the food there and the cook really has “sweet han.”

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Carnival Faces shares make-up expertise

 

The bane of married women and women in committed relationships, the “outside woman” is being glorified by entrepreneur Glenroy Watson. The Outside Woman is the name of Watson’s newly opened eatery and open-air pub on Phillip Street in Port-of-Spain. I have tasted the food there and the cook really has “sweet han.”