In the field of event planning and promotions there is a new player in town and its intention is to become a household name in the entertainment industry. Revel-Nation was launched at La Cantina, Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain, on October 9 and was well attended by several popular young professionals, headed by deputy mayor of Port-of-Spain Kerron Valentine.
The main players behind Revel-Nation are Ephraim Gunness, co-owner of Uptimum Event Solutions, Velvet Concept and past director/owner of Black Velvet (2004 to 2010); Peter Rowe, former co-owner of Rossco's Bar & Lounge, owner Rent�A-Light Event Lighting Company, former manager of operations 51 Degrees; and, Mark Lynch, co-owner Velvet Concept, co-owner Uptimum Event Solutions and former co-owner Black Velvet.
Among guests were La Cantina proprietor Kester Sylvester; Carib Brewery Ltd promotions and communications specialist Lynn Patrice Ochoa; Digicel strategic partnerships and marketing manager Wendy Alleyne; bmobile marketing manager Naresha Ali Belmonte; United Insurance (Massy Group) marketing manager Marvin Andrews; Witco promotions officer Melissa Edwards; Toyota senior marketing officer Nora Shade; and Massy Motors director Natalie Karamath.
Lynch articulated the company's aims and objectives and introduced the team behind the brand titled "The Dawn of a New Era in Entertainment."
Lynch explained that Revel-Nation was spawned from a group of young adult professionals with an eager fire to offer that same target market a new revolution in the nightlife and entertainment industry through energetic, diverse, unique and sophisticated experiences. Coining of the term "revel" lends to the revelry nature of the people of T&T. He said: "Our sole aim is to provide world class, next level and blow-mind entertainment concepts and experiences to T&T and, in the near future, the entire region."
Revel-Nation will host "a premier entertainment concept on water," billed as Revel-Ution, tomorrow at its cruise aboard the Harbour Master, from 7 pm. A spokesperson said: "Guests can expect an experience with added value from entrance to exit. We promise drink specials all night long, a mixed DJ cast, giveaways and special effects and decor to create a 'floating club' setting."
Pan With The Saints
One of the events staged last year to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Holy Ghost Fathers in T&T and the founding of St Mary's College, was the highly successful Pan With The Saints. The inaugural event featured six of the top steel orchestras performing various genres from classics, pop, R&B, jazz and, of course, calypso.
Hosted by the Past Students' Union, the event is being repeated on October 25, at the college's Courtyard (Big Yard), Pembroke Street, Port-of-Spain, from 7 pm to 11 pm. Bands participating this year are Massy Trinidad All Stars, T&T Defence Force, Republic Bank Exodus, PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars, Skiffle, and the St Joseph's Convent/St Mary's College combined band. The combined band placed third in this year's School's Panorama competition, scoring just two points less than the winning band which was Providence/QRC combined.
Among bands performing for the first time at this event are All Stars, Skiffle, and the Defence Force orchestra, which has represented T&T at military gatherings all over the world.
In response to feedback from last year's patrons, the Organising Committee will be making changes to the layout of the bands. For instance, instead of the three stages facing east, they will face north, thus allowing for more comfortable viewing by patrons as well as more dancing space.
Pan With The Saints will be the first of a number of fund-raising events to raise money to carry out much-needed refurbishment of the physics laboratory. Also, part of the profits will be donated to Servol for one of its projects in Laventille.
This project comes on the heels of a project being financed and executed by the past students' union, that of air-conditioning the Centenary Hall.
Tickets cost $200 and are available at Past Students' Union's office at the college (624-8468) and the management committee; Cleve's Record Shop, Frederick Street; Crosby's Record Shop, St James; Trini Reveller's Mas Camp (Enrico Rajah � 745-4391); the panyards of participating bands and in South Trinidad from Felix Montenegro (684-5839).
Security will be provided for patrons' cars, with parking available at the Atlantic Energy car park at the top of Pembroke Street. There will be a free shuttle service to take patrons to and from the venue.
Black Stalin sings again
With every passing day Black Stalin (Leroy Calliste) gets stronger. While doctors said a few days ago that he wouldn't be able to sing for some time to come, last Saturday, the five-time National Calypso Monarch sang for his wife Patsy and family.
An elated Patsy said: "Leroy was lying in bed listening to the radio and just like that began singing Only a Fool Breaks his own Heart being sung by Sparrow. I was so surprised and happy that I began singing with him. I was surprised at the ease with which he hit the high notes. The children too were surprised as, although they didn't know that song, were so happy to hear their father singing again, joined in.
"We are continuing to keep a close eye on Leroy. Of course he will not be rushed into full recovery but he's getting stronger with every passing day."
New music for Christmas
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With Christmas Day a mere 69 days away I continue to be given new seasonal releases to promote. The variety of new music is well balanced between some humorous ditties and your run-of-the-mill parang soca stuff. On the funny side there's Marcia Miranda's Corn Soup and Bally's Swinging Christmas, and in other genres, there's work by Bally and Crazy.
Corn Soup could have been sub-titled "leff hand soup," as its effect on the man who consumed is akin that of the mythical Tobago "leff hand dumpling." Its chorus refrain is of a hapless, smittened man asking "what yuh put in the corn soup woman?" Corn Soup is just one item on the Parang Fiesta Riddum, shared by Scrunter, Baron, Crazy, Rembunction, Oscar B, Trisha Hamilton, Crazy, Revelation and newcomer Rome. It is produced by Jessy "Chunky" John for Optimus ProductionsTT Ltd.
On the Parang Fiesta Riddum, Rembunction is also funny, taking a pseudo-political slant with his 2Pull Pull.
Bally is in serious problems in Swinging Christmas as he has a flaw in translation between himself and his lover Consuelo.
Songwriter Michelle Loubon who penned the very popular Tito Lara is back again this year having given Crazy Merry Cherry. Like so many of his previous Christmas songs, this single is another infectious number by "the Lovable Lunatic." In the comedic vein Crazy also has No Ham, done with Revelation.
Coming like a breath of fresh air to the Christmas music fare is Chris Garcia with his four-track CD, comprising his original compositions, namely Church Bells Ring, All I Want is You, Christmas in my Heart and Celebrate. Each track is a gem to cherish, each beautifully rendered by Garcia.