Baby girl for Fay-Ann and Bunji

SOCA’S ROYAL couple, Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez and his wife Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez are now parents of a baby girl, as Fay-Ann gave birth yesterday afternoon at the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital.

Up to late yesterday Fay-Ann, winner of this year’s Soca Monarch and Road March competitions, and her newborn babe were said to be resting comfortably at hospital with Alvarez by their side.

Sunday Newsday was told by a medical source that Fay-Ann gave birth via C-section given the fact that her blood pressure was high. The baby came shortly after midday and Alvarez was there at hospital to witness it. Read more..

Patrice Looking Hot

Patrice Robert & Zan rock the Party Stand on Sunday December 21st 2008. This was round 2 [Round 1 in Jumbie St. Lawrence Gap in 2007] for Patrice as she filled the Party Stand to capacity. Also gracing the stage were Gorg, Answor, Tara Holldip and special guest included PETER RAM and MR. VEGAS. Mr. Montano “the Host” was not present due to travel issues.

View complete gallery

Sherwayne & Y.O.U. to sing for ‘The Cause’

He’s pulling out the stops, engineering his way into the lives of Trinbagonians worldwide by demanding the attention through the music he sings and most definitely, through the greatness of Y.O.U.

It’s one man and his band once again…

As Christmas revs into gear and Carnival 2K9 follows in close pursuit, Shurwayne Winchester and Y.O.U, the band that was launched to the world this past October, feverishly continues to work with the aim of impressing and providing true enjoyment to every class, colour, gender and most definitely, every age.

On December 1st, the Brian Lara Promenade will come to life with the movement, motion and character of an artist and his band who remain focused on the mission that is music. This time Shurwayne is lending his image and brand to a social cause as he teams up with the Ministry of Social Development and they both work hand in hand to bring to light the concern of the disabled in one form or another.

Shurwayne and Y.O.U. will perform for the public on the Promenade in Port-Of-Spain from 12 noon this coming Monday and anticipation is high among the band, that hundreds of eager Trinbagonians and those visiting from abroad, will come out in support of this very noble cause, after all, as he put it, there’ll be much to benefit from an afternoon of love, education and music blended to create a true platform of growth and change in the prelude to the holiday season.

2009 Trinidad Canival Fetes & All Inclusive Schedule

TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2009 FETES & ALL-INCLUSIVES SCHEDULE

Events are subject to change in venue and dates…

photo by laura ferreira

Saturday January 3rd, 2009
* St Francois Girls College Annual All-Inclusive – St John’s Hall, Wrightson Rd, POS – 4pm

Sunday January 4th, 2009
* Trinity College’s Soka In Moka – Trinity College, Maraval – 4pm
* St Mary’s All-Inclusive – St. Mary’s College (Pembroke St, POS)

Friday January 9th, 2009
* Citibank Fete
* Legacy Cooler Fete

Saturday January 10th, 2009
* Unite – UWI
* ‘Outta De Blue 10′ - QRC All-Inclusive – QRC Grounds – St Cair, POS
* Fire Services Fete

Sunday January 11th, 2009
* UWI 18th Annual All-Inclusive Carnival Fete – UWI Grounds (St Augustine) – 2pm
* Island People Amnesia
* Jess & Friends

Sunday January 17th, 2009
* Privilege’s ‘Wicked In White’ – St Anthony’s Grounds, West Mooring – 9pm
* Bishop Anstey All-Inclusive – Bishop Anstey Grounds, POS – 4pm
* Hilarians’ All-Inclusive
* National Flour Mills Fete

Sunday January 18th, 2009
* WITCO One Fete
* BPTT All-Inclusive – Pier 1

Friday January 23rd, 2009
* Bazodee Friday – Pier 1, Chaguaramas – 9pm
* Central Bank All-Inclusive

Saturday January 24th, 2009
* Blue Range All Inclusive – Diego Martin
* St Mary’s All-Inclusive
* Pearl Gardens All-Inclusive
* Chutney Glow
* Republic Bank Fete – Pier 1, Chaguaramas – 3pm
* Youth Fest

Sunday January 25th, 2009
* Hilton River Lime
* Nikky Crosby’s Children’s Show
* Yorke Inc Annual Carnival All-Inclusive
* Veni Mange – Pier 1

Friday February 6th, 2009
* TCL All-Inclusive – TCL Poolside – 7pm
* Ladies First – Pier 1, Chaguaramas – 9pm
* Barbarossa Cooler Fete
* Randy Glasgow 6th Annual Ladies Night Out All-Inclusive – Jean Pierre Complex – 8 pm

Saturday February 7th, 2009
* Privilege ‘Hysteria’ Cooler Fete
* Agua Trinidad – The Paddock
* RBTT Fete – Pier 1 (Chaguaramas)
* South Cancer Society All-Inclusive
* Chutney Soca Monarch Finals – Skinner Park- 8pm
* O’Farrell All-Inclusive- Mobs 2, Chaguaramas – 8pm

Sunday February 8th, 2009
* Panorama Semi-Finals – Queens Park Savannah
* Friends of Blood Bank Fete All-Inclusive – Trinidad Country Club – 2pm
* Mc Leod Annual All-Inclusive – 2pm
* US Embassy All-Inclusive
* T&T Air Guard All-Inclusive – Prisons Sports Complex – 5pm
* Maritime All-Inclusive

Friday February 13th, 2009
* Misty Ridge All-Inclusive – Hadeed Ranch
* Carnival Under The Trees – Normandie Hotel, 10 Nook Av, St Ann – 8pm
* International Soca Monarch Semi-Finals

Saturday February 14th, 2009
* Red Cross Kiddies Carnival, Jean Pierre Complex, POS – 11am
* Fatima College All-Inclusive – Fatima Grounds, Mucurapo Rd – 7pm
* Carnival Under The Trees – Normandie Hotel, 10 Nook Av, St Ann – 8pm
* Kama Sutra 8 – Country Club, Maraval – 10pm
* Machel Montano’s Alternative Concept 7 – Haseley Crawford Stadium – 9pm
* WASA Fete
* White Oak Chutney Brass 7 – Guaracara Park (Point-A-Pierre) – 9pm
* AS Brydens 10th Annual All-Inclusive
* Victoria Garden’s All-Inclusive

Sunday February 15th, 2009
* Privilege ‘Jamboree Sunday’ – Jamboree Park, Valsayn – 2pm
* Heart Beat Hilton
* T&Tec Soca Shoka IX – St John’s Complex
* CAREC All-Inclusive – Federation Park (St. Clair) – 2pm
* Hearts on Fire All-Inclusive – Normandie Hotel, 10 Nook Av, St Ann – 5pm

Monday February 16th, 2009
* PNM Fete – Balisier House, Victoria Ave. POS – 9pm
* Mardi Gras- 10pm

Tuesday February 17th, 2009
* A.W.O.L. – Macqueripe Rd, Chaguaramas – 4pm
* Bishops Junior School All-Inclusive Fete
* Carnival Under The Trees – Normandie Hotel, 10 Nook Av, St Ann – 8pm
* Islandstyle GLOW- 10pm
* Eyes Wide Shut – Queens Park Oval – 9pm

Wednesday February 18th, 2009
* S.O.S. – Maracas – 12pm
* The Ranch – Cunupia
* Carnival Under The Trees – Normandie Hotel, 10 Nook Av, St Ann – 8pm
* Bacchanal Wednesday – The Hanger, Chaguaramas – 9pm
* Custom Boys Fete- Hasely Crawford Stadium, POS – 9pm

Thursday February 19th, 2009
* Beach House All-Inclusive – Ortinola Estate – 11am
* Escape to the Sanctuary – Salybia – 11am
* Blanchisseuse All-Inclusive – 11am
* TRIBE Ignite – Jean Pierre Complex – 9pm
* UWI Splash – Chaguaramas – 9pm
* T&T Police Assoc. Annual Carnival Fete – Police Training College

Friday February 20th, 2009
* Fantastic Friday (Soca Monarch Finals) – Queens Park Oval – 7pm
* Island People Girl Power – Jenny’s Car Park – 9pm
* Privilege ‘RISE’ All-Inclusive – Moka, Maraval – 9pm
* Blue Range Cooler Fete – Diego Martin
* D’Cooler Fete – Pier 1, Chaguaramas – 9pm
* Army Fete

Saturday February 21st, 2009
* Privilege ‘EUPHORIA’ All Inclusive – Jamboree Park, Valsayn – 3pm
* National Panorama Finals – 7pm
* Trini Posse Fete – The Hanger, Chaguaramas
* Island Style Insomnia Fete – Mobs 2 (Chaguaramas)
* Dawn, Sunrise In The City – Jenny’s Car Park
* Lions All Inclusive Fete – Lions Civic Centre (Port of Spain)

Sunday February 22nd, 2009
* D’Original Breakfast Party – Diamond Vale, Diego Martin – 1am
* Sunny Side Up Breakfast Party – Palm Avenue West, Petit Valley – 4am
* Dancing In the Sanctuary ‘Headley All-Inclusive’- Windsor Road, Valsayn – 11am
* Moka Explosion All-Inclusive – St. Andrews Golf Club – Moka, Maraval – 12pm
* Brian Lara All-Inclusive – Chancellor Hill, Queen’s Park West – 2pm
* Harvard Club All-Inclusive Fete – Harvard Club, St. James – 4pm
* Dimanche Gras, Jean Pierre Complex, POS – 7pm
* Mania – Country Club – 9pm
* Hilton Poolside – Hilton Hotel (Lady Young Rd, Port of Spain) – 9pm
* Is Just A Fete (TASA) – Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain
* Cotton Tree Foundation All Inclusive Fete – Spanish Acres

Monday February 23rd, 2009
* J’Ouvert (4am)
* Parade of the Bands
* Carnival Jump Up – Hilton Hotel (Lady Young Rd, Port of Spain)
* Monday Night Mas – Paramin Hill

Tuesday February 24th, 2009
* Parade of the Bands – Judging points @ Adam Smith Square, Piccadilly on the Greens, Queen’s Park South
* Pan Trinbago Pan on the Road – Victoria Square and Downtown POS
* Pan Trinbago Las’ Lap – Western Main Rd, St James

Wednesday February 25th, 2007
* Beach Lime – Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Blanchisseuse Bay
* Wild Meat Cool Down – Balandra Bay
* Ash Wed Boatride – Treasure Queen (Pier 2, Chaguaramas)
* 4th Annual Ash Wednesday River Lime – De Freitas Ranch, Valencia
* Annual Lagniappe – De Nu Pub (The Mas Camp), Woodbrook – 9pm

2008 International Soca Awards Results

The 2008 International Soca Awards were held in St Kitts on Saturday October 18th.

Machel Montano once again dominated the celebrations with 6 awards. These includes ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Male Soca Artist of the Year’, ‘Performer of the Year’, ‘Best Soca Collaboration’, ‘Soca Band of the Year’ & ‘Song Writer of the Year’ (w/ Kernal Roberts).

St. Lucian star Ricky T won (4) awards including ‘Favorite Up-Tempo Soca’, ‘Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration of the Year’ (w/ Mr Vegas), ‘Soca Road Mix of the Year’ and ‘Soca Song of the Year’ (tied with Faye-Ann Lyons).

Also grabbing up four (4) awards was female sensation Faye-Ann Lyons (‘Female Soca Artist of the Year’, ‘Soca Song of the Year’, ‘Female Performer of the Year’, ‘Favorite Up Tempo Soca of the Year’). Songstress Patrice Roberts was given the nod for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ and

The complete list of winners:

Best New Female Soca Artist
Zoelah

Favorite Up-tempo Soca – Male
Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Female Soca Vocalist of the Year
Mo Wuk by Patrice Roberts

Favorite Soca Information Website
www.toronto-lime.com

Best Soca Compilation Rhythm
Lego Me Riddim

International Soca DJ of the Year
DJ Spice

Favorite Groove Soca – Female
Wukking Up by Patrice Roberts

Favorite Groove Soca – Male
Soka Junkie by Mr Dale

Soca Humor of the Year
Phone Card by Crazy

Soca Song Writer of the Year
Kernel Roberts & Machel Montano – (Unconditional Love, Blaze D Trail, Make Love)

Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration of the Year
Pressure Boom (Remix) by Ricky T. ft. Mr. Vegas

Best Soca Collaboration Groove
Gyal Farm by Kerwin Du Bois & Shal Marshall

Best Soca Music Video
Desire by Skhi

Best DJ Soca Mix CD of the Year
Soca Twins Addicted 2 Soca Mix CD 08

Soca Artist Album/CD of the Year
Flame On by Machel Montano

Soca Road Mix of the Year
Leh Go Me Riddim – Ricky T – Pressure Boom (Road Mix)

Soca Producer of the Year
Kerwin Du Bois – (Breathless, 2 Days, Gyal Farm)

Soca Chutney Song of the Year
Bring It by Hunter

Overall Female Soca Artist of the Year
Faye-Ann Lyons-Alvarez

Overall Male Soca Artist of the Year
Machel Montano

Soca Song of the Year
Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons
Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Best New Male Soca Artist of the Year
Problem Child

Favorite Soca Online Radio
www.soca919.com

Male Soca Vocalist of the Year
Carnival Please Stay by Shurwayne Winchester

Female Soca Performer of the Year
Faye-Ann Lyons

Male Soca Performer of the Year
Machel Montano

Soca Duo or Group of the Year
3 Canal

Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo of the Year
Machel Montano & Mighty Sparrow – Congo Man

Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year
Soca Gold – Various Artist 1 2008

Favorite up Tempo Soca of the Year – Female
Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons

Over All Soca Band of the Year
Machel Montano HD

Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year
Hunter

Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year
JMC Triveni

Best Soca Chutney Collaboration of the year
Hunter & Bunji Garlin – I Want Meh Rum

For more info, please visit www.socaawards.com

MACHEL MONTANO KEEPS CARNIVAL YEAR ROUND

Machel Montano Keeps Carnival Year Round

NEW YORK, NY (RHONA FOX, INC.) – Carnival traditionally happens once a year in Trinidad but soca king Machel Montano manages to keep the carnival celebrations year round, around the world.

As Europe and North America celebrate their carnival seasons this summer, Montano has been hitting stages and the road as fans and promoters demand to see him at the biggest fetes – and he delivers.

From Notting Hill Carnival in London to New York’s Labor Day festivities in the Big Apple, Montano has also been working the media circuit as MTV Base in London sponsored his appearance there, and coming to New York as a surprise guest for hit radio station HOT97’s “On The Reggae Tip,” an annual concert that brings Caribbean flavors to a more diverse and crossover audience. Montano appeared on this year’s bill with Wyclef Jean, Lil Kim and Elephant Man, among others.

When TEMPO, the largest Caribbean television network commemorated their three-year anniversary earlier this month, they also turned to Montano to christen the celebrations in Nevis.

Now with Trinidad Carnival looming in the near future and polishing new productions, both audio and video, for the season, there’s no rest for Montano as he gears up for North America’s biggest fall festival, Miami Carnival, from October 8-13 in South Florida.

Montano will be performing daily, headlining the major shows at Miami Carnival, including Socavivor, University Fete, and a new take on the Alternative Concept show, themed HD Miami.

Montano will also be making the media rounds on the top Miami radio stations while is town, as his collaborations “Defense – The Anthem” with hip-hop stars Pitbull and Lil Jon, and “Let Me See” with Busta Rhymes, are all enjoying rotation on mix shows on Miami’s Power96, 99 Jamz and HOT 105.

“Carnival celebrations around the world always draw a diverse crowd, from people who are connoisseurs of Caribbean music and culture to those who are curious about it, ” reveals Montano. “So it’s always important to go out and represent our sounds to the masses, whenever the opportunity arises.” With his explosive brand of Caribbean sounds and his high demand at every major carnival celebration worldwide, there’s no denying Montano is indeed the king of soca, and more so, the king of carnival.

For more artist news and to see where you can catch the soca king in action, log on to machelmontano.com or myspace.com/machelmontano.

Montano aims to take soca music into mainstream

On a recent subway ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan, soca phenomenon Machel Montano was jolted from the anonymity he enjoys in some areas of New York when a female passenger shouted in a thick Trinidadian accent, “Machel Montano’s on this train!,” prompting many strap- hangers to hurriedly take out their camera phones.

That Montano, the most in-demand musical export from the oil-rich southern Caribbean republic of Trinidad and Tobago — where soca originated — can anonymously ride a train for several stops and then suddenly be swarmed by adoring fans reflects the dichotomy of his musical stature.

Soca, which provides the soundtrack for Caribbean carnivals, is the frenetically paced progeny of calypso. Created in Trinidad in the mid-’70s, soca has attained very limited success beyond Caribbean shores. Arrow’s durable “Hot Hot Hot” continues to be licensed for new compilations, 20 years after Buster Poindexter’s cover version rendered it an American pop hit. In 2000, the Baha Men transformed Anslem Douglas’ Trinidad carnival hit “Who Let the Dogs Out” into an American sports stadium anthem, and four years later Rupee and Kevin Lyttle cracked the Billboard Hot 100 with their respective hits “Tempted to Touch” and “Turn Me On.”

But these individual triumphs do not constitute broad-based recognition for soca. If the genre does break in the mainstream, Montano’s persistently innovative efforts will undoubtedly have played a pivotal role.

A former child star, he made history in 1986 as the youngest finalist in Trinidad Carnival’s Calypso Monarch competition, performing the aptly titled “Too Young to Soca.” In the mid-’90s with his band Xtatik, Montano embarked on a mission to modernize soca, subtly injecting the music with hip-hop beats and dancehall rhythms, which resulted in a steady release of fervently received carnival anthems and Montano’s ascension to regional superstar status.

Now, via collaborations with Pitbull and Lil Jon and two high-profile New York shows, the artist is hoping to position himself closer to an international breakthrough.

HIGH-PROFILE PROJECTS

On one hand Montano, who headlines New York’s S.O.B.’s August 28 and Cipriani’s two nights later, is in rarefied company, having sold out concerts at Madison Square Garden’s WaMu Theater in 2007 and 2008. On the other, he has yet to make an impact in the mainstream despite high-profile collaborations with Wyclef Jean (”Carnival Survivors”), Busta Rhymes (”Let Me See”) and Shaggy, who joins Montano on a remix of the title track from Montano’s current album, “Wining Season.”

Recently, Montano’s single “Defense the Anthem,” a soca-dancehall remix of Pitbull’s “The Anthem,” featuring Lil Jon, has received airplay on Miami’s WEDR (99 Jamz) and New York’s WQHT (Hot 97).

“Because soca artists are viewed as a subculture, we look for help from people who have made it in the mainstream,” Montano said after an exhilarating two-hour performance on the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados as part of its annual Cropover festivities. “Soca has great potential, so I asked Lil Jon and Pitbull to help us and they have responded enthusiastically.”

Montano has chosen to strengthen his ties to his Caribbean fan base while refining his crossover strategies. Refusing numerous offers to perform at summer Caribbean carnivals throughout North America, including Toronto’s Caribana, he spent almost three weeks at Barbados’ Cropover, which parallels Trinidad’s Carnival as that island’s primary season for new releases from Barbadian calypso and soca artists. Montano was the star attraction at Cropover’s largest concert, Cohobblopot, on August 3, for which he recruited Pitbull and Lil Jon.

He went on to sign international deals with Delicious Vinyl and Atlantic and recorded albums for both companies, which remain unreleased. Despite a heavy touring schedule that can include three shows per night during Trinidad’s pre-Lenten carnival season, Montano annually releases a full-length CD of original music on his Mad Bull Music label.

Whether or not he achieves his desired international breakthrough, Montano’s ongoing efforts to establish soca as a global cultural force raise the bar for the genre. “Bob Marley helped propel reggae, and I think I have done that for soca,” he said. “I gather people together, let them have a good time, and I feel good about that. While it’s a goal to conquer the mainstream, I just try to stay focused on improving every day.”

Reuters/Billboard

Labour Day Carnival Festival Celebrations

For the 41^st year in a row, Carnival lovers and revelers from across the United States, and abroad will converge in Brooklyn, New York in celebration of the West Indian Carnival Festival & Parade. The annual Brooklyn celebration begins Thursday, August 28^th with events and concerts on the Brooklyn Museum grounds, and culminates on Monday, September 1^st with the renowned Labor Day Carnival Parade on Eastern Parkway. This year’s theme “One Caribbean, Many Cultures” embodies the beauty and unity of the Caribbean and its’ people.

Kicking off the weekend’s events will be the Ladies Night concert featuring Trinidad & Tobago’s 2008 Road March Queen, Fayann Lyons, artists Nadia Batson and Antiguan Road March Queen, Tizzy. Also slated for the jam-packed weekend are performances by soca stars Shurwayne Winchester & the Big Band Traffik, Barbados’ Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah, Kerwin Dubois, Grenada’s Road March King, Berbice and Hunter with the Dil-E-Nadan Orchestra. Calypso veterans – David Rudder, Scrunter, Barron, Swallow and Crazy will also perform.

The Labor Day Carnival Parade showcases the unique, vibrant and energetic Caribbean cultural heritage in New York City. Grand Marshals for the Carnival Parade include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor David Paterson, Dr. Elizabeth Nunez, Provost –Medgar Evers College and Les Slater, Folklorist. The Grand Marshals will lead the festivities alongside Honorary Grand Marshals, Congressman Rangel and Comptroller Thompson. WIADCA president, Yolanda Lezama-Clark will join the Mayor & Governor to kick-off the festivities by cutting a ribbon at Utica Ave & Eastern Parkway at 11am. The line-up includes hundreds of VIP’s, Sponsors, over 70 Floats and thousands of colorful masqueraders depicting spectacular and breathtaking creations.

Over 3 million people are expected to attend again this year. Visitors from all across the USA, Canada, the Caribbean and other international locations attend the weekend celebration as part of their vacation holidays. Last year, an estimated 100,000 individuals attended the events during the five day weekend and millions of revelers are expected to celebrate during the Carnival celebration on Labor Day. Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, Carnival is a time of jubilation and wild abandon – its magnetism drawing greater audiences each year as people naturally gravitate to this happy and joyful occasion.

The West Indian-American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) is a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization established in 1967, and has been the driving force behind the West Indian Carnival Parade in Brooklyn. While WIADCA is most known for the affectionately named, “Labor Day Parade,” The main focus of the organization is to develop, teach and promote Caribbean arts and culture in the New York Metropolitan Area. WIADCA is the organizer and registered property owner of the West Indian American Day Carnival in New York City. The organization offers (3) Scholarship Funds: Arts & Culture, Medicine, Law & Business, benefiting more than 90 College student recipients to date.

EVENT SCHEDULE

All concerts are held at the Brooklyn Museum grounds,

900 Washington Ave, Brooklyn.

For other info, go to www.wiadca.org

1. Date – Thursday, August 28th Time- 6:00pm (doors open) Showtime- 7:00pm : Tickets in advance $20: At the Door:$25

Event – LADIES NIGHT

Artists: Fayann Lyons, Lima Calibo & Nadia Batson (from T&T), Tizzy (from Antigua), Zoelah (from St Vincent) Dance Troupe and much more

Description – T&T 2008 Road March Queen, Fayann Lyons, leads the female all-star lineup at the event that kicks off the weekend’s Caribbean festivities along with Ole Mas, Characters & Individuals of the costume bands competition.

2. Date – Friday, August 29th Time: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Event: STAY IN SCHOOL CULTURAL EDUCATION – FREE! MC: Father Goose

Featuring youthful performers

-Hip Hop, Steelband, Dance, Fashions, Karate, Police Youth Club, Gowanus Drill Team, Harlem Children’s Zone, Soul Tigers Marching Band, Pink Diamond Steppers and more! Friday 29th – (Evening) Showtime – 8:00pm: Tickets in advance $35: At the Door: $40

Event: BRASS FEST (GYAL FARM Edition)

Artists – Shurwayne Winchester & Traffik, KES the Band, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah and Statement (from Barbados) Berbice (from Grenada) and Hunter singing “Bring it in a Bottle” with Dil-E-Nadan Orchestra (special prize for the best dressed -farmer brown outfit)

3. Date – Saturday, August 30th (Daytime) 8:00am – 3:00pm: Children FREE (Adults $5 donation)

Route: Kingston Ave & St. Johns Pl, to Franklin Ave Sooutn, to President St, into Brooklyn Museum Grounds

Saturday 30th (Evening) Showtime – 8:00pm: Tickets in advance $30: At the Door: $35

Steel Bands: (2007 Champions) – Pan Sonatas, CASYM, Sesame Flyers, Despers USA, Harmony, Crossfire, Pantonics, Ad Lib and Radoes.

Event – PANORAMA STEELBAND COMPETITION – (Cash prizes & challenge trophy)

4. Date- Sunday, August 31st Showtime – 7:00pm: Tickets in advance $30: At the Door: $35

Event – DIMANCHE GRAS

Artists – David Rudder, Scrunter, Crazy, Barron, Hunter and others along with a dazzling competition for King & Queen of the Bands

Description – The Sunshine Band & Calypso veterans perform, Kings & Queens compete and Dancers entertain to conclude the weekend concert events leading to the big Labor Day Carnival Parade.

Crop Over Official Results

2008 Crop Over Festival

Here are the official results for Crop Over 2008. Visit our photo gallery to view photos of Grand kadooment, Cohobblopot, Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, Kiddies Kadooment and much more…..

The completed list will posted in a couple of days with audio links and photos. Please stay connected or join our mailing list to be kept up to date.

Kiddies Kadooment

HISTORICAL
1st: Eden Lodge Primary – All In A Name (leader ­ Jennifer Spooner)
2nd: Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna
Howard & Kerry Larrier)
3rd: Betty West – Under The Umbrella (leader ­ Betty West)

FANTASY
1st: Kids On The Move – Clowning Around In Bim (leader ­ Yasmin Vlahakis )
2nd: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World (leader ­ Gwyneth Squires)
3rd: Belmont Primary School – Splendour Of The Coral Reef (leader ­ Monica
Clarke)

TOPICAL
1st: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town (leader ­ Reggie
Cave)
2nd: Boscobelle Primary School – Freedom Ambassadors (leader ­ Cheri Boyce)
3rd: Betty West – Under The Umbrella (leader ­ Betty West )

ENVIRONMENTAL
1st: Belmont Primary School – Splendour Of The Coral Reef (leader ­ Monica
Clarke)
2nd: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town (leader ­ Reggie
Cave)
3rd: Roland Edwards Primary – De Lost Gems (leader ­ Joyann Forde-Craigg)

FOLKLORE
1st: Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna
Howard & Kerry Larrier)
2nd: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town (leader ­ Reggie
Cave)
3rd: Eden Lodge Primary – All In A Name (leader ­ Jennifer Spooner)

COMMUNITY COSTUME
1st: Bush Hall Masqueraders – Children of The Sun (leader ­ Rose-Ann Lewis)
2nd: Boscobelle Primary School – Freedom Ambassadors (leader ­ Cheri Boyce)
3rd: Roland Edwards Primary – De Lost Gems (leader ­ Joyann Forde-Craigg)

INDIVIDUALS ­ AGE GROUP 3-6
1st: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Sea Foam (T
Cadogan)
2nd: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World – Jelly Fish (J Watson)
3rd: Betty West – Under The Umbrella – Dominica National Bird (S Brathwaite)

INDIVIDUALS ­ AGE GROUP 7-10
1st: Gwyneth Squires – Sunken Treasure (J Ifill)
2nd: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Flames (J
Stanford)
3rd: Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting – I¹ve Got The Blues
(S Price)

INDIVIDUALS ­ AGE GROUP 11-14
1st: Gwyneth Squires – Aquatic Splendour (K Gibbs)
2nd: Betty West – Under The Umbrella – Trinidad Spirit of Carnival (T Pope)
3rd: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Fun and
Merriment (A Phillips)

COUPLES – AGE GROUP 3-6
1st: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Fish & Chips
(Reggie Cave)
2nd: Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting – Musical Symbols
(leader ­ Donna Howard & Kerry Larrier)
3rd: Eden Lodge Primary – All In A Name – Windy & Mill (leader ­ Jennifer
Spooner)

COUPLES ­ AGE GROUP 7-10
1st: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Fish Boning &
Scaling (Reggie Cave)
2nd: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World – Sea Weed & Clown Fish (leader ­ Gwyneth
Squires)
3rd: Roland Edwards Primary – De Lost Gems – Worker Bees (leader ­ Joyann
Forde-Craigg)

COUPLES ­ AGE GROUP 11-14
1st: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World – Shell & Coral (leader ­ Gwyneth Squires)
2nd: Vision 20-20 Community Club – Things of Beauty, Fun and Fantasy – Fancy
Butterflies (leader – Alva Seale)
3rd: Betty West – Under The Umbrella – King & Queen of Crop (leader ­ Betty
West)

BEST COUPLE
Gwyneth Squires – Sea World – Shell & Coral (leader ­ Gwyneth Squires)

JUNIOR QUEEN
1st: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World – Chelsea Gardens – S Kidd
2nd: Betty West – Under The Umbrella – Queen of CARICOM – R Ramjit
3rd: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Sunrise at
Oistins – S Watts

JUNIOR KING
1st: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World – Sting Ray – D Denny
2nd: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town – Fish In Flight -
C-R Field
3rd: Belmont Primary School – King Neptune – F Shorey

JUNIOR FLAG PERSON
1st: Reggie Cave Kadooment Band – Oistins: Oh What A Town (leader ­ Reggie
Cave)
2nd: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World (leader ­ Gwyneth Squires)
3rd: Eden Lodge Primary – All In A Name (leader ­ Jennifer Spooner )

Special Prizes
MOST COLOURFUL BAND
Gwyneth Squires – Sea World (leader ­ Gwyneth Squires)

BEST SCHOOL BAND
Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna Howard &
Kerry Larrier)

BEST BAND
1st: Betty West – Under The Umbrella (leader ­ Betty West)
2nd: Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna
Howard & Kerry Larrier)
3rd: Gwyneth Squires – Sea World (leader ­ Gwyneth Squires)

HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AWARD
Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna Howard &
Kerry Larrier)

BMA – BRANDS OF BARBADOS AWARD
Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna Howard &
Kerry Larrier)

SEASON OF EMANCIPATION AWARD
1st: Bush Hall Masqueraders – Children of The Sun (leader ­ Rose-Ann Lewis)
2nd: Boscobelle Primary School – Freedom Ambassadors (leader ­ Cheri Boyce)
3rd: Lawrence T Gay Memorial School – Music Is We Ting (leader ­ Donna
Howard & Kerry Larrier)

Party Monarch

1. Khiomal Nurse 425.00 points Unleash De Beast

2. Mikey 413.5 points

3. Natahlee 394.5 point

4. Mr. Dale 389.00 points

5. Lil Rick 386.00 points

6. Red Plastic Bag 378 points

7. Miguel 367.5 points

8. Blood 349.5 points

9. Kimberley Inniss 345 points

10. Rameses 338 points

11 Donnella 336 points

12. Hee Haw & Dragon Slayer 334 points

13. Justin King 332 points

14. Peter Ram 318.5 points

15. TC 311 points

16. Dragon Slayer 282.5 points

17. Buggy 280 points

18. Jafar 272 points

19. Jay B 271.5 points

20. Jimmy Dan 236 points

Peoples Monarch

1. Edwin Yearwood [Nah Missing Me]

Pic-O-De-Crop Finals

1. Adrian Clarke 421.5 pts Cave Shepherd All Stars

2. Red Plastic Bag 415.5 pts - De Big Show

3. Classic 402 pts – Bacchanal Time

4. Blood 397.5 pts - Headliners Calypso Tent

5. De Announcer 394 pts – Cave Shepherd All Stars

6. Mr. Impact 386.5 pts – Trimart Hit Parade

7. John King 380.5 pts – De Big Show

8. Sheldon Hope 369 pts – De Big Show

9. Romeo 341 pts – Bacchanal Time

10. Enobong 336 pts – The Experience.

Tune of de Crop

1. Edwin Yearwood – [Handle Your Business]

2. Mickey – [Explosion]

3. Natahlee third – [Sun Til Sun]

Grand Kadooment

Best Individual Male

Ewan Pilgrim: “Irie Rastafari”

Gregory Thompson

Orlando Chase

Best Individual Female

1. Dawn-Lisa Smith: “Soca”
2. Monica Drayton-Worrell: “Tantalizing Topaz”
3. Coreen Maynard: “Black Gold”

Best Traditional

1. Renegades: “Harold’s Hobnobbery”
2. Bajana: “Gimme A Dollar Wine”
3. Mas Explosion: “A Day in Paradise”

Best Historical

1. Radikal: ” Unsung Heroes”
2. Renegades: “Harold’s Hobnobbery”
3. Ooutraje: “Jewels of Barbados”

Best Fantasy

Berger Boyz: “Hollywood Action Heroes Visit Crop Over”

Campus Boyz: “Gods and Goddesses”

Cable & Wireless Contact: “Essence of A Woman”

Most Topical

1. Jump Promotions: “Sand Dollars”
2. Bajana: “Gimme A Dollar Wine”
3. Wednesday 2000: “Beauty By Nature”

Most Colourful Large Band

Power By Four: “Y Barbados”

Most Colourful Small Band

Outraje: “Jewels of Barbados”

Best Community Tee Shirt

Youth Explosion: “We Going … Big”

Best Advertising

Gwyneth Squires: “This Is My Land”

Best Community Costume Band

Bajana: “Gimme A Dollar Wine”

HIV/AIDS Award

“Kiss of Death” Betty West: “Ah Feeling So”

BMA Brands of Barbados Award (Large Band)

Power By Four: “Y Barbados”

BMA Brands of Barbados Award (Small Band)

Renegades: “Harold’s Hobnobbery”

Season of Emancipation Award

Not awarded

BTA 50^th Anniversary Award

1. Bajana: “Gimme A Dollar Wine”
2. Mas Explosion: “A Day in Paradise”
3. Jump Promotions: “Sand Dollar”

Flag Person of the Year

1. Didi Winston
2. Simone Mottley
3. Stacy Haynes

Best Presentation

1. Youth Explosion: “We Going…Big”
2. Power By Four: “Y Barbados”
3. Gwyneth Squires: “This Is My Land”

Small Band of the Year

1. Ooutraje: “Jewels of Barbados”
2. Wednesday 2000: “Beauty By Nature”
3. Bajana: “Gimme A Dollar Wine”

Large Band of the Year

1. Betty West: “Ah Feeling So”
2. Power By Four: “Y Barbados”
3. Not awarded

Best Festival Designer (The Robert Weekes Award)

1. Gwyneth Squires
2. Betty West
3. Not awarded

Best Band on the Road

1. Ooutraje: “Jewels of Barbados”
2. Gwyneth Squires: “This Is My Land”
3. Betty West: “Ah Feeling So”

Queen of the Bands

1. Refugees: Katrina Grimell: “Madam Butterfly”
2. Ooutraje: Sophia Chase: “Jade of Fame”
3. Mas Explosion: Cathy Alleyne: “Nubia”

King of the Bands

1. Ooutraje: Trevor Chase: “De Crown Jewel”
2. Gwyneth Squires: Benny Rowwe: “Dawn of a New Day”
3. Betty West: Reggie Cave: “Ah Feeling So”

Montano & Bmobile Envy

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Machel Montano at the bMobile all-inclusive party eNvy - photo by bajanfuhlife.com

Patrons who missed the spectacular all- inclusive party were probably green – with Envy after hearing what they missed.

The six hour extravaganza featured performances from Soca superstar Machel Montano HD, Patrice Roberts, Krosfyah and others, and was attended by hundreds of patrons who paid at least $200 for a one of a kind experience.

With drinks on tap all night patrons were also treated to an assortment of food all night, special eNvy Cocktails and an assortment of other goodies. Prime Minister David Thompson, his wife Mara, Former West Indies cricket Captain Brian Lara, numerous government ministers, merchants, business people, artistes and teenagers mingled under the trees of the car park next to Illaro Court.

Click Above image to view gallery

However, in the end it was the music that drew them and the performers did not disappoint. From the fiery start of Krosfyah who took their guests on a journey through their 17 year career to Natahlee whose popular Sun Til Sun had the crowd moving the people were there to party.

However, whereas the earlier performers got nothing but love when Machel Montano, flanked by fellow Trini entertainers Patrice Roberts, Zan and Farmer Nappy hit the stage it was nothing but frenzied adoration from the crowd who jumped, “juked” and wined to every song delivered.

Giving over an hour show of complete energetic glamorous Montano promised that he had more planned for his performance this weekend at the “Red Hot Cohobblopot,” Meanwhile eNvy is planned to be an annual event with many of the proceeds from this year to be donated to various charities.

Surprising Finals Announced

2008 Pic-O-De-Crop Finalist

Hey, what is going on. Has the winds change for 2008 Crop Over. No Gabby and Kidsite. That was the result, surprising to many, when the nine names to face defending monarch Red Plastic Bag in next Friday’s Cable & Wireless/FirstCaribbean International Bank Pic-O-De-Crop Finals at Kensington Oval were announced at the Wildey Gymnasium in the early hours of this morning.

The two kings, who have 12 crowns between them, were stopped at the Gymnasium, while the other three monarchs in the show, Adrian Clarke of Cave Shepherd All Stars, De Big Show’s John King and Romeo of Bacchanal Time have all advanced.

Joining them will be Mr Impact of Trimart Hit Parade, Sheldon Hope of De Big Show, the Experience’s Enobong, Blood out of the Headliners Tent, De Announcer from Cave Shepherd All Stars and Classic of Bacchanal Time.

While there were some exciting moments on the night, the semi-finals were generally low-keyed. Based on their performances last night, at half-time several patrons questioned the inclusion of some of the semifinalists.

The announcement of the nine was received by a sparse Gymnasium, since patrons started to file out before the De Original Clarke-Dan, who sang at No. 19, even appeared on the stage.

MC Carl Alff Padmore came back with the result around 1:26 a.m, continuing the trend of speedy deliberation, as the result was in less than an hour after the last contestant left the stage.

All finalists, including Red Plastic Bag, are asked to report to the National Cultural Foundation at 10 a.m. today to draw for places.

The ten finalists are: Mr Impact, Enobong, Blood, Sheldon Hope, John King, De Announcer, Adrian Clarke, Romeo, Classic and defending monarch Red Plastic Bag.

Article: nationnews.com

Its time for ten to ten

CROP-OVER’S most energy-challenging party, the Ten-To-Ten fete, comes off this year at its former home next to the Heliport, Hincks Street, in The City on August 2.

The non-stop partying takes place from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day to one of the largest line-ups of local and regional performers, bands and DJs to be found on one stage during the festival.

Earlybird tickets are now on sale at C.S. Pharmacy, Journeys (Haggatt Hall) and Warren’s Ticket Centre, as well as by members of the Bergerboyz group, FAS Entertainment, Brewster’s Road group and Passion Network.

Rupee seals deal for a South Central home base

BARBADOS’ newest premier entertainment management company, South Central Entertainment (SCE), has landed a big one. The outfit has signed Rupert Rupee Clarke as a client.

“We have worked very hard over the last year to create a solid entertainment-based company, to embrace and promote local entertainment on the global platform, so having Rupee who is a global artist join our camp is truly a blessing,” was the comment yesterday from managing director Richard Haynes who will now be representing Clarke’s bookings both locally and regionally.

Rupee, who is still internationally affiliated with Peter Schwartz, said: “Whenever someone was having a local or regional party it was very tedious for them to get through to Schwartz, or there would be a premium fee or sometimes they can’t even get through to him . . . it was important for me to establish a base at home that I can be represented both locally and regionally.”

Soka Junkie places third in St Lucia

MR DALE continues to do well with Soka Junkie.

The reigning Tune-Of-The-Crop and People’s Monarch placed third in the Caribbean Soca Monarch competition in St Lucia on Sunday.

He finished behind St Lucians Ricky T and Isla Man, who finished first and second.

“The response was real good, man. It’s just that most of it was real up tempo, power soca . . . . I can’t complain. Soka Junkie has done me well.

“To come third in an environment like this with all the local boys and local support, it’s like winning,” he told the DAILY NATION from St Lucia on Monday.

There were 11 contestants from various islands in the region.

Soka Junkie placed second in the Party Monarch competition last year, and has also been nominated for four awards in the upcoming International Soca Awards on October 18 in St Kitts.

Mr Dale returns home today, and will be preparing for his performance at Sunday’s Party Monarch competition at the Calypso Bowl. He has drawn position 16.