Ebuzz News
Archived: Giselle The Wassi Is Miami Carnival’s MVP. Carnival Ambassador Pours Endless Vibes Wherever She Goes.
It’s been 31 years since she began putting her heart and soul into the Miami Carnival excitement and never has she regretted the decision. With the Miami Broward Carnival committee celebrating 32 years of hosting the annual event in 2018, Giselle The Wassi One has been on the journey for 31 of those years, a fact that puts it all into perspective, making her undoubtedly the Most Valuable Player in the game, by all accounts.
Wassi atop her truck on Saturday with Caribbean entertainers Teddyson John and Voice.
When it comes to revelry and turning up the vibes, nobody does it better than this lone female MC who’s run the route, from carnival to carnival, around the world, for many years. In Trinidad and Tobago, Wassi’s voice is synonymous with fetes like Army and the now defunct, Fire Fete. She has been a part of the T&T carnival landscape for over two decades, but in Miami, she runs the route.
On Saturday morning at the Central Broward Regional Park where J’ouvert was the order, Wassi, standing proudly atop her truck, briefly stopped amid the thrill to point out her adult son, who she told revellers, had shared her with them for his entire life. She thanked him for loving her and the mas continued. One day prior, Giselle, along with Soca DJ, Back To Basics, had hosted an event called Rise and Shine- a beach party that’s now into its 10th year. She told Ebuzztt.com that she would love to bring the concept to Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival in the years ahead. It was indeed a great party with everyone wearing white, and the music – a mixture of Caribbean genres, along with the beach front venue, delivering a Caribbean fete everyone could enjoy. The artistes too, many of whom are friends of the female MC, came out to vibe and enjoy the fete, among them, Shurwayne Winshester, Ricki T, Problem Child, Teddyson John and Iwer George. One of the event’s hosts, Jamaican heavyweight, Jabba, had at one point during his set, pointed out how many people from New York had made their way to Miami for the festival. The party was great, to say the least and with Wassi a the helm, there’s no doubt that Rise and Shine will see many more years of success.
Today, as the Miami Carnival’s curtains come down, Giselle and her team will be on the road for the parade of the bands. Her celebration of 31 years on the road in Miami will be highlighted in her band’s presentation of ‘Timeless- the theme unveiling to spectators, exactly what makes the Wassi Ones (Giselle’s team), legendary. Last week, they celebrated victory at the annual Kiddies Carnival, as her children’s band, Wassi Babes, had stolen the show and taken home the first prize. “They made me cry. They picked their songs and practiced all year long,” she’d said of the Junior Queen of Carnival’s presentation, Royalty.
Giselle The Wassi One is the ultimate Carnival ambassador. Her passion for delivering the very best in carnival entertainment, while at the same time, teaching newcomers about the enjoyment of the festival, is unparalleled. For that reason, we know that no matter what the future brings, the name Wassi, will always hold with it, high merit and respect, by thousands around the world who’ve also made this industry, their own.
Ebuzz News
Jamaica’s Mavado to Receive Lifetime Award at IRAWMA Awards This Year.
David Brooks, best known as dancehall artiste, Mavado is set to be honored at this year’s 43rd International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) awards on May 17th, in South Florida. He’ll be presented with the Special Lifetime Achievement Award which represents a celebration of resilience, dominance and legacy.
In a statement, the organizers noted that Mavado is known for his unmistakeable voice, global influence and cultural impact. “Mavado has transcended borders, elevating Dancehall to international acclaim,” the statement reads.
In addition to this night of IRAWMA’s celebration of excellence in reggae and world music, globally renowned dancehall superstar, VYBZ Kartel tops the list of more than 150 nominees with 11 nods, and competing against himself in some of the categories, he is followed by Sean Paul and Shaggy with 8 nominations, each.
On the female side, Spice, Lila Ike, and Shenseea tied with 5 nominations each. Hosted by a dynamic lineup including Comedian Dufton Shepherd, Marcia Jackson, and Oliver Mair, the evening promises electrifying performances, unforgettable tributes, and a room filled with icons, tastemakers, and industry leaders.
In a show of gratitude for his conscious musical contribution, Gramps Morgan will be recognized for his song “People Like You,” highlighted as the most outstanding Spiritually Uplifting Song since the new Millennium.Gramps will join a distinguished class of honorees including Burning Spear, Wayne Armond, and Awilo Longomba—each representing excellence across genres and generations.
Caribbean Buzz
The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
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Caribbean Buzz1 week agoThe Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
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Ebuzz News4 days agoJamaica’s Mavado to Receive Lifetime Award at IRAWMA Awards This Year.
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International Buzz2 days agoTrinidad and Tobago’s Kes The Band Shares Feel Good Soca Vibes on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk.