Buju Banton heads to Tobago before he debuts reggae at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas in the Summer.
Already a hub of Easter weekend excitement annually, The Tobago Festival Commission has taken a dynamic approach to delivering more to the benefit of the island’s people and those who will visit for the long weekend. “Buju Banton, Gramps Morgan and Wayne Wonder, together with other artistes of that calibre, will be the icing on the cake, on Easter Sunday. Before they bring down the curtains, we’ve aligned a slate of top tier entertainers who’ll deliver unparalleled showmanship and not to mention, music that bridges generational gaps and fills voids,” said one representative for the Festival Commission.
One month ahead of the festival, plans are underway to welcome the biggest names in reggae music to the island, with anticipation heightened among many on the ground in Tobago. “Buju Banton remains an undeniable force in music. His energy is unlike that of any other reggae entertainer and we’re very happy to be hosting him this Easter,” said the organizer.
Sinach is coming to T&T.
On Thursday, April 17th, Sinach, an internationally recognized gospel singer, graces Tobago’s shores. The Nigerian singer, songwriter and worship leader became the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter’s charts for 12 consecutive weeks. Nine studio albums to her credit, the artiste stands strongly enveloped in a catalogue of hits which include, ‘Way Maker,’ ‘He Did It Again,’ ‘This is My Season,’ and ‘I Know Who I Am.’ Together with the incomparable Tobagonian singers, Positive and Blessed Messenger, and award-winning Guyanese singer/songwriter/producer, Samuel Medas, the Easter weekend will ultimately be blessed with ‘Melodies from Heaven,’ – an invitation to all of T&T, in what is believed can be a transformative experience.
Mical Teja will join Brian McKnight and Jon Sacada on Saturday, April 19th.
The Bucco Seafood Jazz experience adds to the appeal of the weekend thrill on Saturday, April 19th with international artistes, Jon Secada and Brian McKnight billed to perform, along with the incredibly talented, and youthfully dynamic, Mical Teja. “This weekend is about revisiting the elements of music, food and overall destination satisfaction. As a tourism product, Tobago stands strong in the Caribbean region, however, we understand the need to increase and accelerate our deliverables, as to entice global destination seekers,” explained the organizer. The Rhythm and Soul Festival is ideally a product that organizers believe is necessary for the growth of Tobago as a tourism product in the region. “For our people here on the island, it’s more than just entertainment; It’s employment, it’s independence, it’s developing something from scratch that we can be proud to produce annually.”
The island is abuzz with excitement. Last summer, Buju Banton performed at several sold-out concerts in the United States. He is billed to take reggae music to Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood for the first time ever, on June 7th. “To say that we are bringing our Caribbean brother back to the region for a spectacular performance, just before he headlines that major Las Vegas show, is heartwarming. Tobago is a destination of surprises and as we look toward the horizon in the aftermath of this festival and all that will come after that, we are prepared to stand strong with our people and make the best of what we have here,” said the spokesperson.
Tickets for the weekend-long festival are available online at www.islandetickets.com. “We’re excited about this. Ticket sales are going well and interest in the product is high. For those who haven’t already made plans to come over from Trinidad, we urge you to get the ball rolling. Time is of the essence and you won’t want to miss this weekend of fun, great music, serenity and positive energy. It’ll be a weekend like nothing you’ve experienced before,” said the organizer.
For more on the Rhythm and Soul festival, follow @tobagofestivals on Instagram and Facebook.
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
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.
Anson 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.
A Caribbean tour that started in Trinidad on Saturday and has continued in Grenada, this afternoon, has intrigued GenZ and GenAlphan fans across the Caribbean and internationally, all thanks to digital influencer, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr.
The 21-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio native who has racked up over 53 million YouTube subscribers touched down in Trinidad on Saturday, much to the excitement of local gaming and streaming fanatics, many of whom are teens and pre-teens.
Accompanied by several Trinidad and Tobago influencers and chaperoned by Machel Montano’s manager, Che Kothari, the vibrant young streamer was shown various parts of Port- of- Spain, Trinidad, and introduced to aspects of the culture often experienced by visitors to T&T, particularly at Carnival time.
From Saheena, to Roti, Bake and Shark and Doubles, IShowSpeed tried several Trinbagonian dishes and even some of the snacks manufactured locally. He was exposed to Carnival culture and traditional carnival characters and further to that, Trinidad and Tobago artistes like Lady Lava, Nessa Preppy and Jimmy October shared in the thrill of his visit. Many young, eager Trinbaonians, inclusive of parents who are familiar with the young influencer, engaged happily with Watkins Jr. throughout Saturday’s trip, all as he streamed the fun, live. Running through the streets as he moved through places like Tragarete Road and Charlotte Street in downtown Port-of-Spain, he was visibly excited to experience the country known especially for the Greatest Caribbean Carnival, the world over.
The trip, though quick, was streamed to some 7 millions online viewers and while some found it difficult to relate to the new wave of digital marketing and influencer branding potential for the small, twin island, others have since been marveling at the fact that this 21-year-old has managed to gift Trinidad and Tobago more publicity in mere hours, than that which Caribbean celebrities have been able to attain, over years in cultural ambassadorship.
Now, he turns his energy to Grenada. He was welcomed to the island by Grenadian cultural ambassador, Mr. Killa on Sunday, and Grenada’s signature Jab is expected to be on full display as the opportunity to reach millions around the world, now presents itself. The tour will continue to other Caribbean tourist destinations, inclusive of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Dominica, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
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