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Ahead of C2K26, A Re-Imagined ‘Kalypso’ Sound and Style Launches This Sunday, in Trinidad.

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A major cultural event, unlike anything delivered on this scale, is set to take place in North, Trinidad, on Sunday, September 7th. Kalypso – an event envisioned by ace producer, songwriter and musical visionary, Kitwana Israel, will bring the pomp and ceremony to the lush and tranquil, Pubelo El Pao Estate in Santa Cruz, this weekend.

Kit Israel is delivering a new sound ahead of Carnival 2026.

“The time for us to claim our sound and officially register our brand is long overdue,” said Israel. “I am just doing my part to help us fulfill our collective destiny and I hope that the industry leaders and practitioners will follow and make their contributions in a timely fashion, so that we can represent as a collective force and a unified culture ready for industry,” he added.

The New Kalypso

The event will see the official launch of the soundscape for a re-imagined, modern version of Calypso. Israel and his team at Advokit Productions have worked over the years, meticulously crafting this re-imagined sound of Calypso- which, going forward, will spelt, Kalypso.

With its first recordings happening later in 1912 and 1914, Calypso music began as a way for slaves to passively resist their masters through song and music. Shared willingly up the archipelago and throughout the first world nations, this rapidly-evolving oral tradition was both infectious and compelling, and was quickly adopted and adapted in a variety of ways by numerous creatives across the Caribbean region and around the globe. 
“When we trace the lineage from then to now, we can see clearly the influence that Calypso has had on the music industry,” Israel said, “but yet, the genre is nowhere to be found on the current charts, online or the DSPs and even here in its homeland, it has been neglected and sidelined for a good few decades, while its descendants have grown and matured and continue to dominate the soundscape.”

The Calypso music genre was among the earliest genres of music recorded in English in the Western Hemisphere. It pioneered and combined sophisticated rhyming patterns, narrative song structures and topical lyrics – all unique traits which distinguished it from contemporaneous genres like blues and vaudeville in the late nineteenth century. Calypso’s influence would later permeate global music, inspire and influence many genres and cultures: from reggae to soca to hip-hop and more. 

Incorporating Fashion and Style

Apart from the sound of Kalypso, this event will also present the look, style and fashion image of Kalypso. The theme of the night is Black Dandyism, a statement that goes beyond a dress code and represents a visual celebration of identity and resistance. From its inception, Kalypso evolved through dance and came with a clear look and feel, not just a sound. The fashion showcase on Sunday will reflect this vision via a cast of some of the most respected designers in the nation/region.

Ecliff Elie is captivated by the theme and ready to push creative limits, while Christian Boucaud makes her long-awaited return to the runway with a brand new collection – her first since the pandemic. Ryan Chan, known for his bold creative energy, is also on the fashion forward cast and excited to bring his take on the Kalypso theme. Naballah Chi, fresh off her win at the First Citizens Banking in Style show, will also be featured, along with Aaron Moneer, who has been commanding runways from the Caribbean to Paris.

Dubbed “Kalypso – The Luxe Launch : A Cultural Renaissance in Black, Gold and Global Sound” and produced by ET&T Magazine, Overtime Media, Advokit Productions and Pixel Perfect Media, Kalypso, according to organisers will be more than the average fete, concert or fashion show. “This is the launch of a bold, new sound designed to restore one of the first established genres of music to its former glory.” said Israel. “Rooted in Calypso, but evolved and updated for today’s global stage, this sound is built on rhythm, storytelling and reinvention. It gives Caribbean culture a new voice while honoring its roots…” 

Tickets are limited and available from committee members, islandetickets.com and at all Cache stores nationwide.

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Caribbean Buzz

The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.

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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.

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Caribbean Buzz

Caribbean Youths Zealously Welcome American Streamer, IShowSPEED.

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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.

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