Caribbean Buzz
Bass Gets LOUD… “Could Maracas Bay Look Anything Like This?”
Trinidad and Tobago may be known for the greatest carnival experience in the world but added to that, the island has often been highlighted by international magazines and travel analysts for the sublime Maracas Bay experience. The Huffington Post, in a 2014 travel feature dubbed Maracas Bay- ‘ As close to perfect as a beach can get.’ These days however, the facility leaves much to be desired and one soca artiste has made a passionate plea for Tourism officials in his country, to simply get it together.
Bass wants to see a better Maracas Bay facility in Trinidad.
Having visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the end of May, Bass – formerly known as Third Bass, an often outspoken songwriter and artiste who doubles up as a radio personality at Boomchampions 94.1FM in Trinidad, posted videos to social media, voicing his passionate plea for Maracas Bay to be transformed into a facility like that of Buccament Bay at the multi-award-winning Buccament Bay Resort in St. Vincent.
Maracas Bay, having been earmarked for a multi million dollar upgrade, has been left in shambles since April 2016, after the country’s government halted the project, having fired the contractor that was hired by the previous administration. Tourism Minister, Shamfa Cudjoe outlined a number of issues that plagued the project, including how much of the project had been completed in the time allowed. Bass however, isn’t concerned with the politics of the matter. Using his mobile phone camera, the entertainer who’s been touring with Destra Garcia in recent weeks, having hit Barbados, the Bahamas and St. Vincent, captured the awesome layout of the Buccament Bay facility in St. Vincent. He said, “why can’t our Maracas Bay look like this?”… passionately calling on Trinbagonian authorities to spend tax payer’s dollars better than they currently are.
Set to hit Antigua this weekend, Bass whose ‘Stush in the Bush’ sentiment caused a stir in Carnival 2016, says when he travels, he is often in awe at how governments with far less financial resources in the Caribbean, manage to deliver much more, when it comes to tourism for their respective countries. He is now appealing to Trinidad and Tobago’s Tourism Minister and the ministry of Tourism to get it right in the shortest possible time.
Maracas Bay is, by all accounts, the most popular beach facility in Trinidad with thousands often flocking to the crescent, scenic weekend spot for a dip, and a good ‘lime’ with friends and family. The meandering roadway that leads to the Bay is also a topic of much conversation for tourists who upon reaching to the beach, lose themselves in the beauty of the very natural atmosphere. According to Bass, this is more than enough of a reason for government to expedite the process of making the facility a truly world class one.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
Caribbean Buzz
Jamaican Music and Culture Takes Centre Stage in South Florida, in February.
In South Florida, Caribbean culture finds a second home with a number of major caribbean centric events hosted throughout the year. On Sunday, February 2nd, the 2nd annual Reggae Genealogy Music Festival takes centre stage as the pulsating sounds and multifaceted history of that country, is set to be showcased.
The event will take place from 4pm to 9pm at the northeast parking lot of the the Broward Mall in the City of Plantation. Via media release, Ebuzztt learnt that the area will be transformed into a lively concert venue where attendees will enjoy an immersive journey through Jamaica’s unparalleled musical legacy in celebration of Reggae Month.
Produced by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, this family-friendly showcase will begin by tracing the early beginnings of popular Jamaican music, prior to Jamaican independence from Britain in 1962, to the present, touching on mento, ska, nyabinghi, rocksteady, lovers rock, dub, reggae and dancehall. Performers including industry legends like Ernie Smith, Eric “Monty” Morris, Wayne Armond, Ambelique and more will perform musical features alongside the Code Red Band and lead singer Bobby Rose, as well as dancers from Carimer Theatre, captivating the audience with a slew of hits from yesteryear.
In Act I, the story will be narrated by effervescent Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair, whose theatrical background will lend levity to the early evening events. Later, in Act II, the showcase will also highlight the influence of Jamaican music on genres such as dub, pop, reggaeton and Afrobeats, in a current and future musical journey curated and performed in part by DJ GQ of Y100. Entertainers like Bigg G, Phil Watkins, VP Records diva Shuga and more will lend contemporary musical stylings to the night.
Ahead of this rhythmic melding of entertainment and learning, attendees are encouraged to come out early to enjoy free museum tours, events and activities, food and shopping in the event area as well as inside the mall.
Gates for the Reggae Genealogy concert open at 4 p.m. with showtime at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $15 for early purchase to $75 for full-priced VIP. Find tickets, sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information at www.reggaegenealogy.org
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