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Janine Remembered. Exemplary Life now Honored via Black Collar Creative Foundation.

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The Black Collar Creative Foundation was launched in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday 20th, October with a display of immense talent in recognition of a gifted soul, Janine Charles-Farray. A force in the Arts and media, Farray sadly, passed away in October, 2022. The foundation is aimed at preserving her legacy. In her opening speech, Founding Director, Ms. Marva de Freitas Charles’ (Janine’s mother) gave a chronology of her daughter’s work and dedication to the Cultural and Creative Industries.

The elder Charles recalled that her daughter had been was very active in the choir from as early as primary school and in Bishops Anstey High School under the leadership of Mrs. Bacchus-Ifill. She said singing was her passion and it was nurtured by the late Dr. Pat Bishop who mentored and trained Janine in The Lydians choir.

She was a part of the inaugural Board of The Lydians and later resigned as board member. Following which, she was assigned the position of Communications Officer. Subsequently, she was relieved of this duty by the new Board and Management in 2020. She would eventually form Black Collar Creative Ltd., Ms. de Freitas Charles shared. She was instrumental in scripting the night’s feature musical, Une Petite Nuit (A little night) with Chandelier Productions.

Janine won many awards at the TT Music Festival and sat on several Boards and Committees, the latest being the National Carnival Museum and the Caribbean School of Dancing.

As a Panorama aficionado and lover of calypso, she would review the performances, blog and share her thoughts on social media. She was an avid mas player who loved J’ouvert with 3canal.  Charles revealed that they would cross the stage by the Queen’s Park savannah and on the way back, pass in front of Bishops where Janine would lead them in singing the school song, “Who would tru valour see, let him come hither”. There is no better way to describe the brilliance and sheer dynamism of this daughter of the soil, Janine Charles-Farray. She was a ‘cultural powerhouse’ as described by many who knew her, and she advocated for this sector we loved so – she was fearless. One of her many accomplishments was coordinating efforts for cultural and creative organisations during the pandemic, which led to the procurement of hampers donated by Massy Stores to distribute to creative practitioners in need.

Patron of the Foundation, Rhoma Spencer recounts her first encounter with Janine who at the time was being bullied and teased at school for being a big girl, when her mother brought her by her house to talk to her, since she herself was a ‘big’ woman in the arts about body positivity and how to thrive in her skin. Years later, Janine would interview her for the Guardian newspaper, and she reminded her of who she was. She shares that what she saw then was a ‘confident black woman, comfortable in her skin’ and she paused and wondered for a moment if she had a hand in that. 

The launch also included the band, One Vision One Voice (OVOV) who entertained the audience with an eclectic mix of music from reggae to pop, showcasing their versatility. The night’s highlight was Chandelier Productions’ theatrical musical, Une Petite Nuit, which told a love story that was both witty and comedic. Led by Musical Director, Michael Hudlin, the theatrical featured singers/actors Adafih Padmore, Joelle Archer, Shennice Williams, Tahfari Leslie, Carl Anthony Hines, Isaiah Alexander, Gabrielle Alleyne and Kristian Adams. Mr. Stephen de Gannes, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce expressed his absolute enjoyment of the launch, sharing that he was particularly impressed with so many young performers, with special mention of OVOV keyboardist, Candace Moore, all the performances and the high standard of the production and musical accompaniment. 

The foundation has since been registered and will soon accept angel contributions and donations towards supporting creative start-ups with seed funding.

The Board of Directors are Enrico de Freitas, Garnet Allen and Marva de Freitas Charles. Interested persons can email the Black Collar Creative Foundation at bccreativefoundation@gmail.com. For press or further information, contact, Rachael N. Collymore of Power Media Hub Ltd. at engage@powermediahub.com or (868) 323-0416.  

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Dîner en Blanc Set to Bring Parisian Flair to Port-of-Spain on November 14th.

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Dîner en Blanc is making its highly anticipated return to Port- of -Spain on Saturday, November 14, 2026, once again bringing its trademark magic to a brand-new secret location. Building on last year’s successful return, this iconic Parisian-inspired pop-up picnic continues to be one of the city’s most beloved social events – an evening where fashion, fine dining, and community come together under the stars.

Always dressed head-to-toe in white, guests will assemble to create the breathtaking tableau the event is known for. From the iconic Napkin Wave, which signals the official start of dinner, to the Sparklers Moment, which marks the end of the meal and the opening of the dance floor, Dîner en Blanc Diner promises a night filled with gourmet delights, vibrant conversation, and an atmosphere unlike anything else in the city.

To be among the first to reserve tickets when Phase 3 (Fan List) opens, guests are invited to join the exclusive Port of Spain Fan List at portofspain.dinerenblanc.com.

As dinner gives way to dancing, thousands of sparklers light up the night, marking the
beginning of the celebration and the magic that is Dîner en Blanc.

THE THEME: Soirée Parisienne – La Belle Époque

For 2026, Dîner en Blanc Diner celebrates an era of Paris defined by elegance, artistry, and refinement. Guests are invited to embrace an elevated all-white aesthetic, where fashion becomes a form of expression. Tables, styled in pure monochrome, echo the sophistication of historic salons and café culture, while the dining experience draws on the traditions of French gastronomy where cuisine, conversation, and ambiance come together as one.

Meagan Monsegue and Nigel Roach, hosts of Dîner en Blanc – Port of Spain, shared their excitement for this year’s edition: “Port of Spain has embraced Dîner en Blanc as one of its signature social experiences. We’re excited to build on that legacy with an evening that’s elegant, inclusive and unforgettable,” noted Meagan.

How the Experience Works

To preserve the event’s tradition and maintain its elegant atmosphere, every guest plays an essential role. Participants must follow a few timeless guidelines:
Dress code: A chic, all-white ensemble is mandatory. Elegance, originality, and creativity are encouraged. Table setting: All table elements like décor must be white to uphold Dîner en Blanc’s signature visual identity. 

Secrecy of the location: The venue remains a surprise until the last moment. Guests will meet at designated departure points and be escorted by Dîner en Blanc Diner volunteers to the final location. Leave No Trace: In keeping with the event’s commitment to sustainability, guests must bring home everything they arrived with, leaving the space spotless.

What Guests Should Bring or Choose an almost Hands-Free Option

• A gourmet picnic basket packed with a gourmet meal and proper stemware and white dinnerware. Those who prefer not to pack their own meal may pre-order a catered picnic through the Dîner en Blanc D e- store for onsite pickup.
• As a French-inspired celebration, Dîner en Blanc only serves wine and champagne. However, guests are welcome to bring their own selections; however, for added convenience, wine and champagne can also be pre-purchased through the official Dîner en Blanc e-store, ensuring an effortless and stress-free experience.

About the hosts of Dîner en Blanc – Port of Spain

At the helm of the 2026 edition of Diner en Blanc – Port of Spain are Meagan Monsegue and Nigel Roach. Meagan Monsegue is a lifestyle enthusiast and avid global traveller with a natural flair for personal styling and hosting. Her journey with Dîner en Blanc Port of Spain began as a Table Leader in 2016 and has evolved into her role as Co-Host today. Driven by a genuine passion for bringing people together, she brings her distinctive style, energy and love of creating unforgettable moments under the stars to every soirée. Nigel Roach is passionate about bringing together his love of music, fashion, exceptional food and drink, and unforgettable experiences. A natural connector, he thrives on bringing people together, building meaningful relationships and creating elegant events where networking and community come together in a unique atmosphere.

About Diner en Blanc

Dîner en Blanc is more than an event. It’s a global cultural phenomenon that brings friends, old and new, together to celebrate life, food, fashion, and community with a touch of mystery and a sense of spontaneity. Elegantly dressed in white, guests gather at a secret location for a chic, mass picnic, bringing their own tables, chairs, and gourmet baskets. The location remains undisclosed until the very moment of arrival, creating a sense of anticipation and delight. Over the course of the evening, attendees dine, dance, and reconnect with the finer things in life, all while sharing an unforgettable, magical experience in some of their city’s most iconic public spaces.

Today, Dîner en Blanc has grown into an international movement, celebrated cumulatively over its history in more than 120 cities across 40 countries. While Dîner en Blanc Diner International is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, each event is hosted locally by passionate organizers who bring their own flair to the original Parisian concept. Together, these gatherings unite communities worldwide in a celebration of gourmet cuisine, extraordinary entertainment, and the joy of connection. For more info, photos, and videos from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

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Stevie Wonder Joins KestheBand On Stage at DC Jazz Fest – A Big Moment for Caribbean Culture.

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Internationally loved and embraced Soca band, KesTheBand delivered yet another unforgettable moment for Caribbean music last Saturday, September 5th – this time at the DC Jazz Festival. It was there, in the midst of the enjoyment that a special opportunity presented itself – Kees Dieffentaller would meet the global music icon, Stevie Wonder.

The surprise appearance marked a continuation of a weekend that placed KestheBand and Caribbean music at the center of some of the most significant cultural moments of Labour Day weekend. The set included an uptempo lyrical mashup of “I Just Called To Say I Love You” and “Savannah Grass,” which received thunderous applause from adoring fans.

Crediting his parents in an emotional social media post following their debut at DC Jazz Fest, lead singer, Kees Dieffenthaller shared that the Stevie Wonder hit “was the first record I had on repeat as a child.” The moment was a powerful one as Soca music and a Trinidad and Tobago band that dedicatedly promotes the genre along with their country, came face to face with one of the most influential global artistes in music history.

Just one night earlier, on Friday, September 4th, KesTheBand electrified Soca Fest at Brooklyn museum in New York, where the band was introduced by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. The appearance brought together Caribbean music, culture and community in one of New York’s most prominent Labor Day weekend celebrations and venues.

Kees went on to serve as an Honorary Grand Marshal of the West Indian Day Parade. The honor was shared with dancehall and reggae superstar, Buju Banton.

Kes the Band with New York City Mayor, Zohran Kwame Mamdani

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