Ebuzz News
Archived: Look Out Trinidad, Tobago's Coming With A New Star Soon & Shurwayne's Called Dibs !
Best beaches, crab and dumpling and breathtaking sunsets… oh and we can’t forget Shurwayne Winchester. Those are just a couple of the things that come to mind when the island of Tobago is mentioned in any convo. These days however, Tobago is being readied for a major competition that just might get the attention of the rest of the Caribbean, especially since it involves starting the career of a budding artiste. Get ready world, The Next Tobago Star is about to be born.
Shurwayne Winchester says he’s happy and proud to be directly involved in finding The Next Tobago Star.
Sounds a little cliche but like many of the shows that have been touted to deliver the ‘next big thing’ from territory to territory, this one is guaranteeing the winner a slate of great opportunities for advancement in the music business. The competition is an initiative undertaken by Shurwayne Winchester- Tobago’s golden boy of soca, and the Division of Community Development and culture. In a chat with E-BUZZ this morning, Shurwayne told us he’s extremely happy and proud to be directly involved in contributing to this. “We’re offering them a hands opportunity to be directly injected into the art form. For some of these budding acts, they aren’t able to afford recording time so through this opportunity, they’ll be recording with Andrew Phillips and Alton Bertie of SW Limited,” Shurwayne explained. He also said the acts will also benefit from vocal training and even rehearsals with his team at SW Limited.
The mandate of the initiative is embedded in the need to fulfil the musical potential of many young, aspiring vocalists out of Tobago- something that Shurwayne can relate to, having had to fight his way to the mainstream music market over in Trinidad and then across the Caribbean, from his humble beginnings in Tobago. On November 16th and 17th, there’ll be auditions at the Scarborough Community Centre and the Glamorgan Community Centre respectively and from there, it’s on to the big show. In the end, the person who is crowned The Next Tobago Star, will be exposed to professional vocal training at SW Limited and even a recording contract with Shurwayne and his team for the entire C2K14 season.
[quote type=”medium” align=”centre”] We’re offering them a hands opportunity to be directly injected into the art form. For some of these budding acts, they aren’t able to afford recording time so through this opportunity, they’ll be recording with Andrew Phillips and Alton Bertie of SW Limited. [/quote]
Ahead of 2014, Shurwayne and his team have already mapped out some of their projects, among them an event they’re doing in Tobago called, Tobago Love- The Premium All-Inclusive Experience. That takes place on January 26th and the winner of the Next Tobago Star will perform there first, before being challenged to other major gigs during the Carnival. The C2K14 buzz has certainly started to fill the air and Shurwayne’s been one of the artistes who’s proven that he’s on top of it. Recently, he released a single called, “We Doh Sleep” with Farmer Nappy. That track has been receiving a lot of love since being unleashed to the masses. On the heels of that, the SW Limited camp has unveiled a teaser for what is likely to be their next major release- something called, ‘Carnivalian’ – a word that will redefine Carnival people. Take a look below.
‘CARNIVALIAN’
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Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.