International Buzz
Miami Carnival Is On. ‘Mawnin Suave’ and ‘Glasshouse’ Ready to Deliver.
Caribbean carnival excitement is steadily building as the countdown is on to the highly anticipated Miami Carnival 2024, this coming weekend. The Miami Carnival weekend sees thousands fill the city, ready to create memories with friends and fun seekers, all aligned in some way or another to the Caribbean carnival culture. THC Promotions, a staple brand on the US carnival circuit, is set to unleash their slate of events this season and they’re promising nothing short of good vibes and fun.
Anthony Maingot, Jason Jordan and Akil Jordan are the men behind THC Promotions. They pride themselves on delivering events that can be enjoyed by everyone. “Our aim at THC Promotions has always been to provide patrons with an atmosphere that allows them to feel comfortable in their skin. We welcome everyone to come out to our events and have a great time, no matter race, class or nationality,” said Maingot.
On Miami Carnival Friday, October 11th, the energy builds from 10am as the team hosts ‘Mawnin Suave,’ an event that sees two familiar event names out of Trinidad’s Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations, merge into one, in Miami. “The concept for this event is all white wear and it’s breakfast inclusive. We’re working collaboratively with Love Life Sounds for this event merger, which ironically, is a break- off of Suave, which is hosted on Borough Thursday and Mawnin Neighbour, which is held on Borough Sunday. The music will speak volumes for the experience, as we merge past with present,” said Maingot. He noted that veteran artiste out of Trinidad and Tobago, Ronnie McIntosh will be there along with other artistes. “Our DJ lineup is also really strong so we’re bringing all the necessary elements for a great fete, and inviting all the good people to come through.”
Get Ready for Glasshouse
Then on Monday, October 14th, THC Promotions and Ninja Fete host Glasshouse Miami– an event that’s never one to miss. As the curtains close on the Miami Carnival experience, this event will offer something unique to patrons. Glasshouse will deliver an alternative to the hype of a ‘total soca’ showcase – intentionally bringing fete lovers back down to earth with other music genres they enjoy. “We’ve been doing events in Miami since 2007. We try to make our events as cost effective as possible, especially for those visiting Miami just for this season. There are limited tickets still available for these events,” said Anthony, pointing to online ticketing options, Fronlineticketing.com and Eventbrite.com.
As event promoters in the US Carnival industry, Maingot and Jordan have broken through the glass ceiling, capably using their individual experience in sales and marketing to satisfy their bases. “Our patrons’ satisfaction is extremely important to us. We try to be as accessible to everyone, as we can and we deliver on what we offer.”
Mawnin Suave and Glasshouse are set to thrill those heading over to Miami Carnival with all intents and purposes of having the time of their lives. “What we will assure is that no person attending our events, will leave unfulfilled. Come out and have a great time,” said Anthony. He is excited to show off all that’s set to unfold at what’s been coined, THC Promotions’ Extreme Miami Carnival Weekend 2024.
International Buzz
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International Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago’s Kes The Band Shares Feel Good Soca Vibes on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk.
Internationally acclaimed, Trinidad and Tobago band, KestheBand scored big points, delivering a vibrant, culturally rich performance on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. The pre-recorded showcase was uploaded to YouTube, for the viewing enjoyment of over 12 million, on Friday, May 8th. It was recorded at NPR Music Headquarters in Washington, DC.
The set featured classic Soca hits including ‘Hello’, ‘Fallin’, ‘Rum and Coca Cola’, ‘Jolene’, ‘Cocoa Tea’, ‘Wotless‘ and ‘Savannah Grass’. Also featured in the spotlight were three other Caribbean musical superheroes – Calypso Queen, Terri Lyons, Ace pannist, Dane Gulston and St. Lucia’s very own, Teddyson John. Their accompaniment added both visual and acoustic appeal to the showcase, likewise the men who musically embellish Kes The Band.
Lead vocalist of Kes the Band, Kees Dieffenthaller, reflecting on the historic moment for the band, said it was an honor. “Performing at Tiny Desk is an incredible honour that we’ve dreamed of for a very long time. This moment is a powerful reminder of how far Caribbean music can travel when it stays true to its roots. To strip it down, feel every note, and share that energy with the world in such an intimate space—it’s something we’ll carry with us for the rest of this journey.” Dieffenthaller added, “We are vessels of sound and song, and this moment is so much bigger than us: it’s about our culture, our people, and our joyful connection we bring through music.”
NPR Tiny Desk host and series producer Bobby Carter praised the band’s performance. He need that Kes the Band brought something truly special to the NPR Tiny Desk, defining that special something as a sound that feels both deeply rooted and globally resonant. He said that ahead of Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrated across the US throughout June, Kes The Band’s performance is a celebration of Caribbean culture in its most dynamic form.
The outstanding showcase comes as KestheBand completes the European/UK leg of the ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour, which officially kicked off in Paris, France on April 30th – including historic sold-out dates in London and a double-run in Amsterdam. The tour, hosted in collaboration with Live Nation and WME, is set to kickstart its North American journey with Seattle, Washington State on May 28th and marks the beginning of an expansive international journey connecting audiences through Caribbean sound and spirit.
