Ebuzz News
Promoters in T&T Now Forced to Find Alternate Feting Venues As Stadium Restrictions Widen.
Trinidad and Tobago’s annual carnival celebrations, today faces critical attention on the heels of an immediate ban imposed on the use of the Hasley Crawford Stadium as a fete venue.
This announcement, made by the country’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar, comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that the Brian Lara Cricket Academy would no longer be available to fete promoters.
Mrs. Persad Bissessar, in a social media post, explained that exceptions would be granted only for events being staged between Carnival Thursday and, through the Saturday following Carnival Monday and Tuesday. She noted that all fetes and parties booked at Ministry of Sport facilities must begin no earlier than 12 noon, and must end promptly at 10pm. Further to these stipulations, the government has directed the National Carnival Commission to engage suitably qualified acoustic engineers to properly design sound systems at their venues to ensure that noise and vibrations from events hosted, are minimal to neighboring communities.
The Prime Minister says her government’s aim, moving forward, is to balance culture and community well-being , protecting traditions while safeguarding the peace of all citizens. “Together we will build a more respectful, responsible, and harmonious Trinidad and Tobago,” Persad-Bissessar wrote.
Alternate Venues?
Over the years, Trinidad and Tobago’s fete landscape has developed significantly, with numerous fetes being hosted throughout the season. Shorter seasons like the upcoming 2026 Carnival season, are likely to see several events hosted on one day, offering patrons variety. As a direct result however, venue options have become a hot topic. The Queen’s Park Savannah, one of the most feasible locations in the Capital for large scale events, has hosted most major fetes and concerts in Trinidad and Tobago, over the years. Some however argue that decentralizing carnival to allow for the inclusion of patrons further South, is necessary.
SuperBlue at Machel Monday.
PHOTO: Jermaine Cruickshank.
In the past, the Hasley Crawford Stadium had been the venue of choice for events like Machel Montano’s signature Machel Monday event. The Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain has also been an option for mega events. Further West, Chaguaramas, though viewed as a traffic nightmare for motorists, carnival fetes have been hosted at O2 Park and The Anchorage, Pier II, and most recently, events have been held at Five Islands Water Park.
In North Trinidad, event promoters have, in recent years, hosted major events at privately owned spaces at Undercover Grounds, Drew Manor and Gasparillo, Santa Cruz. Queen’s Hall in Port-of-Spain has also offered its outdoor space for Carnival fetes and major events like Private Ryan’s Soca Brainwash, have utilized School sporting fields like CIC Grounds, QRC Grounds and even Fatima Grounds, over the years.
Lamenting the lack of suitable facilities, the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association, in response to the initial ban on the Brian Lara Cricket academy, said, “The removal of venues from the already limited pool has left more than twenty of the largest carnival events without a home and with far too few options to accommodate large-scale productions.” The group noted that while concerns about noise pollution are valid, decisions made must be balanced against economic activity and and stimulation.
Ebuzz News
“We Have so Much to Offer the World.” Shurwayne’s Bringing The Authentic Tobago to Carnival.
The most anticipated period on Tobago’s annual event calendar is just about ready to start and one of the island’s most successful entertainers is leading the charge, delivering an event on Thursday, October 29th that will prove truly memorable. Shurwayne Winchester is Tobago’s golden boy. He has taken the Tobago Carnival product personally, believing it’s a good tool to market the island, if truly executed with love and sustainability in mind.
Shurwayne emerged on the Soca scene over 20 years ago and has not slowed down. He has cemented his name in the Caribbean entertainment landscape over many years and he has represented Tobago with immense pride. Despite having moved to Trinidad, the two-time Road March champion remains deeply connected to his home and is set to host Tobago Love The Xperience in honor of that appreciation. “Together with my friend and old Tobago classmate, Lester Duncan, we’re using this event to show the world what Tobago is truly about. For me, it’s about giving back to the place that I came from. There is no prouder moment than being able to do something like this on your home soil. We wanted to offer those visiting the island, something more than the décor and the lights and music,” said the artiste, noting that this year’s theme for Tobago Love The Xperience is The Harvest. “We’re doing something that’s built around the heritage of Tobago. As somebody who grew up here it has always been important for me to do this – to give the foreigners a chance to see the real Tobago, to give them a chance to fall in love with Tobago – the things that they see and the feeling they get when they experience what we have to share.”
Shurwayne believes the events happening at Carnival should embody the island’s underlying energy and attributes. “When they come here for Carnival, what they experience should make them want to return even outside of the Carnival season,” he said.
Tobago Love The Xperience takes place at the Signal Hill Secondary School from 6pm on Thursday. “We want our people to fall in love with our island too. It’s important for us to love where we come from,” said the entertainer. “This event is about heritage and culture. It’s about the history of Tobago. When people enter the venue they will see and feel exactly what a Tobago Harvest is like even as we fete and celebrate the Carnival season,” he said.
An artiste, promoter and ambassador, Shurwayne Winchester’s undying commitment to preserving what’s good about his nation, is commendable. He was one of the artistes who performed most recently at the funeral service held for the late, great Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow. “We have so much to offer the world and there are men and women who showed us how to do it with class and dignity. They took what we have and shared it well with the rest of the world. Men like Sparrow and Aunty Rose represented in a particular way for T&T and I just think it’s a fundamental part of being a patriot – someone who puts country before anything else.”
Music News
Stepping Into Her Own, Jalessa Says It’s Time for ‘Freedom.’
For 16-year-old rising star, Jalessa Lazarus, this month has been bitter sweet. The teenager is set to release her new single, ‘Freedom,’ but even as she delivers musically, she is reminded of her grandmother who passed away in May this year, after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. “She would always tell me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said the youngster as she reminisced on the encouragement, she often received from her family matriarch.
Jalessa Lazarus is a talented, young entertainer in the Soca space, and even as her present focus is on the 2027 CXC examinations, her love for music abounds, and so she is still releasing the Teddy Rhymes penned, ‘Freedom,’ with hope of maintaining her standing in the music space in 2027. “This song is all about expressing yourself – encouraging enjoyment and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I want people to really get to know what we here in T&T are all about – all that we have and all that we can share with the world,” said the artiste.
The song was produced by Millbeatz Music – a familiar space for the entertainer, as she is also being taught to play the piano and guitar under the Millbeatz Entertainment umbrella – under the tutelage of Kevin Millien. “I’m trying my very best to do both music and school. CXC is serious. I have a time-table that helps me with balancing both my studies and music,” she explained. Jalessa is very aware of the importance of a good education. She has a good head on her shoulders, along with parents who keep her grounded, and guide her every step of the way. “I’m doing Maths, English Language, IT, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration,” she said, assuring that she will release more music upon the completion of her exams. “I want to be an inspiration to other young entertainers coming behind me. I also want to travel – take my music around the world,” she expressed, adding that she has dreams of stepping into the RnB arena one day – her inspiration being Adele.
A proud student of the artform, under the tutelage of artistes like Preedy, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts and Voice, Jalessa says she loves Soca music and thinks colourful language has no place in the genre. It’s a topic that is fast becoming a cause for concern according to some, this as more artistes experiment with the inclusion of expletives in their music. “I do not support colourful language in Soca. It’s unnecessary and I don’t think it should be used in our music – music that we are sharing with the world,” said the youngster. “I think Soca is a different type of music, from anything else. Music is generally a vibe. It’s therapy for people – our music is all about dancing, freeing up, dressing up in costumes and being happy; it’s happy music,” she added.
Her groovy soca single, ‘Freedom,’ a true expression of her personality and what she wants the world to know about the land of her birth, Jalessa Lazarus continues to reach for the stars, all while drawing awareness to serious issues. “I want to take the time to extend hope and prayers to anyone who’s dealing with any type of cancer this month and everyday onward. God is always with you,” she said.
Rooted in her culture and diligently focused on her future, Lazarus plans on releasing an EP and says even though she will sit out competitions in 2027, she will return after the completion of her CXC exams. Her mother, Phylesha meanwhile expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment and took a moment to thank Teddy Rhymes for his support and encouragement. “I don’t think she will be going back into junior competitions but we are looking beyond exams and I want to especially thank Teddy for believing in Jalessa and encouraging her.”
For more on Jalessa Lazarus, follow her on her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.
