Ebuzz News
Archived: Soca, Dancehall Erupt In Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad- Promoters Promise More!
This past weekend was one of much excitement, with events planned across T&T, but the show that mad ethe most noise it would seem, was TAO- Together As One, a concert held at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. Despite news of one Jamaican reggae crooner being served a warrant and arrested for breach of contract, the show went on and has since been receiving pretty good reviews.
Bunji Garlin and his wife, Fay-Ann Lyons took in the show on Saturday night.
ETCETERABUZZ.COM took in the excitement from the VVIP area this time around, opting to rub shoulders a bit with some notables of the Trini entertainment fraternity, among them, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and their band manager, Dexter Thomas and even Squeezy Rankin, who had performed earlier in the evening with Blaxx and the Roy Cape family. By all accounts, the show was billed to be a unified showcase of Caribbean culture and headlining the event would be Konshens, Busy Signal, Aidonia, Charlie Blacks- all out of JA and of course, from Barbados, Lead Pipe and Saddis, Antigua- Ricardo Drue and from soca island, Blaxx and the Roy Cape family. In the lead up to the event, there was some speculation that the event may have lacked something to send concert lovers running to the ticket outlets but there seemed to have been a different effect by the time Friday came around and the artistes themselves touched down in Trinidad.
Jamaica’s Busy Signal appeared in court just moments prior to performing at TAO on Saturday. He was accused of a breach of contract. The matter has however been addressed.
TAO brought out quite a crowd in the General Admission area but there certainly was room for more patrons when it came to the VIP and VVIP areas. All in all though, the event’s execution was almost seamless, the artistes delivering awesomely, some with a little expletive here and there, but being warned by the stage management team that cursing on stage at an event in Trinidad was an offense.
Busy’s management has since released this statement.
Charlie Blacks and Aidonia- each capitalizing on their youth appeal, focused on their market no doubt and later Busy Signal and Konshens breaking out into their respective reggae and dancehall renditions, engaged the youthful and mature alike. Promotional entity, WASOMI Promotions have already announced plans to bring Jamaican acts Popcaan and GullyBop next so T&T, look out, there’s more action on the way!
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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.
