Trinidad and Tobago has experienced the effects of Scorch Radio’s concept of a Soca and Dancehall week and by the looks of it, it may be the start of an annual staging. The series of events, which included several panel discussions, ended with a massive concert at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday night.
Shenseea, Popcaan and several local entertainers, including Isasha and Sackie, thrilled the crowd of young partygoers on the final night, but even before that, the energy of the concept had been felt across the island. In the lead up to the weekend, Caribbean Musicon was held and focused on sharing ideas and discussing areas of concern in the promotion of Caribbean music, to global audiences. Free to enter and experience, the four day symposium featured several panel discussions and even offered students an opportunity to learn some of the career paths that are available to them in the business of entertainment.
Among those who spoke at the live panel discussions throughout the series, were globally known songwriter and singer, Angela Hunte, Soca artiste, Farmer Nappy, event promoter, Jules Sobion, National Carnival Commission CEO, Keiba Jacob Motley, cultural entrepreneur and producer, Lorraine O’Connor, UberSocaCruise publicist Jodi Covington, music producer Kasey Phillips and former Major Lazer member, DJ and Producer Jillionaire. Several members of the TriniBad genre’s advocates, inclusive of artistes and producers, along with Dime Media’s, Delicia Patterson, were also included in the mix.
Singer, Songwriter Angela Hunte
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and the Arts as well as the Ministry of Sport and youth Development of Trinidad and Tobago, the cumulative event was deemed necessary by Scorch Radio boss, Kwesi Hopkinson. “We felt it was the right time to not only pay tribute to these artforms, which have shaped and colored our lives, but to also have those essential discussions about the industry and the way forward, and our respective roles and responsibilities in advancing and evolving our industry toward achieving more and more success,” he said.
On June 19th, Stink and Dutty was held at the Savannah, in the lead up to Stage Show on Saturday night. The well known event, which is a carnival staple, saw fete lovers emerge in all their glory. “This is the greatest party in the world,” said Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis, at the event last Wednesday. “I doh care what nobody say, this should be a staple for tourists when they visit the island. They should get a Bake and Shark, doubles, or whichever Trini food they prefer. They should visit Maracas Beach, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, but after all that… and before they leave… all fun-loving tourists should definitely attend Stink N Dutty,” he said. The Stink N Dutty event featured artistes like Angela Hunte, Mical Teja, Voice, Skinny Fabulous, Jamaica’s Jada Kingdom and Rajah Wild and T&T’s Yung Bredda Entertainment.
On Saturday night, even amid a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that shook the ground, patrons at the Stage Show took in the stageside excitement of Shenseea. She preceded Popcaan who generated tremendous fan love. The enthusiasm for dancehall music, as a Caribbean genre, was evident, particularly among the youth. On stage, Popcaan revealed that he is presently working on a new album and would be recording while in T&T.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
Anson George
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
A Caribbean tour that started in Trinidad on Saturday and has continued in Grenada, this afternoon, has intrigued GenZ and GenAlphan fans across the Caribbean and internationally, all thanks to digital influencer, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr.
The 21-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio native who has racked up over 53 million YouTube subscribers touched down in Trinidad on Saturday, much to the excitement of local gaming and streaming fanatics, many of whom are teens and pre-teens.
Accompanied by several Trinidad and Tobago influencers and chaperoned by Machel Montano’s manager, Che Kothari, the vibrant young streamer was shown various parts of Port- of- Spain, Trinidad, and introduced to aspects of the culture often experienced by visitors to T&T, particularly at Carnival time.
From Saheena, to Roti, Bake and Shark and Doubles, IShowSpeed tried several Trinbagonian dishes and even some of the snacks manufactured locally. He was exposed to Carnival culture and traditional carnival characters and further to that, Trinidad and Tobago artistes like Lady Lava, Nessa Preppy and Jimmy October shared in the thrill of his visit. Many young, eager Trinbaonians, inclusive of parents who are familiar with the young influencer, engaged happily with Watkins Jr. throughout Saturday’s trip, all as he streamed the fun, live. Running through the streets as he moved through places like Tragarete Road and Charlotte Street in downtown Port-of-Spain, he was visibly excited to experience the country known especially for the Greatest Caribbean Carnival, the world over.
The trip, though quick, was streamed to some 7 millions online viewers and while some found it difficult to relate to the new wave of digital marketing and influencer branding potential for the small, twin island, others have since been marveling at the fact that this 21-year-old has managed to gift Trinidad and Tobago more publicity in mere hours, than that which Caribbean celebrities have been able to attain, over years in cultural ambassadorship.
Now, he turns his energy to Grenada. He was welcomed to the island by Grenadian cultural ambassador, Mr. Killa on Sunday, and Grenada’s signature Jab is expected to be on full display as the opportunity to reach millions around the world, now presents itself. The tour will continue to other Caribbean tourist destinations, inclusive of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Dominica, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
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