Ebuzz News
The Countdown Has Begun to A Barclays Shell Down Like No Other. Machel Is On His Way.
Soca superstar Machel Montano has been busy over the past couple weeks, this as he hits various destinations with his ‘One Degree Hotter’ tour. The Taipan of the art form which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, and has since spread across the Caribbean region, will deliver his special brand of energy at Barclay’s Centre in Brooklyn, later this month.
PHOTO: Anil Mathi
In July, Machel and the Monk band performed at Tipsy Music Festival in Barbados and the Caribbean Melting Pot in Antigua. The tour will see him hit destinations like Toronto, Anguilla, Washington, Miami and of course, Brooklyn New York. The highly anticipated, Planet Brooklyn mega show is set to ignite New York on August 24th ahead of Labour Day celebrations within the West Indian community. “I’m beyond excited to be apart of Planet Brooklyn. It’s an honor to bring the energy of soca back to the borough and to the iconic Barclays Center,” said Machel. He noted that Brooklyn has always felt like a second home to him, explaining, “The vibes, the culture, the people — there’s nothing like it. Every time I step on that stage in New York, especially in a place as electric as Barclays Center it’s a celebration of Caribbean spirit and unity.”
Founded by BSE Global, Planet Brooklyn seeks to celebrate and highlight artists who represent the cultural and creative diversity found within the borough of Brooklyn and the varied genres of music they represent. The two day festival- a first of its kind, hits New York with a slate of both free and ticketed musical performances across three iconic entertainment venues in the borough – Barclays Center, Brooklyn Paramount and BAM – on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24.
Stars of Soca, Dancehall, Chutney, Zess and Afrobeats will take the stage at Planet Brooklyn, with the one and only, Machel Montano headlining Barclays on Sunday, August 24th. Jamaica’s Ayetian and Skillbeng, along with T&T’s Bunji Garlin, Lady Lava, Ravi B, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Problem Child and Skinny Fabulous. The event will be hosted by Majah Hype and feature, Travis World.
Brooklyn at the Heartbeat of Caribbean Culture.
With more than 150 distinct cultural identities in Brooklyn, the borough stands as one of the most culturally diverse communities in the world. Planet Brooklyn will reflect the unique role Brooklyn plays to influence music and culture globally, while fostering togetherness and uplifting local artists and businesses that make up the heart of the borough.
“When putting together the lineup for Planet Brooklyn, it was paramount that our performers reflected the incredible diversity of Brooklyn itself — a true mosaic of cultures, sounds, and stories,” said DeJuan Wilson, Chief Products and Experiences Officer at BSE. “Our goal is that Planet Brooklyn will further elevate and celebrate those unique voices, bringing together artists who represent the heartbeat of this borough, and we are excited for everyone to experience a festival that’s as vibrant and dynamic as Brooklyn itself.”
In addition to musical performances, Planet Brooklyn will include a free two-day block party in the streets near the three participating venues, designed to connect the festival’s flagship venues with a continuous flow of music, movement, and culture through the streets of Downtown Brooklyn. The block party will be comprised of local food vendors and merchants that also reflect the diversity and creativity of the borough. Open both Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, the block party will also feature multiple stages where attendees can enjoy free performances from a range of artistes and other creatives.
The Planet Brooklyn Brand
Planet Brooklyn is produced alongside Multiply Creative, a cultural marketing and experiential agency founded in Brooklyn with a mission to create meaning and evoke emotion through narrative and creative expression, designing moments that have a profound cultural impact. Planet Brooklyn is part of series of year-long events, programs and partnerships participating in New York City Tourism + Conventions’ Founded By NYC campaign, marking the 400th anniversary of New York City. BKMag is the supporting media partner of Planet Brooklyn. Visit www.planetbrooklynfest.com or follow Planet Brooklyn on all social media platforms at @planetbkfest to learn more.
Caribbean Buzz
URAVE- ‘Life Beyond The Creek’ Launches this Weekend in the SouthLand. There’s Never Been Anything Like It.
There’s a major shift happening in entertainment in T&T. The energy is rising. On the heels of Tobago Carnival – a spectacle that has left mas lovers craving more, there’s a band launch on the horizon that promises entertainment lovers a true taste of what Trinidad’s South West peninsula has to offer. URAVE is a brand that’s building community and dedicatedly setting things in motion for the best Borough Festival Point Fortin has ever experienced, in 2027.
Speaking exclusively with Ebuzztt.com, Directors, Kariym Balthazar and Roland Hamilton shared details on ‘Life Beyond The Creek’ – the concept for URAVE’S 2027 Borough Festival presentation. The event takes place at the Clifton Hill Beach Resort on Saturday, November 7th from 9pm.
Two of seven directors who make up a broad team of professionals, their planning for this upcoming event, has been extensive. “We officially kicked off the project in May this year. We’ve put in a lot of work and with a strong team, we are guaranteeing an enhanced Borough Festival,” said Hamilton. He has been a part of the entertainment and promotional landscape in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 15 years. Hamilton said the URAVE brand was conceptualized back in 2015, but opportunity to present it to the people of Point Fortin and those coming into the Borough the way it was conceptualized, has only truly shown itself at this time. “This is not just a band. We’ll also be doing events in the space as well. URAVE will host something like a ‘First Jam’ in the Borough celebrations in 2027 and even our road experience will start off with a brunch event for two hours, with food stations before we hit the streets to play mas. When our masqueraders get off the road, they will enjoy a las’ lap experience too,” he said.
Four mas sections ready for presentation on Saturday, Balthazar told Ebuzztt that this is just the beginning. “We plan on taking URAVE into different spaces – not just Point Fortin Borough Festival, so in the future, URAVE may even be in Carnival in Port -of-Spain,” he said. The four sections are, “Pitch Lake,” “Garden Jewels,” “Fields Road,” and “Columbus Bay,” – all honoring integral aspects of the Southern experience. “I am from La Brea. La Brea and Point Fortin are like brother and sister,” said Hamilton, explaining that the idea is to truly highlight the South Western part of the island by giving those who are unfamiliar an experience of what they have to offer. “Deep South often feels neglected. We don’t have the opportunities or the experiences that others often have. We always have to go into Port-of-Spain to experience mas, so because I would’ve experienced mas so many times, URAVE aims at delivering a higher standard when it comes to experience, so that people who do not frequent Port of Spain, can enjoy what its like in the Borough Festival.”
URAVE stands for Unimaginably, Rhythmic, Audio, Visual, Experience. “These words are at the heart of the brand. The focus is on how people feel, how they are welcomed, and what they leave with. This is not something that is predominant in the Point Fortin Borough space so it is important to us, to establish this standard,” said Hamilton. He says the theme, “Life Beyond the Creek celebrates the beauty, creativity and talent within the South Western peninsula.
The band launch is being touted as one that will showcase exactly what masqueraders can expect on the rod come 2027. Though starting off with more of a Monday Wear mas deliverable, the band will be going hard to ensure the feeling of revelry and fun are high priority. “Years ago, bands like Legacy and Ronnie and Caro, and other big bands would come down from Port-of- Spain, but Borough Day has never had a Point Fortin based mas band involved.
Years ago, Legacy, Ronnie and Caro and other big bands would come down from Port of Spain and they never really had a Point Fortin based mas band involved. Our team has been having discussions with the Point Fortin Borough executives and we’ve been discussing all areas to ensure what we bring enhances the celebration,” said Hamilton, noting that the overall aim is to bring life to the celebration. “We hope even big mas bands will come back into the space after our presentation in 2027,” he said.
The Economics and the People.
All bases covered, inclusive of safety and convenience, Hamilton noted the state of the present economy. Understanding of the economic climate, he said URAVE’S website will go live after the band’s launch on Saturday and those interested in playing will be able to register with the option of securing a payment plan.”
On Saturday night in Point Fortin, fetters can expect a whole lot of energy and Carnival vibes. Artistes inclusive of Farmer Nappy, Trinibaby, Christo and Viking Ding Dong, will be apart of the excitement. “We are creating a safe space for people to come out and have fun. We want to always have a great time. The feeling is very important to us and we will show potential masqueraders just what it will mean to be on the road with URAVE, when we launch the band this weekend,” Hamilton assured.
Follow URAVE online on Instagram for more on what’s to come and be part of the greatest Borough Festival experience in 2027.
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.”
