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April 30, 2009
Destra Garcia Makes New York HOTT with new album
International soca star Destra Garcia successfully launched her latest studio effort, HOTT, in Manhattan last Saturday, April 25, 2009. A sold-out crowd packed
SOB's, as New York City's premier nightlife promotions team - Upscale Crowd Entertainment and Caribbean Fuse - presented the launch of her sixth album to longtime and new fans.
The versatile vocalist,
songwriter and performer did not disappoint the packed Manhattan venue. Without her Atlantik band and joined by only two of
her dancers, Destra drove the crowd into a bacchanal frenzy. With rags, flags and shirts waving in the air, she thrilled
them with her soca staples like "Carnival" and "Bonnie & Clyde," and new hits from the album, including
the title track "Hott," and "Bacchanal."
Destra performs for a sold-out crowd
at the launch of her
new album, HOTT, at SOB's in Manhattan on April 25, 2009.
- Photo by Khayyam Pitts -
HOTT is a brilliant introduction to who Destra is, for those who are unfamiliar with her, and is a must-have addition to the 'Destra'
collection for fans and soca-lovers everywhere. "I think this album shows growth as a performing artist - a combination
of my musical styles and versatility - past, present and future," discloses soca's ultimate female ambassador. Boasting
10 sizzling tracks, HOTT is poised to take soca fans by storm as Destra brings this indigenous sound of the southern Caribbean
to music aficionados around the world.
She will first hit the masses at the Best of the Best concert in
Miami in May, where she'll share the stage with Rick Ross and T-Pain, and represent as the only soca act on the dancehall/hip-hop
bill. Her tour dates for the summer include stops to celebrate Caribana in Toronto, Crop Over in Barbados, and Notting Hill
Carnival in London, just to name a few of the world's biggest music festivals.
While in New York, Destra met with members of the media, including TRACE TV, was featured on Irie Jam Radio and on
New York's urban mainstream giant HOT97, with Jabba, D Life and Bobby Konders. She also headlined at PACE University last
Friday, then shocked the crowd at Caribbean Fridays at Club Element with an impromptu performance.
Celebrating
10 years in the business, Destra revealed she is ready to move forward, accepting new challenges with the aid of musical skills
already acquired. And if this album celebration proved anything, it is that Destra's fans are ready to join her journey,
wherever she goes. The club was filled to capacity hours before she hit the stage at 3am, and promoters say they had to turn
away almost 500 people. "This is the best experience I've had in New York, in all the years I've been coming
here," stated an exorbitant Destra, following her rousing showcase. "From the sold-out crowd in the club to the
radio interviews and meeting with the media and fans, it definitely was my best trip here."
For those who
missed the soca queen in action, she will be back in New York in late May. Tune in to her new singles and tour dates by visiting
www.myspace.com/officialdestragarcia or www.mydestra.com.
Log on to www.upscalecrowd.com to stay updated on more exciting events, brought to you by Upscale
Crowd Entertainment and Caribbean Fuse.
Thu, April 30, 2009 | link
April 28, 2009
Artiste Profile: Ras Penco and the number 1 Reggae single
Hailing from Riversdale, St. Catherine, Reinford Ras Penco Woodburn, is an upcoming artiste that is opening the doors to a brand new world of reggae. Born February 22, this artiste
is living up to his name Mighty Warrior. Sending his messages through song, reaching out to a global audience.
His first single “Go for Your Gold”
produced by Fifth Element and released on the VP Record Label got mostly international publicity. With his new album soon
to be released, Ras Penco is ready to face the world with some hot tracks including; “So Free”, “Living
Life” and “Right Place” his personal favorites on the album.
Notice Production and Uprize Music are the main producers of the album. It will contain 14 songs written by Ras Penco
and assistant writer Wayne Thompson, and is expected to be released summer 2009.
This artiste has no intentions of slowing down and has succeeded in getting slots on several stage shows and concerts
locally and abroad. He is slated to perform at Longing For during Curefest on October 14, 2007 and is hailed as one of the
favourites for the night. He has performed at several other major shows such as All Spice an annual concert held at the Belvedere
Sports Complex - Local; South of France Reggae Festival – France; and Irie Jamboree and California Reggae Pon Di River
– United States.
April 21, 2009
Tobago Jazz Experience 2009: Sea, Sun and Jazz
 The Tobago Jazz Festival has been cancelled but the show must go on and so The Tobago Jazz Experience 2009 was born.
The Tobago
House of Assembly, Division of Tourism and Transportation along with Production One, The Tobago Hotels and Tourism Association,
the Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel and Pan Trinbago present TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE 2009. This event will take place at various locations
throughout Tobago during the period 22-26 April 2009. The TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE 2009 is an amalgamation
of all the signature events which are usually staged leading to the main Plymouth Jazz Festival. The Tobago House of Assembly
and the industry stakeholders feel that in the absence of the Plymouth Jazz Festival 2009, these events still remain viable
and suitable alternatives that locals and visitors could enjoy. The TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE
2009 will begin on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 with the Pan Jazz in d Yard event at
the Redemption Sound Setters Pan Yard, Montgomery Tobago from 7pm. Patrons will be able to experience the versatility of our
national instrument and the smooth sounds of Andy Narrell, Rudy Smith and other pannists from Trinidad and Tobago over a period
of two nights. Tickets for the Pan Jazz in d Yard events cost TT$250 per night or TT$450 for
both nights (package). On Friday 24th April the activity will
move to the Pigeon Point Heritage Park for World Music Night featuring special guest Calypso Rose,
3 Canal, and Shurwayne Winchester and the big band YOU. Tickets for this show cost TT$150. This event will begin at 7pm. Then on Saturday 25th April at 4pm, the Division of Tourism and Transportation’s Jazz
Caravan will roll into Speyside and offer Beach Jazz at the Beach Facility grounds. Patrons can expect to see
Trinidad and Tobago’s finest music entertainers perform. This show at Speyside is free to the public. Alternatively,
the Jazz on D Beach event will take place at Mt. Irvine starting at 10am and is also free to the
public. In the evening, jazz lovers will be afforded another opportunity to enjoy themselves at the Pigeon Point Heritage
Park at the Latin Jazz event. Tickets for the Latin Jazz event cost TT$250
and the show will feature top entertainers from Cuba, Dominica, Canada and Trinidad. On Sunday 25th April, the Division of Tourism and Transportation’s Jazz Caravan will
end the TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE 2009 back at Pigeon Point Heritage Park. Starting at 1pm, this
beach jazz fiesta will include T&T’s finest, including Mike Boothman, Clive Zanda, Theron Shaw, David Rudder and
International Grammy Award winning artiste George Benson as the headline act. Tickets for this show cost $200. Tickets
for all shows will go on sale at a date to be announced. The TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE
2009 is a collaborative effort of both government and industry stakeholders’ interest. For additional information on
TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE 2009, please contact Miss. Avion Hercules, Tourism Marketing Officer at the Division of Tourism and
Transportation, THA at avion@visittobago.gov.tt or avionh@yahoo.com or Mr. John Arnold, Event Coordinator at the Division of Tourism
and Transportation at jqarnold2000@yahoo.com or Tel: + 868 751-5027. Please visit www.tobagohoteltourism.com if you need assistance with accommodation.
Local
TV Coverage
Gayelle The Channel will be covering the Tobago Jazz Experience event in Tobago from April 22nd to 26th. Hosts Errol Fabien
and Reagan Des Vignes will be accompanying the crew to Tobago.
April 16, 2009
The People Must be Herd
A group of artists in Trinidad and Tobago decided to do a performance
installation today April 16th on the streets of Port of Spain on the eve of the 5th Summit of the Americas (Twitter @fifthsummit). According to Georgia Popplewell (Twitter @georgiap) on her Caribbean Free Radio flickr group "The People Must be Herd".
The silent procession is part of a video installation
being created by the band’s designers Ashraph Ramsaran and Shalini Seereeram.
T’in Cow Fat Cow debuted
as an independent mas band in 2009, inspired by the song T'in Cow by 3 Canal.
The procession takes place on the streets of Port of Spain between 9 and 11 and started at that traditional seat
of people’s democracy, Woodford Square.
Below
is the People Must Be Herd Manifesto:
T’in Cow Fat Cow – The People must be Herd.
Dey belly full but we hungry
And right about now we angry
And de reason dat we angry
Is because we belly
hungry
Tin Cow tin cow green grass dey over so
Fat cow de butcher callin yuh
Watch for yuh head ah warnin
yuh
Otherwise in de pot yuh goin to go.
T’in Cow, 3 Canal
We represent the voiceless. The
many thousands of Trinbagonians outside of the Red Zone. Whose tax dollars are being invested in a display that does not address
their most urgent concerns. New buildings, a repaved highway, painted lamp posts and hidden homeless do not mean that we are
on the road to development. In the midst of the Summit performance we ask, who is seeking the interests of the voiceless?
Who is spending many many millions to address our concerns. Who is listening? Who will suffer the most in the face of a global
economic meltdown?
The people of high risk communities must be heard.
The missing children must be heard.
The homeless people must be heard.
The women and children who live with abuse every day must be heard.
The people
who will lose employment in the aftermath of the Summit must be heard.
The people of communities in danger of environmental
destruction must be heard.
The physically challenged must be heard.
Photo courtesy Georgia Popplewell and Caribbean Free Photo
Thu, April 16, 2009 | link
April 15, 2009
Best of the Best is on!
The Best
of the Best International Music Festival is back and this year, its promise of being "the best of the best"
delivers yet again. The premier concert event in North America returns on Sunday, May 24,
much to the delight of fans, many of whom make Miami their destination on Memorial Day weekend
each year, to savor the best in Caribbean entertainment, and in mainstream urban entertainment as well.
Presented
by Miami-based music and lifestyle promotions outfit, JBJ Entertainment, Best of the Best sets the stage every year as the ultimate showcase of the best acts in Caribbean music. With
a solid Caribbean foundation spanning dancehall, reggae, lover's rock and soca, the festival also thrills fans with the
top artists in hip-hop, rap and R&B. Past years have included the likes of Akon, Busta Rhymes and Wyclef Jean.
This year proves to be no different as the show is hosted by one of the biggest names in music today, T-Pain. The star-studded lineup also includes Rick Ross, Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Beenie
Man, Mavado, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Serani, Wayne Wonder, Capleton, Destra, Tony Matterhorn, Spice, Kip Rich, Flippa
Mafia, Christopher Martin, Cocoa Tea, Ras Penco, Ce'Cile and The Stones.
In its fifth installment, co-promoters
Budafuco and Jabba invite music aficionados from around the country and beyond to journey to Miami for this consummate Memorial
Day celebration. "We've made every effort to bring together the best acts in music right now, for one day, on one
stage. The diversity of this festival in music, culture and cuisine is unrivaled, so everyone is in for an amazing time."
The show takes place at Bicentennial Park, located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard
in downtown Miami. Park gates open at 1:00 pm and show
time is set for 1:30pm sharp. The 10-hour event does not end there. Everyone is invited to the official Best of the Best After Party, at Bongos Nightclub (located behind the
American Airlines Arena), immediately following the show.
Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster and bestofthebestconcert.com, and at select locations across Florida and New York City. For more information, log on to www.bestofthebestconcert.com or call 1-305-438-9488.
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