Tobago Jazz.. the fetes..

Doh mind I am boycotting the Tobago Jazz Festival , which takes place next weekend, due to unscrupulous business practices by certain Tobago hoteliers, I am liking the fact that alternative events have piggy backed off the Jazz Festival.

If you happen to be in Tobago this weekend a series of FREE Jazz Caravan Concerts are carded to take place on April 19th at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on April 20th at Charlotteville from 11a.m. to 6 p.m.The acts include Mungal Patasar, Michael Boothman, the Sean Thomas Quartet, Patti Rogers, Caribbean INXS, Kay Alleyne, Jackie Johnson Xcel, the Kariwak Players, Princess Adanna and Xtreme among many others.

Jazz on the Beach is another series of free concerts, taking place at Mount Irvine admisison is FREE and it is an ALL day show from 11:00AM to 5:00PM on the 26th and 27th of April. Featured performers are Clive Zanada & Friends, Clifford Charles, Theron Shaw, Micheal Boothman, Patti Rogers, Tabanka Blues Band, Vaugnette, Vocal Collaboration and Jerry Tilitz Quartet.

Saturday April 26th there are two post Jazz jams to choose from, or alterna-Jazz jams for those who are only going to select Jazz performances:

Good Morning Neighbour Breakfast Party

Location: Canoe Bay Beach Resort. Low Lands, Tobago
Time: 6am-Till
Admission: $350TT
Performances by: Iwer George, Tony Prescott, Blackie, Pelf & more


12 to 12 After Jazz Jam

Location: The Gardens. Shirvan Rd. Tobago, W.I
Time: 12am-12pm
Admission: $60 TT/ $10 US
Performances by: Ken Professor Philmore, Pan Jumbie, Pembroke Rhythm Section
Ticket Outlets: Miss Trim's Store Bay/Yolande's Boutique Crown Point Plaza, Bago Bar Pigeon Pt Rd, Ronnie and Caro's Gulf city Mall Lowlands
Information: Bevon 868-729-6918/Meisha 868-707-8520

And post Jazz Beach House heads to Tobago on Monday 28th April:

Beach House Tobago


For Info Please Call: Wayne Small-868-685-9571 Curtis Popplewell-868-740-9153 Walt Lovelace-868-684-1288 Kerry Gibbons-868-686-1586

I would gladly go to Tobago just for the Breakfast Party, to see Whitney and Beach House (oh the memories of Carnival!!!) but like I say, I am boycotting the Jazz Festival (the line up is kind of lame as well) maybe next year when I find a hotel/villa/guest house that are HONEST business people I will reconsider my boycott! humph!

Vacation Mentality!!

So, now that Carnival is now long behind us (feels like years ago instead of just a month) what is there to look forward to between now and band launching season which kicks off in June? Well, for me I have been in vacation mode, seriously lapsing on my usual Carnival obsession, since I am going on a trip to Punta Cana in May and have been planning for that wholeheartedly, not to mention we have THREE holidays in Trinidad between this week and the next!

I know many of the bloggers are also going off to some "exotic" locale soon. There is one blogger in India right now (lucky dog!) and several going different ways for Easter, including London, Barbados, Dominica and St Lucia. Next month one is going to Hawaii another Cuba and in May it's Antigua, Mexico, Costa del Sol,Bermuda, in June China not to mention those who are going on a cruise,St. Maarten and Anguilla. Then there are a few making the trip to Caribana, Spice Mas, Crop Over and Miami Carnival!! I tell you we have a whole set of globe trotters keeping active now that Carnival is over.

For those of you returning to Trinidad soon however, fear not, there are some happenings that you should take note of. Next month is the Tobago Jazz Festival with the headliners being Whitney Houston and Rod Stewart, this takes place from Friday April 25th to Sunday April 27th. If you do not have accomodations and a plane/ferry ticket booked by now you might as well stay home! Also in April there are two One Day Internationals (cricket, people) taking place on April 10th and April 12th; tickets to the all inclusive Trini Posse Stand are $600.00 and if you need to know who to contact to get your ticket send me an email!

In May there is the Point Fortin Borough Day festival taking place on May 3rd, but the entire weekend is one big fete, just like a mini Carnival. Those of you who played with Legacy can use your costume at Borough Day as Legacy makes an appearance. There are other bands that you can join for Jouvert in Point such as Radical Promotions :

I know some of you have emailed me for accomodations in Point Fortin for Borough Day and these are a few I have found listed:

South Western Court Hotel
14-16 Guapo Main Rd, Point Fortin, Trinidad
Tel: (868) 648- 4734 or (868) 648- 0075

Cinnamon Court 148 Clifton Hill
Point Fortin
Tel: (868) 648-0752

118 Cinnamon Drive
Point Fortin
Tel: (868) 648-2349

Flynns Black Gold Guest House
La Brea Village
Tel: (868) 710-1622

For more information on Point Fortin Borough Day visit the Point Alive website.

Soon enough there will be a full roster of band launchings taking place one behind the other, June is only 2 months away! But for all of you jetting off soon, safe travels and remember to check the international calender to see if a Carnival is taking place where you will be, and if there is, take pics and send me a review! Next up is Jamaica Carnival.