St. George’s College fete
Known for showing fete lovers a good time, St. George’s College will be hosting its annual all-inclusive fete, Georgian Jubilation VI on February 15, 2009 at the school grounds on 6th Avenue, 10th Street, Barataria from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Now in its sixth year, Georgian Jubilation will feature top soca acts, and give patrons a taste of tomorrow’s soca stars. Tickets cost $350.
“Georgian Jubilation gives feters a true all-inclusive experience, for an affordable price,” says Dr. Jean Campbell, a member of the organising committee. “The fete is a major event in aid of the school, and our focus is to ensure that our patrons get the cleanest and most enjoyable party experience possible. In the process, we are raising funds to purchase a much needed school bus.”
The ever-popular Roy Cape All Stars – featuring Blaxx, Trini Jacobs, and Olatunji Yearwood, big band Surface, and JMC 3Veni will be performing. Calypso icon Black Stalin will also grace the stage, as will Iwer George. St George’s College has also added one of its own graduates, Richard “Chynee” Valentine, to the performing cast. Chynee, who has scored huge popularity in this year’s edition of Synergy TV Soca Star, is a multi-talented rising star known for being able to perform various genres of music, from sweet reggae and R&B to infectious soca music. His recent hit, “They wanna be like”, can be heard on the airwaves. Chynee originally began performing at St. George's College in Carnival concerts and competitions held at the school's hall. DJ Richard Simply Smooth, also a past student, and Midas Sounds will provide the soundtrack for the fete.
Georgian Jubilation has become an annual reunion with the first generation of graduates (class of 1958) to the most recent, as well as their friends and families, attending. The fete has garnered a strong following, with its premium service, well-stocked bar and food galore. As in previous years, organisers have taken steps to ensure a safe and comfortable environment, providing a well-lit and secure parking lot, and escorts to accompany guests to their cars after the fete. Two lucky patrons will also receive door prizes courtesy of local jeweller, Kanhai Ragubir.
Prominent past students of St. George’s College include Heather Headley – R&B star, Dr. Linda Baboolal – former President of the Senate, the Honourable Joseph Ross – Minister of Tourism, and His Excellency Manideo Persad – High Commissioner to India.
Georgian Jubilation is regarded as the last school all-inclusive for the season. For tickets ($350) call 686-4857, 681-1770, or 638-8766.
TODAY'S CONTESTEntry Rules:
Who is the first woman to win the Road March title in Trinidad Carnival?
a)Singing Francine
b) Senelle Dempster
c) Calypso Rose
d) Fay Ann Lyons?
Which one of these is not a traditional female Carnival Character?
a)Dame Lorraine
b)Baby Doll
c)Jamette
d)La Diablesse
Is this statement true or false?
Sonia Mack, Rosalind Gabriel, Meg Cheekes and Anya Elias are all female band leaders.
Match These Section Leaders With Their Bands for 2009 Carnival:
Leasel Rovedas
Crystal Amming
Stacey Des Vignes
Kim Lee Inniss
Dear Saucee,
I am sure that word of what I am about to reveal via this letter will ultimately reach you and I wanted to ensure that you and your readers have all of the information at hand to consider.
Having had the pleasure of meeting you in person as well as speaking to you on occasion, I felt that as a matter of professional courtesy I would write you with regard to this development. This is an attempt on my part to use my best efforts to ensure that you have the facts. For your review and consideration I have tried my best to summarize below the key points that relate to the matter:
1. I recently sold my shareholding in SPICE to another party who has now acquired full ownership of the band.
2. The settlement, for my part, was an amicable one.
3. The band is financially sound and as far as I know the new owner has ample financial resources to ensure that all obligations are met.
4. One of the band’s competitors has seized this opportunity to spread inaccuracies via email and mass texts. These messages contain Elements that are largely false and I have already spoken to the respective Managing Director of this band indicating that this was in poor taste. I have also respectfully asked him to ensure that such activity is discontinued as it is libelous and carries legal implications. Hopefully good sense will prevail.
5. Naturally there will be some unavoidable fallout for Spice as I played a major role both financially and otherwise. But the new owner has the financial resources to see all the obligations through.
6. SPICE is NOT folding up, breaking up or otherwise and any insinuation or representation to that effect is completely false.
7. The mas industry and indeed the Trinidad & Tobago economy as a whole have been seriously impacted by the world recession that is now being widely regarded as the worst in history. Registrations throughout the mas industry have as a result been well below everyone’s expectations and it is no secret that the new bands have felt the impact of this.
8. Based on this as well as other factors I took a personal decision to divest a part of my portfolio that I felt had a huge measure of inbuilt risk. I own other businesses and felt that in the context of the economic downturn it would be difficult to manage the responsibilities for all. In the case of Spice the other shareholder was willing to buy up my share so I took the opportunity and entered into an agreement and settlement to sell my shareholding in the band.
9. This was not an easy decision, since as you know I have been very involved in Spice from conceptualization to now and it is something I am very passionate about. Nonetheless because of some of the overriding factors and responsibilities outlined above, I was forced to make a very difficult decision and to sell my interest in the band.
In closing, let me state that I have a tremendous respect for your blog as a medium in which people can gather accurate information on matters pertaining to Carnival. It is my hope that this letter or the information contained herein will reach your readers in its purest form.
I hope that I have informed you and your readers adequately and that the matter will be viewed in a positive light. If you are going to post this or any portion of it I would ideally like to be informed.
I continue to be an avid mas lover and a fervent supporter of Trinidad & Tobago culture in all its forms.
Thanking you in advance for your time, understanding and cooperation.
Yours Sincerely,
Malcolm Marquez
Hey Masqueraders,
Excitement is building as we countdown to showing off our ‘Heaven on Earth’- it’s what’s you make it. Many of you, in light of the single pay day between now and Carnival Monday have asked us to extend the deadline for Fast Track payment system. We’re happy to let you know that Fast Track will now be available until February 04, 2009.
Fast Track allows for easy collection of your costume during distribution. Since your personal information has already been submitted and your payment approved, it makes the process simpler and more convenient for you.
The deadline for payment of costumes (other than Fast Track) is tied to the distribution schedule which will be communicated to you soon.
Remember, if you have questions please feel free to send for additional information at: info@islandpeoplemas.com
ISLANDpeople MAS
The fun has just begun!
The sale of Carnival costumes for the 2009 Carnival season has been slow, according to Culture Minister Marlene Mc Donald. She was speaking during yesterday's post-Cabinet news briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.
"I have been to 20 mas camps and I could report directly," she said.
"I could tell you that with respect to the large bands some sections have been sold out. Others, they are very optimistic because there are still two more salaries," you have January and February salaries to go.
"But I get a sense that where they are now with respect to sales, most of them were in this situation last year, in terms of the quantum of sales. The medium bands have been doing relatively alright and so to, the small bands.
"Generally I can tell you that they have all said it's a bit slow but they are optimistic that it will catch up." There has been a slowdown in consumer spending in all spheres as citizens react to the global economic crisis.
As everything sits in time some things transcend it, embodied in immortality... We crave for total existence, we own the night...life on this night we come together to celebrate like no one or any thing can,at the stroke of midnight on feb 22nd, we begin one of the most provocative event in the history of carnival...VAMPYR...join us forever, fete forever
