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Peter Ram to headline Hits and Jams Soca Jeans Fete this weekend!

Peter RamIts round two of the Hits and Jams Mash Camp roster of events and the team has already turned up the heat with the Mash Crank up concert/ party which was held last week at the GNS Ground. Hundreds turned out as veteran Barbadian Band Krosfyah showcased a scorching performance and did exactly as the party’s theme suggested and cranked up patrons with the Mash vibes.

This week get ready for the annual Soca Jeans Fete! Come out in your denim apparel and prepare for a night of fete, music and great entertainment as Barbadian Soca Star Peter Ram is set to take the stage. The ‘White Pants Tight’ singer promises an unforgettable performance and urges Guyanese to come out and enjoy a ‘soaking wet’ Soca Fete!

As the events continue several Caribbean megastars will be featured including Soca Queen Alison Hinds who is set to perform at the upcoming ‘Colors’ party. The team will also be participating in the annual Mashramani Float Parade and has already released their theme costumes which will be on sale shortly.

The upcoming events are as follows:

Colors (Party) – February12

Ladies First- February 18

All White Edition- February 22

HJ Mash Day Float/ Mash Night Super Concert- February 23

Mash Wash Down- February 27

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The Gully God to invade the Guyana National Stadium!

mavadoYes! The rumors are true! As many may have already heard Jamzone Dancehall/ Reggae Night will be headlined by one of the major Jamaican Dancehall artistes. Die hard Dancehall fans can get ready for one night of great entertainment since Jamaican Superstar Movado has been confirmed for this event.

David Constantine Brooks who is known to the world as Mavado or more recently “The Gully God”, the singer behind the eerie wails of “Anywayyy!” and “Gangsta for life!” has safely secured himself as one of the most consistent artistes while dominating the airwaves with his mind-blowing tracks.

The singer who made his debut in 2004 with the single ‘Real McKoy’ has gained immense attention as an artiste, not only in the region, but Mavado has collaborated with international artistes such as Jay Z, Foxy Brown, Bobby Valentino, Wyclef Jean, Lil Wayne and T-Pain.
This EME award winner is currently working on his fourth album ‘Life of Gully God’ and is enjoying a number one spot with single ‘Come into my room’ feat Jamaican singer Stacious.

The Jamzone Dancehall/Reggae Night will be staged on August 20th, 2010 at the Guyana National Stadium. Admission is set at an affordable cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The Hits & Jams Promotional Team is still set to announce more acts for the event but insist that it will be a high energy concert.

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Seven to contest Miss Linden 2010 title

A line-up of seven  Linden beauties are carded to contest the Miss Linden Town Week crown and while the delegates are being treated to mixed  comments the organisers are promising that the pageant will be probably the best staged in recent times.

The delegates are Monette Mingo, Wrenea Nikiesha Iana Sydney, Shellon Milling, Ruqayyah Boyer, Rhonda Harry, Shenella Oneshia Thomas and Michon Guillaume. The pageant is set for Saturday May 1, at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Meet some of the delegates for Miss Linden Town Week 2010

Monette MingoDelegates #1

Name: Monette Mingo

D.O.B:  May  28, 1986

Location: Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden

Education: Burnham Drive Nursery, Christianburg Primary School, Christianburg Wismar Secondary School and Linden Technical Institute

Modest, Obedient, Natural, Exquisite, Talented, Teasing and Exciting are the words Mingo uses to describe herself. She is the youngest of two brothers and two sisters.

A graduate of the Linden Technical Institute she holds a diploma in Computer Science and gained a pass in architectural drawing at the Corner Stone Construction. She aspires to be her own boss.

“I love listening to people and their views on various topics and am inspired by the old saying that a good listener is a good learner,” she said. She has a serious dislike for abusive persons, racism and gossipers.

Shellon Esther Tiffiney MillingDelegate #3

Name: Shellon Esther Tiffiney Milling

In the eyes of many she said she’s seen as sweet, honest, energetic, loving, loyal, obedient and nice! This 17-year-old is born under the zodiac sign of Leo and stands at 161 centimeters tall.

A Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden resident she attended the Wismar Hill Primary School and the New Silver City Secondary School. She’s at present pursuing a diploma in Computer Science at the Linden Technical Institute with plans to further her studies at the University level.

“My aspiration is to become one of Guyana’s most qualified teachers so that I can help build a foundation for future generations since I find it a great pleasure working along with children.”

She has a passion for fashion and pageantry and enjoys hanging out with friends, meeting new people, surfing the internet, keeping my home tidy and most of all sharing happy moments with family. One of her dislikes is an untidy environment.

Ruqayyah BoyerDelegate# 4

Name: Ruqayyah Boyer

Born in Suriname, Ruqayyah, meaning charming, righteous and advancement said she was destined to be a model as she was a long legged infant.  Taurus by zodiac sign, this 19-year-old believes that her perseverance, stamina and stubbornness to excel make her the prosperous young lady she is.

However her professional aspiration is to become an environmental lawyer in keeping with her passion for mother earth and its protection. She also has an interest in being a novelist whilst still attaining a degree in psychology, communications and international relations.

Her education began as Mackenzie Primary School. She went on to complete third form at the ISA Academy before transferring to the Mackenzie High School in Linden where she currently resides.

She passed ten subjects at the CSEC Level I and continued at St. Stanislaus College for two years where she gained eight subjects at Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and an Associates Degree in General studies.

She now aspires to pursue studies in law at UWI in the near future.

“I have had the pleasure in partaking in school shows and activities nationwide. I was able to perform, live, some of my personal pieces whether music or deaf poetry. I also attended Classique Dance Company where I developed strong technique in hip hop, contemporary, salsa, meringue, ballet, modern and African dances.

She also starred the local film ‘Ole house pun ole house’ part 2. Her other extra curricula activities include volunteering at the national library with the reading circle, doing community work through organizations such as Rotaract, Guyana Youth and Student Movement and Beacon of hope foundation among other charitable ventures.

She participated in the Miss Guyana Talented Teens pageant then went on to represent Guyana at Miss Teen Universal and is currently preparing for the Miss Carnival in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I see myself as a paradigm for my peers and would like to set a good example and also do what I can to make Guyana an oasis of excellence.”

Ruqayyah Boyer sees herself as “the essence of a true Guyanese woman who walks with the rhythm of a Caribbean woman and mirrors a feminine grace, beauty, charisma and mental power.

“I am emblematic like my role model Oprah Winfrey and would bring euphoria to anyone who has a close encounter with me”.

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Motion picture Arts Scholarship for Vanilla

VanillaGuyanese soca artiste and three time road march Queen Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts has been awarded a scholarship to the University of The West Indies Barbados to pursue studies in Motion Picture Arts. The five month course commenced on February 1, 2011 and will conclude in June.  At the end of the course she would have covered several areas including:  The entire film making process from pre-production to production and post production; acquired knowledge that prepares her to engage in the practice of film as an art form and technical discipline. She will also acquire skills to professionally work as a member of a film crew and be able to create a short film from initial idea to finished work. Additionally Vanilla will acquired knowledge of entrepreneurial and business skills that can be applied to a career as a film technician

The programme is a full time study one and will culminate in the production of a full length film.

Vanillas scholarship is a result of the continued effort by Kross Kolor Records to ensure that its artistes continue to develop in various areas of the entertainment industry and to pursue excellence wherever possible.

Vanillas Scholarship comes on the heels of the President’s Endorsement to the arts for the development of five short films and one animated short film, her skills gained would serve to enhance this project. Kross Kolor Records is expressing gratitude to The Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Digicel and Banks DIH for their kind assistance in our company’s quest for Vanilla to participate in the scholarship programme.

In related news two performers from Kross Kolor Records, Tennicia Defreitas and Ossie O have just concluded an animation workshop at the University of Guyana. The course which was made possible through the Communications Department of the University was conducted by personnel from Canadian Company Toon Boon, whose software was featured in making animated movies such as the princess and the frog and the Prince of Persia.

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Karma Band Experience Press Release

It’s on at the GCC Ground!

Karma will be performing at the GCC Ground Bourda on the 6th December, what we call the BIGGEST SOCA CHUTNEY PARTY of the year! While it is not a mega concert like we usually do, it will be a soca chutney party to remember. People will definitely enjoy themselves and this will serve as a prelude of what is to come next year with the Karma Band. Even though we had received general reports that it is going to be a rainy season, our sources informed us that we should be good for the 6th December. The “Karma Experience” will be just that on the 6th December at the GCC Ground –  A REAL EXPERIENCE.

It will be the biggest soca chutney party of the year and people can come out to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Karma will be performing for a FULL 2 HOURS and that is why the show is named the Karma Experience, so people will get to enjoy everything from Soca, chutney, Hindi remixes, dancehall and hip hop. As everyone knows Wildfire Productions creates some mega shows whenever we do concerts, so for us this here is how we would do a party style event.

The heart throb Ravi B (as many of our female affiliates refer to him) will be in full gear with his energetic performances while his sexy sister (as we the men see her!) Nisha B will be ready to tear it up again. Guyana can expect a great party to start the Christmas off. Tickets will only be sold at the venue and will be only $1,500 VAT inclusive. Karma Band was here in July for our Wild Fire Fest 2k8 in July in which they were the highlight of the show and the talk of the town after it. We would like to say thanks to Caribbean Airlines who partnered with us and all of our sponsors who have helped us along the way.

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RDX for Linden Show November 27th

RDXThrough sponsorship from Banks DIH hardcore Dancehall lovers can head to the Mackenzie Sports club ground for an all out high energy concert on November 27th 2010.

This publications has been reliably informed that Jamaican acts calling themselves RDX are to touchdown in Guyana next week to head to Linden to entertain as part of efforts to diversify international entertainment on the local shores. One of the promoters told  this publication that the event is aimed at raising funds to donate towards the refurbishing or rehabilitation of one of the nations  main sports and entertainment venues. It is badly in need of upgrading, so we at Banks DIH decided to throw in our lot to assist. Banks DIH said that the event is not aimed at making  major profits for the company  but  more of a way of showing its corporate to the  Linden Community. A source from Banks DIH said “As part of the offer to persons  who flock to the location the entrance fee is just $500 for a night of  live international  action and the first 300 patrons will have a free  Banks DIH beverage  of their choice from the many being offered by Banks DIH. I’m Ok 2010 Christmas Gift !!!”

The company  says the efforts is part of ways that it seeks ensure that it fulfills its obligation as a Corporate Citizen and is calling on Guyanese from all parts of the nation to head to  the MSC ground to support a  worthy cause. RDX comprises Renegade (Carlton Williams) and Delomar (Andre Bedward) and the duo are known for the creation of some of the more high energy filled dance moves. They came into being in 2006 producing dance hall anthems.’

By Mondale Smith

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Its Uncensored Time!

The brainchild of veteran comedian Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones, UNCENSORED is the latest hot show to hit the stage of the National Cultural Centre. Opening for one night only this Saturday to an adults only audience, UNCENSORED will feature the cream of Guyana’s comedians and poets. Stand up icon Habeeb Khan, Henry Rodney, Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones,
Miranda Austin, Chris Gopaul, Chubby and Odessa are just a few of the participating artistes.

We sat down for a moment with Mr. Jones and he is advising patrons to come early because they will be starting on time and you may miss your favourite comedian. When asked about the content of the show, he opined that there are a lot of situations in society that can cause serious offence if discussed at a public forum bluntly. However, a comedian has the freedom to comment on these situations candidly and offer solutions that will be highly amusing to people but, if seriously considered, may very well be the best thing. “Ting fuh cry we does tek and mek laugh. ” Lyndon said, “UNCENSORED is all about sending serious messages under the guise of comedy. If something is funny, we want to be able to say it without watering it down and undue censorship. In our society we tend to lampoon serious things because sometimes you just have to laugh it off. There is nothing else you can do.” Undoubtedly a show of this nature has never been attempted here in Guyana where the comedians will have the latitude to fully express themselves without fear of offending the younger members of the audience. This means that a lot of their material would have never been exposed to the public prior to now and the artistes are doubly
motivated to perform at their best. According to actor and comedian Henry Rodney, it’s something that all should see and they are guarding against people’s suspicions because of the name UNCENSORED. He claims that they are aware that people think that they are going to be down and dirty. He is advising people that it will be straight talk and not bad talk and added that it’s a must see. He further noted that if you have a sixteen year old, parental guidance is advised because they will not be indulging in lawlessness but subtlety will be the name of the game. Henry said, “I think it’s a privilege to be a part of UNCENSORED. We will be dealing with issues that are quite attached to all and sundry
and I think that we entertainers, humorists, comedians, social commentators, et al; only we will know how to put it over. All should come with an open mind and be entertained.”

The excitement is in the air about UNCENSORED and a check with the ticket locations reveals that tickets are going really fast so you need to be in place early to guarantee yourself a seat. Reports are that the younger fans of theatre and the comedians themselves are extremely disappointed about being left out but according to producer Maria Benschop, this only applies to those under sixteen. She assures us that there will be no indecent language or unnecessary vulgarity but they will be taking it to the limit and
hence, felt the need for some degree of caution. She said, “It’s the kind of show that I will let my eleven year old see but I doubt that there are many parents as liberal as I am. In order to curtail criticisms that we were offensive, this is our way of dealing with the situation. Even adults who are easily offended can make an informed choice. Our comedians are taking this to the limit and are going to be extremely suggestive while not going over the limit. After all we remain cognizant of the fact that this is the National Cultural Centre and we still have to maintain the respect.” When asked about her future plans, Mrs. Benschop revealed that part IV of “Nothing to Laugh About” is in the making for next year along with a couples pageant and a play that she has been working on for some time now. Tickets are available at the National Cultural Centre, Giftland
OfficeMax, Matt’s Record Bar, Nigel’s Supermarket, Payless Variety Store and Johnny P Supermarket and are going for $600, $1000 and$1500.

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Competing in the Miss Princess of the World was a great experience – Miss Guyana

Miss GuyanaI felt very privileged to have represented Guyana this year, it was great experience said Christine Camacho Guyana’s representative to the just concluded Miss Princess of the World Pageant in the Czech Republic. Reflecting she said that she was given a lot of attention the minute she arrived and was introduced. According to her she was even rated most beautiful overall at the end of the contest given “my mixture of Indian, Amerindian & Portuguese appearance which made me  look much different from the European girls” As a result she  credits this to being the reason she probably got the most request for photos by guests and national directors.

In her opinion she did excellent in the PC discipline where she challenged the other girls in networking with the advantage of a good English background but in the end Miss Lithuania won the Princess title while Italy was second and Venezuela  placed  third.  For the pageant she took a taste of the Guyanese Amerindian Culture in  her costume which depicted Amerindian Heritage-our indigenous people. Her talent piece was an Indian classical dance which was also different from all the other dances presented. While in the Czech Republic included tours to the castles with golden walls where Kings & Queens used to live, palaces, chapels, city cruise, museums, caves, etc. as well as to places where ordinary visitors couldn’t access, shopping areas etc.

She recalls the challenge of having to adapt the cold weather, but managed to stay healthy and energetic unlike many others who had to visit hospitals.

Among all these pluses on her side when asked what caused her to not win or place even in the top nine she said “I did my best, sold Guyana as much as possible since those people didn’t know of Guyana, however had Guyanese supported more and voted online I would have had a better chance of reaching to the top 9.”

Christine Camacho also noted that had Guyanese supported her online “It would have surely built my popularity”. Nevertheless, she is happy that she has received proposals to enter another international pageant by other national directors including a proposal from the director of Lithuania.

Her trip was made possible by Ken Chung, Carwyn Holland, Ginesta David, Dimple Mendonca, Princess Hotel, Glamour, Sonia Noel, April’s Line, Industrial Safety Supplies, PCS Wireless, Ms. Ginnie Beauty.  What’s next following this first outing?

“I’m presently modeling part time for fashion shows including Guyana Fashion Weekend 2010 and has also been booked for appearances on television Commercials along a full time job as a consultant while pursuing studies at the University of Guyana for a Bsc Business Management.

Over all she said “I didn’t win any title but I did get the overall rating”.

By Mondale Smith

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Guyanese designer Andrew Harris – Best upcoming Designer at Caribbean fashion awards

Andrew Harris and ActressBarbados based Guyanese designer Andrew Harris is expressing a special ‘Thank You’ to all of his clients, well wishers and supporters since he started his fashion line.

Last Sunday night at the prestigious Caribbean Fashion Awards, Harris was awarded the Caribbean Upcoming Designer of the Year Award for his endeavors thus far.

Because of your belief in him, he was able to achieve it and according to his publicists Akeem Brach, you can expect bigger and better things from him and his fashion line in the future.

Just after winning the Caribbean Fashion Award for Caribbean Upcoming Designer of the year, Andrew Harris made the affirmative decision to show his collection in Guyana where it all began.

Harris said it was important to remember where you came from and with that, his 2010 collection ‘Masked’ will grace the catwalk of the Guyana fashion Weekend. Harris first became known to the Guyanese public during Carifesta X, 2008 when he won Desginer’s Portfolio, as Guyana’s Young Designer of the Year.

His collection – Masked – sends a message to everyone that no matter your color, black or white, red or pink we are all human and when our identity is not know we are exactly all the same. He looks forward to the day when equality among all races and social classes is achieved.

Harris said that persons can expect, his usual metro sexual look on the catwalk fused with his better understanding of textile construction.

As for his plans for the future, Harris is currently planning ‘Strut 2010’ (in Barbados) which will officially launch his 2011 Spring Summer Collection and ‘Lounge’ his resort collection. Strut 2010 will precede ‘Black Tie’ which is to be held in Guyana in May 2011.

By Mondale Smith