Soca Queen Alison Hinds performs at South Jersey Caribbean Festival and is joined on stage by 2 Queens, Miss Caribbean US 2010 (left) Veronica Lorenzo-Puerto Rico & Miss Caribbean US 2009 (right) Tamara Lorenzo-St. Vincent. Karma Band flanks Alison in the rear. The performance was electric as fans pressed their way through the heat to catch a close up of Soca’s Queen.
Photos by Solomon Williams
1st Annual Miss Caribbean US Pre-Labor Day Fashion Show
“An Evening of Fashion, Music, Art and Culture to Benefit
Miss Caribbean US Scholarship Fund & Yele Haiti Foundation!”
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
Fashion Show at Historic Vernon Park 8pm–10pm
5800 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Dinner & Silent Auction at LaRose Jazz Club 10-2am
5531 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
The Miss Caribbean US Scholarship Pageant Committee, in association with the Yele Haiti Foundation, Vivant Art Collection, Wister Neighborhood Council, Inc., Culinary Arts Institute of Philadelphia and ACES MUSEUM Honoring Black & Minority Veterans of World War II & Their Families is pleased to present: Pre-Labor Day Fashion Show, Dinner & Benefit Auction for Haiti, to assist the Haitian Youths and contestants of the Miss Caribbean US Scholarship Pageant in their ability to obtain a higher learning.
This collaborative effort is the initiative of concerned members of the Caribbean community who are responding to not only the physical devastation of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on the 12th of January 2010 but also to the cultural and economic losses. Our goal is to supply 1000 backpacks filled with school supplies (composition books, coloring books, literature, pencils, pens, rulers, compasses, crayons, calculators, etc.)
ACES MUSEUM has come on board to provide it’s EEP – Educational Enhancement Program as an option for youth to learn. Science based modules build intelligence as A.V. Hankins MD, FACP, an Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors recipient for their process of teaching, has used this program to provide the youth at the Youth Study Center (Juvenile Jail) an 85% learning rate. (info provided by YSC).
Thirdly, the Miss Caribbean US Scholarship Pageant is celebrating 10 years of service in the community. Our contestants represent various countries and islands in the Caribbean and are participating in higher learning or preparing for it. Your support is needed to allow these young ladies the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and leave an imprint on society leading to a progressive community.
Dinner will be provided by Top Haitian Chef in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Institute of Philadelphia.
This event is supported by the Philadelphia City Council & PA State Representatives
Miss Caribbean US Scholarship Pageant
www.misscaribbean.info
Guyanese Singer Killed in Hit-and-run in US
Driver arrested – The Jersey Journal
The music fraternity in the Caribbean region was thrown into a state of being “sad” yesterday as news spread of the death of promising US based Guyanese singer Jermaine Forrester. The 33-year- who came to prominence as a lead singer with the group ‘4play’ recently released a single titled “Gonna Be Alright” but for his Guyanese family it turned out to be the opposite.
The 33-year-old was killed in a Jersey City hit-and-run accident yesterday and the driver has since made a court appearance.
The Jersey Journal reports a Harrington Park man made his first court appearance yesterday afternoon on charges that he killed a New York City man in a hit-and-run collision in Jersey City yesterday morning before his arrest in River Vale by officers on the lookout for his vehicle, officials said.
“Holy s—! I killed that guy?” said John Dineen, 23, when River Vale Police Officer Christopher Bulger told him he was being charged with death by auto and other offences, reports said.
River Vale Police Chief Michael McCann said Bulger recognized Dineen’s speeding vehicle at 1:13 a.m. based on the alert issued by Jersey City police.
Dineen is charged with death by auto, endangering an injured victim and other offences in connection to the collision that killed Jermaine Forrester, 33, of Springfield in Queens, as he was crossing the State Highway 139 at Bevan Street at 12:48 a.m. today, Jersey City police said.
A driver who witnessed the fatal collision followed Dineen’s 2009 black Toyota Land Cruiser north on Kennedy Boulevard but went back to the accident scene when he realized it wasn’t going to stop, police said.
A pedestrian who was walking in front of Forrester said he heard a loud noise and when he turned he saw Forrester flying through the air before coming down on the pavement, reports said. Another witness told police the vehicle that hit Forrester pulled over for a moment before speeding away.
Forrester was pronounced dead at the scene and Jersey City police officers contacted his mother and notified her of his death, reports said. When Dineen was spotted in River Vale he was travelling 48 miles per hour in a 35-mile per hour zone and the police officer noticed the SUV had a smashed headlight.
After failing a sobriety test and refusing a Breathalyzer test, Dineen was arrested on the charge of driving while intoxicated and brought the Hackensack University Medical Center, reports said. At the hospital he refused a blood test that would determine his blood-alcohol level, McCann said.
While being brought back to Jersey City, Dineen said “I can’t believe that I killed that guy. I can’t believe I hit him,” reports said, adding that an officer advised him to remain silent.
When he appeared in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City yesterday afternoon Dineen was wearing a white undershirt, brown slacks and black dress shoes. His hands were cuffed behind his back. He appeared stunned.
Dineen’s lawyer, Otto J. Scerbo, described him as a Bergen County resident, college student and lifetime resident of New Jersey. Dineen said nothing at the hearing before being escorted from court by Sheriffs officers. After the hearing, Scerbo said he had no comment.
While being booked at Jersey City’s North District Police Station, Dineen said “please give me something to throw up in I’m gonna be sick thinking about the guy I just hit.”
An officer told the judge Margaret Marley of the statement and at 4:12 Hrs she stipulated it represented probably cause to charge Dineen with death by auto. The charge is a first-degree crime since alcohol was allegedly involved, Jersey City Police Director Sam Jefferson said.
Who was Jermain Forrester?
The handsome, young dynamic, singer was known by many as the “Caribbean Pop Artist to watch.” Born in Georgetown, Guyana, raised in Barbados and currently residing in New York City, Jermaine Forrester was poised to spread his gale force musicianship and charisma throughout the US and the world.
Jermaine Forrester was a singer/songwriter and producer who declared on his Facebook page that he was psyched and more than ready to introduce his many hot tracks to the world. Infused with his own distinctive blend of Pop, Reggae, R&B and Hip-Hop with trace influences of Rock, his music is an eagerly anticipated treat for all who’ve been fortunate enough to hear it or witness one of his high octane performances.
He demonstrated his eclectic ability as a songwriter and producer on “It’s All Good,” a sizzling hot Pop-Caribbean fusion incorporating an infectious beat with a catchy hook that is sure to be an instant hit, and his remake of the Billy Ocean classic “Caribbean Queen (no more love on the run)”, was listed a major buzz getter for him in the USA. His substantial depth as an artist is evident on “Gonna Be Alright”, a message of hope that is sure to be an inspiration to all, and the epic song simply entitled “Sad”.
His numerous credentials include hosting “The New Vibe” radio show on HOTT 95.3 FM in Barbados, where he played the music of local artists and aired entertaining skits, and the “Rock City” radio show on MIX 96.9 FM, where he played Top 40 music, kept listeners in tuned to the latest entertainment news and was renowned for his prank phone calls. No small wonder that his show garnered the coveted place of #1 in its timeslot! As a VJ for the weekly television show, “Riddim Express”, which was seen in 16 islands in the Caribbean, he aired music videos and interviewed several Caribbean artists.
Jermaine Forrester no stranger to commercial work on radio and television and his voice stood out in numerous voiceovers and in-studio appearances. His sex appeal and vibrant personality placed him on magazine covers and in many news publications in the Caribbean. He also has the distinction of being the featured artist on a Cable & Wireless endorsement, generating sales of 50,000 phone cards in just two days for the telecoms giant, the largest telephone network in the Caribbean and one of the largest in the UK.
Jermaine Forrester had toured the UK with hip-hop star Busta Rhymes, gaining legions of fans for himself. He had also performed as the opening act for artists such as Boyz II Men, James Ingram, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Carl Thomas, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Beres Hammond and Sean Paul.
At an early age, Jermaine performed with the band The Smooth Boyz, earning him the notoriety of being the ultimate in smooth vocalists. Later, as a key member of the band 4D People, he began his prolific creative expression with his song writing. Jermaine has song writing credits on three of that band’s albums.
The Zoom Inn cocktail Bar – Hanging at a new level
Persons looking for a cool place to hang out away from the regular bar scene may find a new spot in the Cocktail Bar. Located on the bottom floor of the Zoom Inn international Hotel, it’s a public bar but at present is the best kept secret probably for exclusivity.
Entertainer happened upon this location by chance and by confession is now hooked for the extremely homely atmosphere where one can sit, sip and chat privately while taking in a movie or the latest sports action on cable TV.
The music is soft and ideal for unwinding after a hard days work. Save for four tables, the seating arrangements include two plush sofas with pillows and several bar stools at the international cocktail bar that also offers the best in local beverages. Its ideal for the alone time that one might need with that special someone or slected friends looking to connect, reconnect or simply hang out at another level in a mostly dimly lit atmosphere that’s fully air-conditioned.
Additionally the menu list allows for a freshly prepared serving of seafood such as prawns and Lobster or golden brown fried fish cutlets. It’s a Calamari (Squid) lovers delight. The meat variety is unending and includes such delectable as steak, and Buffalo wings as well as many other offers aside from the regular. On Saturdays it’s mostly Guyanese Creole cuisine such as black and white pudding, souse and real a Guyanese soup with dumplings and ground provisions.
Notable is the personal attention that each customer gets from the in house staff and on Friday nights one may enjoy live, solo serenading from a singer strumming an acoustic guitar. To some its the ideal home away from home experience of royal treatment.
First Born focused on Family and Self Development
“Once financially lucrative or relevant we will be there”-Troy Azore
Contrary to some interpretations of an interview with one First Born member Trayon Garrett, another member Troy Azore in clearing the air says ” the group has not split-up we are now under self management instead and no matter what we remain “Forever Inspirational Reaching Souls Teaching Brotherhood, Obedience Righteousness Naturally.”
In an interview to be aired on the Caribbean Music Box programme he said “As individuals we have all taken a decision to make time to deal with our personal and family lives but will find time when required to be the group that the people, our fans want to hear from and see”.
For 13 years he said the group has been entertaining and touring places such as Jamaica, the USA, Barbados and other Caribbean islands and has had little or no time for “our personal lives but based on my knowledge as a member we have not.”
The final decision to remove the group from the management of Vision Sounds was made upon return from the USA in mid of 2008. “Then we made a conscious decision that we will have to find time for our families and this was agreed to by all members of First Born but the group appeared after that at several shows such as the United for Haiti concert at the National Park earlier this year.”
He noted that as a group the members agreed that some members would have a chance to pursue solo careers doing recordings and videos as it is easier to do this “wherever you are as an individual.”
As a group they have produced five albums including Exodus, Confident, Wake up call and Irits as well as a remake of Exodus with five additional songs and countless singles but it did not make economic sense. “We have not benefited financially in any major way so the walk thus far has been more of experience and exposure. We have gained knowledge and wisdom regarding the industry that has helped to inform our decisions about the way forward” Azore said.
What of the other members?
One member Lambert Semple is with his family in Trinidad which had migrated there months earlier. Those in the know would recall that Semple’s first daughter had passed away early last year and as such he wanted to be there for his other baby born while he was performing in America. Reports are that he is still into music solo under the name First Born and like all the other members Azore said “once there is a booking that proves financially lucrative we will come together for public performances”. Further he noted that we are also still very much together pushing our musical career as First Born internationally.
Setting the record straight Azore said Rawlston Richmond (Lead singer of Irits and Black Joint a.k.a junkie is in Linden focusing strongly on creating a foundation for his family taking on his role, as a father should, for his two children.
He is also engaged in some amount of small scale farming but and is still very much involved with the music business working on some singles in addition to others he has already produced. “No matter what single is done it goes as a First Born venture” Azore assures.
Shawn Williams a father of two is in Berbice on a short term basis with his family and is further engaged in promoting music development in that County.
Treyon a father of one is in Georgetown working on his album as was reported and is also working on his land scaping venture under the Vision Sounds Label.
By Mondale Smith
Guyana Folk Festival US activities galore for 2010
Call for Nominations for Guyana Cultural Association awards
Under the theme “Diversity in Our Villages, Harmony in Our Culture”The Guyana Folk Festival committee in the USA has commenced planning for the 2010 Folk Festival Activities that celebrate things Guyanese.
This year committee officials have informed that emphasis of this years celebrations will be placed on recognizing and celebrating Village and Home town communities that enrich the Guyanese society.
The event that is organized to celebrate individuals and entities whose work in our villages and communities exemplify diversity in our villages, harmony in our culture.
They are inviting persons to submit nominations for the 2010 GCA AWARD before July 16 by logging on to www.Guyfolfest.Org. .
The Guyana Cultural Association of New York Awards committee in issuing a call for Nominations stated on its website that the 2010 Awards ceremony will take place in Brooklyn, New York on September 1, 2010 and will recognize individuals and entities whose work in our communities exemplifies Diversity in Our Villages, Harmony in Our Culture. “We also plan to acknowledge the contributions by youth aged up to 25 years, and business entities, as well. This year we will especially acknowledge individuals from villages and village communities who enrich Guyanese society.” Accordingly the invitation for nomination are specifically for three categories of awards which include the Cultural Association Lifetime Achievement Award: reserved for presentation to Guyanese nationals; the Guyana Cultural Association Award and Guyana Cultural Association Exemplary Award. The latter two can be offered to any individual or entity and all honorees will have demonstrated by their individual or organizational action a sense of purpose in promoting positive Guyanese traditions.
Youth nominations must detail the academic and extra curricular accomplishments that position the nominee above the average in his or her area of scholastic and cultural activities.
A selection committee will evaluate each nomination considering originality, scope, impact / influence, integration, pioneering spirit, challenges and achievements.
Every Awardee’s work must meet a distinction considered an exemplary model that can inspire others. Each contribution will have impacted cultural attributes that Guyanese admire, or honor, or preserve.
In keeping with GCA selection criteria and tradition, the Awardee villages would be expected to represent cultural attributes at a high level of skill. The range of activity can cover a wide array of positive deeds.
The emphasis is on community group actions that have initiated and sustained something worthy. The action or conduct could have been a precursor to what we have today.
“We are particularly interested in honoring village groups that are respected in their local communities but largely unknown to the Guyanese public at home and abroad,” the committee stated on its website.
Persons are advised to submit nominations by e-mail to [email protected] including the nominee’s name, a photograph, contact information, and a summary explaining why the nominee deserves to win the award in a particular category. Hard copy (paper) nominations can be mailed to Ms. Goring at the New York address.
More nomination details, including eligibility and selection criteria, are available at www.guyfolkfest.org/awards_nominations.htm
Last year Magda Lois Muriel Pollard was the recipient of The GCA Wordsworth McAndrew Lifetime Achievement Award while Donna Ramsammy-James, former Guyana President Janet Jagan and Western Union Company received The Guyana Cultural Association Award.
Meanwhile the groups 4th Literary hang and 9th Symposium will be combined this year into one exposition of discussions, readings and promotion of books, film and other artifacts.
And according to committee members “We especially welcome all members of villages of all ages to take part” and that “participation may be by paper or video presentation, by poster exhibition and other displays’. This event is set for staging on September 4 at the LADY OF VICTORY CATHOLIC CHURCH AUDITORIUM McDonough & Throop Avenues, Brooklyn, New York. Papers submissions can be sent to Dr. Juliet Emanuel
Via email [email protected].
As part of efforts to gather as much information as possible persons are being advised to submit village information for the website so that the features would be part of the
“52 Weeks-52 Villages” for a possible weekly feature. The feature should be no more than 100 words.
Those who are seeking the true village folklore experience and will be in the USA for the Folk festival are also being advised to get “your Kwe Kwe Groups and represent your village at the “Kwe Kwe nite” slated for Friday September 3. Also as part of the Folk festival activities persons are advised to support their village at the Folk Festival Family Day on Sunday September 5.
Glamorous concludes and Guyana Fashion Weekend auditions begins
Even as Guyana’s top models 2010 male Steven Baggot, female Allana Phoenix and plus size Latoya Whitehead are celebrating their win and have secured their place on the 2010 Guyana Fashion Weekend Catwalk.
Auditions for the Guyana Fashion Weekend are set for July 17 & 18 at the Water Chris from 14:00hrs to 15:00hrs. This is the statement from Sonia Noel the Guyana Fashion Week CEO who is advising that all interested female models are advised to wear heels as they pursue a chance to be part of the premiere fashion event in Guyana.
Last weekend Sonia Noel proved yet again that she means business in her quest to build Guyana’s Fashion Industry. Last Sunday evening after weeks of preparation several winners and runners up were decided on in her just concluded Guyana Model Search 2010. The event staged at the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday night offered much excitement and jaw-dropping fashion and created much room for conversation.
From delicious collections to fierce attitudes; the night exploded with a string of new creations from fresh, young designers proving that fashion has a future on the local shores. The participants included models, designers and stylists’ aspirants as well as this year’s addition of the culinary arts.
The ideas were mostly fresh and while some proved rough around the edges there were more who have grown from the training and nurturing they received from Noel’s team.
Patrons to Sunday’s event also got a glimpse of the new faces with varying body types who are likely to be seen strutting local catwalks hence forth. In the end the top models were crowned and the runners up named.
Steven Bagot ruled the male models line up while the other models were Tyrone Hamid, Esau Humphrey and Osafa Dosantos.
Alana Phoenix was queen of the pack in front of Gericia Francis Fiano Spencer and Alisa Williams in the female top model’s category.
A welcomed addition was the full figured models category and Latoya Whitehead proved the best over Pamela Vaughn, the effervescent Lucia James and Mishon Pertab.
In the culinary line up the chefs were Samantha Mosley, Kester Hinds and Gail Davidson.
For the team competition Team pumpkin led by Chef Deon Tasher and designer Micheal De Abreau won for the best design. Jomal Larose led the team that won the creative category with designs made from Victoria Lily and paper.
Natisha John Won best Arabian night outfit while Lucia James won the advertisement challenge along with Anthony Staman and Alicia Kiston while the winners of the photo shoot competition are Steven Baggot, Jonelle Dugall and Lotoya Whitehead.
Last year winners Jamain Victor and Yolanda Kerr were featured in pink in the opening number signify breast cancer awareness and will be a big part of fashion in October.
The top designer this year went to Nekisha John whose fierce collection of leather and tiger prints clawed its way to a top finish. The audience was buzzing about her collection from the opening presentation when she unleashed jungle fever.1st, 2nd and 3rd runners up are David Clarke, Micheal De Abreau and Micheal Kellman. The top stylist in the competition was the very flamboyant Mark Adams followed by Ryan Berkley and Kevin Singh.
Assessing the event Noel dubbed it major success. Noel noted too that she is pleased with its turned out and the overwhelming support that the young people received. “I am particularly happy that Guyana is emerging as a regional front runner for fresh, young talent” Noel said last Sunday at the shows conclusion. She further noted that the focus of the models, designers, stylists and chefs in the competition was “unbelievable” and she praised the hard work of the behind the scenes personnel. Expressing gratitude to the sponsors and the persons who contributed in various ways; she was high in praise of
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud and his ministry’s endorsement of the culinary arts challenge.
The large audience embraced the models who battled it out on stage for a place in the top four in the respective categories and while the popular models were well supported by various fractions with the audience, but it was the plus size models who electrified the room.
For more info call 2263099 of email [email protected]
Neyo, Mavado for Jamzone Super concerts- Kerwin Bollers
The Road to the 10th annual staging of the Jamzone Summer Break began on Friday Night at the Princess International Hotel with the official announcement that international artistes Neo and ever climbing Jamaican Dancehall artiste Mavado will be among the mega headliners for the 2010 event.
Bollers sitting at the head table with sponsors such as Princess International Hotel, Digicel Guyana, Ansa Mcal, Splashmins, and the Ministry of Tourism among others promised an exciting summer event that surpasses all other stagings todate with a night when eleven international Chutney big names will invade Guyana for a Jamzone chutney super concert at the National Stadium and if all goes well the Guyanese stars will have a night to shine in the spotlight.
We also hear that there are some plans for a food village if all goes well. the vents will not all be held on consecutive days but all told eight delegates drawn from from Antigua, Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, Dominica Republic, Suriname, St Lucia and Guyana will be contesting the coveted title of Miss Jamzone International and a first prize purse of US$10,000 cash.
Guyanese and tourists are promised at least a week of entertainment and leisure activities that will culminate with the crowning of the first ever Miss Jamzone international.
Miss Barbados for Jamzone International 2010 Pageant
‘One’s character propels one beyond the walls of any limitations or challenges therefore I believe my intelligence, humility, determination coupled with my open mind will enable me to lucratively represent Barbados’.
An eloquent 19 year old humanitarian who ardently upholds solid morals and grabs every opportunity to motivate and elevate her fellow youths Miss Barbados Je-Meila Ramona Maloney stands proudly as her country’s ambassador in the Miss Jamzone International 2010 pageant.
Je-Meila is currently the Barbados Face of Shabeau Model Search winner and is attached to the Ebony Model agency also of Barbados. At the tender age of sixteen, Je-Meila joined forces with a friend and started a youth organization called the ‘Emerging Global Leaders of Barbados’, a youth organization that seeks to ’empower all young people so as to creatively shape a better tomorrow’. She was sent by ‘UNICEF Barbados’ to Chitose City Japan to represent the entire Caribbean and Latin America at the J8 Summit in 2008 ,an annual forum where young people from around the world meet and discuss global issues, and share their solutions with G8 leaders and the world community. There she was selected to meet the G8 Leaders of 2008 where she advocated for child rights and other global issues. An avid youth leader this young lady is the current ‘UNICEF Barbados’ youth advocate and is a dedicated volunteer for the National Council on substance Abuse and United Caribbean Trust.
An aspiring lawyer Ms. Barbados hopes to own a law firm by age thirty and is working fervently towards achieving this goal. Remarkably, at 5ft 7inches Je-Meila bears a striking mannequin resemblance and explains that she enjoys singing, dancing, acting and writing poetry.
Miss Maloney assures the public that she confronts any challenge with poise, dignity and optimism and she is confident that the Miss Jamzone International crown is the exact fit for her head!
Tarrus Riley for Free Domestic Violence School show today
As a follow up to the launch of the new company the Wildfire Entertainment group in staying true to their aim of making every event a WE ting will be supporting or creating activities to aid in the entertainment and tourism development product for Guyana.
Explaining further Jermaine Softley, VP of Operations said “Our new company WE is designed to ensure that we do our part in aiding the betterment of our society. And as such he noted that “When we say every event is a WE ting, it is because of the many people involved in making it a reality. Even when our events are over WE will contribute in some form or the other to the community and all our paying patrons are basically the benefactors.
In giving back, the WE group will be hosting a free school show in the National Park today (Friday July 2nd) from 16:00hrs to 17:00hrs to raise awareness in the fight against Domestic Violence.”
Jonathan Beepat, CEOof wild fire productions said “We have realized that recently Domestic Violence cases have been on the rise and we decided to use our influence to add our voices to assist in this fight. Expressing the belief that men and women are like the wings of a bird he said without one wing the bird cannot soar to greater heights and Domestic violence cripples us and we are saying stop domestic abuse! Tarrus is an advocate against this ill and, through Wildfire Entertainment, will be giving a special message to all who attend.
This event is free and is the group’s way giving back.