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Timeka Marshall on a roll…Helps Busy Signal rock Antigua show

Guyanese music lovers locally have not always been kind to Timeka Marshall’s live performances but have recently been enjoying several commendable recorded hits from the artistes. However, if the response from the Antigua based Guyanese can be used as a measuring tool to her development in live performance capabilities, then she’s making waves in person on stage.  Last Friday night Jamaican dancehall/reggae artist Busy Signal rocked the crowd at Paradise Lawn, Antigua and aside from other performers the Guyanese diva sure did help. Reports from the island indicated that Antigua got a piece of Busy at his best and loved every bit of Guyanese singer Timeka Marshall. Hosted by Zugu and Ibis Marshall according to one report attracted a huge Guyanese crowd, and so did Peter Morgan of Morgan Heritage.

The show, dubbed “One More Night”, had a fairly good turnout overall, and was full of entertainment to the end. Timeka Marshall was the first performer for the international acts after the intermission, and according to reports from Antigua she has her Guyanese fans that got into a screaming frenzie with every song. Though fairly new to the international entertainment circuit, Timeka proved a sure force to be reckoned with as an international singing diva in the making. It was her first performance in Antigua, but she did put on a good show nonetheless. The next artist on stage was Peter Morgan who has performed in Antigua several times in one year again rocked the audience with his conscious music. Before his performance, the same way he did in Guyana, he made it clear that he’s been on a solo tour, but is still a dedicated member of the Morgan’s Heritage group. “Forget the rumours,” he said, “to me it’s the best group in the world.

Busy Signal was the main act of the evening entering the stage to hundreds of screaming ladies to the front of the stage. An Antiguan noted that his performance kept the patrons wanting for more.
His most celebrated hit songs were One More Night, and Night Shift, which is a hot club favourite.
As he did in Guyana for the Jamzone Summer Break 2009 Busy fused reggae, R&B and other genres of music to create his original sound.

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X2 set to launch album with Party

After five years and many singles and winning three Guyana Accolade Music Awards, Times Two (X2) is set to launch their first album on November 14 at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston.

Planned as a mega event dubbed Times Two VIP Party and album Launch, the artistes will perform live some of the songs from the album including ‘Let’s rock’ and ‘Kross-roads’.

The album is titled ‘Kross Roads’ and features fifteen tracks spanning, pop, dance, reggae, dancehall and some soca. The duo‘s manager Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records (KKR) who also produced the album said fans will experience the versatility that has distinguished X2 as star performers.

As a group they won Accolade Music Awards in categories of Video of the Year, Soca Single of the Year and Song of the Year and they are again nominated in several categories for awards at the 2009 event billed for November 21.

Music fans in Guyana and the Diaspora will remember the duo for hits such as Krazy, Tick Tac, Push it back, In Meh Blood, Hands up, Half Wine and I ain’t Leaving. Manager Simon is assuring that the new songs on the album will eclipse the pass hits.

X2 is popular as a duo and as individual entertainers at home and abroad as Adrian Dutchin sings lead with the Caribbean renowned Kross Fyah band while Jumo sings with the world renowned Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and both perform on stages worldwide.

Dutchin has been outstanding since he left the group ‘Seven’ and became a signed artiste with Kross Kolor Records. His most notable achievement has been the winning of the Carib Soca Monarch three times and is at present undefeated since he has taken some time off from the competition. He has written and performed many popular songs including the immensely popular ‘Impossible’ soca hit.

Jumo Primo aka Rubber Waist, the other half of X2 has been a member of Byron Lee and The Dragonaires for more than six years and has developed a reputation for energetic as well as sensual performances that leave many in “awe” especially those of the female persuasion.
The duo endorses Digicel Guyana and has been supported by a host of other companies.

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Meleesa Payne cops Miss Tropical Paradise, Jamaica crown

Guyana’s Beauty Queen and runway diva MeLeesa Payne has won yet another international pageant title. On October 10 she proved the best of ten world beauties to cop the crown and the Miss Tropical Paradise title in Jamaica. The 24 year old former Miss Guyana Universe competed against delegates from countries like United States of America, Jamaica, Barbados, Canada and others. Miss America placed second whiel Jamaica placed third.

Her prizes for winning the pageant include a cruise with Jamaican singing sensation Freddie McGregor from Miami to 10 Caribbean islands, a number of trips to and from Jamaica, 2 First class trips to the USA, a pair of earrings and an outfit from Corpa designs.

She also won the prizes of Best Gown and Best Interview at the pageant but while she was poised to compete at eth Miss Earth pageant she will not be going there. Financial difficulties have caused her to cancel plans to compete at the Miss Earth Pageant and as such she will focus on her career in dance. As a professional dancer she said “I disappointed in not getting sponsorship to go to the Miss earth but I preparing for the Classique Dance Company’s Battle of the Sexes show slated for December 5 at the National Cultural Centre.

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No more sidelining of local talent

Get ready for a Local theatre revolution

After pooling together their time, resources and talents a group of actors, comedians and one business minded couple have completed successful auditions to ensure that the Guyanese theatre gets new life and is also recorded for posterity.  The Mori Jvon team includes business entrepreneurs Ron Morrison and his wife Olive Gopaul with support from a board of directors inclusive of Steve DeSouza, Henry Rodney, Pastor Timothy King, Howard Lorrimer and Russel Lancaster.

Rodney is the creative director while Lancaster is the production manager. On the team also is costume designer/ dance instructor Clive Prowel as well as Granny Ivelaw.

The group is guaranteeing that as of November 7 this year, theatre in Guyana will begin a road to total revolution.

Business man Ron Morrison and his wife former Miss Guyana Olive Gopsaul told entertainer that they are getting ready to launch Mori J’Von comedy jams on November 7 at the National Cultural Centre from 20:00hrs for special invitees.

Last Saturday they held auditions for actors and comedians and the turn out according to Morrison was most encouraging. “We were not surprised that in excess of 75 people came out to auditions at Theatre Guild.” Of the lot only forty have made the shortlist for what the promoters are promising will be the best thing in recent Guyanese entertainment. Without disrespecting international comedy shows such as Oliver and Bashment Granny Morrison says they have their place  but we believe that Guyana has its own pool of equally if not more talented actors, comedians, singers and dancers and  so our plan is to give local a chance to shine and earn in the process. “Rehearsal begins today at the Girl’s Guide Pavilion in preparations for the launch and I assure Guyana that this is going to be a comedy revolution because we are tired of the imported stuff,” Morrison told entertainer.  The show once started will be filmed monthly before a live audience at National Cultural Centre as a totally private venture.

Morison said the show will feature a rotating line-up of stand-up comedians and actors in short comedy sketches, music, dance and poetry.

He made it clear that all actors are being paid and will be signing contracts from November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. Dealing above board the directors will be paid in excess of $100,000 monthly while the actors will receive professional fees in volumes of between $10,000 and $30,000 per appearance.  The show will be filmed and goes into syndication by December 1 for rebroadcast nationwide. Morrison says the idea is being considered for the shows like Bashment Granny and Oliver to be broadcasted out of Guyana on one of the regional channels.

Veteran Comedian Habeek Khan will be receiving a life time achievement award at the launching of the show a fund will be set up in his honour to ensure that he is supported financially based on public financial donations of appreciation for his contribution to Guyanese theatre and comedy.

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Entertainers Reinforced Message on New Season of RE School Tour

RETV Logo

The popular RE School Tour kicked off recently at the St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS).

This new seasons’ support was evident in the scope and numbers of the hot-list of popular and up and coming artistes, all uniting for one cause. To spread the message.

Crowd at STATHSThe over 700 students were treated to a 2 hour concert of exceptional quality and variety…… the performers delivered some of their well-known songs and a few news ones as well.  Wonderfully too was the fact that without prompting or being asked, some of the entertainers adjusted their lyrics to compliment the continuing theme of the tour – ‘Abstinence Mek Sense’.

Project Manager, Kandi King said, “The new season of RETV School Tour took-off with a bang featuring more than a few new and exciting elements; we had a record amount of artiste participating, from 12 to 23 and more varied performances; The actual concert extended from one (1) to two (2) hours with new sponsors on board in the form of mobile giant Claro, Mothers Patties and National Family Planning Board joining forces with title sponsor, Coke Zero.

RDXAnother exciting development is that we have extended the media platform for the airing of the RE School Tour one-hour programme with sister station FAME FM carrying live on-location reports; TVJ will be airing the programme from Saturday October 17th @ 4:30 – 5:30 and You can catch it again on RETV later that same day @ 7pm or at varied times during the week-long RETV coverage”.

Newcomers to the RE School Tour, Shantala, Tiger Bless, G Whizz, Stacious, Mixing Lab, I Octane, Unlimited Dancers, and Jahvinci, were warmly welcomed by the students.

Shady SquadAmong the favorite entertainers who have consistently supported the RE School Tour and its message were Prodigal Son, Timberlee, Tifa, D’Angel, RDX, Etana, Goddy Goddy, Alaine, Konshens, Chino, Laden, DJ Nicholas, Shady Squad, and Voice Mail, all delivering sterling high energy performances that kept the students soaring.

The entertainment package at STATHS was sparkling but importantly the message of ‘Abstinence Mek Sense’ was consistently reinforced throughout the afternoon’s proceedings, aided by Ministry of Health representative, Matthew Mothersill who spoke at different intervals about the importance of self-discipline.  The students were enthusiastic, understood the message and hung on to every word he uttered.

I Octane signing autographs for STATHS studentsJerry D’s Vibes Machine provided the musical thrills, while RETV presenters Snoop Roc emcee and Lady Rennae hosted the tour.

Among the goodies; giveaways and treats the students were treated to a few surprises as well, as title sponsor Coca Cola’s Coke Zero, joined new platinum sponsor Mobile giant Claro, Mothers Patties and National Family Planning got in on the action.
The RE School Tour will be coming to a school near you across the island during the current season.  The tour is presented by RETV and 3 Sixty Promotions.

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Could Jessica Xavier be Guyana’s next big thing in music?

Nominated for Best New Comer Artiste of the Year

Happy and sad situations, grateful times, being with family and friends and using her God given talents Jessica Ann Xavier draws inspiration from life itself.

Not just yet as popular on the local music circuit, her name is certainly one to look for in Guyana’s music industry in the not too distant future. In fact she is one of the Nominees of the 2009 Accolade Music Awards of Guyana in the ‘New Artiste of the Year’ category up against Young Fyah, Lisa Punch, Cleon Cadogan, Lil J, Typheon, and Mark Batson. For this she is elated and is hoping that the best person wins.

Jessica hopes someday to positively affect as many people with her music or simply “make them feel like dancing away their stresses.”

Her strong belief is that music influences moods and attitudes and stirs emotion. As such musically she’s working to create a different vibe and told Weekend Entertainer that she is currently working on “a really nice dance song”.

Physically and vocally gifted, Jessica is currently the Managing Director of J.A.X Sales Executives and has been singing “forever”.

“Ever since I was two years old I’ve been hogging microphones at my uncle Raymond’s house…I even have a recording of me with my little husky voice, singing how much is that doggy in the window,” she reflected.

With a to die for smile and sheepish but assertive persona, recalled her first recording in her uncle’s dining room at just 2 years old. “It still is amazing to hear my voice then and now.” To her it sounded like a little boy with a husky voice trying to sing.

Professional, about two years ago she was given the opportunity to record with Kingdom Friends Record Productions, under the direction of Danley Major.

As humble as could be, with a heart of gold, the lover of charitable causes has mainly been singing for charities such as Rotary Events, Mother’s Union and World Aids day programmes.

On the entertainment circuit, she has also done opening acts for the Peace Fest concert which featured Jah Cure and others as well as the Best of Both World with Duane Stephenson, Freddy McGregor and Tarrus Riley all of whom were blown away by her urbane vocals and lyrically conscious vibes.

A writer too, she penned ‘Don’t Cry’ after a family member lost a loved one. That song tells the story of a person loosing someone dear to them and the comforting words of their friends and family, just saying ‘Don’t Cry…dry the Tears from your eyes… everything is going to be ok.”

That song was released in March of this year in time for the Peace Fest.

She’s currently working on a couple more tracks, but confessed that she’s “trying to take things a bit slowly so as to ensure a positive outcome and not anything rushed.”

Planning for long term her intention is to release an album and has also quietly done some work in Jamaica.

The local music industry

“Guyana is a multi racial country bursting with talent that can impact the world eventually and I personally believe that we have come a significant way in recognizing our creative talents in music.”

From her experiences she is convinced that the nation has a host of young artistes with voices still unheard and she says “we need more facilities to enhance the musical offerings in Guyana and we would show the rest of the world how much we have to offer.” This she believes would also motivate young people to take music serious as career choice.

Vocal training, Stage Prepping, Interview training are among the facilities that she believes are needed to enhance music and musicians in Guyana.

Speaking sincerely, she expressed the belief that “Guyanese artistes are underrated and aren’t given the opportunities they deserve to come out from hiding from the rest of the world. But we have made significant strides in trying to develop the music industry and it is well recognized and I do believe that in the coming years we can only see more improvement.”

She says “to start my musical career my major inspiration was Navada Fernandes. I owe my motivation and inspiration to sing to her and my uncle Raymond as well, who ever since I was a child, made me fall in love with music and inspired and motivated me to keep singing and writing.”  But all in all she says LIFE is her biggest inspiration. “Everything about it…everything there is to be grateful about it…it’s my daily dose of inspiration.”

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Casting for Genesis Fashion Rhythm 11

Arrowhead Promotions, Wednesday, September 2, 2009 – Attractive Guyanese runway models once again have the opportunity to participate in Guyana’s one-of-a-kind star studded event Genesis Fashion Rhythm 11 under perfect moonlight ambience in the heart of the City at the Promenade Gardens, on Sunday September 27.

Arrowhead Promotions is issuing a casting call for male and female models for Saturday, September 5 at the benab of the Promenade Gardens. Those inclined to attend the casts must walk with 4’’ high heels shoes to parade before the panel in their attempt to make the best impression. The height requirement for women is 5ft 7″ and above and for men 5ft 9″ and above.

Genesis Fashion Rhythm aims to highlight the symbiotic relationship between entertainment and business in Guyana and is another of the pre events to Accolade Music Awards of Guyana

Celebrity musicians will become vivid and bold among professional models on a three-dimensional catwalk as they display clothing by top local designers. These selected exquisite designs will present numerous options to fashion fanatics craving for sassy and enticing clothing to wear at Accolade Music Awards of Guyana in November 21.

Genesis is different and daring and represents a tremendous step forward in the local entertainment sphere. The producers promise to live up to the expectations with quality by confident designers and music professionals. Definitely the evening will see stunning performances by Guyana’s top entertainers defining a moment of classic entertainment.

Capitalizing on a successful launch in July, Accolade endeavours to build on the outpouring support by sponsors, music producers/professionals, music lovers among thousands of well wishers and friends.

Reviews of last year’s inaugural event described it as ‘’awesome and magnificent’’ with admiration for the excellent use of the aesthetics of the Promenade Gardens, artistes and designers’ classy outfits.

The participation of celebrity artiste in a fashion event has a unique fascination as they demonstrate bravery and versatility, switching role from musical stage performances to modeling on the catwalk.

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Teacher drives off with $3.5M Jamzone reward

Miss Jamzone 2009 - Charis JosephWith an expressed need for more pomp and ceremony and better stage decor for tourism promotions, the organisers of the Miss Jamzone 2009 pageant lifted the standards while showcasing a commendable bevy of possible Miss Guyana delegates Sunday night at Splashmin’s Fun Park on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

An estimated audience of 15,000 was treated to spirited competition among eight beauties with 23-year-old school teacher, Charis Joseph, proving the pick of the lot, and securing the ninth Miss Jamzone crown.

Joseph, who was a clear crowd favourite from her initial appearance on stage, used an infectious smile and charming personality to woo the crowd. Her response to the final question sealed the deal.

Her success ensures that she drives away with the $3.5M Toyota IST first prize, while she also will be rewarded with other prizes for copping the Miss Body Beautiful and Miss Intelligence titles.

The Noitgedacht, Linden resident is a graduate of President’s College and Cyril Potter College of Education.

In addition to her good looks, Joseph left no stone unturned by confidently expressing that she is the best suited to be queen as “people see me as an outspoken individual who can make an excellent ambassador and I’m always talking about Guyana. This pageant gives me the platform to really sell Guyana if given the opportunity.”

First runner-up was the petite 19-year-old Marsha Chester of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. A graduate of School of the Nations and a one-time Miss Guyana Talented Teen first runner-up, Chester is the Assistant Manager of “Big and Tall Boutique.” She receives a motor scooter for her efforts.

The second runner-up prize of a laptop computer went to Lindener, Tunisha Elexy.

The 23-year-old, also of Linden, and Princess Street Werk–en–Rust in Georgetown, is a graduate of New Silver City Secondary School, Critchlow Labour College and Winclex Computer School.

Kerry Woolford and Lashawn De Souza were third and fourth runner-up respectively.
Prize giving is set for Friday.

By Mondale Smith

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Oliver Barnes has the key to the Bimmer

-Gives 50 inch Plazma screen to woman who won nothing

‘Zimm Zimmer’, Oliver Barnes out maneuvered 25 others and found the key to the first Digicel $20M ‘Bimmer’ (BMW) on Saturday night in an atmosphere of euphoria at the Linden Municipal Bus Park and is giving Digicel and God all the glory for his blessings.

While many can sing, “Zimm Zimmer, who got the key to the Bimmer”, on Saturday night businessman Oliver Adrian Barnes aged 34 burst into excited waving and jumping when he found the slip that read “Zimm Zimmer you got the keys to the Bimmer”.

He said “Digicel certainly did pay me back just as the advertisement said and I ain’t going anywhere else. I am sticking to the bigger better network.”

Prior to the first Bimmer Flex promotion draw, 26 competitors had pocketed $100,000 each and had qualified for Saturday’s draw by spelling BIMMER.

With much entertainment from local artistes and DJs Saturday night, the 26 finalists were led to a massive box filled with inflated balloons at the center of a more than 10,000 crowd and plunged into a frenzied search for as many canisters as possible. Each canister had slips with prizes written on them, and after about 15minutes of searching, Barnes began waving frantically signaling that he had found the slip.

The married father of two also produced slips for a 50 inch flat screen Plasma television, $1000 credit and a Digicel cap.

The other competitors included one Indian national, and after the entire episode was captured on two huge projector screens, all produced slips for cash and other prizes but Mae Alexandria Fraser the lone Lindener of Grenville St, Wismar found nothing.

Barnes couldn’t recall how he ended up with the winning prize.

He said that there was a mad scramble, by the contestants and then people were saying, they didn’t have it, so he checked his list of prizes and there it was-he had been holding it in his hand all along without even realising it!

He had the keys to the Bimmer, as well as the television set, a cap and a cell phone.

The decision to give away the television set was a spontaneous one according to Barnes, who himself a Christian, had unknowingly given away the prize, to another believer.

The lucky recipient of that prize, Mae Fraser, said she was indeed blessed and fortunate to have gotten so lucky, as she was the only person among the contestants, who was unable to get anything during the mad rush to find the keys to the Bimmer.

She expressed her sincere gratitude to the benevolent young man, who has made her upcoming birthday on Wednesday, a very special one.

Barnes said, “All the other competitors had something to take home but my heart went out to the Lindener who was disadvantaged by her age and with prompting from a photographer I decided to give as I had received. So I guess she’s happy now with her Flat Screen Television because I realise that with Digicel everyone wins.”

The third person to spell Bimmer through the purchase of six $2000 cards, Barnes, a Data Process outsourcing professional said that the $100,000 won for spelling BIMMER came in handy to pay his bills.

He said the competition was fair and transparent that allowed for anyone to win “but thank God I did”.

He also recalled saying a silent prayer for God’s guidance in the right direction before entering the box.

“Come to think of it, a total stranger from the crowd while I was walking with the rest to the box said to me while I was passing “you are going to win that prize and he was right.”

He admitted that never in his wildest dreams did he think of Bimmer but after winning he said “I’m the owner of that $20m vehicle and this vehicle is proof that God has got a lot in store for me and this car is telling me that God wants me to come up higher in life’s game.”

He has not decided what to do with is new found luxury but can’t wait to have it landed in his yard so he can gradually make it part of his life. He said “This is a $20m car, it is like my new trophy and God is indeed good.”

Barnes lauded Digicel as a great and superior service and advised customers not to give up, but to continue buying the flex cards, which apart from giving them a chance to win the other BMW come September, but will also afford them the opportunity to win other prizes.

Digicel’s head of Marketing, Donovan White, said the response to the promotion was phenomenal, and said he looks forward to giving away the other BMW in September.

Additional reporting by Mondale Smith

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Miss Jamzone prize Up by $1.2m

As the Hits and Jams entertainment group continue to up their game in the entertainment industry they have once again increased the value of the first prize. According to the promoters when the pageant first started in 2000 the queen walked away with $40,000. Three years later the 1st prize changed to a motor scooter. The years that followed the winner and the runners up for the six years have walked away with cars and motor scooters and Loptop computers.

The cars then were valued at $2M each.

This year the queen walks away with a 2005 fully loaded Toyota IST car valued at $3.2 on August 30. An increase of $1.2M- the biggest first prize ever put up for a beauty pageant in Guyana in recent times.
Originally 15 local beauties made the shortlist but five are no longer in the competition by way of elimination and opting out. The remaining ten delegates will be sashed by theirs sponsors on Sunday August 9 at the Kings Plaza hotel on Main Street.

By Mondale Smith