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Miss Caribbean World Pageant

Miss Guyana “will put best foot forward” at Miss Caribbean World  Pageant

Imarah in BVIAs at Wednesday, of an original pool of 20 beauties, 14 have arrived in the British Virgin Islands ahead of tomorrow’s Miss Caribbean World Pageant. Guyana is represented in the bunch. In a Platinum News entertainment story Alecia Hamm, the show’s organiser is quoted as saying that “right now they are having some serious fun”.

She also described them as a lively bunch and reported that some of the six others are experiencing financial difficulties.

Last year, Miss Dominica’s Marah Walter copped the crown from a bevy of 18 beauties and this year Miss Dominica is among the 14 contestants enjoying their stay on the islands. The others are from Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, BVI, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and USVI. The BVI is represented by Miss Josefina Nunez.

Last Saturday Miss Guyana World 2010 Imarah Radix as well as the other contestants to the pageant arrived in the British Virgin Islands and was treated to a welcome reception by the Premier Hon. Ralph T. O´Neal Sunday evening at the Maria´s by the Sea.

They dined and savoured some of the delectable indigenous dishes of the BVI and rocked to music provided by the Lashing Dogs sounds.

Reports in the BVI Platinum News indicate that that some of the contestants, including host Miss BVI Josephina Nunez, dubbed the experience as providing opportunities to share and cross diverse cultures.

Miss Guyana who sparked the most comments on the Platinum News site for listing Scuba diving as a hobby is reportedly a stand out for her personality and her ability to think on her feet and is reportedly among the more eloquent of the bunch.

On Monday the delegates toured the Virgin Gorda and on Tuesday they were part of live television interviews.

On Wednesday they toured Tortola then participate in the Queen’s Baton Relay activity at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Yesterday the ladies attended the high school athletics meet, then they swim with the dolphins and visited the UP Cineplex. A Motorcade is carded for today followed by a reception to be held by the Governor and it is where the personal interviews will be done.

Tomorrow the beauties are scheduled to appear on ZBVI radio’s Teen Talk programme while the pageant is scheduled to take place at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex starting at 19:00hrs. However, in the event the complex is not ready the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall (Cultural Centre) will be the best alternative.

The sports complex has been without electricity for more than two weeks now. “As far as I was told they are rectifying the problem. It’s a government thing, there’s nothing I can do,” Hamm is reported as stating in a Platinum News report.

Besides that, Hamm said everything else is going smoothly for show, while thanking the individuals and businesses who chipped in despite the recession. “We had some persons who were willing to work with us.”

Contestants will compete in swimwear, costumes, talent, evening wear, and for the first time a question and answer segment.

Miss BVI according to the Platinum News report is confident that she will win the pageant as she has ” been preparing since in January, going to the gym, personal training and so on.” Miss St. Lucia Glenda Kimberlyn Abbott at the function who like the other delegates are already enjoying the BVI, urged persons to come out and support the delegates as they display talent, intelligence and beauty.

Miss USA Meagan Small is a US-born Jamaican who is representing the Caribbean diaspora in the USA.

Miss Guyana Radix said the BVI is great and expressed love for the sand and water. Responding to questions about her love for scuba diving, Radix said that she does not scuba dive in Guyana, but has travelled to many countries such as Egypt, Thailand and the Margarita Islands where she does scuba diving.

Imarah who has advanced in scuba diving said “I have done five specialties in scuba diving. I do it while on vacation, I don´t scuba dive in Guyana,” the Platinum news quotes her as saying.

She said that she is prepared to put her best foot forward on tomorrow nigh and is feeling right at home with her Guyanese chaperon. She said reported that Guyanese residing in the BVI are very supportive and they are promising to attend the pageant in their numbers with Guyana flags to root for her.

The contestants were part of a photo shoot in the Virgin Gorda which Imarah dubs as one of several wonderful experiences she has had since arriving in the BVI.

She assures that she intends to do her best to represent Guyana and describes the other contestants as very friendly. Her roommate is Ms Anguilla and according to her “we are getting along very well…it’s as if we have known each other for years”.

Of the trip thus far Imarah said she’s really enjoying the culture and sights of the BVI while discovering ‘nature’s little secret’ and sharing the beauty and culture of Guyana with the contestants.

By Mondale Smith

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Who is this guy? “Lamataa”

The father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law clashes

The hype is on for Mahendra Ramkellawan, the sensational local chutney star who will be launching Lamataa at the Everest Ground on Easter Sunday. A super rebuttal “Mi Father-in-Law” will also be officially launched the same day.

The battle will be between De Hunter “de punching” from Trinidad and our own Guyanese talent. The battle lines have been drawn.

According to Ramkellawan, the Fire-Fest production will be featuring another terrific show, with Andy Singh, De Hunter, Fire-Fest dancers, hotshot Caribbean band, Granny Ivlaw, Jumbee and others.

He added that he placed second in the National Chutney Competition and would be showing the entire public at Everest the whole performance that he thought was more than enough to earn him the crown.

He boasts that the show would be incredible and the adrenaline high. (Rabindra Rooplall)

By Mondale Smith

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Scandalous out of the Box

Classique Dance Company turns 10

The fluidity of movements, the effortless grace with confidence and physical assertive gait sets a dancer apart from the crowd and it seems that Classique Dance Company has all the right moves to deliver three on stage full length Dance productions annually.

‘Colour of La dance’ is set for April, ‘Dance like you do’ is set for September and ‘A Classique Christmas’ crown off the works of the company  each December.

The women took on the men in a ‘battle of the sexes’ in 2009 and now all roads lead to the National Cultural Centre on April 16 and 17 when Classique Dance company will again offer much high energy, emotional and sometimes comical technique filled dance pieces for Scandalous.

The dance company headed by Director, Choreographer and CEO Clive Prowel is celebrating its 10th anniversary with “Color of La Dance” under the theme ‘Scandalous’.

“Guyanese are accustomed to experiencing dance concerts but that’s what we aim to change as we continue to strive for excellence in our productions”.

He said that Scandalous will see more than 62 dancers walking the edge this time around,” Prowel assures. He said those who have seen Colour of La Dance productions over the years can attest that we always up our production a notch hence our ever growing audience. Last year the group staged battle of the sexes

He said this time around the production can easily be placed in a Broadway like status where the dancers offer their version of ‘Lion King’ full of Disney characters. “We will be staging a matinee show on the 16 where that part will be showcased for primary school children through sponsorship from companies but on the 17 the show will feature two parts”.

The latter half of the show will bring out the full scandal where one can expect anything in dance bordering on erotic but tasteful sensuality Prowell promised. The Lion King version of the show will feature dancers from the  Classique preliminary classes age 4½ to 7, intermediate A and B and the advance classes as well as the dance company.

The latter half of the show will feature advanced dancers and doing presentations that will ensure that tongues will wag long after the show.

The Classique Dance Company is one of Guyana’s most successful and popular contemporary dance companies. Founded in 2000 by dancer and choreographer Clive Prowell, the company’s mission has been to empower young people through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts, building self-esteem and inspiring self-expression.

Well travelled nationally, Classique Dance Company has performed for many sold out audiences and has built a loyal audience base receiving many accolades its kinetic, high-energy performances, technical acuity, and generous personality.

Classique’s continued success can be directly attributed to the calibre of training the dancers undergo which consists of intensive routines in various distinct dance techniques by nationally renowned teachers.

Its members participate regularly in dance experiences through which the instructors promote self confidence, poise; personal achievement and pure love for dance and artistic expression.

Since its inception, the Classique Dance Company has received much acclamation and its CEO assures that he remains committed to building a reputable dance company by steadily developing works that can be easily recognized as Classique Productions.

Classique is striving to become Guyana’s premier dance company and develop an audience that will recognize, appreciate, and support contemporary dance.

It is also seeking to remain artistically subtle by working with noted choreographers, attending dance festivals, forging collaborations with other artists, and teaching classes.

In addition to its own artistic endeavours, Classique is committed to ensuring that future generations of students have the opportunity to experience the arts as an essential part of their education.

Prowell on dance said dancers stand out even while simply walking.

For more information Te1:625-06991666-8666 Email: cliveprowellavahoo.

By Mondale Smith

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Miss Bartica Regatta begins

Delegates to be sashed tomorrow

As the date fast approaches for the crowning of a Miss Bartica Regatta 2010 the event coordinators are pulling out all the stops to make the event even bigger and better. Regatta is one of the more talked about Easter weekend events in Guyana that encourages domestic and international tourism.

While the event climaxes on April 5 the excitement begins tomorrow with the official sashing ceremony tomorrow. There will be added entertainment such as a Dance fiesta; that should feature the Classique Dance Company and the Famous Pose dancers.

Outstanding Barticians will also be honoured, among them includes champion racers, footballers and athletes. But while the spotlight will be on the beauties vying for the Miss Regatta crown others who made the region proud will also be honoured with awards for their outstanding performances at the Grades Six and CXC scholarships from 2009 and the showcasing of video highlights from the 2009 pageant and races.

As we did last week we are continuing our feature of three more delegates vying from the crown. This week we introduce to you Nickesha Leanza Fraser, Tiffany Tomeka Wong and Abiola Natoya Allen.

Delegates #4

Nickesha Leanza FraserSPONSORED BY SEVENTH AVENUE WORKSHOP

Name: Nickesha Leanza Fraser

D.O.B: 16th September, 1992

Age: 18

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Career Goal: Teacher

Hobbies: Listening to Music, Watching Television, Reading.

Education: St. Anthony’s Primary School and the Bartica Secondary School – C.X.C (7 Subjects)

While many see her as the quiet girl next door Nickesha said her full potential will be unleashed in this her first pageant. Although her childhood dream was always to become a trained teacher Nickesha says she decided to test the pageant world because it will be her living one of her fantasies.

Like the average Barticians she too cherishes family and close friends and spend most of her time reading and site seeing.  She says I am an easy going person who enjoys being around friends. It may all seem ironic but this beauty also enjoys mass at Full Gospel Fellowship every Sunday and being in the company of her two younger siblings.

Delegate #5

Tiffany Tomeka WongSPONSORED BY JOUVERT

Name: Tiffany Tomeka Wong

D.O.B: 12th November, 1992

Age: 17

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Career Goal: Accountant

Hobbies: Dancing, swimming, communicating with others, reading and net surfing.

Education: St. John the Baptist Primary, Bartica Secondary School and Three Miles Secondary (7 Subjects)

The tantalizing Tiffany age 17 years-old is a Scorpio beauty who is planning to put a sting back into the Miss Regatta Pageant with her genuine sensuality. Tiffany’s role model is her mum from whom she draws all her inspiration.

Tiffany says she is up for the Miss Regatta challenge since she has some amount of pageant experience. Tiffany was once a third runner-up St. John the Baptist Primary Pageant. She entered this pageant with the aim of enhancing her public speaking skills.

Delegate #6

Abiola Natoya AllenSPONSORED BY PLATINUM INN HOTEL

Name: Abiola Natoya Allen

D.O.B.: 9th January, 1990

Age: 20

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Career Goal: Nurse

Hobbies: Travelling, Cooking, Dancing, Reading, Communicating, Modelling

Qualifications: Two Miles Primary and Bartica Secondary School (7 subjects)

Ambitious Abiola is seeking to bring a new twist to this year’s Miss Regatta Pageant as all she intends to do wow the crowd with nothing else but perfection.

This Capricorn beauty lives daily by her motto “Strive for perfection”. She spend her spare time keeping in contact with those dear to her by texting. Being her first time in pageantry Abiola said it was her boyfriend and mother who convinced her to go for the crown as she puts it. Abiola also feels strongly against child abuse in her community and plans to use this pageant as a stepping stone to highlight and most importantly informs persons of this growing issue.

By Mondale Smith

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Solid as a Rock!!!

Solid Youth drops 12-track album fresh out of Jamaica studio

Solid Youth“Yah know that I’m back, pun de attack, they try to make me drop, but I’m solid as a rock…as a matter of fact Satan get drop”

The words of one of the very infectious hooks set to dancehall vibes on a new 12-track gospel laced dance hall/ reggae album from Bartician David Yasin aka Solid Youth.

The third such album to date in his musical career, this album new one produced in Jamaica is now available at Gift Land office Max with plans for expansion to other record stores and judging from rave reviews and sales in Florida it must be really and  inspirational on  another front.

“I launched it in Florida with a concert and people really liked the songs so much so that the bought a whole lot of the original CD.”

The produced and released recently that features songs such as ‘UR Gonna Make it’, ‘Love is the Key’, ‘Krazy,’ ‘Rise up’, ‘Saints’, ‘lively up yah self’, ‘I’m not ashamed’ and ‘I’m back’.

The married youth first tried out the songs on an album launch tour in parts of the USA he will be among the performers at the Youth Explosion carded for March 27 at the National Cultural Centre where persons can pick up an original copy too.

The album also has combination songs with Jamaican artistes Zeela Mac and St. Matthew such as ‘Come unto me’, ‘I worship U’ and ‘Christ Representa.’

Among the inspirational tracks is one that serves to uplift the down trodden stating that “You are gonna make it…you are gonna live and not die…all you gotta do is pray and Jah will make a way.”

Addressing world issues the album also features the universal anthem that ‘Love is the key, we are one family’, but closer to home the artiste amidst his gospel centred up bringing in Bartica he too recalls the dreaded morning that is forever etched in the minds of Guyanese when death stalked First Avenue Bartica and the other unfolding of slaughter in Lusignan.

He sings “Rise up this morning and turn my TV on, only to find out 11 more gone…this is not the time to argue and fight lets all unite… we’ve got our indifferences but we can sit down and talk about this…love is the key open up your eyes and see.’

The Guyanese artiste who is resolute in his praises to God and his unwavering love for Jesus Christ for his talent recently returned from the USA and is aiming to take Guyanese music positively to the highest dancehall level.

Proof that dancehall has no face or ethnic bias, Solid Youth of East Indian ancestry says he aims to prove that young men are not all negative and hopes that his music will inspire those who have stumbled to come up higher in Christ for positive and productive living.

Singing since age 15, Solid Youth became popular for his take on teen sex when he sang “Get it in yah head abstinence…stop talk ignorance, no wed no bed,” a message that sharply contrasted all talk of condom use and early sexual activity as opposed to marriage.”

His parents are pastors and as such he played drums in his home church but had his fair share of lashes and suspension for grabbing more attention due to his chanting of popular dance hall lyrics during school hours.

Then as he said,  “I realised that I was always embarrassing my parents and decided to make a change. Now I have no regrets and the sky is the limit to what I can have.”

His first album was recorded at Kingdom Friends in Guyana and launched in 2004 with a theme of Spiritual warfare. Then came ‘Judgement day’ produced in Trinidad with Sherwin Gardner at Flow-master records.

His memorable songs from those include: we nah believe in safer sex and ‘abstinence’ which was followed by a video.

How did this artiste end up in Jamaica? He said he met and established a communications network with St Mathew an international gospel artiste and he eventually winged out to Jamaica.

The recordings were completed in just about two weeks and he also completed a music video for the song ‘I’m back’ which he is also releasing to all television stations locally.
Prior to this album launch, he has performed in several states in the USA at various Christian functions as well as in the Caribbean. Of this new album the artiste said he believes that this is the best thus far in his career.

By Mondale Smith

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‘Miss Bootilicious 2010’ takes Guyana by storm

A lingerie pageant with a difference

ContestantsA new entertainment feature is about to unfold on the local shores and promoters are promising that it will be sizzling with sensuality and steamy, erotic, ‘static electricity’.

Dubbed a masterpiece by one of the coordinators, Alex Wayne, the ‘Miss Bootilicious 2010’ Pageant will showcase 12 curvaceous and truly appealing women who will storm the stage with raw, unbridled, provocative power on Saturday, March 27 when the official launch kicks off at the ‘Ice Sports Bar’ (formerly the Blue Iguana Nightclub), Fifth and Light Street, Albertown, Georgetown.

Showtime is 21:00 hrs (9 pm)

At the official launch the beauties who have dubbed themselves, ‘scorchingly pulsating’, will strut their stuff in the most breathtaking and mesmerizing lingerie ever seen before. That’s not all, these saucy ladies will also be performing stimulating choreography with six chiselled and rippled male models, who it is said, will leave the female audience drooling.

No forms of vulgarity or raw, sensual acts will be showcased at any interval during the pageant.  The event is geared to allow the Guyanese woman to display her ‘ultra sexiness’ with great finesse, modesty and elegant style.

‘Miss Bootilicious 2010’ will entail elimination bouts and at the final segment to be hosted in May, 2010, the queen will walk away with a brand new Laptop and US$1000 and trophy, while her runner-up will cart off a  Blackberry cellular phone, US$500 and a trophy. The third place finalist will take home a Digital Camera, US$200, and a trophy. All participants will however be awarded for their efforts.

At the March 27 segment three four unlucky ladies will eliminated, leaving eight beauties to face off at the next round against six new faces, this time five ladies will be dropped from the lot and the elimination process continues until the finals showdown in May month.

Full-figured and ‘ultra curvy’ are urged to participate since the pageant is geared to affirm the statement, ‘big girls can be sexy and beautiful’. Much excitement is centered on contestants like ‘Ghetto Fabulous Michelle’ whose platform is ‘Jungle Fever’, and of course the saucy beauty, ‘Sexy Jamie’. Hotties to look out for are, ‘Tantalizing Tenesha’, ‘Luscious Lashaun’, ‘Sizzling Stacy’, ‘Erotic Estaleen’ of Airy Hall, Mahaicony, ‘Tia the Thunderbolt’ and ‘Bootilicious Beena’.

The ultra sexy ‘Big Mommas’ who it is said will blaze a trail on show nite are ‘Volcanic Teshua’,  ‘Boombastic Latoya’, and the ‘Trendsetter Trishell’.

This pageant will be taken to various parts of Guyana and persons interested in participating are urged to call phone number 622 1934. Corporate and individual sponsors can call this number to support any contestant they admire.

By Mondale Smith

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Trevor Rose Living His Childhood Dream

Secures third ‘Designer of the Year’ award

Trevor Rose and Michelle ColeAfter visiting the John Fernandes Mash Camp and falling in love with the wire-bending and costume creations, Trevor Rose decided, “I’m going to be a designer.” So enthralled was he that he immediately joined that camp and began working. The brazen youth then decided at age 13, when he applied for his passport, to write ‘designer’ as his occupation. He of course was still at school. After years of sitting at the feet of Fernandes in his Mash Camp, the ambitious youngster is currently living his childhood dream.

On Friday last, as the curtains came down on the 2010 Mashramani activities, which was arguably one of the better events in recent times, Rose edged out fellow designer Olympia Sonaram by two points, to be adjudged ‘Designer of the year’ for a third time.

He designed for two mega companies Banks DIH and Guyana Power and Light Inc., and both of them came out among the winners.

Banks DIH returned to the route after four years while GPL was a first timer in the float parade. Both companies have no regrets as they won most of the top prizes in the many categories in which they competed.

“I’m happy that I’ve been able to do the companies proud with some quality creations. I am encouraged even further and will always strive for the best in my costume creations. I intend to maintain that level as an inspiration and a motivator to other aspirants,” Rose said

Through the Banks DIH band, he won ‘Best King Costume’, ‘Best full costume large band’, ‘Best Commercial float’, ‘Best semi costume large band ‘and ‘Best designer’ in each category.

For his efforts in bringing GPL on the road with a medium full costume band of 120, he placed second in full costume medium and second in the queen costume.

Notable too is the fact that many believe that the PPP would have won a place in the individual King costume category if it had entered, but it did not. Rose was the designer for that costume too, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Party.

Last year Rose was ‘left in the wilderness’ when major companies pulled out of the Mash float parade at the last minute and while some expressed that they admired his quality work they described him as ‘a bit excessive, in terms of spending, to deliver the best’.

The 29-year-old celebrating last evening at his Garnett Street office, at a victory party said “I want all the men and women who worked with me to know that this Designer of the year trophy and the other prizes are as a result of your support and efforts too, and I’m happy that you are part of the Facts N Roses family.”

Speaking for those who worked in his camp, he said “they too should be respected, and while I can’t pay them enough for their many day and nights of helping me get the work done, I’m believing that a day will come when companies will offer much more money so that they too can be even more encouraged.”

Costume creation an expensive undertaking

Rose lost his chance to take a third consecutive title last year when, as indicated, the major companies pulled out.

Some expressed to this reporter that they admired his work but described him as a bit excessive in terms of spending, to put out top class creations.

To this he said “If you compare the finished product of quality and craftsmanship employed, one may understand why the cost would seem expensive, but we only offer the best and the best is costly; material- and workmanship-wise”.

Both he and wife Michelle believe in ensuring “if we are going to create costumes or clothing it must be quality and durable to offer the best impression for our clients; that ripples to their clients, and also represents Guyanese quality at the international level.”

He believes the winning formula for copping the Designer of the year prize is “putting much time into planning and creating concepts then getting the right materials to get the job done,  employing the right staff and working to schedules and deadlines to ultimately leave our clients satisfied and among the top brass at prize-giving time”.

Commending the other designers for their creations that added to the making Guyana’s  40th anniversary memorable, Rose said “when it comes to Mashramani my commitment remains to detail, aimed at showcasing that Guyana, too, has what it takes to have quality costumes like at any of the major carnivals”.

The youth who believes that he was destined to be a designer said “I don’t believe that I’m lord of all in costume creations because I’ve won a few prizes, but I do believe that my work offers other designers a benchmark of standards that they should strive for and also surpass in the interest of making Mashramani as colourful, mesmerising and as glamorous as Carnivals around the world”.

He also opined that companies should not wait until the last minute to decide on their participation as it puts a tremendous strain on designers to provide quality and quantity.

“Yes we do aim to make a profit as any business person would, but my camp ensures that the viewing public is mesmerised to the point of talking. Hence the company and the event scenes are taken by word of mouth and through photos, internationally, long after the event is passed, which ultimately means that the festival gets more marketing for the quality and standards offered and Guyana will win in time to come,” Rose stated

Rose’s commitment to the designer’s job is permanent to the point that his camp will begin planning possible proposals for Mash 2011 to better the creations of this year and improve on the colour and opulence.

“We hope that businesses will be looking for quality and will not be trading it in for  mediocrity because Mash is we ting and we ting needs to get to the level of  attracting tourists to come and be part of our festival like they do for carnival”.

He first won the designer of the year title in 2007 with the Digicel band when he created a “Firestorm” and continued in 2008 with Odyssey for Digicel.

Last year, Rose designed for the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, presenting the ‘Lost city of El Dorado’ as well as for the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Authority and the National Library.

Rose has been designing costumes since 1994 with Astro-Arts in the John Fernandes Mash camp. He then branched off on his own in 2006 creating the winning formula for Banks DIH. That year he got Best King costume, Best Full costume large band, Best commercial float, band of the year.

This year, too, Rose also created the winning individual costume for his daughter Shanice Rose who won the first prize for the Georgetown leg of the Children’s costume competition.

In 2006, Rose and his wife were the official designers for the Jamaica Carnival creating 1500 costumes for the road. He has also designed many winning costumes for pageants such as Miss Jamzone, Miss Guyana World and Miss Guyana Universe.

By Mondale Smith

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Girl Power Ruled Mash 2010 Music Competitions

Vanilla and Tennecia DefreitasAs the curtain came down on the 2010 activities the undeniable fact is that more women, as opposed to previous years, contested the Mashramani music competitions this time around. But while some made history and most were not entirely successful, there was one bit of controversy with a Calypso and a Soca singer over whom the writer of a song was. That song did not make the top three.

However, the women over all proved to be a force to be reckoned with in future competitions. On Friday, the successful women were all bestowed with their cash prizes and trophies amidst much praises from the co-ordinators.

At the point of possibly receiving a tongue lashing, some believe that the men might have had to settle for one mash music crown had Shelly G not disappointed with a no-show for the Carib Soca monarch competition.

None-the-less, through Tennicia DeFreitas, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts and ‘Sugar cake girl’ Fiona Singh, the women got the most top prizes proving that ‘Girl power’ ruled.

The women opened their star power batting in the junior calypso competition where DeFreitas’s rendition of an unborn baby’s fears of being born titled “I don’t want to be born.”

That song which is an instant favourite stirred the emotions of the judges and the audience to watering eyes. For that, she copped the Monarch without murmur from the audience. Her runners up were also women– Diana Chapman and Laquita Price.

A week later, the new comer to the competition proved her dominance by beating out the veterans in the National AIDS Programme Secretariat calypso competition, dethroning Roger Hinds aka Bill Rogers into second place.

Tennicia had won the 2006, 2007 and 2008 schools’ Children Calypso competitions before placing third last year with ‘texting’.

Tennicia is the lone artiste in competitions to have won two titles and she was also the youngest competitor this year.

Because of her performance, Mash co-ordinator Lennox Canterbury, on Friday, announced that the Mash committee is in talks to make the junior calypso competition monarch automatically qualified to compete in the senior competition of the same year.

Then came the National Chutney competition. While the men put in good performances, the lovable Sechitra Singh, called Fiona, of the El Sadiek and the Sugar Cake Girls band copped the 2010 crown.

She collected the winner’s trophy and the $500,000 first prize. She vows that she will be vigorously defending her crown next year as opposed to the former monarch Rajesh Dubraj who now resides in the USA.

Her tool was a raunchy “Besab a Suriyabay” which had no real meaning but helped the eventual Chutney queen to make it clear “Ah want a Wukkah-man to wuk meh everyday.”

The girl power continued with Melissa Vanilla Roberts and Beverly Williams who took things ‘high’ and offered a sure ‘back wine time’ to place second and third respectively in the Carib Soca Monarch competition.

Vanilla’s ‘high’ was also the first GT&T people’s choice award winner in the competitions history.  She also is the first female to place second twice in the competition.

Vanilla, with sponsorship from Banks DIH, then proved her dominance by winning the Road March crown for a third time with her song that encouraged all to ‘wave yah colours high.’

Of her win of the People’s Choice award she said, “For me pleasing the fans is what’s most important and on the night of the Soca monarch when I was announced as the winner of the award, it proved to me that I did please the fans”.

She is issuing a warning that she has no plans to retire anytime soon and will be contesting the Soca monarch crown again while she will defend vigorously the Road March title.
The men proved their dominance in the Soca monarch and the Calypso monarch competitions through Orlando Johashen, called Bones Man, and Geoffrey ‘Mighty Rebel’ Phillips.’

This publication understands that next year the senior Calypso monarch will see even stiffer competition from women with the inclusion of Michelle ‘Big Red’ King taking a shot at the title.

By Mondale Smith

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Introducing: Entertainer Ocie Ross

From Guyana to the USA and back

OC DreadFor those close to the dancehall fraternity in Guyana and the USA when you hear the name O.C Dread, the first thought that comes to mind is the Energy Squad. But whatever that initial thought might be O.C Dread has branded his name and his crew as a multi-talented sound system that’s quickly spreading throughout the airwaves.

Be it DJ, Emcee or promoter he has and still carries all these titles. And while he’s been mostly in the USA with short visits to Guyana he’s about to create what he calls a whirlwind to add his bit to the development of the local entertainment industry.

“I’m about to drop some real international shows starting in a matter of weeks.”

Though he spends much of his time in the USA unapologetically he states, “I am a son of the soil and my musical journey began in the land of my birth, my paradise on Earth, Guyana.”

Ocie Ross, who goes by the stage name OC Dread, learnt all the oldies and goldies from the 80’s under the guidance of a man he calls Roland B. At age 11, he was already spinning records with Jamroc crew but to him thus far his big break began with playing for the ever popular and probably the most sought after sound system, Fusion.

“It was at this point that I really began making my mark in Guyana’s Entertainment industry then he migrated to New York in the 90’s”.

He is confident that the sky is always the limit and pointed that to him New York offered him even bigger dreams and overwhelming success. After moving there, OC Dread worked with Lion Heart and Studio 1 but something keeps pulling him to step out on his own and chase after his dreams of being the man in charge.

The birth of O.C. Dread & Da Energy Squad moved from a dream to a reality. “We are always thinking outside the box and defying the odds.” He categorically states that he believes that “we have the energy to rock any crowd”.

As an entertainer O.C. Dread can perfectly scratch, mix or blend any track with ease. He has shared stages with many world renowned artists such as Serani, Spice, Natural Black, Capleton, Busy Signal as well as with other systems; standing out as one of the best entertainers at every location he touched.

Like many entertainers he confesses that music is his calling. “I love every aspect of this fascinating industry.” His hats include DJ, Emcee and a Promoter too and arguably he does it all and commendably so too.

Returning to his roots

Having lived out of Guyana for quite some time he has gained much experience but now his career calling seems to be for a return to his roots.

With conviction OC Dread said, “I want to be a part of this already thriving Entertainment industry…Guyana’s culture is rich and diverse and I want my sound system to be its musical melting pot.”

To him O.C. Dread & Da Energy Squad could be the final piece of the puzzle that will take Guyana’s Entertainment industry “from great to exceptional.”

Aside from being a professional, entrepreneur and amazingly talented person, O.C. Dread is very compassionate. He is also looking to help others with dreams of building the entertainment industry.

He says, “I want to help launch the musical careers of my fellow Guyanese and share my expertise with them.  He also confesses that he has worked closely alongside fellow Guyanese artistes and promoters such as Natural Black, First Born, Pamela Maynard, X 2 and others. He is advising that entertainment seekers should look out for his promotions and events as Guyana prepares for Easter and beyond.

Although he resides in New York he says, “My heart will forever be in Guyana. I am Guyanese for life and I love my people and my country”.

He said that living away has given him an appreciation for his homeland even more and remaining true to our pledge he says, “I pledge to always dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.  To my fellow Guyanese, I want you to know that climbing the ladder of success is tough, getting there is hard work, but for those who want it badly enough it’s all worth it. And don’t forget, it’s okay to stumble but all you got to do is count it an experience, dust yourself off and keep going.

His first event is a Bright Colors Affairs at Club Cloud 9 on Easter Sunday, while on Easter Monday he will be hosting a big Appreciation Party at Club Wild Palms where he will be launching with Ed Hardy Vodka.

By Mondale Smith

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Anthony B ready to dish positive vibes at Mash Explosion

Anthony B

Jamaican artiste Keith ‘Anthony B’ Blair of ‘Tease her and please her’ fame has arrived in Guyana and is ready to create a post ‘Mash explosion’ at the National Park. During an interview yesterday the artiste who arrived on Thursday night said “Guyana can look forward to an electrifying performance with lots of hits from then and now because this ah me first time here and so me gwine really bless up and entertain positively”. The show is being promoted by Vision sounds and Seven Stars promotions. Baby Cham arrives tonight.

Since his arrival on Thursday night Anthony B has visited the Plaisance line top Guinness bar and several other locations and he says “me and my manager Tina Jones feel like we are part of the Guyanese family already. The people showed us real love and created some real vibes that surprised us so we are happy and will spread that happy vibe to my Guyanese fans.”

In to music professionally since 1994 Anthony B arrived here fresh from a West Coast U.S tour and says he had many offers from promoters to come to Guyana but that the timing did not seem right then. “But since linking up with Seven Star promotions group it feels like the time is right so Guyana I’m here with more than 1000 singles and 15 albums, no me not gwine sing all but you are guaranteed a good show from me and then there is my brethren Baby Cham who will be performing too so come out in yah tens and thousands.”

Looking back at his involvement in music he said his interest in having a musical career began in school and it remains his first love and as he says “I’m taking it to the skies”. In his career he has collaborated with a plethora of popular main stream artistes in and out of Jamaica and is aspiring to one day not just be nominated for but to actually win one a Grammy Award.

In 2009 he was nominated at the Grammy’s for reggae album of the year for his ‘Rise up album’ but the award was won Stephen Marley.

The artiste says he gets his inspiration from everyday experiences and uses those to write his songs. He enjoys promoting positive vibes and speaks up about the eradication of the many social ills that plague society such as HIV and AIDS. So committed is he to the cause that eh wrote several songs along the line of caution. One songs he quotes “all over the world man and woman are dying because of disease, I don’t want to be an HIV victim father please…”

At present Anthony B is working to release a new album dubbed ‘Rasta love’ by May of this years and it will feature 16 songs including a combination with Kimani Marley on a song called Zion.

A proud Rastafarian he says he is proof that the stereotypical Rasta is only a myth unless other dreadlocks youths who choose to deviate. To youths aspiring to achieve much from life he said education is the key…once you have it no one can’t take it away from you ever. And regarding the music business education is very important”

To music new comers he encourages that “education is the key capitalize on every opportunity to be educated and as an entertainer give as much positive vibes as you can and people will feel a part of your cause and get on board. This is the Anthony B’s first visit to the local shores and he says it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

By Mondale Smith