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WWE final ECW Champion on Eddie Neblett

Ezekiel JacksonThe countdown continues to the big show on August 8 when Guyanese Gospel artiste Eddie Neblett will perform as part of the cast with Gospel great Shirley Caesar in the USA.

Eddie is reporting that he’s excited and honored to be among the artistes carded for that show will also feature Caribbean artistes Papa San. Of the August 8 show he said “preparation for the show is coming along fine the hype is growing and it is promising to be a really big event. New York is buzzing about it.”

He has told entertainer that the Eddie Neblett management team has increased with the addition of an international wrestler. That person is Guyana Born Ezekiel Jackson. While many might know the wrestler many do not know that he is a proud Guyanese.

Born Rycklon Stephens on April 22, 1978 in Guyana this Guyanese bodybuilder and professional wrestler is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He works on its Raw brand under the ring name Ezekiel Jackson, but is inactive due to injury.  He is a one-time world champion, having won the ECW Championship in February 2010, and is recognized by WWE as the final ECW Champion.

Additionally Eddie reported that “we are half way in production of our new album with the label since I got signed and they are working to release it by this winter.

That album he says will not be Caribbean music as he says “we are crossing over to the North American flavor like R&B POP and even rap.”

On the family front and he reported that his family is not only doing great and is expecting a new addition which he dubbed “our final child”. Incidentally his wife is his accountant.

He has also informed that he has met with Wyclef Jean’s sister and brother and if all goes well “we will get to open for Whyclef at one of his shows.”  While he has not talked about returning to the local shores anytime soon he assures his fans that his team is “looking to make history as it relates to music out of Guyana”.

By Mondale Smith

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The Zoom Inn cocktail Bar – Hanging at a new level

Zoom InnPersons 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.

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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

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Guyana Folk Festival US activities galore for 2010

Call for Nominations for Guyana Cultural Association awards

AwardeesUnder 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. .

2009 AwardeesThe 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.

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Glamorous concludes and Guyana Fashion Weekend auditions begins

GlamorousEven 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]

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Miss Barbados for Jamzone International 2010 Pageant

Miss Barbados‘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!

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Tarrus Riley for Free Domestic Violence School show today

Tarrus RileyAs 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.

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Wildfire Entertainment – Temperature Time

GyptianWildfire Entertainment is on fire for the much anticipated Temperature concert this weekend which features Jamaican chart toppers Tarrus Riley and Gyptian live at the National Park.

Word from the team is that all systems are at go for a successful staging and as at last evening Tarrus Riley was scheduled to touch down in Guyana while Gyptian is scheduled to arrive Saturday out of St. Maarten. Jonathan Beepat the promotion’s CEO said Gyptian is currently enjoying an extremely busy schedule working virtually every day of the week! But assured, “he (Gyptian) will be here, (in Guyana) and ready to perform”.  An exclusive all white reception will be broadcasted live on NCN on Saturday from 16:00hrs-17:00hrs, where patrons will can get the exclusive first look Tarrus and Gyptian.”  Tickets are $2,500 and on sale at Beepats, Medicare, White Castle Fish Shop, Giftland Officemax and Nanda’s Boutique.

Beepatt noted that while the tickets have a misprint that says Thirst Park BUT the event will be held at the National Park.

Security the group assures will be extra tight as the Guyana Police force have made mention that they will be searching everyone and will have a no tolerance policy on all illegal items/activities. People are urged not to walk with any firearms or weapons. Security will also be provided by a private firm and 6 self generated lights provided by star party rentals will be placed around the venue to light up the dark areas. When asked why the National Park Warren Williams, Event manager, said that “…it is the only hard surface venue in Guyana for a concert. If our event were at any other venue, the previous rainfall would have made the grounds soft and muddy. We chose this venue as we are in the parts of rainy season and we want to ensure the people have a comfortable and enjoyable show.” The Temperature show is definitely carrying the heat as it is the most talked about event for the weekend. Vijay Panday added, “The Temperature concert is going to be the biggest and hottest reggae show of the summer as both Tarrus Riley and Gyptian are on top.

They reiterate that even though there are many events planned for this Caricom weekend, Temperature concert will be carrying the heat! Start your Caricom holiday weekend and summer right with the hottest concert!”

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Guyanese Miss Guyana Earth 2010 Crown introduced

Miss Earth CrownOf the line up of seven local beauties listed to contest the Miss Guyana Earth title who ever wins the title will walk away   with the first crown designed and handcrafted by jeweller Lance Da Silva and was launched last Sunday at the swimsuit competition Crown was fabricated with sterling silver and features a combination of roses, butterflies, flowers, leaves, vines and fruits; colourfully adorned with semi-precious stones and accented with a piece of the rare and beautiful Snakewood – all natural symbols of Earth’s beauty and magnificence.

According to Da Silva all of the stones used in the Crown were found in the jungles of Guyana and cut and polished, cabochon style by the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission Lapidary Department.

Semi-precious stones used on the Crown include Amethyst, Agate, Fire agates and banded agates, Jasper: Red & brown, Quatrz: Rose and green, Granite and Snakewood piratinera guianensis.

Last week Sunday the delegates took to the stage at the Princess International Hotel in the swimsuit competition and proved quite a competitive bunch. The queen goes to Vietnam.

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Oliver Samuels and cast arrive for Puppy Love

Oliver SamuelsJamaican comedian Oliver Samuels and his cast have arrive and are promising much excitement and family oriented edutainment for lucky digicel customers who won tickets to the Puppy Love.

That show is slated for show at National Cultural center tonight and on Saturday. The cast hosted a press conference yesterday at the Digicel Head office where they share a sample of what  patrons can expect when a married couple get old in their relationship grow apart and a young pretty miss get into the picture  and her love is strong for the more matured artist.

The other cast members are Dalia, Natasha and Earl. in this photo they share alight moment with Digicel head of Marketing Jacqueline James and PRO Shonette Moore.