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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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GFW spokesperson showcases new jewelry line in New York

Hollywood actress ANNA MARIA HORSFORD who is the Spokesperson for Guyana Fashion Weekend is a part of a special art exhibition in honour of Women’s History Month, currently housed at the Renaissance Fine Art Gallery in New York City.

Anna’s exotic jewelry collection is among the fashion accessories as art displayed along with seven other noted female artists.

The opening took place on March 12, and drew a wide cross section of luminaries who came out to see the exhibit which is entitled `Girl Talk: Narratives by eight women Artists.’

Anna is currently featured in a popular movie titled `Our Family Wedding’ with Forest Whittaker, America Ferreira, Regina King and Lance Gross. She is popularly known for her roles as Thelma in the legendary television sitcom `Amen’ and as Dee in `The Wynan’s Brothers Television Show.’

Anna was in Guyana where she showcased her jewellery in 2008 and is expected to be here again for this year’s Guyana Fashion Weekend in October. She is happy with the new jewellery installation and said creating jewellery is an extension of her talents.

For the `Girl Talk’ exhibition, Anna showcased pieces that were cleverly displayed as wearable art. She named each piece after a movie or television show that she has appeared in. One of her signature pieces entitled: `The Shield’ is an elaborate necklace fashioned from Pewter, Electroplated Gold leaves and crystal stones was lavishly displayed on a large square mirror.

`The Guiding Light’ a necklace created from Swarovski crystals on silver plated circles adorned a mannequin.

“I am an art collector and a jewellery lover,” said the actress during the opening reception. “It’s all a part of adorning oneself. Adorning yourself tells the world who you are. I create each piece so the wearer demands attention. My jewellery is not for someone who does not want to be seen or simple at heart.”

Anna, who was born in New York to Caribbean parents from Antigua and the Dominican Republic, explained: “My fascination with glamour started at a very early stage in my life. Dressing up was my permanent state of mind, I loved glamour and wanted to feel that way all the time.

“At 18 years old, I bought a muskrat coat and dyed it to look like mink. I put $25 down and gave the furrier $10 a week until the entire $250 was paid. I became what I know I was supposed to be: a Harlem glamour girl.

“I never stopped playing dress up and I didn’t need a special occasion to do it. I never had the fear of over-dressing. If I was the only one with layers of jewelry and furs at a house party, I pretended I had another stop to make before I went home and that party demanded I came `dressed-up’…..

“We all have stories to tell. My jewelry will get the conversation started.”

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Miss Guyana off to BVI Pageant

Imarah RadixTomorrow the Grenada-born Miss Guyana World, Imarah Radix, is scheduled to wing out to compete at the Miss Caribbean World Pageant to compete for the coveted crown.

She will be competing against beauties from Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Margarita Island, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, USVI, Venezuela, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados and the British Virgin Islands.

Once in the British Virgin Islands, she will participate in several pageant related and community events.  Such as a Church service, trips to places such as the Virgin Gorda, Television Interviews, Swimming with the Dolphins, BVI High School Sports and a motorcade. The pageant is slated for March 27.

Guyana’s first representative was Janella Lewis in 2008 and according to the franchise holder, Ken Chung, she is now enjoying a modeling contract with a US Company. Meanwhile Mr. Guyana World, Max Chung, according to the franchise holder, is in Korea competing for the Mr World crown.

Speaking of funding the franchise Holder said it has always been a difficult issue “but I always manage in the end that is why I have the franchise for so many pageants, promoting Guyana through myself and sponsors that is the ultimate aim of pageant ambassadors.”

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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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Guyana Artistic Music Awards

Eddy Grant, Natural Black, First born among awardees

On April 25, next, when the local and diaspora-based Guyanese music and entertainers gather at the National Cultural Centre for the Guyana Artistic Music Awards, GAMA, some will be among a list of more than 90 nominees in 34 categories.

And as is done at the international level, singers will not be the only ones collecting crystals.

GAMA Chief Executive Officer Sherlon Shephard reiterated that there is no political leaning to any side in this prestigious event.

It’s a time out to say thank you to the people that make life more worthwhile and stress free while creating a network among Guyanese musicians in the diaspora while encouraging local artiste to stick to the task of insuring that the Guyanese voice and creativity is delivered to the world.

He listed the categories under which singers both local and in the diaspora will be  awarded in as including soul, RnB, Hip Hop, Dancehall Reggae, Culture reggae, soca, chutney, gospel and calypso as well as folk.

The other awards are for comedians, community workers, entrepreneurs, music producers and engineers as well as promoters and editors. There will also be awards for lifetime achievement and legendary works and the Lifetime awards recipients list include international Guyanese music icon Eddy Grant. Other names  mentioned for awards are  Natural Black and First Born.

The GAMA CEO said with out bias based on the selection process most Guyanese artistes whose music moved from national to international airtime over the years will be honoured as icons.

The younger artistes, on the other hand, will go through a nomination and voting process and the winners will be selected after points a maximum of 100 points are tallied from various sources of which public opinion will play a role via Facebook, Myspace, websites and music video releases.

Further a panel of judges will be employed to tally votes in addition to feedback garnered from radio and television stations and this will include the level of publicity that artistes have.

When asked what would awardees be receiving, he assured that they will each receive a customized GAMA crystal.

He also reiterated that it is not a one-man show and listed the players as including other founders such as Randolph Waterman, CEO of “Randolph’s Building and Renovation Company”; Elton Joseph, CEO of “Nortel Uphostelry”; and Andrew Francis, CEO of “Ark Plumbing Inc.”

Clearing the air on any misconceptions about the GMA and the Accolade, he said that the GAMA of Canada started around the same time that the Accolade Awards started without the Guyana Canadian artistic Entertainment group GCAE having any prior knowledge about the Accolade Awards.

GAMA was created after the President and other members of GCAE realized that many Guyanese artists living abroad had made tremendous strides in the Entertainment Industry without anyone saying thank you or honour and they so decided to create this. The difference with the GAMA of Canada and the Accolade Awards is that GAMA honours Guyanese artists worldwide while the Accolade Awards only honors Guyanese artists mostly found in Guyana.

He said, too, that “after presenting the first GAMA in Toronto Canada, we realized that we were only connecting with Guyanese artists in Canada and USA, when there were Guyanese artists all over the world in many different countries making their mark on the Entertainment scene and so we decided to include Guyanese artists from other countries”.

GCAE CEO said too that his committee decided that Guyana is the fittest place to stage the Awards show because it is strictly a Guyanese Awards show and we wanted to honour not only the Guyanese artists living abroad but also the Guyanese artists at home (living in Guyana).

Because we know that everyone cannot travel to Canada, hence, there is the decision to stage the event in Guyana.

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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Twenty20 World Cup Song

Mr Vegas, Fay Ann Lyons ‘bringing the vibes’

Mr. VegasThe 20/20 World Cup cricket event bowls off at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence on April 30 with the opening ceremony and the first two of six matches to be played on the Guyana leg of the International event which attracts the World’s best One-Day teams.

Sri Lanka play New Zealand in the opening game before West Indies and Ireland clash later that afternoon in the first ever International cricket match to be played under lights in Guyana.

Two more matches will be played at Providence on May 3 and May 4. The Men’s and Women’s semis are fixed for St Lucia while both finals will be played at the Kensington Oval.

“Are you ready, Bring It Posse we ready 20 Posse we ready
Let’s show the world how we party
Let’s go…
Bring the vibes, Bust the vibes, Feel the vibes,
20 vibes,
Love the vibe, Want the vibe, be the vibe, 20 vibe”

Singing these infectious and vibrant lyrics, dancehall maestro, Mr. Vegas, and Soca Queen, Fay Ann Lyons, have combined to unleash the ICC World Twenty20 2010 Tournament Song “Bring It” and word is that they will be in Guyana  in a matter of two weeks for  some promotional  activities. This we understand will include making appearances at the Edge Night club.

Back to the song: Appropriately titled after the event slogan, the fusion of two of the Caribbean’s musical genres has been produced with young cricket fans in mind and showcases the persuasive harmonization of Soca and dancehall. However, it promises to be a satisfying mix that appeals to cricket fans of all ages.

“ICC World Twenty20 represents a more stimulating, fun and fast-paced version of cricket and the song fits in with that spirit and energy. It’s designed to catch younger cricket fans, especially throughout the Caribbean – which is one of our primary objectives,” said ICC WT20 WI 2010 Regional Marketing Manager, Ms. Michelle Gibson.

“This song makes you want to move, to dance. The lyrics, the melody – they are reflective of the essence of our lifestyle and cricketing passion in the West Indies. Partying and playing cricket go hand in hand. Music has always been an essential part of cricket matches in the Caribbean, whether deejays or tuk bands or the unmistakable sound of the conch shell.”

“Bring It” begins with one of Mr. Vegas’ signature pitches on a quick tempo ragga-soca beat where he refers to the Twenty 20 dance. He is then joined by intros from Lyons, urging the crowd to get in on the action: “Hands up, hands up, everybody bringing it.”

Mr. Vegas then pours a radical dancehall rap about cricket on the beat, before the song steadily rises to a crescendo with the catchy chorus sung by Lyons.

Listeners continue to be swept into a celebratory frenzy and, by the end of the song, are likely to be singing along with the artistes…

Lyrics for Bring It:

Are you ready, Bring It Posse we ready, 20 Posse we ready
Let’s show the world how we party….yeah
Let’s go…
Bring the vibes, Bust the vibes, Feel the vibes,
20 vibes,
Love the vibe, Want the vibe, be the vibe,
20 vibes
Well every man, every woman, every West Indian
Put your hands in the air,
Party in the Stand
Jump up, Jump up, jump up super fans
2, 4, 6 RUNS!
Barbados bringing it!
Guyana bringing it!
St. Kitts bringing it!
Saint Lucia bringing it!
Hand in the air,
Everybody start swinging’ it,
Start…swinging’, swing, swinging’ it…

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Meet the Miss Bartica Regatta Delegates

Delegate #1

Patricee Wilson SPONSORED BY SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS

Name: Patricee Wilson

D.O.B: 21st May, 1991

Age: 18

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Career Goal: Accountant/Cosmetologist

Hobbies: Reading, Dancing, Modelling and chatting on the internet.

Education: Madhia Primary School and Bartica Secondary School (7   subjects- 1 GRADE ONE)

Patricee is a secondary school teacher but her childhood dream was to one day become an accountant. Her current career choice is fulfilling one of her many desires, one being her liking for children. In her spare time she enjoys widening her intellectual capacity by reading and browsing the internet. And when she has had enough of the two, this Gemini beauty still finds time to indulge in a little bit of dancing.

She hopes one day to be able to tour some of the richest countries in the world. India is on the cards since she is totally fascinated by the Indian culture. This is not her first pageant and will certainly not be her last. Patricee once held the Miss Mahdia title back in 2003. She is entering this pageant with a broader focus on contesting the upcoming Miss Guyana Universe pageant. Her focus will be on domestic violence and the impact it has one her community.

Delegate #2

Lydia Timmerman SPONSORED BY CB&R MINING

Name: Lydia Nerica Timmerman

D.O.B: 16th April, 1991

Age: 18

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Career Goal: Nurse

Hobbies: Watching television, swimming, eating.

Education:  St. Anthony’s Primary School and Bartica Secondary School

Lydia describes herself as a loving person who enjoys a good conversation. She always has an encouraging word and draws her inspiration from her father.
This aspiring nurse has a great liking for animals and in her spare time enjoys watching television, keeping fit with some swimming and eating.

The Aries beauty has never been in any pageant before but says she was encouraged to enter this one since it is her aim to build her self confidence. Likes the other delegates she plans to bring fierce competition to this year’s pageant and really show off what Bartica has to offer.

Delegate #3

Raffena Rebecca Sattaur

SPONSORED BY ALLEN’S ENTERPRISE

Name: Raffena Rebecca Sattaur

D.O.B: 13th October, 1992

Age: 17

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Career Goal: Medical Doctor

Hobbies: Reading, Surfing, Meeting people & Dancing

Education: St. Anthony’s Primary School, the Bartica Secondary School and Three Miles Secondary school.

This Libra beauty simply lives by her motto ‘beauty lies in simplicity’. Raffena enjoys reading, surfing the internet and dancing in her spare time. She says even though she has wild fantasies she always keep in mind her motto. Despite not having any pageant experience Raffena says she is going ahead with full confidence and hopes that she will walk away with the coveted crown.

She says her future in pageantry depends on the outcome of this year’s Miss Regatta pageant. This aspiring medical doctor has a word for the other contestant, to be on the alert for fierce completion and don’t be fooled by her simplicity.

By Mondale Smith