Month: February 2010

After being out of the Mashramani road parade for four years Banks DIH is back in the play with a bang. On Friday evening the company officially launched its rich mostly red and gold costumes under the theme ‘our country, our life, our beer’ curvy models showcased the creative costumes that will certainly add to the merriment and imagery on February 23.

Designed by Trevor and Michele Rose the husband and wife combination that ensured that Digicel won all their prizes several years ago, they are confident and optimistic that Banks DIH will be walking away with most if not all of the prizes for the big band and other costume categories on mash day.

With a focus on promoting the locally produced Banks beer the presentation features lots of gold, bronze and red glitter dust mixed with body paint and shimmering costumes that border on exotic with elaborate head pieces adorned with feathers. These were among the displays by models as the company offered a taste of the Banks DIH offerings to Guyana for the nation’s 40th Republic anniversary.

Banks DIH sales and marketing manager, Carlton Joao amidst the jubilation expressed pleasure at the quality costumes showcased at the Facts N Roses Garnette street location. He said all plans are in train because “we want all Guyanese to come and Mash downtown the way it should be done…it’s our Republic anniversary and frothy years is worth celebrating,” Joao emphatically said.

All told the company is presenting a 500 strong contingent that will feature 200 full costumes and 300  semi costumes as well as individual floats such as the a king, and queen. Additionally Joao said also that his company all told is spending in excess of $5M to ensure that Guyana’s 40th Republic Anniversary is memorable

Mingles Sound Machine will provide live entertainment and hype along the mash route  offering a plethora of live Guyanese music on Mash Day and the live performance will include Kross Kolor team comprising Soca sensations, Vanilla, B52 and Bones Man and Jumo among others.

Joao explaining eth concept said “we are supporting local music because this celebration is about us as Guyanese enjoying our culture in our country as part of our life with our beer.”

He also announced that the costumes are free and that his contingent will be made up of persons drawn from staff, their families and customers.

Last evening the Banks DIH sponsored national senior calypso semi-final was staged at Blairmont where 25 contenders took on each other for a chance to be among the top ten finalists.

By Mondale Smith

With nine days to go before persons adorn themselves with costumes or joining the revellery to celebrate Mashramani 2010 designers and their teams are working overtime showcases Guyana in various creative forms and colourfully so.

A Mash Secretariat team headed by Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, his Permanente Secretary Alfred King and Mash coordinator Lenox Canterbury visited five mash camps in the capital city and have all expressed satisfaction with what they have seen. The minister said that to date 31 companies, groups and regions have already signed on while he is optimistic that at least nine more companies will sign up for the mash day float parade to reach the 40 bands aim.

By Mondale Smith

The team’s first stop was the Digicel camp in the company’s paring lot where costume designers were busying themselves with final touches to the individual creations such as a giant size hibiscus flower, the mammoth honey Bee and the wings of the Humming bird. Contracted designer Olympia Sunnaram reported that all the full costumes numbering more than 100 are completed and that the main focus at present is on the completion of the large individuals from each section.

“Our work is 98 percent complete so by Sunday the Digicel camp will be ready for the road,” a beaming Sonoram reported.

Obviously impressed and pleased with the quality of work and the finish as well as the pace at which the costumes were completed Digicel’s head of Marketing Jacqueline James said that “all our costumes were free and they are all gone so look out for  us on the road because we will be out to win all the prizes”.

James also said that the company’s mash fit work out programme being executed by the Curtis workout team will be hitting the road with many surprises in formations and coordinated dances etc.

As the minister’s team viewed  the costumes and hard of the concepts words such as impressive, commendable, creative and a great encouragement were used to describe the costumes and the rate of construction as well as the themes that will take to the road on February 23 as Guyana celebrates it’s 40 Republic anniversary.

The next stop was the Ansa Mcal’s Carib beer mash camp on Robb Street which is also being headed by Sonoram. There camp workers were busy cutting cardboard head pieces as ell as pasting and shaping other materials to create a sea of mostly yellow and blue costumes accentuated by sequins and Guyana flags as well as Carib signatures.

There again Sunnoram placed the work at being almost 95 percent completed. “The costumes are all done and most of the head pieces so we are finishing off some others and are also working to complete the bigger individual pieces. Those should be done  by Tuesday or Wednesday in time for the Mash night showcase on February 22,” Sonoram said.

That camp also features some blasting soca music from the Stereo Sonics sounds spun by DJ Bevaughn and as at last night, the mash camp soca partying and hang out got started. The costumes are being constructed under the theme that focuses on promoting low carbon development and climate change with golden rays of the sun that offers hope on the horizon according to Sonoram. All told the Carib camp will be creating a yellow and blue sea numbering more than 200 strong in full costumes.

The Public Service Ministry as at yesterday was a cut above the rest when the Mash committee team visited and Minister Jennifer Westford is wearing the costumes designers’ cap. Her Ministry is the first to show case its costumes and will be making it debut in the costumes float parade with an individual queen and 50 revellers.

The theme focuses on ensuring government’s focus on development of its human resources in the various sectors be it medical, Engineering or agriculture. There is also a special section for electricity with helmets that light up and the Minister said the concept is hers and with the help of her staff her costumes constructions were cost effective and made of materials bought locally at some unbelievable prices. “I decided to do this because most of the designers prices are exorbitant so I decided to do it myself and you wouldn’t believe how cheaper its is,” the proud Minister turn costume designer said.

The mash camp visits ended with the official launch of the Banks DIH 500 strong mash band which will be coming 500 strong. More details on that fantastic band in tomorrow issue.

“Put yuh money whey yuh mouth deh”

Lisa Hype might have been ousted from the Vybz Katrel and Portmore Empire for un-stated reasons but that has not put a damper on her career. Kartel did not show up last year but Hype, according to promoters, definitely will be in Guyana for two shows as part of the private mash offerings.

Based on information this publication has received it looks as if Guyana is in for some serious rough romping dancehall style on February 22 and February 23, in Guyana.

Under the theme “Put yuh money whey yuh mouth dey” Ruff Kut Entertainment headed by Neil Cadogan aka Cody is set to offer Guyana a Mash Double Header at the Enmore Guinness Bar and then at Club Cloud 9, Regent and Albert Streets respectively.

‘Cody’ said that the Enmore Bar will come alive with a live performance from Jamaica’s hottest female DJ, Lisa Hype and Mc Nuffy, who became famous as Sting’s MC, and an upcoming artiste, Baba Dee, a popular Wedi Wedi DJ from Jamaica’s Stone Love Movement.

Added entertainment at the Enmore Guinness Bar will include King Scorpion Sounds, DJ Moses and Trendsetters.

This event is slated to be the VIP party where there’ll be autograph signing, photo opportunities and guest appearances by the artistes.

The main event is slated for Mash Nite at Club Cloud 9 on Regent and Albert Streets where the ex-Gaza First Lady will unleash her venom in the club which will be expanded to the upper and middle floors to triple its present capacity. She’ll be ably assisted by MC Nuffy, and Babba Dee.
According to Cadogan these two events mark the beginning of a series of club shows for 2010 by Ruff Kut Entertainment. The last time Lisa Hype performed in Guyana was at the National Stadium with Vybz Kartel and his total entourage.
Imperfect thoughts are the cause of all humanities ills, including disease, poverty and unhappiness.

Entertainer’s Surprise Music Personality

If there was any doubt that Guyana has great music producers and writers at least one person is proving that our country can hold its own for quality and content.  A relatively humble character Burchmore Simon is often seen backstage providing moral support and extra care to his and other artistes who are not from his camp.
While the focus at this time is mainly on the singers, kudos are in order for Guyanese musician Burchmore Simon who is proving even more that he is worth.

Artistes can attest to the fact that he is always willing to listen before offering his wisdom yet he avoids the lime light but his talent just simply can’t.

That came to bear recently when Tennisia DeFreitas copped the 2010 Junior Calypso crown. Aside from taking his advice and being true to herself on stage she use his song “Mama I don’t want to be born” as a serious message that will pull the heart strings of any one who dares to listen.

He also arranged the music for the song that judge Sean Bhola dubbed “the best heard in a long time.” He was instrumental in ensuring that DeFreitas won three children school Calypo titles.

But unlike most who would burst onto the stage in excitement when his song won the Junior Calypso Monarch title Simon, quietly celebrated and offered praise to his God from backstage.

Simon who manages 12 artistes, has over the years ensured that Mashramani always has quality Guyanese music.  In fact, he has already created and launched an album with various artistes for Mash 2010 titled ‘Wine till Yuh drop 5: Devil doer.

This follows rhythms such as Sarsparilla, Koction, Kapadulla and Teesam on which Guyanese artistes such as Passion, Shelly G, G-Money, and Beverly aka Little B as well as those from his camp have all enjoyed recording songs.

In the absence of a national award Simon was bestowed with the Guyana folk festival US award for his contribution to Guyana’s culture and heritage musically. He also copped the Accolade for being the Best music producer for the period 2004-2008.

Simon additionally has written probably the most popular Soca song on radio for 2010 sung by Reigning Road March queen ‘Vanilla’ that encourages Guyanese to get ‘High’. That song has qualified for the Carib Soca monarch finals billed for February 20 and it has also been submitted for the 2010 Road March crown.

It should be noted that for the past seven years, save for the senior calypso Mash competition Simon has ensured that his artistes present quality music at all the Mashramani music competitions. Though he has never been shouting about it his artistes have always placed in the top three.

Simon has also been instrumental in steering the careers of artiste the like of Adrian Dutchin, the three-time Soca monarch and Wilbur ‘B52’ Levans, a three-time junior calypso monarch to being among Guyana’s best entertainers.

And he also manages Soca artiste Jumo for who he has produced countless singles and the artiste’s lone album.

This year he also arranged and co-wrote B52 high energy Soca dubbed ‘carry on’ as well as Orlando ‘Bones man’ Johashen’s ‘is we own.’

Simon, a father of two who hails from Haslington, East Coast Demerara, has been  a mentor to  Melissa Roberts aka  Vanilla to the point that she too is now  in the  music producing business and his dedication to Guyanese music has resulted in her being the  2007 and the 2009  road march  prizes.

Even as his artistes  prepare to take on the competition to  see who will be crown  the 2010  Carib Soca Monarch and road march titles  Simon is in studio working on several tracks.

Under his management, at present he has 12 of Guyana’s best artistes that include Big Red, Ossie O, current Chutney Champion, Rajesh Dubraj, Newcomer and sure shining star, Jovinski.

He also controlsd the duo of Phoenix and Nancy who are currently on tour in China. Incidentally, Simon who is the CEO of  Kross Kolor, has much to celebrate as his label is in its tenth year of recording, producing and arranging quality music for Guyanese artistes. He has also done work for international acts such as Gillo, T.O.K, Elephant Man, Maka Diamond

At present he is working to complete an album for Dave Martin. Simon also does work for major corporate citizens such as Banks DIH, DDL, GT&T and DIGICEL.  Simon is also working on logistics as he has already finalised a Europe that will feature Times 2 and Vanilla during the summer of 2010. In his ten years of dedication to writing, producing and arranging Guyanese music Simon has completed 26 albums in his studio and more than 500 songs spanning all genres.

By Mondale Smith