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Ten to vie for 9th Miss Guyana Talented Teen crown Saturday

The Simpli Royal team is set to continue its quest at shaping the lives of Guyana’s young beauty ambassadors to be confident, eloquent and fashionably conscious through the staging of the 9th Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant.

Ten local beauties will vie for the coveted Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2009 crown billed for the lawns of the Duke Lodge Hotel tomorrow evening. The beauties are drawn from Linden, Berbice, East Coast and West Bank Demerara. They will compete in segments of national wear, swimsuit, talent, and evening wear for a spot in the final five.

Based on responses to a final question, a queen will be crowned. Aged 14-19 the delegates are Ruqayyah Boyer, Madona  Ghannie, Annalisa Austin, Criselle Alleyne, Kiswana Jefford,  Teneisa Piggot, Jnelle Babb, Sarah Gannie, Meenashki Khubir and Marissa Adams.  They, unlike most local pageants, were trained for five months under the stewardship of international fashion consultant Lester Rauseo of Trinidad and Tobago followed by members of the Simpli Royal committee. They also underwent etiquette training with Jillian Phillips.

The queen walks away with $50,000 cash and assorted prizes and a chance to represent Guyana in St Kitts in December. A prize will also be awarded to one of the beauties to represent Guyana at the upcoming Miss Teen Universal Pageant in Barbados and another beauty will go to the Miss Cariabes Hibiscus in St Maarten in November.

The pageant has been in existence since 2000 but was shelved last year to accommodate   CARIFESTA X. Past queens include Ulex Atwell, Asha Pieters-Roberts, Shamaine Davis, Shonette Moore, Keran Devi Singh, Kendacy Edwards, Jennel Cox and Trissana Cox.  These queens as well as runners up have gone on to win the Miss Guyana Universe titles and also represented Guyana at international and regional pageants.

Even as Guyana‘s quest continues to win an international pageant crown through efforts of the Miss Guyana Talented committee, several regional crowns were won in recent times. Asha Pieters Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2001 copped the Miss West Indies and Miss Carival crowns while Meleesa Payne her runner up in the 2001 pageant copped the Miss Carival crown and the first runner up prize for the Miss West Indies pageant. The reigning Miss Guyana Universe is Janelle Cox. Atwell copped the 2nd runner up prize at the Miss Cariabes Hibiscus pageant.

Pageant organiser Pamela Dillon said and when the new queen is crowned, she will begin her reign at the insomnia party being hosted just after the pageant at the same venue. Organizers believe the pageant and party concept will bring alive beauty pageants in Guyana. A number of local artistes will perform at the pageant and the girls will be serenaded by a special surprise guest.

By: Mondale Smith

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Casting for Genesis Fashion Rhythm 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Teacher drives off with $3.5M Jamzone reward

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Mondale Smith

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Jamzone Summer Break Soca show lives up to the hype – Machel ‘sell off’

A soca therapy session administered by ‘Dr. Machel Montano’ and his High Definition band at the stadium on Saturday night, has certainly erased any doubt that he loves Guyana as a performing stage.

There was hardly a person with dry clothing on Sunday morning when “the one time” too young to soca artiste concluded his performance at the Jamzone Summer Break Weekend. This came after several years of shows void of the artiste.

Some commendable Guyanese acts raised the curtain with a mixed bag of music ranging from dance hall, to hip hop, to Soca that reached crescendo with Guyana’s rubber waist Jomo Primo dishing out some of X2 hot hits including the energetic  ‘crazy’ soca song.

During his performance Jomo proved why he’s among the few Guyanese acts with mad international entertainment abilities with a bias mainly for the ladies. He caused mad frenzy vocally and with his every gyration and instruction they screamed in wild abandon.

By the end of his steamy high energy performance he was topless and dripping and so were some of the local fans.  But this was a set up for the show stopper of the night: Machel Montano.

The mere mention of his name sent a contagious fever that saw the already packed VIP area being invaded by Machel crazy fans who simply wanted to come closer.

It couldn’t have been something in the drinks because the variety represented every beverage company on the local shores and they were all well supported. And it certainly could not have been the temperature in the Providence stadium because that location is an open air venue.

Machel with help from Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy and one other artiste caused a soca tornado that caused even those with inhibitions to lose their selves.

They dished out hit after hit and his dancers added to the party mood too. The crowd numbering in the tens of thousands certainly had a good time void of any incidents. Some people saw it fit to steal wine here and there without rejection in most cases.

Then came the ‘toro toro’ charge that heated up the stadium. “A grade, A grade and A grade” is the verdict from the tens of thousands of Guyanese who flocked the Providence stadium for the Inaugural Jamzone Summer Break Weekend soca show.

Guyanese soca lovers have concluded that the long overdue wait for Soca king Machel Montano was certainly made up for on Saturday night into Sunday morning at the national stadium. There was not one person with dry clothing at the end of the inaugural Jamzone Summer Break weekend. Neither were there any notable complaints.

He also made a promise to the fans that if they chanted hard enough he would be back for Mashramani 2010. And they certainly did.

By Mondale Smith

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Timeka/ Busy Signal to launch hot music video before Jamzone

For this August holidays Timeka has switched gears from the one drop tracks for which she has become known to a high energy, sassy and sporty sound. News from Jamaica is that even as she continues her quest to hit the music main stream she’s upped her game yet again with a music video out of the land of reggae and Dance Hall.
A main feature among artistes the likes of Peetah Morgan, Busy Signal, Barbee and Vegas for the Jamzone Dance Hall/ Reggae Splash Timeka is promising much to her local fans.

After several weeks of unofficial play on local and Jamaican radio stations Marshall’s spicy ‘feel fuh’ dancehall single featuring Jamaican  artiste Busy Signal is set for official release as a prelude to the inaugural JamZone Summer Break Weekend.

With Feel Fah produced by Shane C Brown of Juke Boxx Productions Timeka demonstrates her vocal range while sparring with Busy Signal.

The video for this, ‘sure party starter’ with all the professional workings included is completed filming and editing in Jamaica and is a contagious must see.

Based on comments from   those in the music fraternity the video in terms of location, dancers, choreography and setting is by far more captivating that any video from a Guyanese artiste. It also brings out a side of Timeka never before seen in any of her previous music videos. Showing all the signs of a maturing artiste who is focused on what she wants she breaks into the mode of a dancer and tastefully sexily so.

The video quality is a must see that local artistes should strive for and in some instances it betters any  of those produced by local and Caribbean female dance hall singers. The feel good song brings out the energy through superb choreography that appeal to persons of all ages.

Word from Jamaica is that Timeka has been gearing up for summer by recording a number of radio friendly tracks that have started hitting the airwaves.

Fans can listen out for Timeka’s deejay skills on Doesn’t Matter on the Equiknoxx produced Monkey Business riddim currently in rotation.  The Timeka hit list also includes The Way You Love Me from Penthouse and another track from Juke Boxx on the Road Crusher riddim titled Move On.

Earlier in the year, Timeka blasted to the top of the video charts with All Night, produced by Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor and directed by Jay Will. Timeka followed up with a provocative collaboration with Peetah Morgan on the Juke Boxx produced Indiscretions riddim.

Her Hush track and his Secrets track were combined for a video medley directed by Gareth Cobran. Both tracks demonstrated her skills as a one drop singer.

Timeka’s increased production effort is part of a plan coined by her management team Pyramid Music Group and their strategic production associates, Juke Boxx Productions.  The Barbados and Jamaican based entities have partnered to guide the career of the Guyanese born singer.  Under the terms of the partnership, Pyramid and Juke Boxx will jointly collaborate on the musical and artistic direction of the artiste.

The team has not held back and neither has Timeka.  In addition to a slew of releases in Jamaica bound for international recognition, Timeka has several endorsement deals in Guyana, including a major association with GT&T Cellink.   Plus she also recently landed an endorsement deal with international eye wear company Oakley. And, later this summer, fans can look out for Timeka in not one, but two new videos.

By Mondale Smith
For Kerwin Bollers

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Oliver Barnes has the key to the Bimmer

-Gives 50 inch Plazma screen to woman who won nothing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional reporting by Mondale Smith

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Miss Jamzone prize Up by $1.2m

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

The cars then were valued at $2M each.

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

By Mondale Smith

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15 Shortlisted For Miss Jamzone 2009 Beach Pageant

Jamzone Girls GroupAfter careful processing of fifty five applications the Jamzone Pageant committee headed by Carla Halley has shortlist 15 local beauties to contest this year’s crown. The queen walks away with a car while the runners-up will ride away with a motor scooter and will pocket other prizes.

In its 9th year the Miss Jamzone Pageant has become a staple and a main attraction to conclude the Jamzone Summer Break and this year promises to be even more exciting as a bevy of local beauties showcase Guyana’s tourism offerings.

As the coordinator Carla Halley says the pageant will feature segments such as intelligence, Swimsuit (creative Swim wear) and costume with major focus on promoting Amerindian villages.

Their platform will be focused on promoting Amerindian Villages including Yupukari, Rewa, Rupanau, Anni, Massakenyari, Moco Moco, Karasabai, Aishalton, Sand Creek, Aranaputa, Nappi, Fair View, Surama, Wowetta aqnd Toka.

Halley said “This lot is among the more intelligent of local beauties that in most cases can represent Guyana internationally.”

They include three University students, a legal clerk, a teacher, a customer care representative, a banker, a Mary Kay consultant, a pharmacy assistant and a cosmetologist. The list also includes two perspective nursing students.

Training has commenced under Halley’s watchful eyes and she says “they will undergo six weeks of training and will make several public appearances.” Prior to the pageant the intelligence segment will be done live on NCN and Stvs H&J Tv 72 on August 24.

However, not all the delegates will make it to the final slated for August 30 at the Splashmins Fun Park.

The public will be allowed to vote for their final eight and that lot will compete for the coveted crown.

Previous queens include Nicole Austin, Sharon Osbourne, Eleta Stewart, Shonette Moore, Samantha Arthur, Alana Williams, Christa Simmons and Lavonia Springer.

To get the names of the delegates please call Pageant Coordinator Carla number 648-8897

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Jamzone Summer Break Weekend Update

Busy, Machel, Karma Band confirmed for Jamzone
Pageant to spotlight climate change, low Carbon initiative  
 
Plans are accelerating and promises much Caribbean spices that cater to entertainment seekers at all levels.  Promoters HITS & JAMS are reporting that they have secured several international acts to offer live performances at the Guyana National Stadium and the Splashmins Fun-Park.

From a private national perspective the Hits and Jams Promotions group notes  “the idea of making the event into a four day affair was birthed after a meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo earlier in the year that included promoters as well as officials from the private sector, airlines and Corporate Guyana.”

Director Rawle Fergusson said “in previous years, our one day event, Jamzone has been on the National tourism calendar but following the meeting with President Bharrat  Jagdeo we have upped it to four days with much more on the entertainment/leisure platter for domestic and international tourists.”
The final day will be at the resort in the form of a grand beach party with all the major offerings in sports, aquatic and leisure entertainment and will conclude with the crowning of the 9th Miss Jamzone Queen.

Director Kerwin Bollers explaining the four day concept said the three additional nights will be memorable and will boost international leisure seekers interest and over time could see more tourists flocking to Guyana like they do for other Summer Fest, internationally.
President Bharrat Jagdeo had encouraged those at the meeting to create and promote events that can be used as a tourism attraction to the local shores.
Bollers said the environment, preserving Guyana’s standing forest and climate change will be among our main focus for the pageant where the delegates will be tasked with creating costumes with various message. They will also have to research those topics for presentation. So far more than 75 applications have been distributed and the promoters are asking that those who still have forms in their possession to fill them out and return them on or before July 3.

Mega Entertainment guaranteed for Jamzone summer Break Weekend Fergusson says as momentum builds HITS and JAMS in its quest to offer mega concerts like those experienced for CARIFESTA the group is pursuing several contracts with some major artistes. “Already we have secured contracts with Caribbean soca sensation Machel Montano and Jamaican dancehall artiste Busy Signal as well as Karma the number one chutney band in the region,” Ferguson said. He assures too that “this release of names is just the beginning of the proposed line up of artistes heading to the local shores.”

Mondale Smith for Hits and Jams

For more information contact: Kerwin Bollers 227-0580

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Digicel launches Summer Flex promotion

Elephant man, Tanya Stephens, Tessanne Chin to headline concert

Digicel Guyana, along with corporate sponsors Banks DIH and Caribbean Airlines, promises to set the National Stadium ablaze again with another multi-million-dollar ‘summer’ promotion.

In 2008, the companies entertained Guyana with the Morgan Heritage family concert to conclude of its summer sizzle promotion, now on June 26, next, the company is set to offer entertainment seekers and subscribers to its ‘D’Summer Flex’ promotion with a mega international ‘Free’ concert.

Incorporating the events, the management skills of Wild Fire Productions the company yesterday announced that Guyana would enjoy, as part of the launch, mega performances from international acts Elephant man and Tanya Stephens while Tessanne Chin will be making her local debut.

Guyana’s star performers X2 and B-52 will add to the excitement.

Jonathan Beepat, Wildfire CEO/ Creative Director, at yesterday’s press conference said, “The international lineup was selected based on their popularity and abilities to provide a night of entertainment from their great musical repertoire.”

Jerome Softleigh, the Promotions Director assures that the event will be nothing short of excellence, as “sound, stage and lights will be provided by Traveller’s Sounds while the evening’s entertainment will be Trendsetters and Slingerz sounds.

Through a Digicel initiative, Beepat guarantees that entrance to the event is free and Donovan White Digicel’s head of marketing said much will be on the offer to patrons from his company and Banks DIH.

At that event Banks DIH will be launching its Power Stout and its new RYDA Wine, said Carlton Joao, Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive.

Explaining that a grand surprise awaits Whyte said that tickets are free with every purchase of $1,500 Top up at Digicel outlets.

By Mondale Smith