NAPA Fest culminates with Calypso Show
Posted: Thursday, July 15, 2010
NAPA Fest flyer
NAPA FEST, a production of the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism will come to a grand finale this weekend - July 17th and 18, 2010 with a Calypso Show to celebrate our Calypso Monarchs in a production entitled: "Through the eyes of Calypso 1930-1980".
The Show is expected to be filled with pump and flare as the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism brings down the curtains on what has been dubbed "A Worthwhile Endeavour", that generated great public interest thanks to an array of outstanding performances by local entertainers. This proved that the talent of acting, singing, dancing and musical performances are not just something possessed internationally but also extends to Trinidad and Tobago with our very diverse culture.
The outstanding themes of NAPA Fest, namely, "Musical Festival Highlights", "Genesis in Steel", "Pop Meets Steel", "Nache", "El Cerro Del Aripo", "Tobago Heritage Highlights" as well as the "Prime Minister's Best Village Highlights", offered the public the opportunity to witness the true talent of the young and old.
The mix of the national instrument the steel pan at two of the NAPA Fest shows, proved to be a cool relaxing mix of music that skilled performers played with avidness. The performances were further perfected by the joy and energy of the performers as they played reverently and danced to the music. At "Pop meets Steel", the players were able to perfect some very popular songs with the steel pan giving an interesting twist to songs like "Killing Me Softly" and "Ordinary People" as well as providing a spectacular rendition "Human Nature" and "Rock With You" Ken "Professor" Philmore made an appearance and gave an outstanding display of musical talent, leaving the audience amazed with his effortless, skillful and energetic pan playing. They were understandably disappointed as he left the stage after such a skillful performance, leaving them cheering louder than ever.
NAPA Fest also featured electrifying singing and dancing presentations that brought the heart of our culture to the fore with fabulous presentations depicting the true beauty of our East Indian heritage. There was also vibrant and exhilarating African drumming and dancing that portrayed the dramatic nature of the African people. But the most entertaining of all was the mix of both the Indian instrumentals and the African drumming that produced the most beautiful music that left the audience impressed with the performance of the whole group.
NAPA Fest has truly been an entertaining, fulfilling event which provided a forum to develop, nurture, encourage and cultivate young talent as well as ensure that the culture of Trinidad and Tobago lives on. Indeed, culture, in fact Multiculturalism has found a home at NAPA.
For further information you can contact Napa Box Office at 798-3469 or 625-6962 The Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism Office.
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Woodford Square Lights up for Christmas
Posted: Monday, December 4, 2006
Santa Claus gives away activity books and a few food items to the children
TriniView.com Staff Article
Event Date: December 02, 2006
Posted: December 04, 2006
The formal ceremony celebrating the lighting up of Woodford Square for the holidays took place on Saturday 2nd December, 2006, in Port of Spain, to a crowd of over one hundred. The event started at about twenty minutes to six with an audience filled mainly with children and their accompanying parents.
The ceremony started with the National Anthem sung by Ancil Valley, one of the Digicel Rising Star contestants, who blew the audience away with his fantastic voice.
The MC for the night was Ms. Knycky Cordner who did a good job connecting with the audience, and in particular the children, who responded to her every call.
Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) president Gregory Aboud, the opening speaker, thanked the City of Port of Spain Corporation for making Woodford Square the beautiful place that it is today. Mr. Aboud went on to say that at this time, Christians celebrate a child born in very humble circumstances. Thus, according to the wealthy businessman, this should be a lesson that regardless of peoples social and financial circumstances they all have a part to play in building the country. He ended by stating that he hopes this type of gathering continues in the future.
Nicole Smith, Marketing Director of Digicel, expressed her delight in being present at Woodford Square and thanked the other sponsors for helping the main sponsor Digicel to bring the lighting of the square to fruition.
His Worship, the Mayor of the City of Port of Spain, Alderman Murchison Brown, lastly addressed the audience, expressing his pleasure in bringing light and happiness to the square. He thanked Digicel and DOMA for working in conjunction with the City of Port of Spain in bringing this event to the public. He finally stated that the lighting of the square showed how corporate citizens and the government can work together for the benefit of the public. At the end of his address, he ceremonially turned on the lights which marked the beginning of the entertainment that followed.
Entertainment for the night was provided by the Codrington Pan Family, the Los Alacranas Parang Band from Paramin and Digicel Rising Stars contestants Jakeisha Sluddlin and Cheryl-Ann Frederick.
There were also a few giveaways including Holiday Foods activity books and snacks given away by Santa Claus and Dasini Water given away by the Digicel workers.
The lighting of Woodford Square is only one of several areas within Port of Spain lit up for the Christmas Season. Many remain hopeful that this lighting would continue to illuminate the city and bring the people of Trinidad and Tobago closer together.
Christmas Lighting of Woodford Square in pictures:
http://triniview.com/album/Woodford_Square_021206
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Launch of 6th Annual Junior Aerobics Marathon
Posted: Friday, October 13, 2006
LEFT: Michael Williams, Amanda Reyes, Sherry-Ann Coleman and Christopher Barry
TriniView.com Reporters
October 13, 2006
The HCL Group of Companies Junior Aerobics Marathon was launched at 11:03am at the Long Circular Health and Wellness Club, Long Circular Road, Long Circular, St. James today.
This year marks the 6th year of the Annual Junior Aerobics Marathon, sponsored by the HCL Group of Companies. Ms. Lisa Ghany-Weekes, Group Marketing and Communications Manager of the HCL Group of Companies, presented a brief outline of the marathon during the press conference today. Over thirty schools would be participating in this event, with one hundred and fifty students participating in the 'Open Endurance' part of the competition. All Physical Training Instructors (PTI) would be from the Defense Force of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ms. Ingrid Gamble-Ali, coordinator for the judges and statisticians, gave a brief statement about the criteria for choosing the physical instructors they would be using.
All arrangements are in place for this event which is endorsed by the Ministry of Education. Prizes will range from cash to hampers and a computer for the winning school of the 'Open Endurance' part of the competition.
Mr. Gerard Alfonso, General Manager of the Health and Wellness Club at Long Circular Mall stated that some of Trinidad and Tobago's top artistes are expected to perform at the marathon. This list includes 'H2O Flo' Shurwayne Winchester, Knycky Cordner, 'Scientist Crew' together with MC Blaze Williams.
The launch ended with a very short aerobics demonstration by gym instructors Christopher Barry, Amanda Reyes, and supervisor Michael Williams.
The HCL Group of Companies' 6th Annual Junior Aerobics Marathon will take place at the Jean Pierre Complex on the 27th October, 2006. For further information contact Mr. Gerad Alfonso at the Health and Wellness Club, Long Circular Road, Long Circular, St. James. Phone number: (868)-622-3516.
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Moonlight Gathering this September
Posted: Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Poetry, Singing, Drumming, Pan and Dialogue
There are many people in this country simply bursting with talent and ideas, but with very few places to express it in a comfortable space. The Moonlight Gathering was created to be a free flowing, relaxed forum for creative expression in its various manifestations.
Full Article : africaspeaks.com
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Building Bridges to Unite African People
Posted: Monday, July 24, 2006
TriniView.com
July 24, 2006
This year, for the first time, there will be a major Emancipation festival in South Trinidad. The Southern Emancipation Committee, a newly formed organisation will be hosting the festival which runs from Friday 28th July until Tuesday 1st August 2006 on the Harris Promenade, south Trinidad. The theme of this inaugural event is Building Bridges to Unite African People.
According to the SEC, there has been a gap in cultural events in bringing awareness to people the greatness of the African past and how this can assist with societal problems encountered today. They propose that a true civilization does not rest on how much technology or grand buildings a nation has, but the quality of life that minimizes deviancy and crime, poverty, physical and mental illnesses, disoriented families, and the many horrors that people face.
According to the SEC, sometimes Emancipation Celebrations can be looked upon as being a cultural extravagance; people tend to look at culture as being something of show; a song and dance. The SEC recognizes that culture is what shapes and moulds an individual and society. Sociologically, along with song and dance, the project intends to increase the public's awareness and conscientiousness with regards to health, economics, history, philosophy, family, science and spirituality. Issues affecting males, females and young people will be looked at over the five festival.
The market's intention is to focus on information; therefore multimedia booths will be set up in the Market Village to showcase African-centered audio-visual material in the form of dvds, cds, books, pamphlets, short stories, posters, etc. for display and sale. The Harris Promenade already is the host of a statue in tribute to the honourable Marcus Garvey. Mr. Garvey is one of the greatest pioneers in the Pan African movement and it would be a fitting opportunity to render respect on this occasion. A booth would be set up around the statue that would highlight details of Mr. Garvey's life and legacy. Multimedia, as mentioned prior, would be a feature in this booth, along with posters, T-shirts, and totems of this Caribbean hero.
There will also be educational booths by Afrikan World Books, Ausar Auset Society, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and Egbe Ilo Siwaju Ile Alkebulan, clothing by Nubia Designs, Nzinga Clothing, and Trisha's, and Craftwork by Mafunzo, Artistics Image and Data Centre, and Jericho. Ur-Aua Khem Men Sih, Erin Fulami, David Muhammed among others are scheduled to deliver feature lectures.
The festival will also feature performances by the Ella Andel, Composer, Brother Valentino, Ras Commander, Abby Blackman, Collis Duranty, Mr. Shaq, Shanaqua, rapso group Word, Sound and Power, King Shorn,, Ivory, Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra, and the Ujamaa Ambatana dance company. Drumology will be provided by Neptune School of Drums, Fyzabad Drummers, and Best Village drummers.
SEC Emancipation Schedule
Day 1: Fri 28th July 2006
2:00 pm to 11:00 p.m.
Formal Opening of Market Village
Fashion Show
Flambeau Procession fro OWTU to Harris via Coffee Street with Tamboo Bamboo, Drummers and Moko Jumbies.
San City Steel Orchestra
Day 2: Sat 29th July 2006 - 2:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Market Village
Performances by Highlanders Steel Orchestra, Collis Duranty, Mr. Shaq, Ivory, rapso group Word, Sound and Power, Afiya, King Shorn
Day 3: Sun 30th July 2006 - 10:00 a.m to 11:00 p.m.
Market Village
Performances
Fashion show (3 pm)
Men's Forum Workshop
Feature Address by David Muhammed at the City Hall Auditorium. San Fernando
Performances by Ella Andel and Temba Gwindi
Day 4: Mon 31st July 2006 - 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Market Village
Women's Forum
Youth Panel Discussion (4pm)
Capoeira (6 pm)
Performances by Bro Valentino and Composer
Day 5: Tue 1st Aug 2006 - 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Shashamane Cultural Ensemble
Emancipation Parade / Procession from Marabella roundabout to Harris promenade 7 am via Vistabella
Market Village
Performances- Ujamaa Ambatana
Awards Function (7pm)
Cultural performances- Brian London, Ras Kommanda, Lady Adanna
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Labour Day Races Results
Posted: Tuesday, June 20, 2006
On Monday morning, June 19th, 2006, Pamenos Ballantyne completed his second win in three days at the OWTU Labour Day 20K Run from San Fernando to Fyzabad.
Pamenos, who only arrived a few minutes before the starting gun was fired, quickly took the lead over the 100 strong field and crossed the line in Fyzabad in 1:08:51. Richard Jones was second just over a minute behind Ballantyne with Brian Maynard a distant third.
The ladies section of the race was won by Tonya Nero in 1:30:27, second was Ruth Metivier, who was the first local female runner in this year's CLICO Trinidad and Tobago Marathon. Christine Regis was the third female runner to cross the line.
The 20K walk held over the same course was won by Bryan Francis with Joanne Dyette the first place female walker. Among the walkers in the race were several moko jumbies, some of whom managed the whole of the grueling hilly 20K and collected their finishing medals at Fyzabad.
The 5K for Children from Harris Village to Fyzabad saw brother and sister to female 20K winner Tonya Nero, Mestizo and Scarlett Nero, respective winners in the boys and girls categories.
On Saturday, Pamenos Ballantyne won the hilly Heart of Barbados 10K in 33:44; second was Talbert Waynard from Jamaica and third Carlos Olliverre from Venezuela. First TT runner was Curtis Cox, who placed 5th.
Results of the Butler 20K Run
Male:
1. Pamenos Ballantyne (St Vincent & the Grenadines) 1:08:51
2. Richard Jones 1:09:53
3. Brian Maynard 1:12:33
4. Errol Williams (St Vincent & the Grenadines) 1:12:58
5. Kenrick Williams 1:14:44
6. Neil Stewart 1:14:53
7. Trevor Mahabir 1:17:48
8. Michael Pollydore 1:18:48
9. Peter Andrews 1:19:45
10. Kervin Persad 1:22:08
Female:
1. Tonya Nero 1:30:27
2. Ruth Metivier 1:30:55
3. Christine Regis 1:34:33
4. Paulette Lucess 1:38:45
5. Roxanne Morris 1:40:35
6. Tracy Carter 1:42:41
7. Solange Griffith 1:43:07
8. Joanne Steele 1:47:00
9. Debra Agong 1:49:13
10. Rosamund Jolly 1:52:06
Results of the Butler 20K Walk
Male:
1. Bryan Francis 2:01:26
2. Fidel Ramirez 2:04:07
3. Kennedy Tilbert 2:07:50
Female:
1. Joanne Dyette 2:31:23
2. Carmelita Cooper 2:35:07
3. Laalsa Sampath 2:40:19
Results of the Butler 5K for Children (15 and under)
Male:
1. Mestizo Nero
2. George Smith
3. Joey Harrynanan
Female:
1. Scarla Nero
2. Javanah Moreno
3. Breanna Gomes
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The Indian Caribbean Museum
Posted: Wednesday, May 3, 2006
A repository of treasure at Waterloo
By Dr. Kumar Mahabir
Located near the famous Temple in the Sea at Waterloo, Trinidad, the Indian Caribbean Museum is the only one of its kind in the world. No other museum is dedicated to the preservation of the material history of over one million descendants of East Indians/South Asians in the Caribbean. The first Indian immigrants came to the Caribbean from India to work as indentured labourers from 1838 to 1917 after the abolition of slavery.
There are many types of museums in the world, and even within a single country. The major types include museums of art, science, sports and natural history. The Indian Caribbean Museum is a specialized museum like the Police Museum, the Money Museum, The Maritime Museum and the Angostura Museum of Trinidad and Tobago. Indeed, the establishment of such museums are important because they focus on specific themes to which the National Museum cannot do justice because of its limited size and city location.
The museum's large collection has been obtained through field trips by administrators of the institution. Most items have been acquired as gifts, bequests and loans by interested individuals, families, priests, historians, scholars and collectors of the island community. The collections include old and items such as rare musical instruments, agricultural objects, cooking utensils, pieces of clothing, ancient photographs and historical books. Some objects of historical and aesthetic value include a sapat [wooden slipper], jata [grinding stone], boli [gourd bowl], hassawa [grass knife], and aluminium scoop. On the museum's grounds is a huge copper (cuppa) basin used for boiling cane syrup in the factory up to the 1930s, but afterwards adapted as water troughs for animals and water tanks for household use. There is also a dhekhi a wooden contraption used for pounding cocoa and coffee beans as well as corn and rice grains.
The Indian Caribbean Museum also houses an art gallery, a reference library and a computerised genealogical database. Soon to be established in the museum's outdoor space is a botanical garden with some of the rare endangered plants of Indian origin like the satputiya (angled loofah), poi bhaji (Indian spinach), urdi (mung bean), and khakri (wild cucumber). There is a large permanent screen in a recessed wall of the museum for the screening of historical films and documentaries.
The museum is a non-profit organization with affiliation to government agencies like the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) and The National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago. It has a full-time and part-time professional staff whose primary responsibility is the acquisition, care and exhibition of objects for the benefit of the public.
The opening of the museum is the result of continuous collaboration, consultation, and cooperation with the people whose history has been preserved within its walls. The Indian Caribbean Museum is a national treasure, a keeper of culture, a window to the past, and an opportunity to see history come alive. To many visitors, it evokes memories of the past, a link to the present, and a vision for the future. The museum serves as a foundation for collective memory, cultural continuity and national development. It provides a common experience that families can share across generations, and serve as a link between revered ancestors and living people. This museum provides information on the cultural heritage of Indians in the Caribbean to Indians themselves, and to people of all other ethnic backgrounds.
The museum is dedicated to the collection, restoration, preservation, arrangement and exhibition of old material objects of Indians for the purposes of study, education and enjoyment. Although the Indian Caribbean Museum exhibits artifacts of a specific historical origin, and is owned by an individual organisation, it is committed to serving the general public. Like schools and libraries, museums provide public education to people of all ages. They are believed to be one of the most important institutions for educating children, and one of the most trustworthy sources of objective information. Eventually, the museum will embark on community out-reach programmes like public lectures, film screenings, and art and drama classes.
The Indian Caribbean Museum is open free of charge Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It hopes to attract interested individuals, pilgrims, tourists, school children and sight-seeing groups. In addition to the cinema, zoo and botanical garden, the museum expects to be another destination during weekends and holidays for scores of families.
Dr Kumar Mahabir, Ph.D. Anthropology
Curator, Indian Caribbean Museum
10 Swami Avenue, Don Miguel Road
San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies
Tel: (868) 674-6008
Tel/fax: (868) 675-7707
Cellular (868) 756-4961
E-mail: mahab@tstt.net.tt, dmahabir@gmail.com
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