Sunday, January 31, 2010

2010 Chutney Soca Monarch Results

Ravi B of the band Karma has been crowned the 2010 Chutney Soca Monarch.

Here are the top 6 placements and their respective chunes.....


1st place - Ravi B - "Ah Drinka"



2nd place - Rikki Jai - "Barman"



3rd place - Moses Charles - "Indrani"


4th place - Kris Persad - "Ketch Meh Lover"


5th place - Omadath Maharaj- "The Army"


6th place - Lalchan Babwah (Hunter) - "Bring d Puncheon"

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Carnival Nationz 2010 Band Lauch Date

Tribe Toronto update

Check out Karabana's blog for an update on this whole Tribe Toronto situation.....Is it just me or don't you think it would have been good business practice to have received approval from the Toronto Mas Bands Association before advertising that Tribe Toronto was making their debut at Caribana and even going so far as to saying the band would be #8 in the parade??? Potential masqueraders probably thought those details had already been taken care of.....I guess not!! Anyway, Karabana's blog offers some great insight into the bandleaders' thoughts on the inclusion/exclusion of Tribe Toronto.

2010 International Soca Monarch Finalists

The Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts has unveiled the finalists for the 2010 Groovy Soca and Power categories.....

GROOVY-

  • Fay Ann Lyons - TBA
  • Kerwin Du Bois and Farmer Nappy - ’Pavement’
  • Shurwayne Winchester - ’Murder’
  • Patrice Roberts - ’Wuk It’
  • Chucky - ’Drifin’
  • Rikki Jai - ’Barman’
  • Zoelah - ’More Water’
  • KMC - ’Nah Bad Talk Man’
  • Nnika Francis - ’Survivor’
  • Bitts - ’Careful’
  • Ainsley King - ’Bawl Out’
  • TC (Barbados) - ’Hot Sun and Rhythm’


POWER CATEGORY -

  • Fay-Ann Lyons - TBA
  • Blaze & JW - ’Palance’
  • Farmer Nappy - ’I Pay Fuh Dis’
  • Blaxx - ’Hunting’
  • Tallpree - ’Wicked Jab’
  • Shal Marshall and Screws - ’Police’
  • Sugar Jigga TC- ’Template’
  • KMC and Ronnie McIntosh - ’While U Can’
  • Iwer George - ’Party Hard’
  • Daddy Chess (Dominica) ’Ready or Not’
  • Tian Winter (Antigua) ’Soca Rebel
  • Skinny Fabulous (St Vincent) - ’The Beast Let Go’
  • Mr Killa (Grenada) - ’Swing It Away’


The finals take place on Fanatastic Friday, February 12, at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.


2010 Soca Video Alert: Patch - Pipe

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Tribal Knights Blog


Hey readers,

Check out Tribal Knights' Blog for Caribana 2010: http://www.tribalknightscaribana.blogspot.com/

Great way to keep masqueraders informed.....and loving this Tribal Knights policy:
"IF A MASQUERADER COMES TO THE MAS CAMP ON THE DAY THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO PICK UP THEIR COSTUME AND IT IS NOT READY, THAT COSTUME IS FREE. Yes, you heard us right: FREE!!!"
New band TruDYNASTY is offering its masqueraders the opportunity to play mas in Atlanta. Check out the FB message below.....


Thea Jackson sent a message to the members of I wanna play mas with TruDYNASTY Carnival. --------------------
Subject: Hey Hey!!!

Hey Everyone!!! Hope you all are having a great start to the year and are sticking to your resolutions if you have any ;) Just wanna give you an update about what's been going on! SO!!! Experience The VIBE -Thea & Dario have their own band. It is called TruDYNASTY Carnival and we are READY to give you an absolutely AMAZING experience! Not only will you be able to take part in Toronto's Caribana Parade BUT we also have a band in ATLANTA Carnival and you can jump up with us down there as well!! If you have EVER played mas with us and still have your costume (or at least pieces of it) you can join us in Atlanta. (those who have not played with us are welcome too but you cannot use your costume) Their parade day will be May 29th, 2010 and we are planning a BUS TRIP!!! wooohooo!!

So what I would like to ask all of you is...If you could go to Atlanta Carnival for $200-$250 (trip and accommodations included) would you be interested??! The trip is open to anyone. If you have one of our costumes you can wear it. If you want to buy a costume you can also do so for a very low cost. AND, if you just wanna come for the ride and experience, you are welcome to do so as well. SO...please respond to this message and let me know! The point of this is to see how many buses we should reserve :) A 50% deposit would be required to reserve your spot. The bus would leave Thursday night and return Sunday night. You will stay in the heart of Atlanta and an itinerary will be created for those who wish to follow it.

On another note, we would like to welcome the SOCA WARRIOR CREW back on board! Stay tuned for our events featuring their dj's alongside DJ DOC!!!

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week. Please keep in touch!!

We have a few more surprises up our sleeve so stay tuned!

*Thea*

Woi......more Tribe Toronto Bacchanal!!!

This message was sent to all members of Tribe Toronto's Facebook group today:

Andre De Freitas sent a message to the members of TRIBE TORONTO.
--------------------

Subject: BIG BANDS TRYING TO BRING TRIBE TORONTO DOWN!

Good Day Members, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for joining our group. Day by Day our group continues to grow and you can imagine how we will be down the road for 2010. "Nothing but Madness"

However this note to inform you that many big bands are trying to bring downTRIBE TORONTO, and we will not have this. We just wanted you to be aware of what the behind scenes look like.

My Question is are they afraid of competition and a new generation? Are they afraid that they will not be able to meet TRIBE TORONTO standards?

They have called a meeting this Saturday to try and vote us out but according to the RULES & REGS this is not possible.

We will publish the names of the bands so you can see where your loyalty should stand!

Have your say on our Wall so we can convey your thoughts to these bandleaders.

Thank You,

TRIBE TORONTO


Well well well..........

Monday, January 18, 2010

TRIBE TORONTO TELLS IT ALL‏



To All,


First of all I would like to thank all of you who have supported me in the past and who continue to support me to this very day; whether it may be through my father Ken De Freitas, Evolution Carnival, or All Spice Carnival.


Sadly, as life changes-so do people. Therefore, it is with deep regret that I announce my separation from the All Spice Carnival family in order to pursue my own ventures in life. In doing this I would like to also thank the rest of the All Spice family (Godfrey Wickham & Curtis Eustace) - for their past support and enlightenment in all aspects of business and would like to wish them nothing but unparalleled success, not only now but also in the future wherever their paths lead them.


Most are wondering why is this change happening? Well the real reason is because I am pursuing a much bigger venture that is about to shake the streets of Toronto and will bring Caribana to a “higher level”. A much needed added “spice” that Toronto Masqueraders are missing. Again, I want to stress that I only want to be part of a team that has a vision and one that is there for its people! I have also chosen to leave where I could build a band that contains solid business principles, and one that serves YOU first, not themselves.


I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce my phenomenal management team Aneil Persad and Michelle Persad together we equal TRIBE Toronto. We promise that Tribe is going to be a band with lots of energy, positive vibes, GURANTEED on time costumes, and something Toronto has been missing for many years! “The Ultimate Experience”.


We would also like to announce that our Band Launch will be held on Saturday April 24th, 2010 with the venue to be announced. This event will be guaranteed to sell out so get your limited VIP drinks inclusive tickets ASAP!! As usual check torontolime.com and join our facebook page (TRIBE TORONTO) for details.


We are also seeking Models for our Launch and will now be accepting applications. Please send 3 pictures, name, contact and age to models@tribeto.com and we will be in contact with the short listed candidates. Try outs will also be held on Sunday January 31st, 2010.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

All Spice and Tribe Toronto

If you were wondering about the fate of All Spice Carnival for Caribana 2010 then check out this blog entry from Trinidad Carnival Diary. In their press release All Spice reveals that they will not be bringing out their own band for 2010 but will instead be joining Saldenah Mas K Club to present two sections. This year Saldenah Mas K Club's presentation is entitled "Portraits" and All Spice's sections are: Portraits of Indonesia & Portraits of India. The press release also confirms that Andre De Freitas is no longer with the All Spice team, however, Daryl Cox (IslandPride out of Boston) remains as a designer.

Well after claiming victory in 2009 as Band of the year Category B &C, its a bit disappointing that All Spice is not returning to competition even bigger and better with their own presentation. However, all is not lost for those masqueraders who enjoyed their All Spice experience last year. Best of luck to the All Spice crew with their sections.....

And good news for all those interested in Tribe Toronto. According to entries on their FB page, Tribe Toronto is Band #8 on the road. I am not sure how that was determined since traditionally new bands are towards the end of the parade but perhaps the Caribana Festival Management Committee and the Toronto Mas Band Association have implemented new rules. The FB page also states that Tribe Toronto will feature new costumes and not those from this year's Trinidad Carnival......so we shall see what's in store.

Can you believe it....all this Caribana excitement and its only January!!!

Its a girl.....for Destra!!!

Girl baby for Destra

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Canadian Gov't to match donations dollar for dollar

Government of Canada to Match Generosity of Canadians in Response to the Devastating Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-14

Ottawa―The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced that Canada will match individual donations to registered Canadian charitable organizations to support humanitarian and early recovery assistance to people affected by the earthquake in Haiti on January 12th.

"Many Canadians are deeply concerned about the suffering and loss of life as a result of this catastrophe in Haiti," said Minister Oda. "Canadian citizens have shown time and again their generosity with countries in urgent need, and our government is prepared to match their contributions dollar for dollar."

The Government of Canada will match the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian and recovery efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will allocate these funds to Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations.

Donations made by individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations over the period of January 12 to February 12, 2010 will be matched by the Government of Canada through the CIDA-managed Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. The Fund will support Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations with significant in-country capacity to deliver humanitarian, early recovery and reconstruction assistance in Haiti.

Check this link for FAQs and further info regarding the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/ANN-114115719-MVV

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Haiti.......How to help

For those readers interested in helping the victims of Haiti's earthquake here is some info from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (http://international.gc.ca)

The best way to help: Donate money - not clothing or food - to
experienced humanitarian organizations

Why should you donate cash instead of goods?

Because cash donations are quick, efficient and adaptable

  • Cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone. They allow relief agencies to purchase quickly supplies based on the specific needs of the affected population.
  • Cash donations allow relief agencies to purchase goods and services in the affected country or neighbouring areas. Your financial contribution, in other words, is helping to 1) get aid to affected populations as quickly as possible, and 2) regenerate the local economy, which may have been seriously affected by the disaster.
  • In most cases, it is more cost-effective to purchase goods locally than to airlift supplies from far away, as fuel and aircraft costs can be very high. In addition, local goods can be purchased in much less time than it takes to organize the logistics of an airlift from a distant country.
  • Culturally familiar goods can respond to humanitarian needs, as well as provide a small sense of comfort or normalcy to traumatized and displaced populations, which foreign, unfamiliar goods may not.

The following is a list of reputable aid organizations currently seeking cash donations for relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Donations can be made at the web pages or by calling the
appropriate phone numbers.

Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca)
Toll Free @ 1-800-418-1111

Humanitarian Coalition (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Quebec,Save the Children Canada) (www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca)

Plan Canada (www.plancanada.ca)

Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.ca)
1-800-725-2769
Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility customers can make $5 donations by texting "Haiti" to 45678.
Donations can be mailed to Army Territorial Headquarters, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4H 1P4.
Donations can also be dropped off at local Salvation Army units. Specify "Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund"

Unicef Canada (unicef.ca)

World Vision Canada (worldvision.ca)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Corinne Bailey Rae

Maxwell......Sade........and now Corinne is back!!! I love good music......her new album "The Sea" is to be released January 26, 2010.

http://www.corinnebaileyrae.net/


Tribe Toronto in 2010


Well, well, well readers......It appears that Tribe (that infamous Trinidad Carnival Band) is set to make an appearance here in the Tdot!!!

Check the media release:
Toronto, ON – Monday January 11, 2009 - Every summer thousands gather to celebrate Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival (CARIBANA) festivities. To no surprise 2010 is shaping up to offer the most illustrious surprise yet. As if the multitude of upcoming festival events was not enough to stir excitement, a long awaited band will be making its first ever appearance down the Lakeshore. The Trinidad Mas band known as TRIBE has announced its grand entrance into the festivities for CARIBANA 2010.

Bringing their inimitable Carnival experience from the streets of Trinidad, TRIBE challenges Toronto to envision a Carnival which redefines the possibilities and offers the unexpected. From prestigious parties, flavorful concerts and luscious costumes, TRIBE has come to reshape the very essence of CARIBANA. Although launch dates have yet to be released, the anticipation is in the air.

Accepted worldwide as one of the most prominent Mas bands, the ‘TRIBE experience’ remains one to be rivaled. There is no question as to why TRIBE is such a hot commodity during the Trinidad Carnival season, selling out each year and leaving many hopefuls on extended wait-lists. The TRIBE family prides itself on offering nothing less than a "total experience". Placing the masquerader as their first priority, each costume is professionally tailored and made to custom fit the individual. Adding to the excitement, are the enticing and almost majestic themes envisioned year after year; 2008 ‘Myths and Magic’, 2009 ‘Birds of a Feather’, and arguably the most sensual thus far, 2010’s ‘The Secret of Silk’. It is difficult to truly comprehend all that is TRIBE without firsthand indulgence! Luckily, Toronto will have its chance during CARIBANA 2010.

The architects behind the Toronto launch are management team members Andre De Freitas, Aneil Persad and Michelle Persad. For more information and sponsorship opportunities regarding Toronto’s 2010 TRIBE experience, contact Aneil Persad at 647-295-5453. To join TRIBE contact Andre Defreitas 416-660-9154, Aneil Persad 647-295-5453 or fax 905 683 9034.

Recognizing that all things are made possible through the generous support of their sponsors, TRIBE graciously acknowledges Toronto-Lime.com, CCSI, Ventures Car Rentals, IAC Printing, Commercial Lift Truck Ltd., Speedy Pickering and King Precision Welding.

For more information visit http://www.carnivaltribe.com/

For Media Inquiries please contact media@toronto-lime.com


I notice that Andre Defreitas is a part of this venture....not sure what that means for All Spice Carnival though since he was a member of that team last year.

So what will the Tribe Toronto Ultimate Experience mean for Caribana 2010? Will registration in our other bands suffer as masqueraders flock to the Tribe brand? Will Tribe attract a whole new masquerader both local and foreign who has never played mas for Caribana? What kind of costumes are we going to see......Trinidad Carnival recyclables or a whole new presentation altogether? If its a new presentation will the designs be done locally or by Tribe's Trinidad designers? As a new band, Tribe Toronto may be in the dreaded "last position" on the parade road route.....will this deter potential masqueraders??? We shall see.....exciting times ahead for Caribana 2010!!!!

Tribe Toronto: http://www.tribeto.com

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Sade is BACK!!!


Wow.....first the return of Maxwell and now Sade is set to release a new album on February 8, 2010......Soldier of Love......can't wait.



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