Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Kiddies Carnival...
Monday, January 28, 2008
A BIG Meggie for the Newsday...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Machel in B Square - Pics
Location: Woodfrod Square
Time: Lunch hour
Of course Machel started his performance late...not as late as last year though.
Unfortunately I was not at the right angle to capture the tear in his pants.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
ONE fete - The Aftermath...
When: Saturday 13th January 2008
What started out as a “buy yuh ticket at de gate for $125 fete” is now ah “we doh even advertise and we done sell out all we tickets already fete”. Five years later and I would say the landscape of ONE fete has definitely changed.
I have been going to ONE fete from inception…and if it wasn’t for me knowing someone this year and last year, I might have been unable to attend.
Walked into the fete and immediately noticed the increase in security. I was actually “wanded” at the entrance by the security.
ONE fete as always, never fails to deliver when it come to ambiance. The area was decked out with Chinese style lanterns in red and white and we had to cross a bridge over a water feature to get in…nice ting man… Anyhoo…
KES THE BAND
The band was already performing when I got to ONE fete sometime after 7:00. By the time I made my way stage side, Kees had already reached the part of his performance where he takes of his shirt (*sigh*), and the dance group Eclectik was on stage.
3.5 throw waist out of 5
ECLECTIK
One word to describe Eclectik’s performance and that’s phenomenal!
ECLECTIK gets a 4.5 robot throw waist out of 5.
MYSTA VYBE
Mysta Vybe also came on with Kes the Band to perform their song “Wave it Away”. I would this was an improved performance from the night before when I saw him in CIC. My boy going down in split and ting yes!
3 throw waist out of 5
MAXIMUS DAN
This was my first time seeing my Maximus Dan perform for the season.
Maximus Dan gets 4 throw waist out of 5.
BUNJI and the ASYLUM feat. his wife Faye-Ann Lyons
My expectations were generally low when it came to seeing Bunji and the Asylum perform cause I honestly not overly impressed with their contributions this year.
I became turned off when, at the start of the performance, the security (I doh know if it was stage security or fete security) blocked the area immediately in front of the stage.
At first I thought this was because of the pyrotechnics used, but then the security just stayed there. It was only when Faye-Anne started singing for them to move, that they did so.
Back to the performance.
I found that the music was sounding a bit off, but Bunji and Faye Anne kept the crowd very entertained, especially with the little husband/wife banter about who does wear the pants, and the also had the crowd moving…LITERALLY!
3.5 throw waist out of 5.
BLAXX
Blaxx came on during the Asylum’s set, sang “Breathless” and worked the crowd into frenzy for all of 2 minutes and left.
Abruptly.
I eh even get Breathless yet.
Made me lose the back of my earring and my tres expensive L’oreal lipstick that was tucked into my bra too. Hmph.
3.5 throw waist out of 5.
IWER GEORGE feat his two sons
Mashin up fete is his name and he did that and more. Brought the sons out early in his performance and showed the crowd how to do the Soca Passa Passa dance. We were also treated to variations of the dance by some local MALE passa passa dancers. Very entertaining.
3.5 throw waist out of 5
PETER RAM
I can probably count count the few Bajan performers that can successfully move a Trini crowd on one hand.
Peter Ram unfortunately is not one of them.
While his tune this year is just as nice as last year he came up short. This was a good time to visit the restrooms.
1 throw waist out of 5.
XTATIK feat. Machel Montano HD
At last the long awaited moment had arrived. The area in front the stage all of a sudden becomes thick with people (groupies) trying to get as close to the entertainer as possible.
Shal Marshall came on and hyped the crowd who didn’t need any hyping up…“GIVE IT UP FOR MACHEL MONTANO HD!!!”
And Zan comes on stage. LOL.
Zan sang his tune for this year, the name of which escapes me now, but the crowd enjoyed it. 2.5 throw waist out of 5
After that Shal came back on to introduce Machel.
The crowd went crazy as expected as Machel treated them to hit after hit.
Maybe it was the poor music system, maybe it was the too tight metallic jeans he was rocking, maybe his hi-def wasn’t working but after a while, for me at least, he just went flat.
Machel gets a 3.5 throw waist out of 5
FARMER NAPPY
Well look who is a ‘guest performer’ with the band now nah. LOL. Farmer Nappy came on to sing his hit tune, but no one heard him. Why? Cause his mike wasn’t working and apparently the only people who noticed this was the crowd, cause no one on stage attempted to rectify the problem. We did hear the track that he was singing over though.
1.5 chips dong de road out of 5.
PATRICE ROBERTS
Patrice…Patrice…Patrice…
I eh know what to say nah.
Patrice has improved over the years, but to me her improvements are minimal.
Now doh get meh wrong eh, her image has definitely been worked on with the new hair cut and the sexier outfits, but Patrice still sounds better on a cd than she does live.
And now with this winer girl routine, like she get confused.
When she singing she forget to wine, when she wining, she stops singing and yuh hearing the tracks she singing over.
Nice songs, but an overall bleh performance sung over tracks.
2 throw waist out of 5
RICKY T
You may not know the name, but you know the song. Ricky T is from St. Lucia and he sang his tune “Pressure Boom”.
This was a good time to start rounding up your crew to leave and try to avoid the traffic.
1.5 throw waist out of 5
By the time Ricky T finished, the mass exodus of people leaving the fete had begun, even before Xtatik’s set was done.
FOOD
No main meals at this fete, but there were many types of appetizers to choose from. Chinese, BBQ, suckling pig, mini cheesecakes (yum!), Arabian and more and more and more.
The food was good, the layout for this area was a hot mess. Long lines and plenty congestion.
3 burps out of 5
BAR
Several bar areas to choose from and while there were lots of people, the bar personnel were moving very fast.
4 glasses out of 5
BATHROOMS
There were enough bathrooms for the ladies with THREE full length mirrors outside and at least 5 more inside.
Although I have been asking for more mirrors, the one drawback to having that many mirrors I discovered, is that the women don’t want to LEAVE from in front of them! LOL.
The bathroom area was very warm and dark. They could have done with some more lighting and raising the tents a bit.
3 flushes out of 5
I would say there was more eye food for the men than the women.
Ladies a lot of the eye food in this party looked taken.
3.5 cross eye out of 5
Guys, allyuh inTrinidad…I eh have to say anything else.
4.5 cross eye out of 5
This review was damn long boy! Jeez!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Soca in B-Square
Friday 18th January 2008
Peter C Lewis and The Orchestra
Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain
Monday 21st January 2008
Machel Montano and Xtatik HD
Tuesday 22nd January 2008
KMC with Red, White & Black
Wednesday 23rd January 2008
Bunji and The Asylum
Thursday 24th January 2008
Roy Cape feat. Blaxx, Trini Jacobs and Olatunji
Friday 25th January 2008
Traffik feat. Shurwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth and Edwin Charles
Monday, January 14, 2008
CIC Fete with The Saints – The Aftermath
When: Saturday 12th January 2008
So Saturday evening around 2ish yuh girl heading to the mall to look for something to wear to ONE fete on Sunday, when the hubby’s phone rings.
Next thing yuh know is because we get two comps to go the fete that same evening, so the shopping trip for ONE turned into the shopping trip for two fetes! (I ended up wearing something fro my closet)
Anyhoo…on with the review.
This was my first time ever going to CIC fete and I had little and or no expectations because I had heard this was “an ole man fete”.
Got there and had to walk a mile and a half because we had no idea that the entrance to the fete was on Frederick Street side.
ROY CAPE feat. Blaxx, Trini Jacobs and Olatunji Yearwood
Roy Cape was already on stage when I got there and they were actually finishing up their set and I just caught the last 15minutes of so of their performance.
The only change to their performance was the inclusion of some models in costumes from Trini Revellers who Blaxx brought on stage during his performance of Breathless.
3.5 throw waist out of 5
IWER GEORGE feat. his sons
The self-proclaimed big man in the business actually changed up his routine a bit (can I get an Amen?) and just came on and started singing his tunes, no setta ole talk.
Joined by his sons on stage, he had the crowd moving and gave us a sample of the dance for his 2008 tune, “Soca Passa Passa.”
We still were asked for the customary “rounds of applause” though.
3.5 throw waist out of 5
SKHI
Ah hearing yuh yuh know…Skhi? Ski? Sky? Who is dat?
But listen to me…if yuh hear the tune “Desire”, you will know who it is.
Skhi, (pronounced Sky, not his real name), has one of my FAVORITE groovy soca tunes this year. As a matter of fact I am backing him to win groovy soca this year.
The crowd seemed unfamiliar with both him and the tune, but some of us (myself included) did enjoy his performance.
Take a listen to it on Toronto-Lime.com and get familiar.
I give Skhi a very biased 4 slow wine out of 5
MACHEL feat. Machel Montano HD (no Xtatik)
Yes, Machel was there but without his band, much to the disappointment of those who were unable to read properly.
The disappointment only lasted for a while though, because Machel had the CIC crowd in a frenzy.
Check out a short clip of him here performing Unconditional Love.
TRAFFIK feat. Sherwayne “new look” Winchester, Sean Caruth and BURR?!
So yuh girl well pose up with her camera aimed at the stage to capture Traffik as they come out, only to be stupefied by the sight of Edwin Charles (formerly of Traffik, who left and formed Triple XXX) who is now back?...with Traffik?
Where Keagan Taylor gone?
Another young man bites the dust in (doh play like allyuh doh remember how Olatunji “left the band” last year)
Anyhoo…I rocked back and took in the band’s performance.
I see Eddie still hasn’t bothered himself with learning the words to other people’s tunes, and Sean actually wore a jacket over a t-shirt.
Oh yeah, did I mention Shurwayne’s “new look”?
The new look in case yuh missed it is that he cut his hair. Big whop.
Undeniably though, Traffik (moreso Shurwayne I think) is a hit with the ladies and I give them a reluctant 3.5 throw waist out of 5.
KES THE BAND feat. Kees Diffenthaller and Nadia Batson
Kees brought his all and more for his alma mater. My girl Nadia’s performance was tops.
The band’s performance was EXCELLENT.
Except for one thing…Kees take off he shirt again.
Kees. We get it…yuh in de gym...ease we up now nah.
Kes the Band gets 4 throw waist out of 5
MYSTA VYBE
Mysta Vybe came on with Kes the Band to perform their tune “Wave It Away” (check it out on Toronto-lime.com)
Mysta Vybe got the crowd going with a very energetic performance.
My only problem was that he was shouting into the mike and I couldn’t hear him properly. Take a breath Mysta Vybe and we’ll be good to go.
Mysta Vybe gets 3 throw waist out of 5
FOOD
The food was in the courtyard on Frederic Street side.
Appetizers: The usual geera pork, bake and shark, corn soup and hot wings. Which I didn’t get the opportunity to sample.
Main meal: The main meal consisted of Creole and Chinese, the former having little and or no lines, and the latter having lines for miles while we waited for the chicken to cook.
The fish with the Creole dish was excellent as was the pork with the Chinese dish.
3.5 burps out of 5
BAR
With two bars in the main courtyard, and several bars situated in various classrooms, I liked the way CIC made use of their space.
Service was prompt and efficient.
4.5 glasses out of 5
BATHROOMS
This is the one area I would say CIC needs to improve on. I dunno when last I had to stand up in such a ling line to go to the bathroom.
There were no ‘lull’ times. There was always a line.
And yuh know what? No full length mirrors...not ah one. Just a setta lil face mirrors.
CIC fix that, please and thanks.
1 flush out of 5
EYE FOOD
Ladies, this is a fete for us.
Plenty men. Old men, young men, all kinda men.
Nice looking not dressed overly metro men.
4 cross eye out of 5.
Fellas, is a hard luck this round yes cause I was tres busy gaping.
I will look out for you in my next fete.
Reviews soon come...
In the meantime you can checkout this clip of Machel performing "Unconditional Love" at CIC All Inclusive.
I FINALLY REGISTERED!!
Saw the frontline in the mas camp looking absolutely FAB! but was so caught up in trying on my bra, I totally forgot my camera in my bag.
I eventually had to make my way to the section leader's house to try on a bra, belt and I got a chance to view the larger headpiece as well.
I absolutely love the vibe I got from Arlene! Very nice young woman and I discussed my concerns with the bra with her.
The costume on the whole is very heavy with all the bead work on it, but I really like the costume after seeing it up close and personal.
De Mang bra
De Mang belt
The headpiece isn't as FAB! as I had hoped and some more stuff is being added, but as I told Arlene, I'll fix it up as well as other parts of my costume ;)
Arlene's costumes were designed by her and the female costumes were sent to China to be made. The mens' costumes are being made locally.
The place where she sent her costumes to be made also does costumes for Island People, and this was confirmed as ALL of the belts on her costumes had an Island People Mas tag sewn in! So she and her team now have to sit and rip out the tags on the belts.
I hope to go back to the mas camp this weekend to get a pic of the frontline as no pics are available on the internet.
Btw, when you register with De Mang, you get 10% off your costume as well as a free costme with Mudders International! Not bad at all.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Guess who going CIC All inclusive?
Check back in the week for the review.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
The Party Animal is sick *achoo!*
I have a "bronchial infection" and started on my anit-biotics last night.
I'll be resting up so, but will be attending ONE fete on Sunday evening, so you can look out for a review next week.
Party Animal..no sleep at all!
Monday, January 07, 2008
QRC Outta De Blue - The Aftermath...
Who: Outta de Blue
What: All-Inclusive
Where: Queen’s Royal College Grounds, St. Clair
When: Saturday 5th January 2008
How much: $400 (Last year: $400)
This was my second year going to Outta de Blue and while QRC was not on my list of fetes to go, after getting a complimentary ticket on Friday night, all that changed.
When I heard that QRC was “moving” the fete onto the field, my first thought was “Oh gyad…mud, mud and more mud” but lo and behold the entire field was covered with a sort of tiled mat so patrons could fete comfortably without fear of getting their shoes muddy. 10 points QRC. (And good news for those of you who are planning to attend Bishop’s fete on the 12th).
Anyhoo…on with the review…
I got to QRC at around 7:45pm and could hear All Stars on stage.
ALL STARS
I only heard the last 15 minutes or so of All Stars, and was really disappointed that I didn’t get there in time to take in their full performance. The little I heard of them sounded great as expected and they ended their session with Woman on the Bass.
3.5 throw waist out of 5
ROY CAPE feat. Blaxx, Trini Jacobs and Olatunji “Yip Yip” Yearwood
Blaxx started off by teasing the crowd with his tune “Breathless”.
I say tease because the band just kept playing the intro and ‘wheeling’ the song and driving the crowd into a fenzy.
Another good versatile performance by Roy Cape.
Even Trini Jacobs looked like she was interested! And hear nah, just watching Olatunji does make me tired…dat boy have energy!
I was able to get a small clip of them performing Breathless.
De screaming yuh hearing is not me eh! At least ah doh think so...LOL.
4 throw waist out of 5.
Blazz performing Breathless (file size 7MB)
SANELLE DEMPSTER
I know what yuh thinking…Sanelle who? What? Eh?
So for some reason that I could not fathom at the time, and still can’t fathom now as a matter of fact, someone decided to invite/bring/encourage Sanelle Dempster to perform.
Yes Sanelle have a tune this year (Bring de Water), which she sang. She also opened with one the crowd would be more familiar with "Nothing".
But overall Sanelle's performance was a snooze fest. *yawn*
I went to looking for the bar-b-que pigtail at that point.
½ throw waist out of 5
IWER GEORGE
The self-proclaimed “Big Man in the Business” aka “De boss” came onto the stage and threw the crown into the usual frenzy. What really mash up the crowd though, was when he brought his two sons on stage to perform…he says this is for when he ”retires” they have to carry his flag.
His sons (Marlon and The-other-son-whose-name-I-did-not-ketch) have a lot of their father’s mannerisms on stage and they both tall like him too!
So have no fear Iwer fans, when Iwer get old, he have people to pass the baton to.
Iwer, Marlon and the other son (Neil Jr maybe?) get 3.5 throw waist out of 5
TRAFFIK feat. Sherwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth and Keagan Taylor
Got to see Traffik perform in their entirety and it was a pretty solid performance.
Keagan look like he fall into the mix nice and he handle his business.
Sean I think need to step up his game when it comes to the dress code, as both Sherwyane and Keagan were well outfitted in a waistcoat and shirt respectively, while he was rocking a t-shirt.
Dat nah wuk Sean.
I left the party while Traffik was finishing up their set.
3.5 throw waist out of 5
BEST BAND FOR THE NIGHT:
Roy Cape.
FOOD
No lines this year!! A definite improvement from last year.
Appetizers: Stuffed curry crab and dumplings (or is it stuffed dumplings with curry crab?), fish broth, corn soup, bake and shark, barbeque pigtail and more.
Main meal: Three different main meals: Chinese, Indian and Creole
Everything I had was very tasty.
4.5 burps out of 5
BAR
Two very large bars both of which were well staffed by Servis.
Straws and napkins right through.
(Remember what I said about the importance of these last year right?)
4.5 glasses out of 5
BATHROOMS
Nice clean bathrooms.
Running water, full length mirror, pantyshields, St. Ives cream.
Nice long lines.
QRC…you need more bathrooms for the ladies and another full length mirror.
Please and thanks.
3 flushes out of 5
EYE FOOD
This fete attracts an older crowd and older men doh really appeal to me, so the little eye food I saw was nothing to scream about.
2 cross eye out of 5
Food for the guys was good as always, cause this is Trinidad.
3.5 cross eye out of 5
Friday, January 04, 2008
KFC's Electronic Billboard...
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
By Request...
The pics kinda blurry as I might have been jut a TAD bit tipsy, but you get the idea.
Soca in Moka 9 - The Aftermath...
Who: Soka in Moka
What: All-Inclusive
Where: Trinity College Grounds, Moka, Maraval
When: New Year’s Day 2007
How much: $400 (Last year: $375)
Despite plans to leave at 6:00pm, the New Year’s Day lime by my aunt was going so sweet, we instead left there just after 7.
Got to Moka at 7:30 and Traffik was already on stage.
TRAFFIK feat. Sherwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth and Keagan Taylor
While I only got to hear the last 15 minutes or so of Traffik’s performance, the little I heard was surprisingly good! A definite improvement from last year.
Sherwayne, Sean and the new addition of Keagan Taylor (Synergy Soca Star – Season 2 runner up) was a good mix and I think I’m actually looking forward to seeing them again just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke.
I only have one question: Where Candy?
3.5 throw waist out of five.
ROY CAPE feat. Blaxx, Trini Jacobs and Olatunji “Yip Yip” Yearwood
We breathless WO!
Well just in case you’ve been under a rock or all swamped by Christmas planning or just plain doh have a clue…Blaxx has one of the biggest tunes on the radio right about now...Breathless.
Roy Cape seems to be on an upward move once again with the addition of Olatunji last year and the success of Blaxx’s “Dutty”.
The band sound GOOD. Not good nah, but REAL GOOD.
Mark my words this is the band to watch for 2008.
One question: What purpose does Trini Jacobs serve in that band? That chick look so uninterested in what was going on. And that stiff waist wine…dat nah wuk.
4 throw waist out of 5.
IWER GEORGE
Roy Cape had a guest performer in the form of Iwer George who, despite the repetitiveness of his routine (gimme ah B note…who listening to soca music since dey in dey mother belly), seems to have the crowd umm…entertained.
2 throw waist out of 5.
Is more than time to change that routine Iwer and wear a longer shirt next time please and thanks.
KES THE BAND feat. Kees Diffenthaller and Nadia Batson
Hear nah…The more I hear this band, the more I like them. I have almost gotten over my dislike for Kees. Almost. LOL. Just kidding.
Kes the Band is one of my favorite bands. There I said it.
They sound good, the repertoire is excellent and Nadia Batson is without a doubt, my favorite female soca artist right now.
Question: Why Kees feel he had tuh take off he jersey? Kees…ah just now starting tuh like yuh lil bit…keep on the jersey nah. Please and thanks.
4 throw waist out of 5.
Best band for the night: It was a toss up between Kes the Band and Roy Cape.
I found Kes’ repertoire was better than Roy Cape’s, but Roy Cape’s sounded better musically.
FOOD
Appetizers: From shrimp cocktails to geera pork to bake and shark to corn soup to Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
It took me a while to find the corn soup, as I was looking at the signs on the tents, but I eventually found it next to the bake and shark.
Main meal: Chinese.
I had a little taste of everything, except the main meal as I had enough to eat earlier on in the day.
There was nothing really spectacular about any of the food, just the normal run of the mill stuff.
3 burps out of 5
BAR
The service (provided by B.A.R.S.) this year was not good.
The staff in the bar seemed unable to multitask and could only bring one drink and at time and then you had to remind them what the second drink was.
At one time I asked for an orange juice and 1919 and was told there was no 1919. Then after another visit to the bar some 1919 miraculously appeared.
2.5 glasses out of 5
BATHROOMS
I normally boast about Moka’s bathroom facilities.
Compared to years gone by, the bathroom area was dirty and not kept tidy at all. There was the usual hand cream and tampons and panty shields and so on, even Bounty tissues, but the bathrooms were still not upkept during the night.
Some of the sinks ran out of water early in the night.
Thank goodness for anti-bacterial hand sanitizer!
And I make the same plea as I did last year. MORE MIRRORS please and thanks.
The little mirrors on the tables were an improvement, but I cyar handle the waiting for a mirror thing.
2.5 flushes out of 5
EYE FOOD
Eye food for the ladies: Hmmm…ladies I eh know nah. The fete had some nice looking men yes, but not as much as previous years.
Eye food for the men: Men…allyuh was good as usual, plenty nice looking women tuh look at.
3.5 cross eye out of 5
Pics courstesy Afro Chic's FAB! new camera.