ONE Fete 2009 - The Aftermath

Who: WITCO ONE fete

What: All-Inclusive
Where: Queen's Park Oval
When: Saturday 17th January 2009
How much: Starting at $500 (last year: $400.00)

I swore that after last year, I was never going to ONE fete again. Worse yet when I heard that this year the starting price for the fete was $600.00. Oh hells no I thought. Got a call from my contact for ONE fete that I was getting a complimentary and another ticket at $500.00, so I decided I would give ONE fete one more go.

I got there just after 7:00pm and already there were long lines of persons waiting to get into the fete. The lines moved freely enough, provided you had filled out the back of your ticket, (paying $600 is not enough to get in, as it was MANDATORY that you fill out the back of your ticket to gain entry). Luckily I was obedient and filled out my ticket from home, so I got inside with no trouble.

I had one extra ticket to sell but I wasn't unscrupulous (rumours had it that tickets were going for as much as $1000.00!!) and sold my extra $500.00 ticket for $600.00 then made my way into the fete.

The layout for ONE fete this year was more or less the same from last year. Food tents set up to the right hand side as you entered, toilets and bars to the left, stage up front.

After taking in some Chinese (yummy) and suckling pig (bleh) I made my way to the front of the stage to hear the first performer.

CHINEE

Chinee (of Synergy Soca Star Season 4) was the opening act and he performed creditably. He got the crowd involved and they were moving and singing along.

Chinee gets 3 FY-AH out of 5

RED MAN GROUP

Red Man Group is a group out of Las Vegas who performs umm...stuff...I thought they were REALLY unnecessary...ah mean REALLY.

Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long for the next act.

KES THE BAND

Kes the Band came out and as per usual gave the crowd their money's worth. The woman behind me during Kees' performance screamed my eye off, she enjoyed Kees that much.

So allyuh remember my last review where I made a plea to Nadia to upgrade the outfits? Well like Nadia reading the blog! Two thumbs up and keep it up Nadia!

KES THE BAND gets 4 throw waist out of 5

Kes was joined on stage by Eckletik who gave a good performance. Though I find we coulda get some more soca in the mix, seeing as it was a Carnival fete nah, but that's just me.
ECKLETIK gets 3 out of 5

After Kes the Band while waiting for the next band to take the stage, I took the time to take a walk around the party and check out de scene. To the far front right hand side of the party, my eyes picked up this...

Which upon further enquiries I learned was a VIP area...yes...you heard me right...a VIP area in an ALL INCLUSIVE FETE! So this All Exclusive area was open to anyone dotish enough...I mean willing enough...to pay a 'lil' extra (I heard it was $15.00) to get Johnny Walker Green (big whop). Well yes...I reach! The all exclusive area was a British themed something complete with those British guards with the funny hats.

BUNJI AND D ASYLUM

Up next we had the First Couple of Soca, Bunji Garlin and Faye-Ann Lyons. A very cute and pregnant Faye-Ann came on looking oh so sweet and singing "Heavy T Bumper." She was joined on stage by Bunji and then Edwin Yearwood, who is with the band for the season. Edwin's voice sounds just as sweet as always and he sang some of his hits both past and present including "Handle Yuh Business" Also joining Bunji on stage was Benjai, who drove the crowd wild with his 2008 contribution "Drunk Again".

Apparently Benjai being on stage with Bunji was/is a big deal given the fact that they're family and they haven't spoken in more than 4 years or something so...we got the history from Bunji, just in case anyone missed the memo (or even cared).

BUNJI and DE ASYLUM get 4 throw waist out of 5

MACHEL MONTANO HD

So Machel HD took the stage and there was barely room to move or even to take any pics! Machel was joined on stage by Zan, (who looked like he was playing Fonzworth Bentley to Machel's P.Diddy). Despite looking fashionably challenged, Zan sang two of my favorite songs this year "Slip Away" and "Hold You Down".

Patrice came on stage and did her thing. At this point I really couldn't tell you what she sang as Zan's outfit was too loud for me to hear anything and I was ready to head home. Yes, I was ready to go home during Machel's performance! Patrice came on stage with the HD dancers who moved really well (I wonder if they giving classes?). I left the party while Machel was singing "Ravin". I did not hear Umi Marcano or Shal and somehow I doh think I missed much. I hope when next I see Machel and the HD they blow me away, cause they didn't do it in this fete.

Machel HD gets 3 throw waist out of 5.

Machel and Zan perform at ONE fete 2009

FOOD

There were varied dishes from Arabian to Chinese to Geera Pork to Suckling Pig (after lining up for a while the final dish wasn't worth it) and everything in between. There didn't seem to be that many lines compared to last year and I had just a few of the dishes.

FOOD gets 3 burps out of 5

BAR

The regular bar had the standard drinks and the service was okay. Not great. I didn't spend much time at the main bar though as there was an Angostura Cocktail bar, and that was my bar for the night! The drinks at the Cocktail Bar had Carnival themed names like Midnight Robber and Las' Lap and I enjoyed several drinks from this bar.

4 glasses out of 5

BATHROOMS

Nasty. Stink. Dutty. Smelly. Very early in the night, there was no water, tissues or hand towels. Not ONE mirror! The bathrooms at this fete were not up to "all inclusive party/money" standard AT ALL. At least they were hot like last year.ONE needs to get their act together when it comes to those bathrooms man.

0 flushes out of 5.

Overall, this fete was okay. There was no WOW factor for me. If allyuh hear me say I going to this next year, just remind me about ONE fete 2009.

Next on the fete itinerary: Bazodee Friday and Wicked in White!

All music clips from :www.toronto-lime.com

ONE Fete 2009

So ONE fete is one tomorrow Saturday 17th January and all I know is:
1. Tickets sold out.
2. There are rumours that people have been paying as much as $800 for tickets!
3. Nobody seems to know who performing.
4. I go be dey in de mix and will report back with my review.

Feel free to read my ONE fete experience from last year.

Soca in Moka 10 - The Aftermath

Who: Soca in Moka

What: All-Inclusive

Where: Trinity College

When: Saturday 10th January 2009

How much: $475 (last year: $400.00)

This was my 9th year going to Soca in Moka. Yes...I there almost since inception! I continue to patronise Moka because they always deliver. Always.

Despite plans to leave home at 5:30pm, I ended up leaving home closer to 6:30pm instead. Got to Moka just after 7:00pm and while I was walking in, heard the last strains of Roy Cape. Well I was too glad after their sad performance the Friday night before. When I eventually got into the fete though, my dad said Roy Cape's performance was real good.

This year the fete wasn't packed as in previous years (I now there was another fete on that night) but that is not to say it was empty, far from. I was glad, cause that meant no setta line up for food and bathrooms. Aye aye...talking bout bathrooms...oh gosh no, let meh wait til ah get to that part.

Alright...

So after Roy Cape, up next was Traffik.

TRAFFIK feat. Sean Caruth, Eddie Charles, Shayne Bailey and Derson.

Hmmm...ahmm...let me think eh...wuz de best way to say this? *scratch chin*

To put is as nice and as simply as I can...Traffik was awful. Ah mean like real terrible.

Eddie came on and he missed his cue and like that just set the stage for the rest of the night. Missed cues, poorly sung/executed songs, and nothing gets me more vex dan when these singers doh know words to tunes!

My niece and nephew who are 3 years old know the words to MOST of dem songs on de radio. Eddie like he couldn't be bothered to even learn the first verse self

.

STEUPS. Hear nah. I went and eat, I visited the bathrooms...twice! And they were still performing. Traffik's set was about an hour long and that was about 55 minutes too long!

They have Derson of Synergy Soca Star Season 4 who seemed more star struck and dazzled by the lights than anything else.
Shayne Bailey has a lovely groovy soca "Sweetness" that I love too bad. Her delivery wasn't bad.

Traffik gets 1 wheelandcomeagain out of 5, ah can't give them a zero, cause ah mean after all, they show up.

IWER D'BOSS and SUPA JIGGA TC

And just in case allyuh didn't get the memo, the "big man in de business aka Iwer George aka D'Boss" and Supa Jigga TC/The King of Gag...errr...ah mean Swag" has been signed up to sing with Traffik for the Carnival season. He has (in my opinion) one decent song "We Like It" and one shit song "Ready".

But hear nah, Iwer also have some kinda magic. Iwer come on the stage and MASH UP! When ah say mash up, ah mean, MASH UP FINE FINE LIKE CHILLI BIBI.

Had me and all singing "Allyuh ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready ready"

*catches breath*

And he was joined on stage by Supa Jigga/King of Swag (more like King of tight pants) who sang his big tune "Frontline".

They were well received by the crowd.

Iwer and his sidekick Supa Jigga TC get 4.5 throw waist out of 5.

ZOELAH

You may not know the name, but I'm sure you know the song "Wine Up On Me".

Zoelah has a great voice. She started singing her tune acapella and is throat fuh so.

Zoelah gets 3.5 slow wine out of 5.

MISS ALYSHA and MISTA VYBE

Miss Alysha started off her set with the tune she sang with Faye-Ann some years ago (This is Carnival time,free yuh mind...and PARTAY). Which still sounds as sweet. SHe also sang the tune she has with Peter Ram "Coming Down". Love that song.

I was expecting Mista Vybe to perfrom his tune, "Jab Jab" as well but after Miss Alysha sang, they left.

Miss Alysha gets 3 throw waist out of 5.

KES THE BAND feat. Nadia Batson

Kes was the last band to perform for the night and they gave a very good, solid performance.

I enjoyed them much more than on Friday in St. Francois. A nice set, that was very entertaining

Ah just want to make an appeal to Nadia.

Nadia yuh's meh girl. I see yuh pics on maccobook, yuh have nice outfits and yuh's look good. Organise something nah. Season start yuh know, and this is Trinidad, people go bad talk yuh. I trying tuh tell yuh so yuh take in front before front take yuh. Nice.

KES THE BAND get 3.5 throw waist out of 5

FOOD

Well the usual array of seafood cocktails, ice cream, bake and shark, corn soup, mini roti, stuffed crab and dumplings. There was a local dessert area with chow, that I unfortunately didn't get a chance to taste.

4 burps out of 5

BAR

The bar was run by B.A.R.S International and they had everything and didn't run out. (most important)

4 glasses out of 5

BATHROOMS

I only have two words (or is it one?)...Andy Loos.

Read about them here.

Hardwood and tile floors, actual flushing toilets, swanky fixtures, mirrors and soap and cream! Best fete bathroom to date! Ever.

Bathrooms get 5 flushes out of 5.

Next fete: ONE Fete 2009!

All songs featured/linked from http://www.toronto-lime.com/

St. Francois Girls College All inclusive - The Aftermath...

Who: St. Francois Girls College
What: All-Inclusive
Where: St. John's Hall
When: Friday 9th January 2009
How much: $400 (last year: I have no idea)

This was my second time attending St.Francois' All Inclusive having previously attended in 2005 or 2006 (I can't remember which).

I decided to go to St. Francois as it seemed a nice way for me to start off my fete season, plus the price was right up my brokeass/belt tightening alley, and at $400.00 is the cheapest all inclusive to date.

The hubby and I got there just after 9:00pm.
As we entered we were greeted by the Digicel guys and gals offering jello shots...of which I had two and I believe they worked to my detriment later in the night but I digress...
This year, the Digicel promoters are decked off in modern interpretation of traditional mas wear - sailors, indians and red devils. They looked cute and the chicks were rocking some real nice boots too.

Anyhoo, when we got there we could barely hear the pan music playing as there were no speakers on that side of the party, which was the entrance and the food court. After scoping out the scene, grabbign two drinks and some barbeque pigtail, we headed toward the next side of the fete, closer to the music.

TRINIDAD ALL STARS

I'm not sure if they're still Neal & Massy Trinidad All Satrs of just All Stars, but form the time I heard the early strains pf Woman the Bass, I realised which pan side was playing. All Stars mashed up the place and gets 4.5 pan sticks out of 5.

SHERWAYNE WINCHESTER AND Y.O.U.

Soon after All Stars performance we were told that Sherlame and Y.O.U. (if anybody know the meaning of the acronym, drop meh ah email nah, thanks!)) would be coming on stage, and I was eagerly looking forward to seeing my boy Sherlame perform with his band. So my boy comes on stage and performs like I have never seen before. No setta antics, he sang most if not all of hits and had the crowd moving and getting on bad. I didn't ketch the name of the other lead singer who sang with him , but overall the band's performance was very solid.

Make it yuh business to hear them this season.

Sherlame and Y.O.U. get 4 ohnonono's out of 5.

KES THE BAND

Kes performed right after and other than a few additions of some new songs, their repertoire was more or less the same as 2008, complete with Kees taking of his jersey *sigh* I liked Nadia's dancers that she brought on stage, but I doh like what my girl Nadia was wearing at all. I hope Peter Elias take her in hand or something.

Kes the Band gets 3 wines out of 5 and I expect them to get better by their next performance.

ROY CAPE feat. Blaxx, Trini Jacobs and Olatunji Yearwood

Roy Cape is usually a very solid sounding/performing band. But I didn't like their perfromance as they seemed un-practiced and they didn;t leave me breathless like last year. We left during Roy Cape's perfromance.

Roy Cape gets 2.5 slow wines out of 5.

FOOD

While there was no lavish setta food, there was a nice mix of corn soup, barbeque pork, barbeque, bake and shark (one chit per person here) and the main meal.

3.5 burps out of 5

BAR

The bar was done by CARIB, and other than the sour looking girls behind the bar, drinks were flowing all night and there was no lacking for anything, except I had to beg for straws :S

4 glasses out of 5

BATHROOMS

The bathrooms used were those at St. John's Hall, and were clean enough BUT! there were NO MIRRORS! :x How yuh could have a LADIES bathroom and NO mirrors? It baffles me!

1 flush out of 5

EYE FOOD

THis is a fete catered to the older crowd, and there wasn't much eye food for me.

I would say 2 crosseye out of 5

Overall I enjoyed this fete, and it was a real nice dtart of the fete season fete and I would probably go again.

Next fete review: Soca in Moka 10!

New Year, New Blog

Well not a new blog, but a new look for the blog.

So, what do you think of the new look fo rthe blog?