Fete weekend in Pics - Bazodee Friday and Wicked in White

Yuh know how it is...reviews soon come.

Bazodee Friday

Wicked in White

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!

ONE fete - The Aftermath...

DETAILS

Who: WITCO/TRIBE ONE fete

What: All-Inclusive

Where: Queen’s Royal Park Oval
When: Saturday 13th January 2008

How much: $400 (Last year: $250)

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!

Decked off in white and silver, Eclectik did a routine to their tune “Roboman” and they had the crowd’s full attention. Check out their performance here.
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.

Max is a Mus Dan sang his tunes from this year and one of my favorite tunes from last year “Love Generation.”
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!

Faye-Anne one thing though...dat barefoot ting nah wuk! Leave dat fuh de self proclaimed soca queen.
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

EYE FOOD
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

Casualties from ONE fete

My leg that was burnt by Francesca Hawkins' cigarette

My earrings

My L'Oreal lipstick

This review was damn long boy! Jeez!

CIC Fete with The Saints – The Aftermath

DETAILS

Who: St. Mary’s College/CIC

What: All-Inclusive

Where: St. Mary’s College, POS
When: Saturday 12th January 2008

Contribution: $425 (Last year: $unknown)

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

Somebody has read my blog and told Iwer that I was bored of his same old predictable performances.
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.

Machel sans Xtatik gets 4 throw waist out of 5

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...

My pc was down for most of the day today while the technician's were swapping it out/upgrading , but reviews for CIC and ONE will be done and uploaded by midday tomorrow.

In the meantime you can checkout this clip of Machel performing "Unconditional Love" at CIC All Inclusive.

The Party Animal is sick *achoo!*

So although I had plans to attend Bazodee Friday and Licensing Fete this Friday and Saturday respectively, the doctor has placed me on sick leave (4 days) til the end of the week.

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!

QRC Outta De Blue - The Aftermath...

DETAILS
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

Soca in Moka 9 - The Aftermath...

DETAILS

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.

Legacy Band Launch-Passages : The Aftermath

When: Saturday 13th October 2007
Where: The anchorage/Tsunami
How much: FREE for me in VIP!

Picture this:
Sipping on drinks aplenty
Having some corn soup that tasting irie
Rubbing elbows with the rest of the VIPs
Afro Chic looking FAB! and swanky.

So I pulled some strings and asked a friend of my mom to get me two media passes for Legacy’s launch on Saturday night, that's why I really couldn’t tell you how much it was to go to Legacy’s launch. I was guessing it might have been about $80 in advance, cause scalpers were selling tickets at $60.00.

I have no idea WHY Big Mike insists on having his launches in Anchorage/Tsunami…ah mean who parties that far west anymore unless is for Insomnia.

Anyhoo, the entrance to Tsunami was draped in African print cloth, as were the committee people, and those of us going to the media launch were given some wooden beaded necklaces to wear around our necks.

I was amazed at the size of the crowd ‘backstage’ at Tsunami at 9:15ish which was the time I got there. People were drinking by the bar, lining up by the doubles man/woman and sipping on corn soup and generally having a good time.
The DJ was real getting on with his selections too…made me feel like I coulda put on a costume and jump across a stage.
Never mind that at one point during the evening, ice ran out and then shortly after that, there were no cups! In the VIP area! But this didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirit though.

Not long after we got there, the music stopped and some drumming began, and some young ladies were brought to the stage.

I recall the DJ saying that they represented the something something of West Africa, but they were just in the same African print skirts and tube tops. I still have no idea what was the purpose of that particular presentation, except maybe to show off how super slim/sexy/slender the models were.

About half hour after this, the costume presentation began.

Now doh get vex that I was backstage and not have shots eh.
I was taking video and pics of the costumes, my camera died, and I still have to upload my pics to my pc. But yuh know Saucy always on the ball, so you could check out her pics here and her review here.

Legacy presented 20 sections, all of which looked really nice and seemed to be of good quality with regard to the beadwork and headpieces etc.

I can’t remember the names of any, except for Shaka Zulu and The Nile, but I do remember liking the first section in white and gold, a section in blue and copper and the Strong Men and Rude Girls section Shaka Zulu.

This young lady caused quite a stir at the launch, shaking it and having a time like it was nobody’s business.
And of course who could forget the two models with the afros a la yours truly? Who say yuh cyar play mas with yuh afro…



The highlight of the night was when President George Maxwell Richards (Uncle Max) and Dr. Jean Ramjohn Richards (Aunty Jean), were invited up on stage and Unlce Max promptly secured a space next to a Masai warrior and Aunty Jean immediately went next to the Strong Man in Shaka.

Overall I found the mas to be well put together, though I think that the Legacy team would have done better to have less sections for max impact on the road, as many of their sections this year only had a few people.

As for capturing the theme of Africa, that’s another story. But what can one really expect from a beads and bikini band except for a vague reference to the theme?

Around 11 o'clock, the patrons in the VIP area were invited to go across to the still being renovated Anchorage to continue the partying. It was soon after this that I left the party and headed home.

Pics courtesy Saucy 'on the ball' Trini.

No ah not sticking...

I'm just posting over on my other blog "The Fete Chronicles."
http://www.fetechronicles.blogspot.com

Licensing Fete: The Aftermath

Who: Licensing fete
What: Buy yuh eats and drinks when yuh reach inside
Where: Licensing Compound Wrightson Road
When: Saturday 20th January 2007
How much: $100 General Admission $250 VIP
Last year’s price: $80 General $200 VIP

So after an entire day of training for ICC Cricket world Cup 2007 (for which I am a volunteer) I got home intending to take a rest, wake up and head out to Licensing fete.

I woke up the following morning, just in time to get ready to go to more CWC training.
I hear de fete was RAM.
This would have been my 5th year going to Licensing fete.

Thus ends my review. LOL.
Sorry folks.



Newsday had this to say:

FOR anyone in doubt, the economic prosperity associated with TT’s oil boom
was apparent everywhere at the Licensing Fete, held at the Wrightson Road
compound parking lot Saturday night. The all inclusives had nothing on this
one.

For one thing, the TT$120 ticket price was not a deterrent. But the real
proof of prosperity was the fact there is, without a doubt, no shortage of snake
oil or gold north of the Caroni River. Some of the big names on the night were
Bunji Garlin, Crazy, Denise Belfon, Shurwayne Winchester, Machel Montano HD, KMC and Iwer George.

Parking was tricky and police were advising patrons not to park on the streets adjoining Wrightson Road, as “the wrecker was coming.” So, as
usual, patrons at a large public fete would be under pressure from both police
and thief.

Passing right outside the Licensing compound via the media entrance
must have been tempting for anyone in need of a Certified Copy, and
unwilling/unable to pay a bribe.

Once inside, the place seemed rather empty at about 10 pm, considering the event’s reputation, but it was still early. As the DJ music blared a large contingent of police stood in a defensive, intimidating circle ready for action in the middle of the growing number of winers and jammers.

If Job seemed a little patient, then they seemed a little tense. The fact that patrons entering through General Admissions were forced to remove their shoes for inspection would have been of little consolation to the circle of cops. When asked, an officer at the entrance confirmed the procedure had been put in place to “make sure yuh don’t get chook.”

The Shoe Exam, in addition to the number of people trying to get in, may have contributed somewhat to the gathering by the various posses outside the fete, many of whom were content to chip and prance around the area before entering. It created a festive atmosphere on Wrightson Road, accompanied, of course, by long lines of traffic.

The cops did their best to keep things moving. Not long after 10 pm, Bunji Garlin kicked things off with an energetic performance, during which he discussed his recent nuptials in song. In the middle of the performance, he was forced to stop and
exclaim, “Jesus Christ, look at crowd!” By this time, he was not exaggerating. In a brief interview with Newsday following his performance, Bunji said he was heading down the highway to South Trinidad for a gig at Sting club in La Romaine.

The lovable lunatic, aka Crazy, was next on stage, briefly, and he churned up the crowd with his “One Foot Cock,” and “Cold Sweat.”

Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon soon followed, and she reminded the crowd with a demonstration that riding a bicycle is something one never forgets. She even gave tricycle lessons.

The crowd was well pumped up by the time Shurwayne Winchester “Opened the
Gates,” and he was ably assisted by Peter C Lewis on guitar. The crowd appeared
unperturbed by recent reports that Winchester was under pressure following some
internal wrangling at Traffik, and Winchester’s top class performance drew a
fanatical crowd response.