TOP 10 SOCA- The EARLY Contenders!

Well folks, the FIRST batch of SOCA has been released for Carnival 2017! I am a bit under impressed at the moment and I am HOPING the artiste are saving the MONSTER tunes as the season progresses.

Despite this, I am starting to get that SWEET Carnival feeling off a few gems. So, in NO PARTICULAR  ORDER I present you with my TOP 10 so far!

Artiste: Ricardo Drue

1. Ricardo Drue - Iron
The bottle and spoon PLUS the pace of this song does it for me. I can see myself on the streets of Port of Spain chippin and/or wining to this one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqDiXrRitRA

Artiste- Kes

2. Kes and Kernel Robert- Shake
This one is an ole time something MIXED with a modern something and its AWESOME. A real nice vibes tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lauaMr-2W7w

Artiste: Uncle Ellis

3. Uncle Ellis- I doh Mind
Now, this tune has had mixed reviews HOWEVER I love it and it is a must for JOUVERT morning!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XTsVXaGCu0

Artiste: Farmer Nappy

4. Farmer Nappy and Destra- Technically
This tune promoting some bacchannal... love bizness kinda bacchannal! Its a bit of a groove song that giving some people ideas...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E26YJDzKSmI

Artiste: Orlando Octave

5. Orlando Octave- Single
The whole premise of this song is what makes it great! I mean, with words like " Plenty gyal of mine acting like they single", this song cannot be taken seriously... so just enjoy it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtJqifpYkdM

Artiste: Olatunji

6. Nadia and Olatunji- Geelay
I am not hearing this song on radio as much as I WOULD LIKE, however that is what FREE YOUTUBE is for. I like the song, it gets me dancing and improves my mood. Come nah RADIO STATIONS!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtXgcs8Ruak

Artiste: Blaxx

7. Blaxx- Rankin Ting
Something about Blaxx voice does stimulate my inner WAJANG! It is very easy to visualize this song in a fete, drinks in hand while taking in the lovely sight of sexy people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seqf5nO07zU

Artiste: Destra Garcia

8. Destra- Waistline Killer

No list is complete without an input from the Queen of Bacchanal. While I like the song I am hoping she has a bigger MONSTER for us as the weeks progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjDbxfVeDM0

Photo: Cover Art

9. Voice and Bad Royale- Get Away
This young man called VOICE.... just take it in. Enjoy our reigning 2016 SOCA MONARCH!.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5LKO2gFBGY

Artiste: Voice

10. Voice- Far From Finished
Yeah, VOICE gets mentioned twice! This one carries you on a journey, a nice relaxed easy journey and tells you a lot about this artiste. This song reaffirms that he is indeed our reigning Soca Monarch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r98W2saTNcU

Now, some INDUSTRY business

Carnival Season is roughly six (6) months on the Trinidad and Tobago calendar. A lot of planning takes place in the early months with a massive build up of energy and activity in the later two months. It is still early, however BOOKINGS for gigs have started. An artiste NEEDS to release music fairly early to ensure that they are well booked for the season. In many regards this is the HUSTLE. It for this reason you will hear a lot of songs but NO VIDEOS as yet.

So, how much does an artiste pay the Writer, Producer, Mixer, Back Up Singers etc.? Well it varies, because the industry doesn't really have set standards AND most persons are still to understand the value of their INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY!  This is part of the reason why we continue to GUESS THE VALUE of our Carnival Festival. 

Enough of that! ENJOY THE EARLY BATCH OF SOCA!!

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Do you agree with our TOP 10? Did we leave our one of YOUR favorites? 

Please let us know in the COMMENTS section below.

Remember, subscribe to our EMAIL List if you would like a notification for when something NEW is posted

FIND A CREATIVE- Music- SOCA PARANG!

Photo Courtesy: Online

The SOCA PARANG SEASON 2016 has begun!!

In Trinidad and Tobago, SOCA PARANG has become an essential feature of the CHRISTMAS SEASON. Soca Parang as the name suggests, is a combination of TRADITIONAL PARANG with a SOCA element or vibe to it. This UNIQUE sound developed in Trinidad and Tobago several decades ago, as the various cultures merged and naturally evolved into a delightful hybrid sound. In truth for some people, until they hear the music of the greats like "Scrunter The Hunter" and "Crazy"; their Christmas Season will not begin. The music carries a FEELING that truly brings to life a Trinbago Christmas!

While there are quite a few Soca Parang Ariste in Trinidad and Tobago, few are active for the 2016 season. I took the opportunity to pull together a few of the artiste that I have seen actively offering their services for 2016.

ROME is a relative new comer in the scene having only been in the SOCA PARANG arena for a few years. I am not going to lie, seeing him publish is pricing was a bit of a surprise as that is not the norm within the industry. However, I guess it helps you decide if you want his services early on without wasting anyones time. I will say that ROME is one artiste that could benefit from having a few VIDEOS out in the public sphere. 

Visit the links below for AUDIO of Rome!

Lovable: https://youtu.be/K1pv3H5wasE

Likah:  https://youtu.be/pJO_IGG9qbs

Spanish Parang:  https://youtu.be/NdgOf0zP7v0

Facebook Fan Page: I didn't find one
Twitter: I didn't find one
Instagram: I didn't fine one
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYFfEYI9mDHlX_q5n7yFHUQ
Website: I didn't find one

MARCIA MIRANDA has been a SOCA PARANG artist for several years. She has given us quite a few CLASSICS such as the infamous "Bring Out De Ham" and "Gimme Love for the Xmas". I will say that Ms. Miranda was a bit difficult to find. I would like to see her utilise and market via the social media platforms a bit more: Facebook Fan Page; Instagram; twitter etc. However, she has yet to be dethroned as the current QUEEN OF SOCA PARANG. 

Check the links below for VIDEO of MARCIA MIRANDA!

Gimme Love Fuh XMas: https://youtu.be/-ClN-PrUJF4

Bring Out De Ham: https://youtu.be/gqDkkkK34wQ

Roast Fowl: https://youtu.be/XeTpjaDpPBw

Thiefin Parang Band: https://youtu.be/-5UC1O4TcMM

Facebook Fan Page: I didn't find one

Twitter: I didn't find one

Instagram: I didn't find one

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4U-79jR7GdfVVG_6xgho4g

Website: www.marciamirandatt.com 

REMBUNCTIONNNNNNNN!! What can I say about this SOCA PARANG artiste that is not already known. His style is unique, his use of visual imagery to bring the FEEL of his songs to life is amazing and humorous. Who can forget big hits like "Mr. Santa Claus". Mr. Rembunction was easy to locate with an ACTIVE Facebook page where you can secure your BOOKINGS! He has LOTS of video on youtube so it was very easy to pull a few together for you.

Visit the links below for VIDEO of REMBUNCTION!

Thunderbolt:  https://youtu.be/y2o0v3Z2Rdk

Nada:  https://youtu.be/Jo8OmgAyBqk

2 Pull Pull: https://youtu.be/mE8CidVL7ec

Mr. Santa Claus: https://youtu.be/KrHEJiAXBWg

Samantha Claus:  https://youtu.be/seLkgb5V8K8

Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/RemyRembunction/
Twitter: I didn't find one
Instagram: @rembunction
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/RemBunction
Website: I didn't find one

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Some people are of the view that SOCA PARANG has become too sexual in nature i.e. too many innuendoes and double meaning in the songs. Some people think that the music represents the true Trinbagonian, who is a fun loving sexy person full of positive vibes for the christmas holidays. Some can't stand the SOCA PARANG and prefer the TRADITIONAL PARANG.

What are your thoughts? Which do you prefer and why?

Please share your comments below!

CALL for CREATORS- GREEN MARKET!

The SANTA CRUZ GREEN MARKET has become a MUST on weekends. 

The market features fresh ORGANIC foods, on-site chiefs, artistians and even elaborate "chow" structures. This is NO ORDINARY Trinidad market! It has become a place to relax and lime, to eat and listen to live music; with some persons going as far as arranging their wardrobe the night before for this visit. 

It is a GREAT SPACE to showcase your work, as it allows for an INTIMATE engagement with YOUR audience or target segement.

Parking is provided onsite!

FESTIVAL DEVELOPMENT- Inaugural New Play Festival and OTHERS!

Photo: Cover of the Play Bill

Last weekend I journeyed out in public to check out the inaugural NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, which was put on by the Playwrights Workshop of Trinidad at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. There are SEVERAL interesting things about this festival that captured my attention from the get go.

FIRSTLY, the festival features plays that have NEVER been staged before. This means that there was no point of reference for these staging and the team could translate the words on the page in as many way as they could imagine.

SECONDLY, the playwrights all came from the PLAYWRIGHTS WORKSHOP, which by the way is open to the PUBLIC! The group meets every first Wednesday in the month at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop at 7pm. 

THIRDLY, the relatively new play writers worked with relatively new and upcoming directors, and relatively new actors. A whole bunch of NEWNESS with this one! 

FOURTHLY, after each play there was a PANEL discussion, which I guess due to the learning environment that is the Trinidad Theatre Workshop allowed for very difficult or challenging questions about choices that the writer, director and actors made.

FINALLY, the festival was held in a very HISTORIC space the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, which has assisted in the development of  MANY theatre folk who have gone on to be leaders in the industry.

Photo: Festival Flyers

The FIRST year of the festival featured three plays: Miracle; Angel Live in Tunapuna and Hell. Now I am not going to give away the story line given that the intention is to stage these plays again. However, Miracle and Hell where particularly interesting and allowed for some intensive conversations during the panel discussions.

Oh! Let's take a moment for the cast of characters....

Photo: Taken from the Play Bill

So… the question now becomes what next?

The thing about FESTIVAL DEVELOPMENT is that you NEED to be very clear in your VISION, very clear about who and what the TARGET AUDIENCE values, maintain INNOVATION each year, continuously enhance your VALUE PROPOSITION, have a sophisticated understanding of STRATEGIC MARKETING and great skill in managing BUDGETS!

                                                         Photo: A moment from ANGELS LIVE IN TUNAPUNA

In Trinidad and Tobago the tendency is to start “ah small ting” and then try to do it a little bigger the next time. This approach suggests that there is no clear vision in the direction and an ad hoc approach to development is being employed. FINANCIERS DON'T LIKE THIS!!

Photo: A moment from HELL

One problem which sometimes arises when the vision finally becomes clear is that decisions have already been made that work against it; and often time festival organizers find themselves having to mitigate damages or have great difficulty in changing cultures that have already been established.

Photo: A moment between the Kidnaper and his Kidnapee  during MIRACLE

So…. Festival Development… How does one start and grow a festival?

STOP!

Think of a festival you would like to put on.

GO!

1.   RESEARCH other models that exist for your festival type. See in which ways your vision is similar or different e.g. geographical location, target market, presentation style etc.

2. Identify your VALUE PROPOSITION. What is the “something” that you offer that is different, that is better, that adds value to the audience or to the industry. You must not only be able to identify it but be able to CLEARLY ARTICULATE it.

Photo: Festival of Movement

3. ANALYSIS… this is the boring stuff nobody likes to do. YOU NEED TO FIND THE PERSON WHO LIKES TO DO THIS!! The analysis could utilize some of these:

(a)    Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats (SWOT) - The strengths and weakness are found when you look internally within your industry e.g. what are you great or weak at compared to others, are you utilizing all the talents in your organisation wisely. The Opportunities and Threats looks at things like are you likely to lose resources to competition, is your funding and sponsorship secure… do you have to actively engage in stakeholder management. WRITE THESE DOWN.

Photo: Soca Parang Festival

(b)   Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental (PESTLE) - This is different from the SWOT in that the PESTLE focuses on the wider environment i.e. outside of your industry… so you are looking at things like when is most persons pay day, is there an increase in festivals in your space, is the public demanding different or alternative types of entertainment, do you run the risk of losing sponsors to competition. WRITE THESE DOWN.

Photo: Animae Caribe just celebrated its 15th year!

(c)    Porter 5 Forces- Porter is a man that has provided A LOT of models to help persons develop business ideas. His five forces simply looks at areas such as:

Power of the Buyers- Basically your Audience and what value they place on thing.

Power of the Suppliers- Basically the people who services you need for your Festival

Threats of Substitutes- Basically what would people prefer to do than come your Festival

Barriers to Entry- Basically consider entering the market, rules and regulations such as Occupational Health and Safety or Best Practice in your industry.

Competitor Rivalry- Basically who are you competing with for the money in the audience’s pocket.

Photo: Tobago Jazz Festival has been growing through the years, attracting visitors from throughout the globe

(d)   ANSOFF- Growth strategies are simple in that they help you figure out what is the next step for your festival. Ansoff options are:

Market Penetration- Do you go deeper into the existing market/audience segment?

Market Development- Do you develop a new market/audience segment?

Product Development- Do you improve the product/ play?

 Diversification- Do you branch of or add new elements to the Festival?

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival has become a fixture in the month of September

ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THESE…. You now have good bones on which to develop your Festival. You would notice that a lot of the DIRECTION naturally emerged from doing the exercise. NOW, you are more in a position of readiness to develop the creative aspects… the tactics to develop our festival. 

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Please share your comments or opinions on this post. 
Trinidad and Tobago has seen a drastic increase in Festivals in recent years and the more WE understand about development the more OUR chances of developing a sustainable industry. 

What are YOUR thoughts? 

CASTING CALL- ACTORS WANTED- Viscuna Brothers Production

Viscuna Brothers Production has been in the entertainment business for some time. They have fairly frequent casting calls for everything from advertisements, movies, voice actors etc.

For those wanting to get into acting more SERIOUSLY... experiencing a casting call adds great value to your journey. Even if you don't get the role, you learn about your craft as well as meet people in the industry.

So! Check it out! Carry a friend with you if you must.... don't miss this opportunity to grow in your craft.

See FLYER for DETAILS!

Events: Monday 12th December 2016 to Sunday 25th December 2016

Date:Friday 16th December to Monday 19th December 2016

Location: Studio W, 103 Tragrette Road, Port of Spain

Cost: Varied starting at $70.00 TT a class. See Flyer!

Host: Fusion Dance Fitness

Tip: I strongly hold the view that this is an INVESTMENT in your future. An investment in your LOVE LIFE and if you are daring enough...a side job.

Sexy Fun!! Try a class!! NB: The heels requirement.

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Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. Let us know if there are any other type of events you would like us to include on future lists!

Carnival BACCHANAL!!- Mac Farlane 2017: Cazabon- The Art of Living….

They say Trinidad Carnival is BACCHANAL and that without some type of disagreement or controversy the carnival hasn’t really started. Well all yuh… this one start off on an EXCEPTIONALLY high note with Mac Farlane’s 2017 presentation:  Cazabon – The Art of Living.

When I first saw the collection via social media, I thought “wow this is pretty” but something about it did not resonate well with me. The images left a kinda bad taste, a feeling of uncertainty and I couldn’t say with surety what was unsettling about them. Then I thought, “art is supposed to make you FEEL” and in a culture that has become predominantly bikini mas... I DEFINITELY was feeling a type of way about this one.  Let’s take a moment here to take a small peep at the collection which was launched on 21^st October 2016 at Queens Royal College :

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

 Exhibit C

The FULL Collection link: 
https://www.facebook.com/macfarlanecarnival/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1251273328257583

Thoughts?  Feelings?

The thoughts and feeling about this collection have been VERY mixed. So what is the issue... I guess that will depend on your point of view. Here are three views which were posted on social media.

View 1

View 2

 View 3

YEAAAA.... so when we consider:

1. What is the origins of the Carnival? Where and why did it emerge?

2. Is it collection too racially accurate? Is this accuracy a good idea given the current race climate in Trinidad and Tobago?

3. Is the issue that a “white” man has brought this Mas that represents a time in Trinidad and Tobago’s history that some people still feel very deeply in their ancestral DNA?

4. Is the perfectly white of the collection, with hints of brown,  perceived as a slap in the face from the descendants of the colonial ancestors?

5. Is it that people are taking issue with certain sections and not considering the entire presentation?

6. Is it that the emotional intelligence that tends to accompany art, was in this case put aside for the moment?

7. What EXACTLY did Mac Farlane intend with this presentation? What is the context in which this art is supposed to be performed.

Furthermore:

According to the Carnival judging rules: 

" Bands are expected to portray costumes of a creative standard suitable for public display and shall not desecrate or ridicule any religion, creed or race. Any Band failing to comply with this rule will result in disqualification from the relevant Competition."

This one have the potential for real Ole Mas!

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Please share your opinions and views in the comments section below. 

Rants are welcome!
Feel free to post as Anonymous

Performance Spaces- FOR RENT!!- Port of Spain, Trinidad

 Kaiso Blues Cafe

Location: #85 Woodford Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Capacity: 60- 70 Persons

Parking: There is street parking as well as a nearby car park.

Owner/Manager : Karl Jacobs

Contact for Booking: 1-868-477-2262

Description: Kaiso Blues Cafe is often used for live intimate performances. It has outdoor and indoor seating. The stage is located to the back of the venue which provides seating as well as standi
ng room accommodation.

Photo Courtesy Kaiso Blues Cafe



The venue provides food services as well as a stocked bar. There is also an extra space that can be used for displays and pop of shops.

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Please rate or review this venue in the comments below! 

It helps others get a better idea of whether the space is suitable for their EVENT! 

Call for Applicants- Training in CALYPSO Adjudication!

Have you EVER thought for sure Calypso X would have won a competition BUT the judges voted for Calypso Y?

Have you EVER wondered what the hell the judges were thinking, what they were looking for or hearing in the wining Calypso?

Have you ever wanted to replace a judge because YOU are sure you could do a better job?

Well......

The Ministry of Culture is now accepting applications to TRAIN persons to ADJUDICATE calypso competitions!

Please note they expect you to have some sort of musical background... so that rules me out.

Check the link below:
http://www.culture.gov.tt/whats-new/calypso-adjudication-development-workshop-application/

Call for ACTORS- CASTING CALL for THREE FILMS

Date: Saturday 22nd October 2016
Location: Necessary Art, 44 Dundonald Street, Port of Spain.
Time: 1pm- 9pm
Tip: Each role is listed on the flyer. Chose one or two you might be interested in. It wouldn't hurt to try out for more than one role.


The local Film Industry has seen a recent surge in activity... maybe persons are finally starting to see the potential of the sector... and as a result we are seeing more of these... CASTING CALLS!!!

NOW is the time to get involved, test the waters, enter a sector as it is growing and learning.

What do you have to lose...

What do you have to gain... EVERYTHING!

GIVE DEM BOIS!- SIX Things You Should Know About STICK FIGHTING

Photo Courtesy: Newsday Newspaper 

It is said that a stick fighter in born and that you cannot teach someone the art form; what you can do is help them remember. The stick fighter it is said, carries the knowledge in her DNA, her soul memory, the fight is retained in her muscles and resides in her spiritual intuition. This may explain why most aren’t drawn to enter the gayelle or  to willingly enter the battleground or to offer the blood sacrifice. Yet, most prefer to bare witness the worship in the brutality.  

During my journey into the world of stick fighters I learnt A LOT of things about the art form and about myself. I know most persons in Trinidad and Tobago are not aware of the deep spiritual history and legacy of stick fighting;  nor why it is something important for us to preserve. 

Camboulay Riots Reenactment- Female Stick Fighter

So, I decided to share 6 things I think the everyday Trinbagoian SHOULD know about stick fighting:

1.       The proper name for the art form of stick fighting is Kalinda. Some people think that the name Kalinda is a derivative for Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction. In truth there also exists a stick fighing form in Indian called Kali Fighting, which while different does have some fundamental similarities to Kalinda.

Chart: A limited list of Kalinda Techniques

2.       It is believed that Kalinda as an art form entered the Caribbean in the 1720’s.

It is said that Kalinda was a ritual practiced by slaves in the 1700’s. The ritual involved two men who would duel against each other with sticks or “BOIS”. The space in which they fought was called a 

gayelle.

Stick Fighters During the 1970's

3.       According to Luis Mc.Williams  Kalinda has 5 Phases:

(i)                  The Challenge

(ii)                The Lavway Call and Response Calls

(iii)               The Karray- Display of physical prowess and dance

(iv)              The Bois- The Attack or the attempt to “buss” the other man head.

(v)                The Pas- The defeated persons is taken for bloodletting at the “blood hole”.

As you can tell this is A LOT of excitement and very interesting to witness. In practice, a stick fighter enters the gayelle as the drummers accompany the lavway call.  During this time the stick fighter dancers her way into the spiritual state of readiness to do battle. Other stick fighter look on, and if one is moved- she enters the gayelle. Both fighters then dance their personal warrior dance, while positioning themselves to attack. Strikes are quick and brutal… some faster than the blink of an eye. The result can be wounding or even death.

Footage from Mayaro Gayelle 2013  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO4uJZtclZc

Photo Courtesy: Trinidad and Tobago  Guardian Newspaper

4.  In 1884, Kalinda art form was forced underground and into rural communities.In the 1800’s in Trinidad and Tobago the Canboulay Riots, was the people’s response against and oppressive colonialser who sought to restrict their street processions. During this time stick fighters where especially targeted by the authorities because of the damage they could inflict with their bois but also because of the way the spiritually affected the large crowds.

Camboulay Reenactment-  Takes place every Carnival Friday morning at 4am in Piccadilly (Port Of Spain)

5.       Stick Fighting gayelles still exist throughout Trinidad and Tobago, in places such as- Mayaro, Arouca, Manzanilla etc. In recent years, the National Stick Fighting Competitions, a feature of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, is being met with thick crowds especially at the Finals.

Footage from TT National Stick- Fighting Finals 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaE3lfLBF6E

Photo Courtesy:  Trinidad Newsday Newspaper

6. YOU CAN LEARN STICK FIGHTING TOO!!

You can visit your local gayelle or you can visit Bois Academy of Trinidad and Tobago , see the FaceBook link below. They also have some video on the site as well as information on the recent movie "No Bois Man Ah Fraid".

https://www.facebook.com/Bois-Academy-of-Trinidad-Tobago-490806320934616/

TRY ONE SESSION!! YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!!

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Please post your comments, view, opinions and even rants in the comments section below.