The Rounds: Memorial Day long weekend soca round up

In this Edition:

• Memorial Day Long weekend soca events in the US- Rupee, Machel and Destra
• Carnivals: San Franciso, Orlando, Atlanta
• LIFELINE Concert for Sheldon Benjamin (Trinidad)
• Happy Birthday Mr. Slaughter

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. With weather like this, don’t you just feel like jumping up? Well you’re not alone! A whole slew of Caribbean based soca acts made their way to the United States this weekend for endless soca action. Rupee and the Request Band got up close and person with fans in Manhattan with a big show at SOB’s on Thursday. Then it was off to Queens on Saturday for a fete at Mangoville. 

Today (Sunday), Machel is in California at the UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival, while Destra and her big band will be the only soca act amidst all the reggae riddims rocking Miami this evening for Best of the Best.

Machel and Nurse Karen (Miami 2008)

For the die hard soca massive in the US of A, there are a handful of great carnivals keeping the Caribbean spirit alive this weekend. So gotta big up Orlando, San Fran, and Atlanta! 

In 21 years of Atlanta Carnival, I’m told that one of its most unique characteristics is that you simple can not ignore the influence of some of the smaller islands. I hear that St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and the VI crew ruled J’ouvert hands down!!

Down in Trinidad, friends and loved one of music producer Sheldon Benjamin are hard at work preparing a benefit concert for the ailing musician. A few weeks ago I mentioned that Sheldon is depending on YOUR good vibes to recover from cancer (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma). Since my first report, I’m told that his spirits are up. He’s also been blessed to be visited in hospital by several of his closest friends in the soca business. The one thing about tough times is that they bring good people together. So, here’s the latest...an All-star fundraiser called LIFELINE has been planned to raise money for Sheldon’s mounting medical costs. 

The event will feature performances by Alison Hinds, Destra, Machel and more at Trinidad’s Zen Nightclub on June 7th. If you want to donate cash, but can’t make it to the big event, an account has been set up to accept donations. For more information check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog, or join the Sheldon Benjamin Facebook Group. We can fight this together!

Mr. Slaughter and Nurse Karen (Trinidad 2008)

Before I go, I must send a send Happy Birthday Big UP to Mr. Derek Perreira aka Dawg E Slaughter. He will be celebrating 33 years on earth this Thursday!

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on these items, and anything else that matter in the world of soca. Check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Now, back to de docta!