Booster Shot: Official Antigua Carnival Results

Antigua Carnival is behind us for another year. So, here`s your chance to review the action, that doesn`t always show up here on Nurse Karen Etc. Take a look below for all the competitive results in everything from Mas, pan, Queen shows, etc.
Results courtesy of AntiguaCarnival.com

2009 Carnival Official Results



KING & Queen of Calypso
Friday 24th July, 2009

Queen

2nd Runner –Sister Virtue – Too Sexy Too Soon
1st Runner – Thalia King – I Sing for change
Winner 2009 Queen Calypso - Queen Ivena – VC Bird Wouldn’t Eat Shawarma

King

2nd Runner – Up – Zacari – It Was For You
1st Runner – Up – Dr. Principle – Ah Fighting
Winner 2009 King Calypso – Young Destroyer – Wha Me Do You

B Mobile Junior Carnival
Sunday 26th July 2009
Carnival City - 1.00pm

Prince Competition
2nd Runner – Up
Name:
Costume:
Name of School: Pigotts Primary

1st Runner – Up
Name: Rasheed Smith
Costume: Iron Band Prince
Name of School: Adele School

Winner & Prince 2009
Name:
Costume: The Torch Light
Name of School: New Winthropes Primary

Winner & Prince 2009
Name: Kita Butler
Costume: Congo Girl
Name of School: Adele School

Junior Queen:
2nd Runner – Up
Name: Kara Walwyn
Costume: Angel Falls
Troupe: Dynamics

1st Runner – Up
Name: Valique Meade
Costume: Blue Wave
Troupe: Ali and Associates

Winner & Junior Queen of the Band (2009)
Name: Ikejah Bird
Costume: Flight of Kaleidoscope
Troupe: Showcase

Junior King:
2nd Runner – Up
Name: Anil Nanton
Costume: Splish Splash
Troupe: Dynamics

1st Runner – Up
Name: Travis Gardner
Costume:The Surge
Troupe: Ali and Associates

Winner & Junior King of the Band (2009)
Name: Kimani Hunte
Costume: Warrior of the Blue Skies
Troupe:Showcase

School Troupe Competition

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Recycling for Carnival (2009)
School: Adele and St. Micheal’s

1st Runner – Up:
Theme:Let Your Light Shine
School:Potters Primary

Winner
Theme:Kaleidoscope
School: Mary E. Pigott

Junior Private Bands Competition

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Reflections of Mas
Troup: Ali and Associates

1st Runner – Up:
Theme: Awesome Tribes
Troup: Revellers

Winner
Theme:H2O
Troup: Dynamics


State Insurance Junior Calypso Monarch
Sunday 26h July, 2009
Results – Age 5 -12

2nd Runner – Up
Name: Singing Michelle
Calypso:
School:
Age:

1st Runner – Up
Name: A’Shante
Calypso:
School:
Age:

Winner & 2009 School Calypso Monarch 5 -12
Name: K-Kay
Calypso:
School:
Age:

Results – Age 13 – 19

2nd Runner – Up
Name: Golden Holly
Calypso:
School:
Age:

1st Runner – Up
Name: De Empress
Calypso:
School:
Age:

Winner & 2009 School Calypso Monarch 13-19

Name: The Might Tenor
Calypso:
School:
Age:

Best New Artist;
Name: The Mighty Tenor

Most Improved Calypsonian:
Name: Singing Michelle


Best Stage Performer:
Name: The Mighty Tenor


ABI Queen of Carnival
Monday 27th, July 2009
Carnival City

2nd Runner Up
Name: Janelle Alexander
Sponsor: National Solid Waste Management
Theme: Pan

Winner: Delegate Most True To Theme:
1st Runner Up
Name: Ryancia Henry
Sponsor: The Source Clothing Store
Winner: Swimwear Segment

ABI Queen of Carnival 2009
Name: Shelana George
Sponsor: Education for Advancement
Winner: Evening Wear Designer
Name: Calvin’s
Gown: Conquest of Paradise
Sponsor: Return to Innocence
Winner: Shermain Jeremy Performing Talent Segment
Winner: Evening Wear Segment
Winner: Interview Segment
Winner: Kia Davis Congeniality Award
Winner: Most Photogenic


Teen Splash
Monday 28h, July 2009
Carnival City

2nd Runner – Up
Name: Heidigail Francis
School: Antigua Girls High
Winner: Contestant showing the most leadership skills: (Winner of the Prime Minister’s Trophy)

1st Runner – Up
Name: Kendra Beazer
School: Sir Mc Chesney George Secondary
Winner: Question and Answer Segment
2009 Teen Splash Winner
Name: JoJo Instiful
School: St. Joseph’s Academy
Winner: Performing Talent Segment
Winner: Research Presentation Segment
Winner: Personal Achievements Segment

Winner: Most Congenial:
Name: Roghinda Emanuel
School: Christ the King High

Winner: Most Photogenic:
Name: Lawanda Lavia
School: All Saints Secondary


Antigua Commercial Bank Panorama Competition
Thursday 30th July, 2008
Carnival City - 8.00p.m.

4th Runner - Up
WIOC Gemonites
Name of Tune: Pan Rhapsody
Captain: Patrick ‘Stone’ Johnson
Arranger: Patrick ‘Stone’ Johnson

3rd Runner - Up
Cool & Smooth Ebonites
Name of Tune: Rude Boy Bacchanal
Captain: Marlon Dyer
Arranger: Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel

2nd Runner - Up
Carib Seas Harmonites Steel Orchestra
Name of Tune: Bena Music
Captain: Simon Toulon
Arranger: Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel

1st Runner - Up
Hadeed Group of Companies Halcyon Steel Orchestra
Name of Tune: Tight Mas
Captain: Dwayne Mussington
Arranger: Halcyon Musical Team

Winner 2009
LIME Hellsgate Steel Orchestra
Name of Tune: Rube Boy Bacchanal
Captain: Marlon Dyer
Arranger: Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel

LIME Party Monarch
Saturday 01st August 2009
Carnival City - 8.00p.m

Groovy Party Monarch
2nd Runner - Up Tammy
1st Runner – Up Jashan
Winner 2009 Groovy Soca Monarch - Tian Winter

Tempo Party Monarch
2nd Runner – Up Samoya
1st Runner – Up Sleep
Winner 2009 Tempo Party Monarch - Tian Winter

Wadadli Beer Calypso Monarch Competition
Saturday 02nd August 2009
Carnival City - 8.00p.m.

Most Improved Calypsonian:
Name: Dr. Principle
Most Humorous Calypso:
Name: Old Wife
By: Artiste
Best Social Commentary:
Name: Too sexy To Soon
By: Sister Virtue

2nd Runner – Up
Name: Ivena

1st Runner - Up
Name: De Bear

Winner 2009 Calypso Monarch
Name: King Zacari



Troupes & Groups
Tuesday 04th, August 2009
Carnival City
Senior Female Individual Competition

2nd Runner – Up:
Name: Connie Gronsalves
Costume: Polynesia
Troupe: Revellers & Just Friends

1st Runner – Up:
Name: Charmaine L. George
Costume: Amazonia
Troupe: Revellers & Just Friends
Winner (2009)
Name: Angie De Gannes
Costume: Africana
Troupe: Revellers & Just Friends
Senior CARNIVAL TOPICAL Fantasy

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Myst Carnival Inc
Troupe: Obsessed results

1st Runner – Up:
Theme: Dynamics Mas Troupe
Troupe: H20

Winner (2009)
Theme: Revellers Mas Troupe
Troupe: Awesome Tribes

Senior Carnival - Medium Bands – Tropical Fantasy

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Solid International
Troupe: Awaken In Africa s

1st Runner – Up:
Theme Vitus Mas Troupe
Troupe: The Beach is Just the Beginning

Winner
Theme: Ali and Associates
Troupe: Reflections of the Times

Senior Carnival – Small Band – Tropical Fantasy

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Rockers Mas Troupe
Troupe: Light of the World

1st Runner – Up:
Theme: Exotic Mas Troupe
Troupe: Festival of Colours in Flying Clours

Winner
Theme: Arising Mas Troupe
Troupe : Know Your National Colours

Band of the Year Competition – Large Band

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Solid International
Troupe: Awaken In Africa

1st Runner – Up:
Theme: Dynamics Mas Troupe
Troupe: H20

Winner
Theme: Revellers Mas Troupe
Troupe: Awesome Tribes
Band of the Year Competition – Medium Bands

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Arising Mas Troupe
Troupe: Know Your National Colours

1st Runner – Up:
Theme: Vitus Mas Troupe
Troupe: The Beach Is Just The Beginning

Winner
Theme: Ali & Associates
Troupe: Refection of the Times

Band of the Year Competition – Small Bands

2nd Runner – Up:
Theme: Wadadli Madness
Troupe: Darkness Revealed

1st Runner – Up:
Theme: African Gems
Troupe: Africans

Winner
Theme: Rockers Mas Troupe
Troupe: Light is of the World

Float Competition

2nd Runner – Up
Float: AIDS Secretariat

1st Runner – Up
Float: Bank of Nova Scotia

Winner
Float: Antigua Computer Technology

Road March Competition
2nd Runner
Song: Fly Away
By: Taxik
Times Played: 13

1st Runner – Up
Song: Soca Rebels
By: Tian Winter
Times Played: 17

Winner & the Patrick A. Michael Memorial Trophy
Song: Trade Mark – Stop De Crying
By: Red Hott
Times Played: 57


J’Ouvert Morning
1st Iron Band on the Road: - Point Iron Band
1st HI FI on the Road: - Chickie’s Hi FI
1st Jam Band on the Road: - Tonic Band
1st Steelband Jam on the Road - Westside Symphony
Sweetest Jam on the Road - Red Hott
Sweetest Steelband on the Road - Hell’s Gate
Best Behaved Troupe: - Wadadli Brew Master
Best J’ouvert Troupe: - The Souce Blue Devils
T- Shirt COmpetition
2nd Runner – Up
Group: Antigua Public Utilities Authority
1st Runner – Up
Group: Mysts
Winner
Group: Joe Mike’s

for more information on Antigua Carnival please visit:
www.antiguacarnival.com!

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Eye Unit: Tian Winter's winning Groovy Soca Monarch performance

This is for my ladies! These days when so much of our music is getting faster, wilder, harder..and quite frankly a little explicit, isn't it nice when you hear something sweet?

Well if you're looking for a little pick-me-up this afternoon, maybe a sweet song from cutie-pie Tian Winter will help.

Here's "Baby I"!

This is the performance that won him the 2009 Antigua Groovy Soca Monarch title.




Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

PULSE CHECK: What do you think?

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Free Download: Various Island Soca 2009 by DJ Bass

DJ BASS

Afternoon Nurse Karen Posse!!!

Tuesdays are perfect for new music. Luckily today, I'm giving you something extra special with the kind compliments of Toronto's own DJ Bass. If you live in THIS oddly humid city, then you probably know Bass as a co-host of CIUT 89.5 FM's Island Breeze Program, Friday evenings from 6 to 8 PM.

He took it over from 15-year host Jaro sometime last year...and I've got to say, he's doing a fine job of "lifting up everything and anything its path".

Several years ago...Island Breeze became a favourite weekly tradition of mine, as I would drive into the city from the West End to host my weekly open-mic event, La Parole. I would always get the latest soca...and since I usually tuned in a little bit late I was treated to the "Bass Mix" or something so. That was my DJ friend's exclusive uninterrupted weekly mashup of the best of the best.

He's always had an ear for the obscure, and never been afraid to run tunes that other DJ's may not be playing...or rather... some tunes other DJ's have never even bothered to listen to . Well, that's their problem. DJ Bass is an equal opportunity music man, sampling sounds from multiple Caribbean Islands and giving fans a chance to appreciate the music in its many facets and expressions.

So with Grenada crossing the stage for Carnival Tuesday this Morning, the Caribbean-based Summer carnivals have nearly run their full gamut. Wouldn't you say it's time for a recap of some of 2009's hidden gems?

I present to you "Island Breeze, Various Island Soca 2009 by DJ Bass"

VARIOUS ISLAND SOCA 2009 - AKA OECS PLUS OTHERS

89.5 FM's Island Breeze

Download it HERE

VARIOUS ISLAND SOCA 2009 - AKA OECS PLUS OTHERS

MIXED BY DJ BASS

1. Bomani (SVG) - Do Something (Good Times )
2. Fullclip (SVG) - Wine Girl Wine
3. Tian Winter (ANU) - Baby I
4. Frank White (BIM) - Wine Fuh Me Gal
5. Alison Hinds (BIM)- Gimme De Juk Juk
6. Rupee (BIM) - Standing Up
7. Patrice Roberts (T&T)- Waist Line Roll
8. Peter Ram (BIM) - Real Tight F.Che'Nelle (JA)
9. Lil' Rick (BIM) - One Juk For The Carnival
10. Zan (T&T) - Back Bone
11. Farmer Nappy (T&T) - Go Brave
12. Biggie Irie(BIM) - One More day
13. Farmer Nappy (T&T) & General Grant (T&T)- Looking to Wine
14. Patrice Roberts (T&T) - Wuk It
15. Machel Montano - Slow Wine
16. Krosfyah Ft. Edwin Yearwood - Carnival on my Mind
17. Tian Winter - Gimme a Taste
18. Shurwayne Winchester (T&T) - Murdah
19. Benjai (T&T) - Fun Fun Fun
20. Uncle Sam (USA)- Serves a Purpose
21. Danielle Veira (SVG) - I Wan me Soca
22. Biggie Irie (BIM) - Slow Wine
23. Shyann Bailey (T&T / CAN) - Pure Sweetness
24. Machel Montano (T&T) - Ramajay
25. Statement (BIM) - All Night
26. T.C. (BIM) - Hot Sun & Riddim
27. Gorg (BIM)- Keeps Drinks Coming
28. Mr Dale(BIM) - Come out
29. Luta (SVG) - Shake
30. Fox (BIM) - Staggerah
31. Ziggy Ranking (T&T) - Staggerah
32. Wayne Marshall (JA) - Lumbah
33. Pupa Leendi(GRE) - Same Strength
34. Maddzart (SVG) - Is me Friend
35. Maddzart (SVG) - Let Go Yo Waistline
36. Jamesy P (SVG) - Horna Man
37. Statement (BIM) - Its Carnival
38. Lavaman (GRE) - Dey Do You
39. Skarpyon (SVG) - Want Back Dem Days
40. Pupa Leendi (GRE) - Ft. Lyrikal (T&T) - Get on Bad
41. Lively(SVG) - Condom
42. Berbice (GRE) - Gasoline
43.Fryktion (SVG) ft. Problem Child (SVG), and Parry Jack (SVG) - Yo Woman Buttin Me
44. Pupa Leendi (GRE) - Ovaz
45. Lil Rick (BIM) - Bajan Wuk Ups
46. Lively (SVG) - Mash Up
47. Krosfyah Ft. Edwin Yearwood (BIM) - Socaholics
48. Problem Child (SVG) - Rude N Freaky
49. Luta (SVG) - Water
50. Lil Rick (BIM) - Riding
51. DJ Tarrus (SVG) - Rum in ah me Head
52. Avalance (USVI) - Get A Drink
53. Jamesy P (SVG) - Patriots
54. Problem Child (SVG) - Anything
55. Chow Mein the Black Bajan Chinese Executive Chef (BIM) - The Chinese Connection
56. Salt (BIM) - See Me
57. Luta (SVG) & Jamesy P (SVG) - Bruk she Waist
58. Lavaman (GRE) Ft. Von - More Horn
59. Lil Rick (BIM) - Wuk Pon Top Ah Wuk
60. Pong (BIM) - Wood
61. Stabby (BIM) - Major Stabby Pain
62. Ricky T (SLU) - Like a Jumbie
63. Skinny Fabulous (SVG) - Leggo D Beast
64. Blood (BIM) - Chaos
65. Mikey (BIM) - Riddum Sekshun
66. Krosfyah Ft. Edwin Yearwood (BIM) - In De Middle ah de Road
67. Problem Child (SVG) - Madhouse

You may not be aware that this mix represents a lot more intra-regional cross pollination than one might expect. Many of these artists are based in the US or other locales, and work with producers who wave different flags. Also, the bulk of the songs marked "T&T" were produced by Bajan producers, and released therefore for Crop Over. Working together is becoming the norm, rather than the exception...and THAT...is a very good thing.

You'll notice the selections heavily favour Bajan and Vincy releases. Clearly there are some toppa top Lucia, Antiguan, and Grenadian tunes that could easily find their home on a mix like this...but dudes...this is just ONE mix. All that means, is I'll have to hit you back with another one just now!

In the meantime show some love to the DJ who JUST hooked you up:

MySpace

Twitter

Enjoy!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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The Rounds: Wanna have a baby for Tyrese?

In this edition:
- August 1 is Emancipation Day
- Tortola Emancipation Fest 2009 (Tyrese, Shurwayne Winchester and YOU)
- Barbados Road March Results
- Antigua Road March Results
- Grenada Soca Monarch Results

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Caribana is over, but don’t worry bacchanal posse...the season is far from over. This month, the jump up moves through Barbados, Antigua, Grenada, Edmonton, Hamilton, Hartford, Barrie, and that’s not all!

In Many Caribbean territories, the celebration of Carnival is closely linked to the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. That happened on August 1st, 1834 - that’s one hundred and seventy five years ago.

The 1st day of August or first Monday in August is recognized as Emancipation Day in Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Bermuda. Trinidad and Tobago was actually the first country ever to declare that date a national holiday. And even here in Ontario, our government officially started recognizing it just last year. So if that’s not a good reason to celebrate...YOU tell me what is.

In Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Emancipation Festival 2009 wrapped up this weekend. They had a action packed week complete with j’ouvert, fetes and road parades. Last night the big event was a concert featuring Taurus Riley, Tyrese and Shurwayne Winchester. Fans gave mixed reviews on the event stating the Tyrese was out of place using profane language on stage and actually asking women in the audience if they wanted to have his baby. (um...no comment). Shurwayne and YOU’s performance was A-OK until an audience member decided to wet down the saxophonist during his solo. All’s fair in love and soca, i guess...but the sax man, Alton Bertie is a Tortola native...and I don’t doubt the hometown crowd got their kicks outta keeping him humble.

Nurse Karen with Shurwayne Winchester in Toronto 2008

Monday was Kadooment Day in Barbados. Edwin Yearwood reigns victorious as the 2009 Tune of the Crop Road March Winner for Middle ah de Road. Mikey’s chune “I in dat” was good enough for 2nd place, and Calypso vet RPB came 3rd with Something’s Happening.

Carnival Tuesday in Antigua was a splash of colour and revelry that saw Red Hot Flames capture road march with a ditty called Trade March. Newly crowned Party Monarch Tian Winter came second with Soca Rebel, and Claudette Peters’ Flying Colours took the 3rd spot.

Grenada Posse! Guess who’s wearing the Soca Monarch crown this carnival!?!!? Mr. Killa is back. He left his competition in the dust with this performance of Swing it Away. Defending champions Luni Sparks and Electrify, and Zingo had to settle for a distance second and third.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds, for more juicy details on everything mentioned tonight, check me out online at Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow ME,,,nurse Karen on Twitter, now...back to de Docta.

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The Rounds: Edwin Yearwood shares winnings with Mikey!

Hey All,

Sorry for the delay in getting this to you! With Caribana...and all the resulting fireworks this year, I must admit I have been struggling to stick to my regular schedule. Don't forget to check 'DE LATEST NEWS' for more detail on these items...

In this edition:
- Caribana Band of the Year Results
- Crop Over Pic of de Crop Calypso Monarch
- Crop Over Peoples' Monarch
- Antigua Soca Monarch

Good evening soca lovers I’m Nurse Karen , and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Happy
Caribana weekend 2009! Wow....this is the time of year when sweet soca music takes center stage, and our fair city of Toronto show off the incredible beauty and culture of the Caribbean to the rest of the world. If you’re visiting from out of town. Sure hope you’ve had a chance to experience the exhilarating vibrations that only soca can provide. If you’re not already feeling the vibe...keep listening. Marxman and Dr. Jay are making you wine from 6 to 9.

So first the results from the road. Congratulations to Carnival Nationz on their 2009 Band of the Year title. The presentation of In Full Bloom was absolutely stunning to see. Runner up was Lousi Saldenah Mas K Club with a Tribute to Harold Saldenah. Congrats Dr. Jay...2nd place ain’t so bad. Toronto Revellers took home the 3rd place spot with Brasil, Bacchanal in RIO.

If you didn’t know, Toronto isn’t the only place celebrating carnival right now. Down in beautiful Barbados...it’s all about Crop Over. Red Plastic Bag took hom, yet another Calypso Monarch Crown this weekend. Then this weekend De General Edwin was votes Peoples’ Monarch of Barbados. That is a competition sponsored by a group of radio stations. Listeners get to text in votes for their favourite song and artist of the festival. Edwin’s uptempo...Middle of the road was the clear winner. He beat out his opponent Mikey 82 percent to 18 percent.

None the less, I can vouch that Mikey’s song I in Dat is a very big tune. Edwin thought Mikey deserved to get something too...so get this. He actually offered to give him 10 thousand dollars out of his $25,000 top prize.

Before I head out to continue the carnival action, lemme tell you what happened in Antigua last night. Tian Winter dethroned long time crowd favourite Claudette "CP" Peters in both the Groovy Soca Monarch and Party Monarch categories. So get used to the songs "Baby I" and "Soca Rebel"...and the name Tian Winter. He's on top of his game for 2009, and he's here to stay.

I'm Nurse Karen, and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. For more info on anything mentioned here...check out your best source for reliable soca news, Nurse Karen Etc at www.nurse-karen.com or follow nurse karen on twitter.

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Booster Shot: Trademark is 2009 Antigua Road March

It's the day after Antigua's carnival Tuesday...and as to be expected...I've got some info for you.


ROAD MARCH !!!!!


1. Red Hot Flames - "Trademark" ( Stop the Crying Now) - 37 times
2. Tian Winter - "Soca Rebel" - 17 times
3. Claudette "CP" Peters - "Fly Away"


Congrats to all! Hope you enjoyed a safe and happy Carnival 2009!


Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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On De Scene : Tian Winter Antigua Groovy & Party Monarch 2009

If you watched the live coverage, you saw what Anitgua had to offer. As my first time viewing the competition I must give hats off to a good show , though it was draggged just a little bit.

We witnessed the double win in Barbados by TC this past weekend, and this morning it has spread to Antigua as Tian Winter claims the 2 titles , Groovy and Party Monarch , just as Claudette did in 2008 . I must admit it was my first time seeing Tian on stage and I was impressed , vocally he nailed it and stage presence was there. Tian walks away with 2 cars plus the prize monies in both competitions ! I cant wait to hear Ziggy review on this competition. So to all those who missed in this action here are the 2009 results of :

Antigua Groovy Monarch




1.Tian Winter




2.Joshun Huges




3. Tammy






Antigua Pary Monarch


1. Tian Winter


2. Mervin Sleepy Edwards


3. Samoya




Peace and Soca
Rochelle

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On De Scene : Antigua Groovy and Party Monarch LIVE!

To all of you , who are not in Toronto taking in the Caribana action or in Barbados on the home stretch to Crop Over or even the BVI in carnival celebrations ; tonight Antigua is inviting one and all to view their Groovy and Party Monarch LIVE!

If you in the Caribbean region you can just flick to "Carib Vision" and join in the action on you TV or if you out of the region watch the live streaming online. CLICK HERE!

Competition has began so quick quick join me in this MAS!

Tonight there will be two newly crowned Groovy an Party Monarch as the reigning Monarch Claudette Peters will not be defending her titles. She is actually one of the hosts of this live broadcast , but she is expected to do a guest performance as well as El a Kru and Burning Flames.

I sure hope I can be there in the next few years, nonetheless our Antiguan Correspondent, Ziggy will give us an aftermath of the competition. Tune in and Enjoy guys!

Peace and Soca

Rochelle

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On De Scene: Caribbean Snow Storm Antigua

Party Flavours presented the annual pre-carnival fete Caribbean Snow Storm, more commonly known as White Fete. Even though it was raining heavily, partygoers still came out in their whitest white, which by the end of the night with all the rain and mud was not so white. Miraculously I was able to find parking close to the entrance, and was quite delighted until my shoes and pants was covered in mud.

As usual the venue was fittingly decorated but the pouring rain and mud distracted me and I was unable to enjoy the music or the drinks. However, my displeasure dissapated when El A Kru featuring Tizzy hit the stage and launched into an exciting and energertic set. Singing hits such as 'Expose', 'Bounce' and 'Rocket Launcher', the band fully prepared the crowd for the Carnival season.

Quite a number of partygoers were annoyed by the rain while others could not care less and danced to their hearts content, some even playing in the mud. Hopefully next year the promotors will make the necessary changes, so if it rains as heavily again patrons have sufficient shelter.

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On De Scene: Heelz All Inclusive Pre-Carnival Fete (Antigua)

Myst Mas Troupe presented the newest addition to the all inclusive pre-carnival fetes "Heelz", an event like no other. The food, the music, the ambiance, the location all contributed to a unique experience. And of course the theme saw the ladies come out in their sexiest of heels. Here is what the partygoers had to say -

Andrena: Heelz...was a wonderful experience! The food, the decor, the music and the atmosphere combined truly set a trend for all inclusive parties in Antigua. From the time you walked in u were greeted and treated like VIP, not to mention everyones bands said VIP...simply a reflection of a mystic experience. Heelz started off the carnival events with a bang and i hope to see many more in the coming years...Myst to de worlllddd!!!!

Leslienne : I had so much fun. There was a camera crew waiting at the entrance to interview partygoers, then there was a welcome table where they took your ticket and banded you and you went on further and was greeted by the Heelz girls in pink who gave u your own little party guide card with info on the bars etc ... we danced around the pool to the selections of Antigua's best dj's and managed to cool off in the air conditioned disco room where we jammed the night away. the ultra premium drinks were on point. the food (well tha's another story cus me nuh min get non food! :-( hmmph!) lol but apart from that the overall experience was divine! Yet ANOTHER great production by the myst clan!

kudos to them!

murdah me til hungover.

Kae-Toya: HEELZ has set a benchmark for pre carnival fetes no comparison is there. The decor was great....white fete has atmosphere yes, but not like heelz had atmosphere, there was mingling beside the pool, there was a covered dance floor, and in true myst fashion the air conditioned room which we girls took part in. There was food and I mean fresh sushi, conch water, goat water cooked food, cheese and crackers. and note each food bar had a professional chef manning the station, and the food kept being replentished with fresh arrivals. I like food and u had my fair share esp the Sushi and it was lovely and im still standing. The drinks bars were also set up quite well champagne bar and HEELZ champagne bar was going all night the last time i had free flowing champagne like that was at the Emirates Palace hotel in UAE last summer. Heels would not have been out of place if we had picked it up and transplanted it to any super exclusive location i have visited the Emirates Palace included...... food bars...........all with fresh cuisine

7 alcohol bars...............with premium spirits.............Grey Goose was our vodka of choice...........Moet / Moet rose was our champagne of choice.......Hennessy was the spirit of the night.............and tequila was for when we wanted to party............ALL IN ALL I JUDGE EVENTS BY MY MONEY AND RECESSION OR RECESSION NOT HEELZ CAN GET MY MONEY AS LONG AS THE STANDARD STAYS THE SAME.

How can I forget the eat as you like Austrailian ice cream which Marlon personally lead us to?..............the nescafe coffee stand where u got a free cup with each cup of coffee ( plus the selection of 5 different blends)............the lipton tea stand with 8 different types of tea............the reason myst ppl behave the way they do is because they are spoiled rotten..........it may be wrong but I like it

Trice: HEELZ has defintiely given Antigua's party life a new and very very different and unique flavour! One can appreciate the hard work, effort and creativity of the MYSTICS! I partied till I couldn't party anymore.....I liked the different stalls that offered something different to cater to the needs of everyone. Some may not want to eat heavy...some do..some may not want harsh liquor...some do...some want to cool down...MYST CLUB was air conditioned

The only thing was the pool area...hmm..it was a lovely setting..and while everyone was dancing around the pool i think if there was a dancefloor per say where everyone could come closer together and not be segregated....that would have improved tremendously! it seemed more like a social event everyone doing a lil jig here and there....NU EDITION WAS THE BOMB! as usual!

but yea..other than that....heelz need fa come again...that MYST organizing committee.....2 da world!

Without a doubt Heelz needs to be a permanent fixture in the pre-carnival events with such great feedback.

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Booster Shot: Antigua readying for Party Monarch

Sunday was Party Monarch Semi-Finals it Cedar Grove in Antigua. I've been getting numerous requests for the lists of finalists in the Jumpy and Groovy Categories. I have to admit, I dunno yet. As far as I can tell the names have not been released...as yet.

In the meantime, thought you'd might like to know who the semi-finalists were. Those names came out while I was playing J'ouvert in St. Vincent, so I didn't get the info to you as quick as I should have.

Those that make it through get one shot at dethroning Claudette "CP" Peters.

For now, your 2009 Antigua Party Monarch Semi-Finalists

Jumpy Category 1. 3 Pac Banton 2. Blade 3. Byke 4. Da Rock 5. King Danskie 6. King Sonic 7. Lev 8. Lil Pimp 9. Lord Satalyte 10. Melli B 11. Niah 12. Nina Nyce 13. Omar 14. Promise 15. Pump Stan 16. Queen Elizabrat 17. Samoya 18. Shambac 19. Shani 20. Sleepy 21. Soca Chawa 22. Supa Mario 23. Tian Winter 24. Yoko

Groovy Category 1. 3 Pac Banton 2. Blade 3. Butcha 4. Byke 5. Chello 6. De Panman 7. Fucha Kid 8. Jashan 9. Kay B 10. King Danskie 11. Kiyode Erasto 12. Lion King 13. Lyrical Reds 14. Niah 15. Ninety 16. Omar 17. Pump Stan 18. Queen Elizabrat 19. Samoya 20. Shani 21. Sister Virtue 22. Supa Mario 23. Tammy 24. Tian Winter

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Booster Shot: Antigua Carnival 2009 Schedule

Now that new Antiguan music releases are flowing like water, the organizers of Antigua Carnival are giving us a little something to work with! Check out the schedule below for everything from Queen of Carnival to Panorama, Calypso Monarch and Party Monarch

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Eye Unit: Watch Antigua Carnival Live!

eing away from home at Carnival time can be a real bummer.  But, it really doesn't have to be! Now, the internet makes it possible to attend numerous festivals at once.  Last year, I had started to make plans to be in Antigua for Carnival 2009.  However, my duties in Toronto will have me lapping up every moment of Caribana instead. 

Found a link to the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service.  If you're like me, wishing you could be in Antigua.  Now, at the very least, you can watch all the action online.

Bookmark this page, and tune in throughout the season for coverage of the road parades, soca and calypso monarch shows from Barbuda Caribana and Antigua Carnival.

(if you surf on in when nothing's going on, enjoy Y&R or some of your other favourite shows!)

Love and Soca, 

Nurse Karen

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The Rounds: Big Baby Announcement!

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. This is a big news week.  So listen to my every word, you don’t want to miss a very big announcement coming at the end.  

The drama continues after The Caribbean Prestige foundation staged their prize giving ceremony in Port of Spain last week Friday.  Triple crown carnival star Fay Ann Lyons and her husband, Bunji Garlin, still haven’t receive prize money for their 1^st and 2^nd place finishes at the International Soca Monarch competition, held in February.  Instead, they got all dressed up to bring home letters, saying the cash and prizes were withheld because they didn’t to sign contracts before the show.   So it’s their fault, right?  Wrong!  According to management, the Soca couple didn’t get even get contracts to sign until after the competition... and when they did, the paperwork in question enforced a mandatory donation be made to the Foundation.  That’s like buying a roti, and you not allowed to eat it unless you give back  a piece of goat to de cook.  Steups...I wouldn’t sign that either.  So many artists are kinda vex with the situation, although some did sign the contracts to get 95% of their appearance fee.  Others signed NADA, and still got paid the taxed amount.  Can you say unprofessional?

There is one soca monarch competitor, who’s actually smiling after news they received from the Caribbean Prestige Foundation.  St. Vincent’s Skinny Fabulous got a call to tell him that he was awarded the honour of “Best Stage Presentation”, for his space age rendition of Head Bad (On the Spot).  If you didn’t see it, Skinny filled the stage with an army of Jedi space men, dressed in white...and appeared in a flying saucer....well, it wasn't FLYING! But it WAS a pretty spaceship, hand built and welded mas, covered in shear silver fabric.  The original concept earned him a trophy.  Cash...mussee hard to come by these days.

Benjai, who placed 3^rd in the Groovy Soca Monarch turned 33 last Sunday.  To celebrate, he partied it up at the 601 Liquid Lounge in San Fernando Trinidad.  He even treated the audience with a special live performance.

As I move away from all things to do with Soca Monarch, Antiguan artist Pince of Fame is making a temporary move away from Soca.  He released dancehall track yesterday called “Sweet to the heart, bitter to the belly”.  It’s on the Don Official label distributed by VP records. Prince of Fame rose to popularity last Summer with The Times Table song, for Antigua Carnival.  But no fear, there will be soca music on his upcoming album, due out in June.

Last but not least!  Just 4 weeks and one day after the birth of Bunji and Fay Ann’s beautiful baby girl...I finally get to tell you what her name is.  I spoke to the proud parents this morning, and got their blessing just for you. Ready?  Announcing Syri Lyons Alvarez, that’s S-Y-R-I, Lyons is the middle name, and well...you get it.  Congrats again to the new parents, hope allyuh get your money. 

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds.  For more soca news, check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog at Mustard Seeds dot net. And scoop up the podcast at Soca Therapy dot com slash the rounds.

Help the campaign to Bring Soca to MySpace.  Soca Now!

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The Rounds: Kevin Lyttle mourns the loss of his beloved mother

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.

Antigua and Barbuda has a brand new International Music Festival coming June 12 -15. It’s called Romantic Rhythms and it features the likes of Keyshia Cole, Brian McKnight and Kenny Rogers! Shaggy and Maxi Priest will be showing love reggae-style, and in the soca arena, Miss Destra Garcia and Atlantik will balance out the Caribbean vibes. Here's a shot of me with the guys from Atlantik. We were liming at Glow in St. Vincent. You'll notice they aren't wearing the right colour!

If you draw a straight line going east from the Caribbean, you’ll eventually hit the gold coast of Africa. There you’ll find a group called 5Five that’s making a lot of buzz with their song African Gurlz. The local music in Ghana consists of two infectious styles called Highlife and Hiplife. They aren’t all that different from popular Caribbean sounds, because those very African Rhythms are the foundation of OUR modern music. The 5Five hit is a foray into the genre of soca music, and this week the duo is ecstatic to be nominated for FIVE 2008 Ghana Music Awards. We wish them good luck, whether they win Discovery of the Year, Hiplife Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Song of the Year, OR Hiplife Album of the Year – Any win is a big forward for Soca Music internationally. And I support dat!

I was fortunate to travel to Africa for the first time last Spring. I was in Ghana during the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of independence from British rule. Here's a picture of me at the Cape Coast slave castle. That was a very emotional day.

The Summer Olympics will be taking place in Beijing this year(if the boycotts are unsuccessful), and today the torch made its circuit through London England. The Royal city made sure the relay acknowledged every element that makes it a world class destination. One of those elements is the annual Notting Hill Carnival. When the torch made its way to Ladbroke Grove at 10 o’clock this morning, a mini-carnival was waiting there for it. That’s the area where Europe’s largest outdoor festival takes place every August. For FOUR hours, Londoners reveled in Caribbean food and music as they looked ahead to the Olympic games.

And this is me, playing mas at the REAL Notting Hill Carnival...

Happy belated birthday greetings go out to a couple of top Caribbean musicians! Kees’s big brother Jon Dieffenthaller turned 29 on Monday. He’s the guitarist from Kes the Band. Over in St. Vincent, Alex “Kubiyashi” Barnwell, was ringing in his Champagne birthday on the very same day. He burst on the scene in 2005, with the Lava Slide Riddim, A production that featured tracks by soca artistes from six different countries. But you probably know him best as the producer of Zoelah’s smash hit Go Down Low.

Last Summer, Kubiyashi was hanging in Toronto for Caribana. Here we are at CIUT 89.5 FM. Kubi's being interviewed on the World Wide Wake Up Show by Jester and Chief.



Lastly, the entire Soca Therapy family wishes to express our deepest sympathy to Kevin Lyttle and his family in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and abroad on the passing of his mother earlier in the week. The mother and son shared a unique bond…and she will definitely be missed. Here's a shot I snapped of Kevin in happier days. He had just performed at Maddzart's Wild Out in Wred party in SVG in 2006.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send me your comments online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot mustardseeds dot net. And don’t forget to download the podcast. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - August 12, 2007

August 12, 2007
Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Everytime time Caribana finish, I feel as though summer nearly done. Once my skin get bun up from playing mas, I figure it’s time to roll over and await the inevitable cold season. Well, not so on the sunny shores of the Caribbean. De hottest time of the year, NOW start!
Monday was the Grand Kadooment in Barbados, the final climax on the Crop Over calendar. Mas players were a little upset that the big parade was soaked with rain, but they made the most of it anyway. The soppy weather slowed down the pace from a jump to a chip, and Mr. Dale went home as road march king for Soka Junkie.
Over in Antigua Lord Satalyte made up for his second place finish at soca monarch...by leaving all competition in his dust come Carnival Tuesday. Antigua’s new road march is a chune called OK Papi. It’s one them songs nobody knows the right words for, but they love it bad!
For all the carnivals this year, we got to enjoy seeing a few new faces in the limelight. Seems like the people have spoken and it’s time for something new. Down at Spice mas they tried something new LAST week, when they held the first ever Village soca monarch competition. Ten soca artists were selected to represent their home towns, competing for soca supremacy. The inaugural Village Soca King is Lavaman with his smash hit Ah Cyah Hear. He beat out Tallpree’s “Trees” and Berbice with “Traffic”.
Gouyave posse, I hate to say it, but you weren’t placing in the village show, and the luck wasn’t THAT much better on the national stage. Mr. Killa has been officially dethroned of both his soca monarch titles. At the Groovy competition, Wednesday , Killa had to give his crown to last year’s Calypso King, Finley “Scholar” Jeffrey. Landing himself with a measely 8th place finish for his country-style soca tune, Rider.
This weekend, insult was added to injury as Killa had to settle for third place in Power Soca behind Luni Sparks and Eliectrify and Inspector.
Up here in Ontario, some of us continued to jump up at Hamilton Caribbean carnival yesterday. Glue guns and safety pins gave last week’s Caribana mas a last hurrah in the sunlight. If your feet, still have a little bounce left next weekend…head over to Ottawa for the grand finale of Caribe-Expo…The parade is on Saturday, just be sure and dry clean yuh costume!
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - July 22, 2007

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Sunday July 22, 2007
Karen Richardson

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been here to tell you what’s new in the soca world…and I’ve missed allyuh so much.
I was down in St. Vincent for the 30th anniversary celebrations of Vincy Mas…and let me tell you...THAT WAS BACCHANAL. If you haven’t heard yet, Fireman Hooper is once again the soca monarch with a song called Charge. You should have seen him running up and down the stage dressed like a wizard, waving his magic wand. The whole crowd was spellbound...and so were the judges. Ranking him first overall for the third year in a row and the 6th time in his career. Second place went to Lively for “We Drinking”. I wanted Dr. Jay to fully appreciate the IMPORT of a song about mixing all of the local liquors together for a special carnival brew. So, I had every intention of bringing back a few of bottles for the soca prince to try….but unfortunately, by the time I had left St. Vincent the duty free shop at the airport was clean out of rum. Not a drop ANYWHERE!!!! Maybe that would tell you what kinda fun people had in the fetes. So I guess he’ll just have to get down there NEXT year to try it for himself. Miss Zoelah, is real excited about her upcoming show at KOS j’ouvert, especially now that she’s 2nd runner up for Soca Monarch of SVG.
For all you PROBLEM CHILD fans out there. Everybody get MAD…because this year HE is the ROAD MARCH KING. The tune is called Party Animal…and while a lot of people were unhappy that a song that heavily samples Kassav’s Zouk –LA took top prize for road -- There’s no disputing the fact that NO CHUNE was more popular.

Special Big Up to Jamesy P for hoisting me onto his J’ouvert truck. Seeing all of Kingstown wild and dutty in the early morning sun is a memory I will never forget. For these and other tales of mas and fun in the July sun, check Toronto-Lime this week for Nurse Karen’s Vincy Mas diary.
Last week the action jumped one island north to St. Lucia. Teddyson John took the crown for groovy soca monarch. And just as predicted, Ricky T’s Pressure Boom WALKED away with road march, playing two and a half times more often than the next tune: Blah Blah, by Kakal. But second place isn’t a bad finish for the newly crowned Power Soca Monarch if you ask me.
By all reports, this year’s Caribbean Soca Monarch Show was a big disappointment.

Congratulations, none the less, to St. Lucia’s own Ninja Dan for taking the crown. The organizers might want to look into the reasons why 4 of the twelve international competitors pulled out at the last minute. I’m no genius, but if I was an artist, I’d have issues if I found out that radio stations were actually PROHIBITED from playing MY foreign song until two days before the competition. That makes it virtually impossible to score big points for crowd support. I doh know…I’m just saying…
With Cropover and Caribana and Antigua Carnival just two weeks away, you can count on de nurse, to give you just what you need.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Text me your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - July 1, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Today our great nation of Canada is celebrating one hundred forty years of togetherness...and being a Canadian of Caribbean heritage, that is something I can real celebrate. Here in Toronto, we have the best of the best…living side by side with all the cultures of the world. And we, de people of de Caribbean bring the beauty of our traditions and beautiful music to audiences that otherwise woulda neva know just how sweet it is!
And when you talk about sweetness the first thing that comes to your mind if you know anything about anything, is Soca Therapy’s own “Soca Sweetness” On Friday, music was flowing like golden honey up at de Ramada hotel in a sticky, but sweet celebration of ten years in de business. Congrats ba-by!
The togetherness vibes are building in St. Vincent as the whole country prepares for MY arrival. Well not so, but they celebrating 30 years of July Carnival over the next week…and I jumping on de next flight. Last night, Machel Montano closed out de fete at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex…where the talk of the night was Problem Child’s new tune “Party Animal”. The crowd was chanting “Oooo Oooo” all morning …and Machel joked that he might “quote-unquote” “borrow de idea” and take the tune to number 1. Well, they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery…but if yuh ask me, begging for a next lawsuit is the greatest form of dotishness. Over so, in Montreal, Carifiesta is back next weekend. If you need a little warm-up wine for caribana it go be nice.
St. Lucia is next up, as Ricky T’s “Pressure Boom” gets some added adrenalin thanks to a remix that features none other than Mister Vegas.
Another Lucian to watch is Q-pid…and is not just because she have a stomach like a six pack of Carib! The 27-year-old singer has four chart climbing singles this season including Tremors, which came about as an extempo freestyle on a riddim, Fire Waist, Outta Time Whine, and MAD…Again.
In the last 3 years the amount of soca songs that came out with “Mad” in the title is enough to make you wonder if insanity is ah part o we culture too. Over in gorgeous Barbados the decision makers at the CBC are giving me reason to confirm my speculations. If you were listening last week, you heard me mention a new tune called “Blaze it Up” by Jabae featuring Trinidad’s Mr. Vybe. Well, the brand new tune just got banned from the airwaves in Barbados due to questionable lyrical content. Well, if you’re asking the question…the problematic lyrics were “Sparkin’ Up de Flames”, but to many ears it sounds like sumting the good people at FLOW would prefer me not to repeat.
So we go leaved dat one alone as we look forward to finishing of this “weekend of togetherness” in style. Then we celebrate de soca way…is news from everything you heard today plus the latest from Soca 4 Summer, Caribana, Antigua, Grenada, Notting Hill and Brooklyn…so stay tuned.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s rounds for Canada Day 2007. Please text your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now back to de Docta.

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The Rounds - April 1, 2007

April 1, 2007
Dr. Jay’s Rounds
By “Nurse Karen”
Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. We’ve entered Spring and I’m actually starting to believe it.
As Easter rolls around, Jamaica is gearing up for carnival again. Last Saturday, Bacchanal Jamaica founder Byron Lee got the people of Clarendon in the mood at the Supreme Venture Carnival Blowout. The night featured covers of soca songs by Biggie Irie and Alison Hinds, plus the popular annual Tiney Winey competition.
St. Lucia is ushering in the new season by coaxing the big tourist money. There’s a new star studded celebrity event at the Rodney Bay Village Music bash, April 23 to April 25th. The inaugural festival will feature Destra, David Rudder, Beres Hammond, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest and Shaggy. With tickets set at $60 US, it’s obvious that they prefer foreign money to the local kind. For Lucians wanting to check out their favourite artistes, $160 EC is not much of a welcome mat…if you know what I’m saying.
The next big North American street party happens in Atlanta next month. DJ Tony Tempo tells me he will be bringing a mas band this year, which is guaranteed to encourage more participation from the youth. So, if you want to join the action, the parade of the bands takes place on May 26th.
T and T police are out to capture the true pirates of the Caribbean. Perhaps you know of them, you know the kind of people who try to get rich selling things that don’t belong to them in the first place. I have to hand it to the copyright organization of Trinidad and Tobago. Last week they nabbed a couple of street entrepreneurs who were selling bootleg soca CDs for which they don’t own the license. If you’ve ever traveled to the West Indies…or Brooklyn for that matter, you know how much of a problem that is. These guys selling bootlegs on street corners with no shame….and you have to remember, soca music is still an emerging industry. The artists have a short window to win the ears of fans during the carnival season and once it’s done, marketing and promotion is often done at a grass roots level. While I think the fine ought to be much higher then $3000 TT ( about $700 Canadian), I’m happy the cops are finally teaching a them a lesson. Since February of this year they’ve made more than ten arrests. The only people who should be making money off the sale of the music…are the people who are making the music.
In Antigua, spirits were low this week as West Indies fans witnessed their team tek some serious licks from Australia. A rain cancellation pushed the date back one day, which led to lower attendance. Some would say the only highlight of Wednesday’s game was a lunchtime performance by El a Kru. When tizzy hit the stage singing Expose, the crowd got together to jump and wave…which really couldn’t save the team anyway.
And according to Marxman Sri Lanka done knock de West Indies back to 1957. This week I asked Dr. Jay to run a little cricket set to encourage these guys to step it up… I thought I’d better ask the kingdom of soca to give our boys a little inspiration…but inspiration could never substitute for runs….i think I going and cry.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. jay’s Rounds. Send your comments to soca a Flow 935 dot com. Now back to the doctor!

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The Rounds: Antigua Hosts Twilight Soca Awards

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Karen Richardson
January 8, 2006
429

Good Evening Soca lovers. I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
One week into the new year and it looks to me like everbody’s got a resolution. Some want to lose weight, some want to make big money and some just want to try out something new.

In Antigua, they tried their hand at their first annual Twilight Soca Awards Show just last night. Awards were presented in ten categories and the cast of performers included heavy hitters like Waskey Banton, Kenny Blessin, Blade and former Soca Monarch Wanski. Wish I could been there. Sounds like a ball. But wait….it was a ball. A New Year’s Celebrity Ball that is! If you think performances and awards make for a night of fun…you should learn how to celebrate Antiguan style. Once the last of the soca trophies was handed out, the focus shifted to class and celebrity style with recognition for everything from The Best Dressed Diva to the best matching couple to the Best Pimp Suit. Oh gosh!

In Guyana and Trinidad is money dem making for 2006. Preparations are underway for Guyana’s Carib Soca Monarch competition. This year’s winner will walk away with 550 000 guyanese dollars. (you could buy about twenty pine tarts wid dat!)

In T&T Chutney Soca Monarch is just beginning to warm up. The preliminary round hits the stage on January 21st. The final winner won’t be declared till February…but till then the top chutney artistes will perfect those indo-caribbean rhythms to the tune of $275 000 TT. Dat tune soungdin real nice dey dread.

As for who and who losing weight? I think all of us could stand to shed a few pounds after the kinda holidays I just went through. Don’t worry soca people. De good Doctor Jay promises to keep us wining our waists till they slim and fit before he heads off to Carnival in Trinidad. The annual Doh Cry Ah Leavin’ Fete in going down at the Kool Haus on February 11. Rumour has it the tickets go on sale just now. Make sure you buy one. Your waistline with thank you.
Those are Dr. Jay’s Rounds, I’m Nurse Karen.

Send your comments to Soca at FLOW 935 DOT COM. Ah gone.
Now back to de Docta

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