On De Scene : Amy Winehouse said to jump St.Lucia Carnival?

Ricky T made note of this British singer in "Like a Jumbie" singing "If you come to get on mad like Amy Winehouse in Jazz just push dem down push dem down" which flavored de song with some humour . However, I personally did not expect this ,which has been the lastest gossip in the Carnival circles. Amy Winehouse , who has been enjoying the island for the past few months; has indicated interest in joining de Carnival celebration which is indeed embracing the island's culture. I read this interesting article on this little gossip and I thought I share with you.

Band offers Amy Winehouse free costume ?

Is there anything such as “too outrageous” when it comes to antics on our carnival route? And what type of behaviour would carnival bandleaders fear from the not so polished British pop star Amy Winehouse who has, according to sources close to her, expressed a desire to hit the carnival road for St Lucia carnival? Word is that
Winehouse has already made contact with a local carnival band, against the wishes of her father.Top carnival bands on the island like Red Unlimited and Just 4 Fun have indicated that there is room for the British star in their bands-—once Winehouse is willing to comply with the rules and regulations of their bands.Both bands are expected to be over 1000 revelers strong this year and Red Unlimited’s band leader Thaddeus Antoine said he was willing to offer a free costume to the British celebrity to be part of his band while Andy Delmar,
band leader for Just 4 Fun told the STAR that once in Just 4 Fun, Winehouse would receive special treatment, but would “still have to pay for her costume!”“I think carnival is open to everyone, we encourage foreigners to jump,” said Delmar. “There’s space in our band, we just launched another VIP section last week, Gucci.Comments from Red’s band leader were similar.“We don’t discriminate, there is room for Amy, and there is room for all. Amy would be added publicity for the band. We don’t take into account drinking or drug use when letting people into band, you just have to abide by the rules on the road.Amy is very welcome, in fact we have a free costume for her, she just has
to say when!”It may not just be abiding by regulation that has to be considered when it comes to Winehouse who has been hospitalized at least four times according to reports, because of “dehydration” and “fatigue” while on an “extended vacation” in St Lucia. There is no way to tell whether the frail looking Winehouse, would be able to cover the entire extended carnival route.It does seem, however, that Winehouse is attempting to connect with local events ...

Source: http://stluciastar.com/content/

What band should she play in ? Whichever one she decides, if she does ,I know she will become addicted to Carnival. So all other Mas from Caribana to Nottinghill right back to the Caribbean , look out a Carnival Junkie in the making!

Peace and Soca

Rochelle

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Artist's View : Just 4 Fun Cooler Lime 2009 (St.Lucia)

Last night Just for Fun Carnival Band hosted one of de biggest Carnival Limes so far : Cooler Lime. I was not able to attend de lime but one of the artists who performed gave me a 360 of what went on , and from other reviews hear he was one of those who stole the show getting an encore from de crowd! So I will introduce you to Orion who is a relatively new artist on de scene and slowly but surely making an impact.

Yea I thought that the show was great , the promoter did a good job of starting
de show when the crowd got big that really helped artist such as me a lot . The
coolers were mad lol I saw a coffin cooler lol that was funny yet scary , fellas
brought kiddy pools as coolers lol garbage bins as coolers some fellas even cut
a water tanks in half and use it as a cooler . The show started off well with
some Tempest artists such as: Arthur, Equal with a guest performance by Rocshun
. The band for the night was de Matrix Band and I was the forth performer to hit
the stage. I sang after Twop Chance who had a good performance also he got
encored a couple times . I sang my new song “Bring De Iron Back” , I got a nice
introduction from the M.C, the man himself Pringles aka Superman , when had the
mic in hand I shouted out by people in the crowd , Shout Box Crew , All The
Cooler Lime Massive . I knew for most people it was the first time hearing my
song so I knew I had to bring it . When I got on stage and started doing my
thing I felt right at home and just had fun , I knew people like the sound
of iron ringing so I played with that a lot in my set and they enjoyed it , I
ended by saying “Jouvert Morning When I Coming Down With My Big Long Iron In Me
Pants I Will Be Jooking” and the crowd went crazy lol , I got my first encore after that then I left the stage again I got encored again at that
time I was tired so I asked for a drink in the crowd I got a piton took a sip
while still on stage and dropped a freestyle and the crowd went crazy again I
left the stage and got called back by my boy Pringles we did a jump and wave
together but I was tired then I left he kept calling me back but I was too tired
lol . All In all I enjoyed every minute of it the crowd showed me love big up!
Kakal was after me he closed the first half off he sang his song from last yr
“Party mash-upers” and he his new song “Bois” then after him was intermission Dj
Shane came on and mash up the place wit some ole skool soca the crowd loved that
the rest rooms were filled at that point cause cooler fete nuff drinks drinking
lol . Pringles sang part of his song to open the second half , Q-pid blazed the
place with her song “Release Me Pressure” people were sending water all over the
place , Platinum George aka the funny man lol had the whole place “Funny Funny
Funny “ he sang Busy Signals Remake Of On the
“Night Shift” to a lucky lady . Ricky T as expected did his thing and he gave de crowd a teaser which maybe be released and Ilah Man closed the show “I
Want My Money Back” one of the favorite for the year destroyed the
place.

Orion (www.twitter.com/orionslu)

I vex, serves me right for missing de Lime! Hats off to Just for Fun Carnival Band for fusing de Carnival Hype!



Peace and Soca


Rochelle

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On De Scene : Just for Fun Launches Two FINAL Sections!

Such a sad day in the World of Soca with the passing of one of the most influential names in the industry , Mr Sheldon Benjamin. However on a lighter note one of St.Lucia's Biggest bands Just for Fun has come through for all their potential revelers!

With most bands closing off with registration , Just for Fun being one of the first bands to launch with 7 sections has today unveiled two of their final sections "Gucci" and "Chanel" to close off their potrayal of their 2009 theme Scentation.

Now , here is the scope , Band Leader informed me that due to the increasing number of potential revelers wanting to join their band they resorted to open a final section Gucci which was actually one of the stretches of their tentative 2010 costume. However they had to adjust it to fit their 2009 theme.

Chanel which is the long anticipated "V.I.P" section which was SOLD OUT before today's unveiling. Yes, I eh lieing here cause gosh I wanted to try de V.I.P section . The Band invited their last year V.I.P. revelers to join and most of them accepted leaving the section SOLD OUT!Last Year I hear de treatment is nothing like what you would expect on de road. The Band Leader confirmed all "de hear say" . Ahead of Carnival the V.I.P. revelers make their request of what they need on de road and the band delivers on that as well as home delivery of costumes. On de road the V.I.P. revelers are served with premium drinks and this thing bout you going to look for drinks and food not at all, de drinks and food come to you . Yes I talking waiter service on de road , moving air conditioned vehicle and having the most privileges in de band. Lawd I eh lieing I jealous and that isnt even half of de peaks !

Ah think I should stop with all this talking and show you the final 2 sections :

Just For Fun V.I.P. Section :




So if you have not registered for a band 41 days ahead of Carnival then log onto http://www.just4funcarnival.com/ and embody de scent of Gucci with Just for Fun.



Peace and Soca

Rochelle


R.I.P. Sheldon Benejamin

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On De Scene: Band Songs becoming part of St.Lucia Carnival Culture?

Last year it was interesting to see at least 4 Carnival Bands released soca songs about their bands. And many may consider that too few to even mention, but I can assure you band songs created this impact other songs could not drive out of the reveler.

Revelers on de Road for 2008 (compliments torontolime.com)

The band songs instill a sort of pride and just make the reveler “get on bad” by de beat. It is almost like you are summoned to misbehave. I can attest to that!
Ah mean what is better than you on de road and you hear a song that is all about your band instructing you to get on and adding to your notion that de band you jumping in is de best? Well nothing can be sweeter than that!

So I thought it would be sweet if I shared with you the 5 band songs which have started this craze. 2k9 might see the remixing of last year's tracks and the addition of new bands songs. I will keep you guys posted on all band songs for Carnival 2009.



Here is the playlist of the Band Songs, Enjoy!


Just for Fun – Kerian Piper & Pringles a.k.a Superman
Toxik – Ricky T
Mas Action Chant – Marie Anne & Q- Pid
Red International – DJ Iwa

2008 St. Lucia Mas Band Songs


Which one you real lovin' ?

Peace & Soca ,
Rochelle

rochelle.noel@hotmail.com

www.twitter.com/rochellenoel

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On De Scene : Just For Fun Carnival Band Launch

Saturday April 25th, 2009 , Just for Fun Carnival Band opened the gate for Carnival as they were the first band to launch their costumes to their loyal and potential revelers. The atmosphere was everything carnival as the DJ kept the crowd waistlines moving to soca all night. The band models came on to debut their theme SCENTSATION “The Aroma of Life”. Party goers were in whispers as each of the seven sections made their way on stage.

I had the humble opportunity of getting the photo shoot photos which appears on their website to give you a little idea of what Just for Fun is portraying this year, courtesy Veil Tobbierre (band leader).

Here is a peak of three out of the seven sections ready to hit the road for Carnival 2009

Romance

Euphoria CKBE

Last Year Just for Fun hit the road with approximately 1000 revelers and were sold out within weeks of their Launch and the anticipation of them doing a repeat of a sold out band is there!

They have catered to you whether you near or far with their online payment (via their website)so, you aint got any excuse for not securing a costume in time.

Now it is your turn to log onto http://www.just4funcarnival.com/ to see the handful of costumes and if this band has enticed you to experience their version of Carnival, then ah suggest you pay your costume now before you miss this SCENTSATION!

Peace and Soca
Rochelle

P.S. men doh threat yuh know it aint an all female band, I just posted de female costumes because ah know women are more particular about what they wearing . According to Bunji in his Plenty Gyal track " what de sense of going to a dance if de dance it ain't got no ladies " now yuh understand!

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On De Scene: Updates on Upcoming St.Lucia Carnival Season

April has begun and the race to 2kwine is on in St.Lucia as most bands are set to launch within the next four weeks ahead of the official opening of Carnival. As to which band offers the best package that is something I will leave for you to judge, here I will give the links to the bands who are already LIVE. There you can view pictures and videos from their prior years and see what band suits you!

So here you go :

http://www.just4funcarnival.com/
http://www.redinternational.net/
http://www.fantasycarnival.com/
(When the other bands websites launch I will ensure you get all de links)

Over the weekend Nurse Karen paid respect to Shane Larcher for giving his web audience a direct link to this blog. So I will in return tell you a little about his website and what he hopes to accomplish with it.

Years ago, searching for news on St.Lucia carnival would be an almost impossible task which ultimately affected our Mas significantly. Shane Larcher decided to launch his website http://www.slucarnival.com/ to give persons a direct link to what happening in St.Lucia for carnival : from de limes , de fetes , de events , de MUSIC and of course de Mas. This website has combined forces with most Band owners and promoters to give everyone near and far a clear idea of SLU Carnival 2009.

As de season heats up, be sure to keep in the know about what music making a real bachannal in St.Lucia with Nurse Karen.

P.S. Seem like everyone on Twitter now, so if you want to follow me add me at www.twitter.com/rochellenoel or if ya wanna chat more on St.Lucia Carnival and Music add me rochelle.noel@hotmail.com

Till next time guys
Peace
Rochelle

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On de Scene: St.Lucia Carnival 2009 Already Creating a Buzz!!

With Trinidad Carnival just closing off , St.Lucia is already gearing up for one of the best carnival season's yet, come July 15th to 21st . I know, we ONLY in March and the buzz has began.

Bands such as Just 4 Fun ( which is one of the top party bands on the island) has already announced their theme and open registration for repeat revelers, with no costume display out yet ! But certainly those revelers know, when costumes are unveiled the band will close in a matter of days; so of course the talk has began and no carnival junkie wanna miss out on this!

Also newly reformed band ROYALTIES XTREME have teased St.Lucians with the display of one of their potential costumes in a press release today in the YO magazine! Their theme this year is "Africa Our Soul" and the teaser was depicting everything the theme incorporates.And Yes ,I will make you be the judge as well...

Royalties Xtreme for Carnival 2009

In terms of music, there are expected to be early releases beginning this month on local radio stations in St.Lucia ,as well as famous international websites. As to which artist to look out for or which riddim you have to get as a ringtone and what collaboration is the best ; well you have to stay tuned and watch it all unfold here or make a trip to St.Lucia for another Simply Beautiful Mas!

I certainly am excited and anticipating a great Carnival season and as for Nurse Karen and Her Toronto Posse , hope ya ticket booked for St.Lucia Mas 2k9!

Peace
Rochelle

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