Greetings,
Just a quick note to let you know that we are now accepting deposits to secure your 2009 SumFest Travel Package!
All deposits received before March 1, 2009 will receive a complimentary shopping trip on the infamous "Hip Strip" in Montego Bay as well as become eligible for a chance to experience some of Jamaica's most popular excursions for two.
The winner(s) may choice either:
NEGRIL ALL DAY BEACHTOUR
Travel west along the beautiful North Coast to the village of Negril, where time stands still and relaxation becomes a way of life.
Long known for its laid back atmosphere and its 7-mile stretch of sparkling, pristine white sand beach, Negril invites you to discover her charm and excitement.
First stop is Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Participate in Scuba diving, Parasailing, Snorkeling, Glass bottom boat, Banana boat, Jet ski, or explore seven miles of uninterrupted white sand beach, pick a spot to savor the sun and cast away your inhibitions.
Next stop is Rick's Café, where you will have the opportunity to watch as the locals dive from the 50ft cliffs.
From Rick's Cafe, you will be taken to the Times Square Mall for a little duty free shopping before returning to your ship/resort.
OR
DUNN'SRIVER FALLSTOUR
Your journey begins with a leisurely ride along Jamaica's scenic and picturesque North Coast to Ocho Rios, where you visit Jamaica's world famous Dunn's River Falls; a cascading waterfall which flows into the Caribbean sea. You will have the opportunity to climb the 600' waterfall and bask in its refreshing natural pools or sunbath on the nearby beach. On your journey back, your tour guide will make shopping/sightseeing stops.
All bookings paid in full before March 1, 2009 are eligible for a chance to win an experience of Jamaica's most popular excursions for two to . The winner(s) may choice either:
OUTAMENI EXPERIENCE
The "Outameni Experience"is a unique blend of music, art, dance, drama, film and cuisine providing a holistic cultural experience evolving over a 90-minute stage journey set on five acres of land. Located Coopers Pen Trelawney on Orange Grove Estate Great House, a 30 min drive away from Montego Bay.
OR
KINGSTON DAY TRIP FEATURING BOB MARLEY MUSEUM
Discover Jamaica's capital, Kingston, on a day trip from Ocho Rios. You'll enjoy an informative guided tour of the city and visit the famous Bob Marley Museum, highlighting the lasting musical legacy of the late great reggae master.
The tour takes you through the Beverly Hills of Jamaica, with views of the properties belonging to affluent Jamaicans along the hillside. Next, it's on to the University of the West Indies, Mona, the first of three campuses established in 1948 to meet the educational needs of the Caribbean.
Then, what better time and place to enjoy the history of reggae than at the great Bob Marley Museum. The museum is housed in the former home of the late Robert Nesta Marley. You'll see educational and entertaining displays tracking the life and accomplishments of the world-renowned reggae superstar.
Your final stop is Devon House, known as Millionaire's Corner during the boom of the 19th century. Here, you'll have the opportunity to buy lunch at the grog shop, explore the historic mansion, drop into the ice-cream parlor, other restaurants and craft shops and visit the African museum before returning to Ocho Rios.
Don't miss out on your chance to experience these great treasures of Jamaica! Submit your deposit(s) today!
Ashlie Randolph
Travel Concierge
Ebony Excursions
www.myspace.com/ebonyexcursions
P: 702-461-1621
F: 702-399-1507
(SEE EBONY EXCURSIONS AD IN THE SIDE COLUMN FOR MORE INFO ON REGGAE SUMFEST)
Some of the favourites expected to move on to the final in the Groovy competition are Edwin Yearwood, Peter Ram, Shal Marshall, Patch, Zan, Zoelah and Tizzy. In the power category, Berbice, Blaxx, Olatunji Yearwood and Shurwayne Winchester are likely to get the nod. Competing in both categories (Power & Groovy) Faye-Ann Lyons is expected to yet again be a crowd mover, along with Iwer ‘De Boss’ George, Nadia Batson and HD’s Patrice Roberts.
2008 winners Shurwayne Winchester (Groovy) and Bunji Garlin (Power) receive automatic berths in the final of course; and will be joined by international artists, Ricky T (2008 St. Lucia Soca Monarch) and Skinny Fabulous (2008 St Vincent Soca Monarch).
The Semi-Final competition takes place at the Arima Velodrome on Sunday 8th February at 4pm. Fantasic Friday (Soca Monarch Final) takes place on Friday February 20th at a venue still to be announced.
A list of semi-finalists is below. For more information about the competition and to find out how you can watch the finals live, go to www.SocaMonarch.net.
GROOVY Semi-Finalists:
Alicia Lee
Ansel Joseph
Benjai
Biggie Irie
Blaxx
C' Donia
Cassi
Chucky
Edwin Yearwood
Erphaan Alvesx
Esther Dyer
Farmer Nappy
Faye-Ann Lyons
Fireball
Gary Jackson
Hunter
Iwer George
Kerwin Du Bois
Nadia Batson
Patch
Patrice Roberts
Pelf
Peter Ram
Sean Caruth
Shal Marshall
Shayne Bailey
Skhi
Sugar Raye
Tizzy
Tracy D
Zan
Zoelah
POWER Semi-Finalists:
Anslem Douglas
Benjai
Berbice
Blaxx
Blaze & JW
Blazer Dan
Choppa
Faye-Ann Lyons
Ivy
Iwer George
Jermeeka Mundy
Knycky Cordner
Lil' Bitts
Nadia Batson
Ninjitsu
Nnika Francis
Olatunji Yearwood
Patrice Roberts
Russel Cadogan
Shurwayne Winchester
Soca Tech
Super Jigga TC
Terri Lyons
Tony Prescott
Trevor Gore
Tyra Matthews
CaribWorldNews, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thurs. Jan. 15, 2009: Renown Trinidad and Tobago Calypsonian, Kelvin ‘Mighty Duke’ Pope, has died.Pope was 76. Duke, according to Trinidad media reports, was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a grave bone marrow disorder that disrupts the body’s normal production of blood cells. He had been battling the disease for four years.
`The Mighty Duke,` was born in 1932 in Point Fortin, Trinidad, a community known for its extraordinary number of entertainers. He grew up in a home where calypso was a staple and he soon after joined the calypso fraternity as a prolific composer. The first song he wrote was in the 1950s.
And from there it was no looking back as `The Mighty Duke,` went on to accomplish a feat that many say may never be repeated in calypso history. He earned the moniker `a Pope, a Duke and a King,` when he set a record as the quadruple winner of the crown at four consecutive Dimanche Gras shows from 1968 - 1971. He won in 1968 with `What is Calypso` and `Social Bacchanal;` in 1969 with `Black is Beautiful` and `One Foot Visina;` in 1970 with `Brotherhood of Man` and `See Through` and in 1971 with `Mathematical Formula` and `Melvie and Yvonne.`
Duke also won the Road March Title with `Thunder` in 1987. He was regarded by many as being on par with Calypso stalwarts like Aldwin `Kitchener` Roberts, who also died during a Carnival season. Among the Mighty Duke’s early contemporaries were Maestro, Stalin, Power, Ras Shorty I and Composer.
The career of the T&T national calypso icon spanned over four decades during which he made an invaluable contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso heritage. In 1970, the Mighty Duke was honored with the Humming Bird gold medal for his musical accomplishments.
Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Marlene McDonald, on Wednesday extended `deepest condolences` to Pope`s family, adding, `The national community will miss not only his gentlemanly demeanor but also his unique sartorial elegance.`
CaribWorldNews, TORONTO, Canada, Fri. Jan. 9, 2009: A new advocacy campaign is urging social network, MySpace, to officially list Soca as a musical genre on the portal.
The initiative titled, Bring Soca to MySpace, is lobbying to make it easy for fans to browse Soca music online and interact with their favorite personalities.
The campaign is being organized by Karen L. Richardson, a Canadian-based radio personality and founder of Mustard Seed Media.
`Every other style of Western music is up there,` says Richardson, who is known as `Nurse Karen.` `We are simply asking MySpace to give soca artists the respect they deserve. Artists already use the site, but they have to describe their sounds as Reggae, Tropical, Fusion or Zouk. There is no category that represents them. As a result, Soca artists never have the chance rise to the top of MySpace music charts. Soca is way bigger than that, so the time is now for a change.`
Richardson says the `Bring Soca to MySpace` campaign has four main aims. They include the creation of a Soca category in MySpace Music and the featuring of Soca artist profiles on the site splash page.
At present, MySpace considers the Caribbean to fit under the umbrella of Latin America. Therefore Caribbean users often login to into a Spanish-language interface featuring the latest in Reggaeton and Latin Pop.
Richardson believes that the end result of the above recommendations will create a win-win situation for the Soca music industry, fans and MySpace alike.
Monday January 5th, 2009, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - Undefeated Trinidad and Tobago boxing champion Giselle Salandy, died when her vehicle veered off the Beetham Highway early yesterday morning. Salandy was rushed to Port-of-Spain General Hospital around 7am, but later sucumbed to her injuries at about 8:30am. According to reports, the other occupant of the vehicle, national female footballer Tamar Watson suffered two broken legs and is currently listed in critical condition.
One of the world's most successful female boxers, Giselle Salandy established a new world record of eight championship belts including the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles. Salandy was an astounding 17-0 after her most recent fight on Boxing Day against Dominican Republic’s Yahaira Hernandez.
For more about Giselle Salandy see http://www.wban.org/biog/gsalandy.htm
