NG Soca Stage Launch and Cooler Lime

The NG Soca Stage will officially begin its season this evening at the National Cultural Centre - showtime is 8:30. Now this tent is home to some of the biggest soca names in Saint Lucia including Superman HD who is guaranteed to drop his Mash Up - a new collaboration with Grenadian superstar Mr Killa that he dropped this morning. This is the same duo who teamed up last year with Dutch Productions producer Courtney "Cuty" Louis on Defense - a tune that still mashing up fetes and this new tune promises more of the same. The NG line-up will also include former Monarch Mantius, Platinum George, Private Six, Nicole David, Teddyson John - last year's Piton Soca Starz winner Mongster who is having a bomb season with his hits that include Glo Ko Ko. NG has moved away from what had become its traditional launch at Samaans Park but with Oaktreez Entertainment on board this year handling the production side of things - it should be a packed show that delivers on soca punch.

Carnival fetes will kick off in high gear on Saturday when the Just 4 Fun Carnival Band presents its annual Cooler Fete. Start off time is at 6PM at Samaans Park where the first 100 persons to enter get a free six pack of Piton beer. Judging for various cooler prizes including Sexiest and Most Original Cooler will be held from 6 to 9 and the show is expected to go on until 1:30 Sunday morning. A number of artistes have already been contracted to perform including Sir Lancelot, Teddyson John, HP, Ambi and Mongstar and Superman HD who will also MC the event. Just 4 Fun has also promised to for the first time unveil its VIP section as well as section its doing this year together with a US based Carnival band.

Finally don't forget to check out a repeat of Wednesday's episode of Mass Fever at 8PM on HTS. In this episode we feature the contestants for the National Carnival Queen pageant as well as the 2011 Carnival portrayal of the Mas Action Carnival Band. There are also highlights from the Line Jam and the soca performers who entertained at the launch of Saint Lucia Carnival on Sunday.

Review of Launch of Carnival and Line Jam

Carnival is now into full swing following its launch on Sunday at Pointe Seraphine.
It was the first time the shopping complex had been used to launch Saint Lucia Carnival and the venue proved more than adequate. The wide open space only really had one issue and that was parking. Organizers really should have informed the public they would not be able to park in the complex's parking lot ahead of the event when a road block and police officers did their dirty work. But that annoyance aside, the venue was excellently laid out and the show moved along very well at a tight clip. The talent on the day was another story with the National Queen contestants speaking while their mikes were being adjusted - a complete no-no that resulted in the stage personnel who did the adjusting sharing air time with the contestants on all video recordings of the event. I have to say also that the Anse-la-Raye and Canaries Queen contestants made a much better impression than the National Queen contestants - most of whom I regret to say I honestly don't even remember days after the show. Same goes for the soca artistes - without consummate performers like Ricky T and Alpha who did not perform due to performance fee issues - the crowd took a while to warm up giving a lackluster reception to Nicole David and Teddyson John with more of the same to Superman HD who had to use last year's hit Defence to really move them before HP joined him and all three - Superman, HP and Teddyson ended the show with a move into the crowd while performing HP's Doggy Style off the 758 Road Rage riddim. But hats off has to go to Hayle Harvey and the Tourist Board team who moved the show along and DJ Shortman and Ratley who spun soca tunes of yesteryear and 2011 for the crowd that took a while to build but came together nicely at the end of the show.

Of course the Mas Action Carnival Band hosted its Line Jam on Whit Monday as has become tradition. And while the arrest and subsequent charging of a soca star over "using obscenities in public" may have threatened to overshadow the event - it didn't since it happened when the truck was already half way through town and the revelers were not aware of it. The Line Jam featured a number of artistes on the truck including Mongster, Ambi, Ricky T, Illah Man, Nicole David and Teddyson John in the early hours. Ratley was also on the turntables as early contenders for the 2011 Road March title from Crocodile to HP moved the crowd. It was also good to hear songs from all artistes and producers for a welcome change.

Soca Village International pays tribute to Walleigh

Walleigh--[first from right]--will be honoured this evening at the National Cultural Centre by his new tent, Soca Village International. Walleigh is a former calypso monarch who spent most of his career as a member of the Take Over Tent. Last year he appeared on the South calypso tent stage and this year - he formally became a member of Soca Village. The first round of the show this evening will feature members of the tent including former Monarchs TC Brown and Kakal as well as Nicole David doing their own versions of Walleigh's calypso classics. The second round of the show will continue with artistes performing music they are competing with this year.

Launch of Carnival and Mass Fever Episode 2

The second episode of Mass Fever will air tonight on HTS from 8PM. This evening's show will feature costumes from the Rituals carnival band portrayal of Glory of the Ganges which can also be viewed at * http://www.ritualscarnival.com. Calypsoes from the South and Ambassadors calypso tents will also be highlighted as well as a special performance from a woman known as a "zombie by day and sweetheart at night."

It is official - the launch of Carnival will be held this year at the Pointe Seraphine shopping complex. The event will kick off at 3 and is expected to end at 8. Admission is $20 adult and children under 12 pay $10. It will feature portrayals from 13 Carnival Bands - carnival queen contestants from the National Pageant and Anse-la-Raye and Canaries pageants as well as performances from reigning monarchs Invader, Ricky T, HP and Alpha. Teddyson John and Minelle are also expected to perform all backed by the TEM band.

Machel for Colour Me Red

New music continues to be released including a power soca number from Superman HD called "How I Want" and "Dompa Trok" on the Road Rage riddim from Studio 758. Both songs can be downloaded using this link http://www.box.net/shared/5zd9vxlfx1 although I was not able to open the Superman tune...I wish you more luck than I had. Dutch Productions is also continuing to release new music. I think at last count Curty had dropped close to 15 songs - this morning three new releases including "Me Bacchanal" is a groovy number from Q-Pid, "Love" another groovy number this time from Ilah Man and "Eileen" off the Ma Malay riddim is a Zionomi number. Nicole David also dropped "Ah Charge" on Monday and over the week-end Mantius dropped "Birds of a Feather." It means music is starting to come out ahead of the launch of Carnival which is now slated for this coming Sunday June 12 with no venue announced although I'm hearing it might be at the Pointe Seraphine shopping complex.
But by far the biggest news that was released thus far into Carnival is the main stage act for Colour Me Red. Red Unlimited is bringing down the King of Soca, Machel Montano for their July event. Although it is traditionally held inside the Gaiety I think it would be safe to assume that venue will change. I'm also hearing the whole thing might come with a price tag of $150 per ticket but considering I'm also hearing Mr Xtatix HD costs mucho US dollars in fee, accommodation and airfare - you surely cannot expect anything else. I promise to post every day from now on as things continue to happen so as soon as I get the final details on Colour Me Red - you will be the next to find out.

XS pulls out as Soca Village comes back

On the eve of Soca Village presenting its Eruption 2011 - the XS Energy Carnival band has announced it will be sitting out this Carnival.
Soca Village will launch after a few years hiatus on Saturday at the National Cultural Centre from 8:30. The roster is quite impressive and includes reigning Monarch Invader who is sure to perform his groovy hit "What a Bumper" off the Stratosphere Music/ Dutch Productions Black Cinderella riddim as well as former monarch TC Brown who has already released "Nah Nah Nah" and the only women to ever win the Road March title in Saint Lucia Nicole David whose power number "Revellers Army" was one of the first songs released for the season. The Soca Village line-up also includes two time Power Monarch Kakal as well as former Monarch Walleigh and Robbie - a veteran of the Ambassadors calypso tent.
Now the tent is embroiled in a mess with the Saint Lucia Calypso Association 2009 who has placed it on probation despite it being in existence since 1994. The Chairperson Caron Tobierre says the tent is new to the organization that is also new having formed in December last year. But some are saying its sour grapes because in getting itself together Soca Village promised more performance fee and grabbed the Wezon band that used to formally play for Ambassadors. These two factors combined to make the tent lure away talent like Robbie and TC who used to perform at Ambassadors. Tobierre has promised a resolve to the situation the tent says they will not take lying down on Saturday.
Now to XS - the band that once led the single largest number of revelers in Lucian history who is sitting out Carnival. While XS once boasted numbers of 1000 - these days have long gone with the band struggling to make 500 revelers. This despite the band playing a complete mas with Junior portrayal, King and Queen of the band and individual costumes. XS says they are "restructuring" so let's see what comes out of that process.
Meantime this week-end its all about kaiso for so so I will see you at the NCC on Saturday.

Getting the costumes

The costumes are up and it is time to decide. R u red or a Funatic? The costumes for Red can be viewed at http://www.thesweet7.com/2011/04/slu-carnival-2011-red-unlimiteds_30.html. The Just 4 fun costumes can be seen at http://www.thesweet7.com/2011/05/slu-carnival-2011-just-4-fun-band_3566.html...so far I'm loving the East Indian Princess from Just 4 Fun...

Friday nite and the week-end's here/ I need to unwind/ Where's the party? It's at the Gaiety of course. It may be raining cats and dogs outside but Red Unlimited has called on its Red Army to put on boots and head over to REDemption, the party that will launch its 2K11 Carnival portrayal.
The launch was moved from what has become the traditional Red Ignites concert the band has used for the past three years to begin its season. Band Leader Thaddeus Antoine says the move was made because Jazz Saturday is scheduled to end later than usual and also because the Police are enforcing the 2AM stop to all outside events.
REDemption will be an all while affair complete with glow sticks.
Now if you think of REDemption as the appetizer, then the main course will be the launch of Just4Fun's 2K11 season. With live performances from Saint Lucian power soca artistes as well as spinning from DJ Shane, DJ HP, Levi Chin and Sir Lancelot "The Adventure Begins" promises to be the start of a fantastic season.
Tickets for the event on Saturday April 30th is $25 and the costumes for the upcoming season will be on display.
Now while the Carnival Events will go on the first show of Jazz in the South has been canceled due to the incessant rainfall. Labowi Promotions who organizes the event says tickets purchased for Saturday can be redeemed for Sunday where the headline act featuring Richard Payne will also perform. That show at Coconut Bay on Sunday May 1st is scheduled for a 3PM start.
You have been served kittens....go UNWIND! 

Q-Pid and Bad Gyal Ce' Cile

Now I'm not going to front. I heard the song so many times while it was still in the incubator that I practically know all the lyrics. I know my waist does for sure. This one off the 24 Karat riddim from Dirty Dutch himself Courtney "Curty" Louis is just as the name suggests, "Good as Gold." Three songs have been released thus far off the riddim - this one with the Lucian Goddess Q-Pid and the JA reggae diva herself Ce'Cile, another by Superman HD and the last features Marianne who took a break from the soca scene last year and Dutch himself. All the music will be released in a couple of hours so be sure to check it out but in the meantime here is the Goddess and the Diva doing "Good as Gold...http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=10150237992060579&notif_t=video_tag

Carellie Jazz

Carellie Jazz is in some serious competition to be the best fringe event for Saint Lucia Jazz this year. Not only is the event free and on the May 2nd holiday its list of artistes includes none other than JA artistes Karen Smith known for her hit "Oh me Oh my" and Wayne Wonder who we all know from his work with Buju Banton as well as his more mainstream stuff "No Letting Go" and "Bounce Along." Just about to interview Wayne who is currently in Miami to do a series of shows. He is expected to be in Saint Lucia on Monday for his performance. I spoke to Karen Smith yesterday and she says she can't wait to come and perform here since she has never been before. She apparently was hired on the spot by the PM who saw her perform at a show in JA. Will add a snippet of our convo later today as well as the one with Wayne Wonder.

Just4Fun Teaser

Andy Delma of Just4Fun just sent me a bbm message about the teaser for the 2011 Just4Fun costumes to be launched this coming Saturday at the Gaiety. Check it out for yourself on the band's FB page...just4fun carnival  or just click on this link  http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_201756323185508 and start collecting ur money cuz this year the band only has 7 regular and 3 VIP sections and I hear the numbers going to be limited for maximum reveler experience...

Two bands ready to launch

While most of the country is still in the Saint Lucia Jazz mode, two of the biggest bands in the country are getting ready for what one Band Leader told me is the Clash of the Bands. Red Unlimited kicks off the battle on Friday April 29th at the Gaiety in Rodney Bay. Red - a multiple winner of the Mass on the Move title is portraying REDemption in 2011. Band Leader Thaddeus Antoine says the all white affair will be similar to a glow fete and is slated for a 9PM start. Along with the costumes, the titled "Party with a difference" will also feature the biggest and baddest jam band in Saint Lucia the Derek Yarde Project.
Now that's just the warm up because on Saturday April 30th my band Just4Fun will launch its 2011 portrayal in a massive fete also at the Gaiety...imagine two HUGE events at Gaiety back to back and that place already prone to movement...mwen maim...anyway, I spoke to Band Leader Veil Tobiere who told me the DJ's for the night will be Levi Chin, HP, Shane and Sir Lancelot. The band will this year have seven regular sections and 3VIP's namely VIP, VVIP and Extended VIP...hmmm, wonder where they putting me?