The world premiere of Panomundo Part 2: Pan Worldwide will take place on Friday, November 24, at the National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) in Port-of-Spain. This three-hour, invitation-only event, hosted by Xplore the World and Komonopromo, will feature a steelband performance, recognition of pan legends and a Q&A with award-winning filmmakers, Keith Musaman Morton and Charysse Tia Harper.

Panomundo is a feature-length documentary, told in two sections, about the history of the steelpan and its global influence. Part 1: The Evolution of the Steelpan was released in London in 2015. It focuses on the inception of the steelpan in T&T until its international recognition in 1951 at the Festival of Britain. Part 2: Pan Worldwide looks at the instrument’s impact in six countries: Canada, Japan, Nigeria, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” says Harper, the Trinidadian-American producer of the documentary, who is in New York following a Part 1 screening. “We have been working on this film for over five years and it has been our dream to have the world premiere of Part 2 where the instrument was born.”

In January 2012, Morton and Harper travelled to Trinidad to begin production of the documentary. What was expected to be an hour-long film turned into a larger story encompassing an array of people on various continents.

By 2015, the duo amassed over 60 hours of footage and finally a decision was made to split the film in two sections.

The world premiere of Panomundo Part 2: Pan Worldwide will take place at the Audio Visual Room (basement level) in Nalis, Hart and Abercomby Streets, from, Port-of-Spain, from 6 pm. It will open with a screening of Part 1, followed by an intermission. Part 2 will begin promptly at 7.30 pm followed by a Q&A. Seating is limited.

For those interested in attending, please RSVP to Leslynne Matthews: 868-374-6605. View a two-minute trailer of Panomundo and visit https://www.facebook.com/panomundo

It’s been 30 years since parang soca artiste Leon Coldero has spent the season at home in T&T. This year he’s switching things up a little, spending the season that’s often filled with the sound of sweet parang soca, tastes of fruitcake and punch de crème, at home, surrounded by friends and family. He’s excited to say the least.

Coldero has released two new tracks for the Christmas season and as he sees it, there’s more than enough time to give Christmas lovers a truly enjoyable and memorable Trini Christmas. “I’m here this year to bring a new vibe, new energy to Soca Parang,” he said, revealing that the song Soca Parang Nice will be accompanied by true entertainment when he hits any venue this season.

“I feel really good about this track. It’s the second one I’ve done with Jesse,” Coldero added, referring to the man in charge at Optimus Productions TT Ltd —a local production house that’s responsible for Christmas Vibes Volume 3.

Continued Coldero: “This track is a really upbeat one. It’s all about true enjoyment at Christmas and it tells the story of making the rounds at the places in Trinidad, like Paramin and Lopinot, that are traditionally known for harbouring the sweetness of the season.” A video for the track is also in the works, a medley that will see the music of the other artistes on the riddim, showcased as well.

Coldero, originally a native of South Trinidad, has been a longstanding part of the parang soca fraternity in T&T and while he has spent a great deal of time overseas, his appreciation for the traditional essence of T&T’s Christmas, has never dwindled. He said: “I’ve tried to keep the traditions over the years. I live in Orlando, Florida so I keep the Trini Christmas vibe out there as much as possible, but it’s really good to be spending this Christmas at home in Trinidad.” His sentiments would certainly be echoed by many Caribbean people living abroad.

With a relatively short Christmas season this year, all with Carnival 2018 making a grand early entrance ahead of its short season, Coldero says he still feels there’s adequate time for Christmas to be celebrated and the artistes who give of their time and talent, to be given the respect of adequate airplay. “I really feel that both the soca parang and the carnival soca tracks that are being released can be played. There is enough time. If less foreign music was played, there would be more than enough airtime for these two indigenous genres,” he suggested.

Prior to his release of Soca Parang Nice, Coldero released a song called Parang in the Sun, a track produced by Mastamind Productions and written by Ruthven Le Quay. He said: “That one’s for all the foreign based Trinbagonians—folks in places like Brooklyn, Boston, Toronto—wherever they are; folks who are yearning to spend the Christmas at home in the sun.”

Coldero said this particular song fires a few harmless political jabs, all in good fun and admits to having a great time recording it. “The music is available for everyone to enjoy. Let’s have a really good Christmas season together. Let’s bring back the love and share in the season of giving as one people here at home,” he said, willing the country to return to a place of peace and harmony as the New Year approaches.

With a carnival vibe already in the atmosphere, Coldero tells music lovers to stay tuned as he’s very well prepared for the upcoming season of revelry as well. He is set to unleash a carnival track before the end of November.

Trinidad is in a sad, sad state. How did we get here? When we became an independent nation, we apparently abandoned a good work ethic. Not apparently—we did. The “massa day done” syndrome kicked in. What Trinis didn’t realise was that massa was also gone, and the people they were working for, and the country they were working in, were their own.

We have reached crisis stage where it pertains to work, and a good work ethic. Our workforce resembles wayward children. Unless we rein this monster in now, we will forever be living in dirty, unkempt, dilapidated surroundings and complaining about poor service. There is a good saying, “the people who are the most free are the ones who have the most self control”. Unfortunately it doesn’t apply to us. Trinidadians are out of control.

How can we fix this? We need supervisors who actually supervise. We need them to check for quality. It takes effort, I know, but it has to be done. We need to educate young mothers how to be mothers. We have generations of people who have forgotten how to nurture. We have too many infants left in the care of institutions, when they should be at home, with mom.

Nobody ever completes a job properly any more. Cepep, and all it’s former aliases, were supposed to provide short-term employment for people who needed a head start, or for those who could not be employed otherwise. It was not meant to be a way of living. If they did a decent job of cleaning up it wouldn’t be so bad, but our drains and verges are still a mess. No proper supervision.

When you go into any office or store, and are greeted by staff mesmerised by their cell phones; this exemplifies a lack of good supervision. I am tired of walking around people in the aisles, packing goods, whilst chatting away merrily about everything under the sun, on their cell phones. Pack the goods and get out of the way. Recently, when I went into a bank, the “guard”, was sitting in a crumpled heap, in the shade, outside. What sort of confidence does that instil in me? You’re a guard for goodness sake, please try to look the part.

And to all those folk who support their unions, no matter what, be prepared for the next day of “total policing”, and wither in those long lines at the immigration counters, because you are aiding and abetting that type of behaviour.

Do you think any of the tourists in those lines will be coming back? Do you think that is helping T&T in any way? When police officers refuse to wear body cameras, and are allowed to tell their supervisors “we ain’t doing it”, you know we are a failed nation.

So, go and support your union, but don’t complain when the country falls apart, because no one is held accountable for anything any more.

ANNE MURPHY

Trade unions demand respect, or else. Or else they make us all look like fools in the eyes of the world. Social media sits on every shoulder and reprehensible behaviour instantly goes viral. We the people need to demand respect for our intelligence when only two immigration officers report for work and visitors and locals suffer.

Image is everything and our image right now screams “Banana Republic.” And then we are told “it was not me, and I do not know.” We are slipping around on the banana skins that some people proudly wear in exchange for sensible clothing.

The collective image and veracity of the TT trade unions must be at the lowest for 2017. The impression being given is that the collective trade unions are insisting on micro managing every facet of governance.

I am unhappy with the idea that the trade unions allegedly expect citizens must believe that theirs is the superior view. I voted for a political party not the trade union movement. Government employees are paid by our tax dollars.

When demands are made do we now have to ask: How much do you want, my children?

Perhaps I need to put it more simply for all to understand. No tail is supposed to wag no dog.

LYNETTE JOSEPH,
DIEGO MARTIN

Good things have to be celebrated and not taken for granted these days. My wife and I and two daughters went to the Immigration Office on Frederick St on the morning of November 16, in order to apply for renewal of passports. I placed my car in the car park at about 7 am and drove out of the car park at 7.50 am, mission fully accomplished, all four of us having been attended to.

The office seemed to have opened at exactly 7 am. The staff were all courteous and efficient: those who did not have proper pictures advised as to where to go and get them, those who did not have proper photocopies of materials also advised where to go; those who needed assistance in filling the forms given that assistance—first world service to go!

SAMUEL LOCHAN

We are now in the month of November and all around us we can feel the Christmas atmosphere. The hustle and bustle is everywhere especially in our businesses who see this as an opportunity.

Our nation this year has had many challenges—storms aftermath, economic issues, increase in cost of living, loss of love ones through murders, loss of jobs, destruction of property etc. In my humble opinion we have had it from all directions. The beautiful thing is that we are still standing.

Yet there is something we all cannot deny: many of our citizens will face the “Christmas blues”. I know we can argue the point that everyone in some way is going through something, but the reality is that for many of us, despite of what is taking place around us, our heads are still above water.

It is important that we do not forget those who are sinking and that includes even our nation’s children. At this time of the year, please let us not get so caught up in just ourselves, friends and family members, but look beyond and in some way, reach out to that stranger.

I believe this is the heartbeat of God, citizens being His hands towards others that are having a rough time. If it is possible, let us bring back some joy in the lives of someone this Christmas season. The principle of receiving still lies in the concept of giving and while it may not be your intention to receive as you give, this principle will not change. So I encourage all, let us do as a popular song states “why not give love” and it is an action.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH,
SAN JUA

The key to being success-driven in national security is first and foremost to be Transformational in your leadership and to adopt a project governance approach. It’s the international best practice, and a new dynamic to complement our present system of governance in the Ministry of National Security.

One has to know and understand that all objectives, strategies, policies and goals of the wide geographic span of management, that faces the decision makers and by extension the various arms of the Ministry of National Security, have to be encompassed and categorised in the strategic alliance and more so the strategic fit of projects.

There is a context within which projects take place. Part of creating the means of achieving the objectives in the project-based organisation, is to ensure the organisational infrastructure exists to undertake projects effectively and there are two components of this.

The first component creates an infrastructure of programme and portfolio management to link projects to corporate strategy, which ensures the right projects are done. The second component ensures the capability exists within the organisation to deliver projects successfully, so that projects are done right. The strategic co-ordination of this level identifies project governance.

In keeping with the international best practice, the Ministry of National Security must begin adopting a business model approach and apply the business strategies of governance, from a Project Governance standpoint.

The old ways have been tried and tested, the environment of our national security has changed, has shifted from not only national security but homeland security, where all aspects of the landscape now impact on the security and safety of all. This includes both physical infrastructure and the lives of individuals.

Therefore the drive for change must be led and influenced from the top, the strategists of the Ministry must be directing change and guiding the process. The ideal avenue of this change process, is the adoption with immediacy of a Project Governance approach.

This approach, once clearly defined will be able to identify:

· the effectiveness and efficiency of the portfolio direction processes;

· the sponsorship of projects;

· the management of projects;

· transparency, disclosure and reporting;

· accountability.

The Ministry must see all aspects of its organisational behaviour as people driven and project centred and Project based and therefore managed from a Project Governance standpoint.

This ensures that all projects are identified within one portfolio, roles and responsibilities are aligned to decision-making capacity, the teams responsible for projects are capable of achieving the projects’ objectives, and that information to support the decision-making processes is delivered in a timely, relevant, and reliable manner.

All arms of the Ministry will be held accountable from a tasking and co-ordination perspective. Failure to meet these timelines and objectives must result in significant consequences. This new drive and strategy in fact, will propel the leadership of national security to be results-based and promote inclusivity.

Commander Garvin Heerah is a former head of the National Operations Centre. At present he is the senior MBA Module Leader and Researcher Anglia Ruskin University UK. Subject Matter Expert—Homeland Security and Safe City Operations

Laurelle Theodore’s wonder goal was enough to propel T&T’s Under-20 women’s football team to a 1-0 win over Jamaica’s Under-20 team on Thursday night at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Chelcy Ralph zipped in a curling free-kick from the right, which Theodore connected with on the volley, to smash an unstoppable left-footed shot past Erin Mikalsen in goal for the young Reggae Girls.

Playing down the result in the friendly match, head coach Jamaal Shabazz said, “This was a very useful exercise today, we are happy for the result but the game itself showed up a lot of things that we’ve got to work on. We need to work more on team play, playing together, more combinations, more passing and moving. But I am very encouraged by the efforts and aggression of the players.”

“We are far from where we need to be come January. There is this fallacy in the school teams, where one school only has two or three players, that they are stars in the school but in the international game they are not stars.”

The former T&T women’s senior team coach noted that the Jamaicans displayed their usual grit and determination but still did not test his team in the way he might have expected.

In a first half dominated by the home team, Jamaica limited themselves to shots from distance as the T&T defence found life relatively easy against the Caribbean rivals.

Theodore, the former St Augustine Secondary School student, wearing the number nine shirt, had earlier struck the Jamaicans’ upright with a left-footed volley from about 20 yards out and also managed to create a clear cut chance for her captain and attacking partner, Dennecia Prince, releasing the latter down the right flank, but with only Mikalsen to beat in goal, Prince’s final shot, though well hit, was straight at the custodian.

Prince was causing problems again in the 19th minute and drew the foul from Emily Caza which would lead to T&T’s goal.

Shabazz and his young team cringed at the start of the second period when Prince was scythed down by Nevillegail Able about 30 yards from goal after collecting the ball on the turn. Able was shown a caution for the reckless challenge while Prince was later stretchered off the field after attempting to play on.

In that period, T&T continued to create chances, none better than when Theodore played in Ralph but the latter saw her fierce drive from inside the penalty area, crash off the crossbar and back into play.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s second match against Jamaica at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium from 4pm Shabazz said, “We will have at least seven foreign based players coming in. While for this game we used more of the local players, after Saturday we will be in a better position to make a judgement of how we go forward in terms of player personnel.”

Shabazz noted that there were still many areas this team needed to improve on before they are tournament ready for the CONCACAF leg of World Cup qualifiers in January.

A lone item from Matthew Beal was enough for Shiva boys Hindu College to triumph 1 nil over this season’s Secondary School’s Football League Premier Division champions, Presentation College, in the first match of the Coca Cola InterCol South Zone semi final double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella yesterday.

Beal, one of the two ineligible players that Shiva fielded throughout the Premier Division season, delivered a goal in the second half of regulation time to send Shiva through to the Coca Cola Intercol South Zone Final.

The team will play against Naparima College in next Thursday’s final at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, after it ran out 4-1 winners against St. Benedict’s College in the other South Zone semi-final.

Midfielder Declan Marcelle opened the scoring for Naps’ in the seventh minute with a far-post strike that gifted his team a dream start.

Premier Division top scorer, Judah St. Louis then gave his team relief in the 57th minute with a well-placed shot from inside the 18-yard box.

After the team were cruising and seemed to be on their way to the final, Ronaldo McIntosh turned up the intensity, registering a quick brace (two goals) within a couple of minutes after a well-worked goal in the 69th minute and a header in the 76th minute.

Letting out his frustration for his team’s no-show, Keon Boney sent a rocket of a shot into the Naps’ goal to provide St Benedict’s a lone consolation goal in the 84th minute.

However, it was too little too late for St Benedict’s as the final whistle blew with the score reading 4-1.

Intercol action will be on hold for the weekend, until Monday, when national finals week will kick-off with Chaguanas North Secondary taking on Carapichaima East in the Central Zone Final at the Ato Boldon stadium from 5pm.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

n Shiva Boys Hindu College 1 (Matthew Beal) 0 Presentation College

n Naparima College 4 (Declan Marcelle 7’, Judah St Louis 57’, Renaldo McIntosh 69’, 76’) 1 St Benedict’s College (Keon Boney 84’)

JONATHON MATOUK
 

DHAKA, Bangladesh—West Indies star Twenty20 batsman Chris Gayle said he was looking forward to rekindling his opening partnership with Brendon McCullum during the Bangladesh Premier League.

Gayle and McCullum are set to feature in the Rangpur Riders’ match against Comilla Victorians today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The pair previously opened together for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2009 Indian Premier League T20 Tournament.

“We know how destructive Brendon McCullum is and it is a privilege to open the batting with him again,” said Gayle.

“We opened together way back in the IPL. Now, we are joining forces together again. It is new for both of us to come in and go for a blast, but we have experience. The expectation is high on us to deliver. We want to try our best and win the game.”

Gayle added: “Everyone in Bangladesh wants to be entertained by two great entertainers in myself and McCullum. This is why the pressure is going to be on us. But we expect these things.

“The crowd is going to be very noisy. It is going to be fantastic if we can get off to a start, hitting a lot of boundaries and get the crowd excited. Maybe the other guys can build up from it and see what total we can set or get.”

Gayle has played for four different teams in the BPL—Barisal Burners (2012), Dhaka Gladiators (2013), Barisal Bulls (2015) and Chittagong Vikings (2016) – and is the holder of four tournament records.

He has the most centuries (three), the highest strike-rate (171.95) and batting average (54.16)—minimum 10 innings—and the most sixes of 60 in the tournament. CMC

Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson struck a wonderful 165 to give his team the upper hand against the T&T Red Force at the dinner break on the second day of the fourth round Digicel PCL clash at the Brian Lara Academy yesterday.

The left hander who opened for the West Indies a couple seasons ago, took his team to 414/6. Also getting a century was little left hander Vishaul Singh as the Guyanese dominated on a featherbed track at the BCA.

Starting the day on 245/2, Johnson who completed his century on the opening day and Singh batted for a session and a half before being separated. Singh, the left hander, was the aggressor, playing some unorthodox shots to unsettle the local bowlers. Johnson was intent on defence and accumulated his runs at a slow pace.

The two added a record 183 for the third wicket between the two countries, going past the previous mark of 179 between Lennard Baichan and Clive Lloyd at Skeldon in 1972.

Singh brought up his eight First Class century soon after, of 211 balls with seven fours. At the fall of his wicket caught behind of Bryan Charles, the Guyanese lost three quick wickets after to Charles including Johnson. The left hander fell for a marathon 165 of 360 balls with 18 boundaries.

Big bat Shivnarine Chanderpaul was bowled by Charles for two as Guyana looked for quick runs to declare.

Chanderpaul who would have sat down earlier on and witnessed a fine innings of 82 from his son Tagnarine who opened the batting for the Jaguars. The left hander looked good at the top of the order and was able to add a record 174 runs for the second wicket with Johnson. They broke the previous standard of 165 between Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran at the Queen’s Park Oval in 1972.

Tagnarine faced 235 balls hitting eight fours to give his team a great platform leading to their eventual impressive score.

Scoreboard

Red Force vs Jaguars
Jaguars inns
T Chanderpaul c Jangoo b St. Clair 84
C Hemraj c Jangoo b Primus 22
L Johnson c Mohammed b Charles 165
V Singh c Jangoo b Charles 100
A Bramble lbw Charles 0
S Chanderpaul b Charles 2
K Paul not out 12
S Rutherford not out 7
Extras 22
Total for 6 wkts 414
Fall of wkts: 33, 207, 390, 390, 393, 402,
Bowling: S Cottrell 20-6-46-0, R Primus 18-4-52-1, B Charles 38-12-103-4, T Webster 7-1-23-0, J Mohammed 14-4-24-0, I Khan 28-1-76-0.

Masaarr represents the nearest thing to a ‘racing cert’ in division two of a Novice Stakes over a mile of Lingfield polytrack today; punters are confronted with six meetings, all-weather and jumping at two fashionable venues will cater for all needs on yet another overwhelming -super-Saturday!’.

‘A ‘free gift’ is always welcome but they can be expensive if not utilised properly; Masaarr is an ideal example.

This Roger Varian-trained, Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned USA-bred Distorted Humort colt achieved a whopping time-handicap mark first-up over seven furlongs of a ‘good to firm’ Newmarket surface last month, when a close third behind Key Victory.

Both are already being touted as classic prospects; we are whetting your appetite but Masaarr will be totally unbackable as a single bet proposition!

The secret is to include Masaarr in our daily patent which involves three horses; three doubles, three trebles and an accumulator.

To all intents a purposes Masaarr is an ‘anchor’ and so playing him into other safe bets will be key to profiting; I’ve scrutinised six other juvenile races, including the difficult-looking first leg, and reckon once-raced Wazin is also a ‘professional special’ in division two of a Fillies’ Novice Stakes over six furlongs of Wolverhampton tapeta tonight.

Simon Crisford’s once-raced charge also finished third when beaten just over a length in a similar race on Chelmsford polytrack sixteen days ago; reports suggest she has ‘come on’ considerably.

Back at ‘Lingers’ I’m confident about the obvious chance for Trotter in a 3-y-o Median Auction Stakes over six furlongs; only conceivable danger on the TH is ex-Irish-trained, Temeraire, absent for 148 days!

Luke Morris has been booked by in-form Stuart Kittow for recent handicap runner-up, Trotter.

Keep it tight.

The Queen’s Park Cricket Club Hazbeen’s squash club are champions of the National Interclub Squash League, following a dominant 5-0 win over the Petrotrin Stars at the Queens Park Indoor Racquet centre on Thursday night.

The group consisting of captain, Justin Sanguinette, vice-captain Luc Davis, Brandon de Montrichard, Christian Edghill, Marc Pontifex, Brian Jackson, and Amanda Jackson dominated the league going undefeated through the five round-robin match-ups and the final.

Following the triumph, Sanguinette told Guardian Media Sport, “The majority of this team had tried together for a few years, to win the League, but could not come out on top, I for one have been trying for quite some time now and it’s a great feeling to keep the trophy in QPCC’s hand’s for a second year in a row.”

On the other hand, captain of the Stars’ Peter Pirtheesingh was humble in defeat saying, “This team has won the tournament more than seven times, we were never whitewashed in a final before, but I was proud of the gusto performance showed by the guys, congrats to the Hazbeen’s on the win.”

It was Brandon de Montrichard, who gifted his team the crucial first point of the night, defeating Star’s John Holley 3-2 in a surprisingly tight encounter. The former national champion, Holley, shocked the QPCC crowd with a dominant performance in the first two sets, winning 9/11 back-to-back, however, as the match wore on, he did as well, and de Montrichard capitalized on the lapse, winning the next three sets 11/3, 11/4, 11/7.

In the second match of the night, Hazbeen’s vice-captain, Luc Davis, cruised to a 3-0 straight set victory (11/8, 11/8, 11/0) over Stars’ Paul de Verteuil, who left a lot to be desired.

On the back of a resounding 2-0 lead, the Hazbeen’s entered the third match knowing that a win would seal the title, and Marc Pontifex answered the calls of the QPCC faithful, edging Stars’ captain Peter Pirtheesingh 3-2.

Pirtheesingh looked to be on his way to a shock upset when he dispatched Pontifex 5/11 in the first set, but Pontifex replied winning the next two sets 11/6, 11/9.

The Stars’ captain would then answer back with a 8/11 fourth set win with his team’s chances on the line, but Pontifex would prove to tough on the night, winning the ultimate set 11/7.

With the title clinched, Christian Edghill and Hazbeen’s captain, Justin Sanguinette turned on the style for the home team, defeating Stars’ Sheldon Skeete and Justin Gillezeau in straight sets 3-0 respectively.

FINAL RESULT

QPCC Hazbeen’s def. Petrotrin Stars 5-0
Brandon de Montrichard def. John Holley 3-2 (9/11, 9/11, 11/3, 11/4, 11/7)
Marc Pontifex def. Peter Pirtheesingh 3-2 (5/11, 11/9, 11/6, 8/11, 11/7)
Luc Davis def. Paul de Verteuil 3-0 (11/8, 11/8, 11/0)
Christian Edghill def. Sheldon Skeete 3-0 (11/2, 11/8, 11/6)
Justin Sanguinette def. Justin Gillezeau 3-0 (11/6, 11/4, 11/5)

JONATHON MATOUK
 

FAME (Foundation for Fashion Apparel Manufacturing Entrepreneurship) Caribbean launches at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa), Port-of-Spain on Saturday, November 25, at 7 pm.

A spectacular showcase of Caribbean fashion talent is in store for the world to appreciate, crafted in a theatrical production.

FAME Caribbean is the brainchild of Andrew Ramroop OBE, a Trinidad-born master artist tailor of Savile Row. He founded the prestigious Savile Row Academy of tailoring in London, and after 50 years of expert craftsmanship, elite training and identifying the excellence in Caribbean style, he’s returned to use his influence to fortify this trademark ethos, to use his equity to advance this alternative style, to use his expertise to train and elevate this unique apparel manufacture and to use his enlightenment to strategically position this New World fashion trade FAME, in its initial year is aimed at branding Caribbean style and presenting it to the world, through select local and regional designers, while positioning T&T as the epicentre of the regional fashion industry. This platform is intended to set in motion an acknowledgement that there is a Caribbean aesthetic and put in place the mobilising of export- worthy apparel, the lure for innovative fashion wares and thesales positioning of niche-market style options, all for the global fashion stage/market.

FAME creative director Richard Young has been entrusted with the responsibility of harnessing signature brands and of incorporating them within the feature that is the inaugural showcase.

Young says that his objective is to ensure the presence of trademark style arbiters in this compendium, to express the multifaceted and outstanding nature and the compelling brand identity of the Caribbean aesthetic. This is to reenergise the lucrative potential of this viable economic sector.

The dynamic of the event is to infuse sustainable development action, by promoting the non-traditional creative industries, in a substantive way so as to engage economic diversification mandates. A release from FAME stated, “A fundamental focus of FAME Caribbean 2017 is to give back to socio-economic development and address youth empowerment so as ensure more holistic life chance for future generations.

Against this backdrop, part proceeds would be allocated to the Hibiscus Foundation, to service pediatric HIV/AIDS care.”

The November 25 presentation would showcase 30 designer capsule presentations coursed with suitable talent highlights to effect a winning Creative Arts spectacular to kick off the FAME initiative.

Designers from Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados and Guyana would join the line up. Tickets are available at NAPA box office and Chaud Cafe.

Samaroo Jets Steel Orchestra, celebrating 50 years this year, represented T&T at China’s premier trading event for Latin American and Caribbean countries. The 2017 China-Latin America and the Caribbean International Exposition (CLAC Expo) was held on November 9-11 in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.

The CLAC-Expo, hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce, was held at the Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Center in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China.

The purpose of the Exposition was to enhance economic and trade cooperation between China and Latin American/Caribbean countries. By promoting cross-border cooperation, CLAC will provide an economy and trade platform to build friendly contacts between China and Latin American enterprises—and a communication platform to expand the Maritime Silk Road to Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Samaroo Jets, which was founded by the late Dr Jit Samaroo, thanked the Chinese Embassy as well as the newly formed Tourism Trinidad Limited for making it possible for them to attend the Expo. Amrit Samaroo, current arranger for the Samaroo Jets, stated on the band’s return that “it was an honour for the Samaroo Jets, on our 50th anniversary, to represent Trinidad and Tobago and to bring pan to another new audience.”

Tourism Trinidad Limited Board member Neil Mohammed said that planning for the tour was a challenge. “Given a narrow window of opportunity and the fact that the company is now being set up, the directors were happy to make arrangements so that the band could take advantage of the generosity and hospitality of the Chinese Embassy,” Mohammed noted.

Tourism Trinidad Limited will focus on marketing destination Trinidad towards improving airlift, while strengthening stakeholder relationships and raising industry standards.

This weekend’s premier steelband event is tonight’s Classical Jewels XI (Journey From Jules to Jemmott) being staged by Massy Trinidad All Stars at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa), Port-of-Spain, with a repeat tomorrow evening.

I remember as a young man in the ‘70s Classical Jewels being a must-attend event for my parents.

Back then, sponsored by Catelli, the legendary steel orchestra was under the musical direction of Gerry “Uncle Jem” Jemmott and for the occasion its guest conductors included Paul Hill and Pat Bishop.

As a prelude to this weekend’s concert, All Stars hosted a media reception last week Thursday at its Duke Street panyard. Guests were warmly welcomed by manager Nigel Williams, PRO Daryl Joseph, Jackie McKell, Denise Hernandez, Keith Matthews and Rhonda Allick.

With a photoshoot in progress at one side of the yard of All Stars’ youth orchestra, its senior members performed some of its Classical Jewels XI repertoire including J’Ouvert in ah Band, a piece composed 26 years ago by drummer Jason “Stumps” Lewis as a tribute to All Stars living legend Neville Jules, vocalised by Sheldon Reid. The band’s playing of the theme from the Magnificent 7 movie also evoked much comment from the guests in attendance.

For this weekend’s production All Stars’ musical director Deryk Nurse will serve as its main conductor, aided by guest conductors Kygel Benjamin, June Nathaniel, Jessel Murray, Sule Sampson and Dr Mia Gormandy.

A steelband which continues to maintain its mandate of developing its young musicians many of All Stars’ premier players in Classical Jewels XI, despite their youth, are veteran musicians with the orchestra including Gormandy, who scored some of this weekend’s pieces, Nurse, Benjamin and crackshot tenor player Dane Gulston.

Classical Jewels XI is not entirely all national instrument and guest artistes, beside Reid and Gulston, will include Eleanor Ryan, Rahel Moore and the UWI Arts Chorale.

Of course the All Stars youth orchestra is also an integral ingredient in the mix.

The producers of Classical Jewels XI are playing their cards extremely close to their chests, refusing to reveal the repertoire patrons can expect this weekend. When Classical Jewels V was staged in 1985 patrons were left spellbound by the orchestra’s interpretation of classics by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Bizet and Glinka.

If I can hazard a guess this weekend I am hoping that it performs something from Von Suppe, perhaps one of my favourites, Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna.

What I did manage to discern is that the programme will provide many pieces by local composers performed in a classical manner.

All Stars’ busy-as-a-bee member Staci-Ann Patrick is hoping that Classical Jewels XI will dispell some of the unflattering labels attached to the national instrument and pan musicians.

“For starters,” she said, “we no longer ‘beat’ pan. We are competent musicians who are on par with accomplished musical peers who play any other instrument, be it violin or piano. Trinidadians need to start giving more respect to pan musicians, composers and arrangers.

“I find that the national instrument is being sacrificed, primarily because our people do not put themselves out there to appreciate or listen to pan music outside of the Panorama season.

“When someone takes the time to listen to the national instrument played outside of Carnival and Panorama, and hear the different layers and intricacies of the music played they would certainly foster a greater appreciation for something that is uniquely special to this nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

“The Journey from Jules to Jemmott will certainly showcase the dexterity and showmanship of pan musicians.”

On Sunday evening at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port-of-Spain, Ava Hutchinson made her most ambitious step. She claimed her space as a singing/pianist songwriter artiste. In her words “After my recent health issues and being given a second chance, I said to myself, ‘You have done the four CDs for the children, as well as the inspirational book ‘52 Facets of Woman’ so now its time to give your songs a hearing.”

It was a remarkable show for Hutchinson, the culmination of a long journey, of finding her way to herself. It was her first time anchoring her own show, more importantly, performing her own compositions. And she knew the significance of the moment.

Her songs of love and healing succeeded in commanding the attention of a capacity audience. She opened her set with a symbolic affirmation of self in the lyrics of Good Enough, one of her earliest compositions. This song has come to free her to address issues of what Love Is as it colours experiences, especially, the hurt and the disappointments that implore you to Don’t Dream. The compositions opened Hutchinson up to sing convincingly. She says Life is What You Make It, even when life may often dump you on a See-Saw Love, and yes, there are sad moments, but they are only a preparation for the Shining Knight’ who leaves memories with You Got Me Smiling. For Hutchinson, love, with its ups and downs, is a real thing, it is the essence of joy and the force for overcoming difficult circumstances. The lyrics explore personal spaces, but they are primarily, songs of hope and renewal, hope for The Healing, as accepting reality and for finding the strength not just to survive, but to thrive.

Hutchinson’s drive to perform her lyrics and music presented an exciting challenge. How to incorporate this particular set of nuanced words and reflective tunes into a live concert with her supporting guest artistes, especially, in a space as intimate as the Central Bank Auditorium? Achieving a balance was important, eg, on the Jazz Pickle, a group whose high shoulders she has relied all these years. In her words “I knew that Trini audiences might be overwhelmed with originals, so I decided to showcase the Jazz Pickle as well as Ralph “Shearing” Davies and Friends to the mix. I had a ‘girlie’ tea lime to introduce my music, and after listening, enjoying and commenting on what was thrust upon them, I was inspired to go the next step...the show.”

The Jazz Pickle played well-loved jazz standards which created the mood for drawing in the audience. The show, however was re-imagined by Ralph Davies, featuring vocals from Faye Husbands, Lois Hutchinson, Timothy Newton, Harold Richards and Ian Henderson on alto saxophone all serving as delightful turning points, with accents in a really joyful groove. They created spaces in which the audience could reflect on the music, sing along and enjoy songs that have defined so much of their lives. Davies’ touch with the piano, so gentle, so authoritative, innovative and fantastic in its musicality took the evening into another realm. He took the audience into rapture. Davies the maestro at 89, knew precisely how to complete the show, wowing the crowd with his elbow in a note at the end.

In Hutchinson’s words: “Ralph has always been a humble soul, willing to assist in any way he can, and his ability to share and show his skills and technique always produces in us all an enthusiastic guttural response. He has experienced and heard so much that his wealth of knowledge and mentorship brings us all musicians closer to playing that much better, not to mention the importance of daily practise. His fingers are still the best around, as he never fails to excite with his ‘scalic’ and ‘arpeggiated’ lines and passages, the riffs, the cadenzas, his rhythmic comping and his melodic improvisations, not to mention his flair for dynamics.”

This show—Of Love and Life—has the potential to redefine Ava Hutchinson in the Trinidad musical landscape. It presented her voice as that of a strong woman, impassioned, alternatively full of laughter and tinged with the sadness of experience, the tone of which is upbeat, richly textured and meditative. It gets to the point of her lyrics quickly and is the context for the music of her well- defined piano accompaniment. Her sound is overwhelmingly personal, the intimate colouring of experience and the desire to be true to the expression of self—herself.

KEN CRICHLOW