What began as a hobby—baking home-made dog treats for his two pets—has blossomed into a lucrative business for Carenage resident Adrian Cook.

The biscuits are so tasty that even dog owners have been known to nibble on them, Cook said about his treats, the first locally made of its kind to hit the T&T market.

He said developing his unique product goes well beyond whipping ingredients together and baking the treats in assorted shapes, including dog bones and dog houses.

With less than $10,000 in start-up capital, Cook started a business that now sustains local farmers who supply him with fresh produce like sweet potatoes and bananas.

Cook, who runs the business with his girlfriend, explained: “We bought a pack of dog treats at one of the pet stores but when we came home we realised it was just a generic brand that was repackaged. The ingredients weren’t all that and my dogs, Hailey and Dot, weren’t interested in them.

“I decided to make some for myself as I’m pretty handy around the kitchen. My dogs liked it, my sister’s dogs also liking it and my girlfriend also tried it on her dogs, so it went from there.”

The multi-talented businessman—who does woodworking and is also a graphics designer—created the economical brown paper bag packaging and a label featuring his two pooches and branded the treats:

Dotties. Although established just two months ago, the business has already take off as Dotties biscuits are a hot seller at various upmarkets. Online orders have also taken off with Cook’s clientèle coming mostly from west Trinidad.

“We do a lot of deliveries to homes and offices in Port-of-Spain but we have also gone as far as San Fernando and Arima in the East. We try to hit markets throughout the country.”

What makes his treats stand out from long standing imported brands?

Cook said it is because he uses only the freshest ingredients and the treats contain no preservatives, added sugar or salt—key aspects to a dog’s well-being.

“I make my own peanut butter and some of the things I put in are oats, beet root, cheese and bacon. We always make sure we get the best produce from our local farmers and we also source our honey locally.”

However, there have been requests from pet owners for speciality treats for dogs with allergies.

Cook, who also came up with this specific line, said it includes treats such as peanut butter and coconut and using oats as a substitute for flour in the banana and beet biscuits.
“We also make biscuits for our regular customers to suit their dogs.”

The sweet potato, peanut butter and cheese and bacon are the most popular flavours.

Cook’s venture has definitely found its niche in the business landscape but not without some challenges.

One of his main challenges is sourcing capital to expand. Cooks wants to achieve greater storage space as preparation and baking are currently done at home.

“We want to get our products out to groceries and pet stores but because the treats contain no preservatives so there is a short shelf life. The treats have to be refrigerated and we are trying to find out how to match that at a fixed location.

Cook added: “We are trying to find a way to have a longer shelf life in the most natural way. We have done some research and we are experimenting with how it affects the taste.”

Dotties are versatile treats, say Cook.

“One of the biggest difficulties is an amazing story in itself. When we go to the different markets, we have sample bags and one of the biggest problem is people think they are cookies at first and are shocked by the fact that they are dog biscuits.

“But they are very edible because I eat them while baking and I have friends who also eat them,” he explained.

On any given day Cook bakes up to 400 treats. Products are retailed in bags weighing ten ounces at a cost of $40 each. A bag of the speciality treats cost $10 more.

By request Cook is looking into the idea of making cat treats, so within the next five years his eyes are set not only on the increase in availability but producing a wider variety of treats for pets.

Exotic wines

Cook comes from a line of wine makers as his father brews intoxicating flavours at his Maracas winery.

Armed with that knowledge, Cook tried his hand at this venture using seasonal fruits and Tucuché Tropical Country Wines was founded.

“My father has been making wines as far back as I can remember, perhaps a couple decades ago.

“We have always pushed him to take it to another level. It was only in January this year we decided to go public with the wines, some which have been ageing three years,” Cook explained.

While wine making is not new to T&T, Cook believes the flavours he incorporates make his product distinct. He said there are certain tricks peculiar to every wine maker.

“We have a flavour and clarity that puts us up there with the best. The experience my dad brings allows us to manipulate flavours. It’s sweet and tasty, not bitter.

“Our pommecythere tastes like you’re biting into a pommecythere, our guava tastes like guava jam with a blend of local spices.”

Again local farmers play an integral part in the process as most of the produce is sourced from the North Coast.

Uncommon fruits such as lay lay are transformed into a drink which has become much sought after by local wine connoisseurs.

Other blends include passion fruit, cocoa, carambola (five finger), mango zabico, noni, banana, pommerac, noni and lay lay, noni and banana and noni and mango.

At $120 a bottle, how does this compete with the domestic $40 wine market?

“We are not going after that market. Our wines definitely have a difference in ageing and clarity, even the body of the wine and finished taste make us unique,” he explained.

“There are a few local labels at the price point we are at and that’s where we are keeping our eyes at, but I believe we can match the imported ones.”

Business and political leaders need risk management training to deal with T&T’s challenges, says Ken Hackshaw, risk management consultant and a lecturer in risk management at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

“Look at what is going on now economically. It is a great time to put risk management concepts to work and be more risk intelligent. It speaks about the country’s work ethic, about the country’s complacency.

Risk management is the new normal internationally.”

Hackshaw, founder and executive director of the T&T Risk Management Institute, said with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act yet to be fully proclaimed, many of the country’s state entities are not yet equipped to operationalise the legislation.

Key appointments have been made, he said.

In January, Moonilal Lalchan, a former president of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce, was appointed procurement regulator and chairman of the Procurement Board and the ten members of the board have received their instruments of appointments.

However, according to Hackshaw, systems for full implementation of the new act are not in place across the public sector.

“The Risk Management Institute had direct involvement in development of the policy handbook that operationalises the act and we know what is required of state entities. It is my respectful view that most of the state entities are not equipped as yet to actually comply and/or effect the legislation,” he said.

He blamed this on a lack of strong internal controls and effective risk management.

Procurement legislation is not just about compliance, he pointed out: “It is about identifying, managing and reporting on the risks associated with the procurement and disposal of goods. In that regard I have some concerns.”

Hackshaw said a professional certificate enterprise risk management course developed by the Risk Management Institute about a year ago, includes a module on procurement risk management.

“We are the only folks that are knowledgeable of and trained in assisting state entities. There is the compliance aspect which is the legal and regulatory aspect of it but it is the internal controls that are mandated that I have a concern with.”

Hackshaw also has questions about the procedures that should be followed:

“What about supply chain risk management?

“What about identifying the risk associated with who you identify?

“Did the person do due diligence on the vendor that they are engaging to provide that service?

“What about third party risks in verifying how good the person is, or if something bad were to happen to the vendor, would they able to complete the service that you hired them for? There should be continuity plans.”

He proposes training and education to get state entities to the place they ought to be.

“The institute can do that. Many state organisations have procurement departments. Some of them are trained in what procurement is analogous to supply in change management.

“What they do not have is the risk management component. Best practice and international standards now dictate that one needs to marry the procurement and legislation,” he said

Hackshaw said state-run organisations must have procurement departments that are agile to deal with the dynamism of the modern world.

“This is to keep abreast of all the massive changes in the world. I have done procurement risk management training for a major state entity in the energy sector. Kudos to them for having the awareness to say that they need to have help.”

Corruption risk

There is a function in procurement risk management training that deals with corruption risk assessment, said Hackshaw.

“What this implies is not to identify individuals who are corrupt, it is meant to identify procedures, policies, processes that can be used to commit fraud or corruption.

“Basically, the rules and regulations are not stringent enough that they could be easily used to commit a corrupt practice.

“An example is where you read that in the banks fraud is being committed. It is because the process or the procedure is outdated and there are not enough controls than can be taken advantage of.”

None of this currently exists in any state organisation in T&T, he said.

“I will challenge anyone to ask most board members or leaders in state organisations if they have any idea what is their corruption risk assessment.”

A “normalisation of deviance” concept was developed by American sociologist Diane Vaughan to describe weaknesses in the United States’ Space Agency (NASA’s) organisational behaviour, Hackshaw said.

“This basically says the bad things have been continuing so long that it becomes the accepted norm. That is what is going now in many state entities and across society. The processes, as bad as they are now, are an accepted norm. Training is the solution for all of this.”

Organisational challenge

In September, Hackshaw will be releasing a book, How Success Can Lead to Failure—Tales of Trinbagonians’ Risk Management Culture and Leadership, a compendium of articles and newsletters he has written over the last five years.

“I have added what an entity or person can do to prevent these things from happening. This is to help business leaders make better decisions.”

He also covers personal risks, organisational risks and risks at the country level in the book.

“When there is an effective risk management programme, there is the possibility of the country increasing its credit rating based on that. One of the pillars the international credit agencies look at is if a country has a risk management programme.”

The Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business (ALJGSB) is planning further expansion, specifically to Africa. CEO David Dulal-Whiteway said a few weeks ago an memorandum of understanding was renewed with a university in Ghana.

“They would like to offer programmes which we have developed for their students.

“The business school also will commence our first undergraduate programme in Bachelor in Sustainable and International Business in September this year, so the name change came about quite naturally as the institution’s expansion in international markets has paved the way for the school’s progression into the global landscape.

Dulal-Whiteway spoke at ALJGSB’s Distinguished Leadership and Innovation Conference, D Day: A Master Conference on Disruption, aimed strengthening the region’s capacity in leadership and innovation.

In its 16th year, the annual event is known for inspiring thought-provoking concepts while creating an interactive environment for Caribbean and Latin American leaders to discuss challenges and potential solutions.

Insights into how to achieve positive transformation in business through disruptive change, which is at the core of innovative leadership, were also explored.

Dulal-Whiteway said in recognising that leadership continues to be a key pillar, the UWI and the school, through its mandate, continuously focuses on improving the quality of leadership in the region.

“As Caribbean leaders we have been schooled in the thought that incremental change is safe and disruptive change is fraught with danger,” he said.

“It is my view that containing the status quo is actually the riskiest thing to do at this point in time. As leaders we are great at driving the organisations, setting new paths and forging ahead on those same paths.”

He noted that if the status quo is to altered rather than preserved, motivation and a change in mindset must become key elements.

And amidst T&T’s challenging economic times, there’s a silver lining.

“How we do things is more important than what we do. A recession is an opportunity to reposition your organisation for emerging opportunities and to build a more resilient organisation.

“You must first survive in order to be around for the next upswing in the economy,” Dulal-Whiteway advised.

Anticipatory management

Businessman Arthur Lok Jack, zeroing in on the concept of anticipatory management, noted that this is an important ingredient in success as it enables businesses to “see around the corners.”

He said there are two aspects to a business: growth and trying to avoid pitfalls.

“Both of those things are constantly in the minds of most CEOs. Sometimes it’s difficult because these two things work against each other, especially according to the economic circumstances and the competitive environment that we’re in.”

According to Lok Jack, that is when the “what ifs” come into play, forcing some businesses to be proactive in implementing plans.

“It causes you to think and it makes you feel uncomfortable a bit, because when you ask the question “what if” the obvious response from inside of you is “how do I treat with it?

“And in that regard you therefore unearth certain contingencies. There are many successful businessmen who foresaw the problem long before it happened and so they are perceived to be lucky, but it’s not luck.

They anticipated their problems and organised to suit around it so, by the time the problem arose, they would be okay,” Lok Jack said.

Anticipatory management, he explained, is extremely important, especially in a fast moving world and also where technology is disrupting every aspect of life.

Featured speaker, New York University professor Luke Williams, said a crisis is a terrible thing to waste since it is during this time that new ideas must be born.

The idea of disruption, Williams advised, is about creativity and not about growing a business intermittently. Many, he noted, failed to embrace change but it was thinking outside the box that paved the way for success.

Williams offered several tips for success, including crafting a disruptive hypothesis, defining a disruptive market opportunity, generating several disruptive ideas, shaping a disruptive solution and making a disruptive pitch.

In his book, Disrupt: Think the Unthinkable to Spark Transformation in Your Business, Williams dares leaders to be game-changers and drive innovation.

The 2018 Iere Theatre performance of Temple in the Sea meets the company’s usual high technical production and musical standards but this time minus some of the creative values that made productions such as Takdir and Sundar among the best local theatre has offered in recent memory.

The production ran at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) from May 25 to 27. It was last staged by Iere in 2012.

Playwright/director, Victor Edwards, clearly wrestled with the lure of pedantry in faithfully scripting the tale of intrepid Hindu devotee, Sewdass Sadhu, and the challenge of a more creative narrative.

This yielded a production that at times, particularly in the earlier scenes, drifted into the dramatic valley of mawkish preachiness. Sadhu (played by Martin Sahadath) is presented as veritable saint while important elements of the Sadhu storyline are not adequately treated with.

It was not very clear, for instance, that the devoted Hindu’s experience in India upon his return had inspired a desire to replicate the Ganges experience on the tropical Caribbean island where he once lived and that he had returned as a pretty hardnosed businessman.

So, in the exchange between Sadhu and Boss Sahib (Hugh Ramlal)—who is represented as a comic character—it is not established why the temple builder would want to turn down the offer of mangrovefilled swamp land, which, in any event, is an offer the Boss has no intention of honouring through to completion.

As the plays continues, however, the writer opts for greater use of metaphor and clever references to contemporary developments.

The flow of the action also picks up against the backdrop of an excellent score performed by a four-player band led by percussionist Kiran Sankar and including Vandana Tulsie, Ahbijit Anchortassoo and Srishti Shiva Ramdass.

The show’s programme is short on information regarding general choreography, with the exception of reference to Reshma Doon-Seepersad’s role as “the graceful dancer” (which she is), but Iere also has a reputation for excellently choreographed moves on stage. Temple is no exception.

The action on stage is flawlessly directed and executed.

Ramlal is clearly the veteran on stage but the secondary character roles played by Geneva Drepaulsingh, Ambika Ramdass and Chelsea Ramjit provide evidence of high levels of competence. Drepaulsingh, an Iere regular, is an exceptional talent on stage.

Edwards draws attention to the parody of a classroom setting during which a teacher instructs her pupils in the ways of Christianity and colonial citizenship.

This is delightfully executed and is later referenced when Hosay celebrations by the Muslims are forcefully and fatally put down by security forces and Hindu witnesses to the tragedy assess the implications for their own well-being.

There is, in the process, more than indirect reference to the recent “hijab” issue at Lakshmi Girls High School in St Augustine.

Then there are instances when there is manipulation of time and historical event. Though the action in the play is meant to depict developments in the 1940s and 50s, there is reference to the general election campaign of 1966.

The events of the divisive election campaign are juxtaposed alongside the late prime minister Eric Williams’ retort following the West Indies federal elections of 1958, when he described the country’s East Indian community as a “recalcitrant and hostile minority.”

The 1966 election actually occurred years after Sadhu had completed work on the temple. The impact of this, Edwards however contends in his director’s note, is to illustrate that “not much has changed.”

Temple in the Sea works well as a more or less faithful narrative on the life and times of the pioneering holy man of Waterloo.

It however works better as an exhibition of fine acting accompanied by delightful music and dance bearing the distinctive Iere stamp.

After an outstanding career in the T&T Police Service, retired detective Inspector Lance Aaron Lashley died on September 23, 2016, but his impact on community and family life is remembered.

The Lashley family will like to continue the legacy of Lashley, who was committed to helping at-risk male youths from East Port-of-Spain improve their lives, and has established the Lance Aaron Lashley Memorial High School Scholarship, to be awarded to two students with academic potential, and financial need, who will be entering high school.

Lashley’s sister, US-domiciled Professor Lynette Lashley said: “Lance believed that educational opportunity, was key to steering at-risk males away from crime. The two students selected will each receive $2,500 to help with the purchase of uniforms, textbooks, and school supplies, as well as a laptop computer.

“We have selected Nelson Street Boys’ RC Elementary School for these awards. We will like you to attend the presentations at the National Library and Information System of Trinidad and Tobago (Nalis) on June 29, from 10 am to noon.”

Among some of Lashley’s strategies to reach at-risk male youth, was becoming an honorary member of City Sun Valley, an East Port-of-Spain community youth steelband situated in Nelson Street

This enabled him, first-hand, to meet, mentor, motivate, and counsel the players and supporters, to focus on staying in school to obtain an education, instead of turning to crime. He would often help some of them, financially, to purchase textbooks, and other school supplies.

Lashley was also a visble figure, especially at Panorama in the Queen’s Park Savannah, offering security services for reigning National Panorama champion bpTT Renegades.

When Project Reason was formed in Trinidad, in 2015, Lashley joined the organisation, and worked as a Violence Interrupter, to help thwart crime among at-risk youth in East Port-of-Spain. Project Reason used the Chicago Cure Violence Method which employs methods and strategies associated with disease control—detecting and interrupting conflict, identifying and changing social norms. He worked there, up to the time of his passing. Crime had been reduced in those areas by over 85 per cent. Unfortunately, the organisation is now defunct.

Lynette added: “Although Lance is no longer with us, we are determined to keep his legacy alive. We would appreciate it if Lance’s former colleagues in the police service, and even present police officers who never met or knew him would attend on June 29.”

In celebration of Alta’s 25th anniversary, Alta students around the country were asked to write about the impact the organisation has had on their lives. Since 1992, Alta has provided classes around the country for thousands of Trinidadians who struggle with reading and writing.

Alta students enrol in the programme at many different levels of literacy and leave when they have accomplished their literacy goals. While it is difficult to manage work and family life alongside Alta classes, students continue to persevere and in all cases see changes in their lives after attending Alta classes.

In the coming weeks, Alta will share their pieces through this column. This week, two students from Tranquility Government Secondary School venue share how Alta has impacted their lives.

Student name: Leotta Walters

“I am an Alta success story. I was born in Jamaica and came to Trinidad at age 17. I came to meet my mom who came to Trinidad when I was 11. Between that time, I had to take care of myself and got caught up with the wrong crowd. I gambled and had a lot of friends because I made big money. My mom got ill and my job did not allow me to take care of her properly so I had to hire assistance to take care of her, that’s when I met Debra.

Debra noticed my reading problem and encouraged me to sign up to Alta classes. I used to call everyone because I couldn’t read or write text messages. Now! I can read and write! Praise the Lord. My life has changed the things I used to do, the places I used to go it’s no more. I lost all the friends I had who were after my money. I’m part of the family and found new friends. They are a bunch of faithful, caring people I can call my family. They always make themselves available to help me.”

Student name: Angelie

“I came to Alta so that I can read and to be a better person. When I started Alta I was so afraid the teacher will not be good to me so I used to be shy to let them know my problem but they knew what to look for so they can help you to read.

I continue to come to my class every day. Then I expect my life will get some great help.

This has turned out so wonderful for me. It help me to go into my own business and it also makes me count my money and write up my books for myself every week so I will be able to check how much a money

I make. I can help my grandsons when we are going out. He will ask me the name of something when we are passing in the maxi taxi.

And it gives you a lot of knowledge. I will be to go on in life a lot better so when any one gives me a paper to read I will read it out loud for they all can hear me read to my best ability.”

Volunteer, Donate or Sponsor-a-student. Call 621-5708 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com for more info. Keep up to date with ALTA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: ALTA

When the ships began departing from the shores of India to Trinidad in 1845, not only did they bring just under 144,000 immigrants to these unfamiliar lands, but a mission that was already carved on the souls of these ancestors.|

The Pichakaree song composed by Raviji titled Mission to the Caribbean speaks to the deceitful plot that started in India, but faith would twist this plot into a legacy that hundreds of thousands of descendants would wake up to each morning, armed with pride for their east Indian heritage as they navigate the demands of the western world.

“There is a mystery behind indenture history

Haa Sahaib take we, from the ancient country.

Beyond Kaalaapani, only half the story

But a secret voice was singing that they need you

So ah sending you.

Ja ah sending you on a mission to the Caribbean”

Pichakaree “Mission to the Caribbean” composed by Raviji

T&T has benefitted tremendously from this mission that started in 1845. Through the physical and political abuses, the iftars, bhajans, dholaks, wearing of ‘sindoor’ (red dot worn by Hindu married women); all of which are extracts from a vast repository of east Indian culture brought by our ancestors, have largely remained intact today thanks to the efforts of each generation to preserve the Indentureship discourse.

In an attempt to capture this epic chapter of our nation’s story, the Remember When Institute of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, in collaboration with the National Archives of T&T, has facilitated a comprehensive exhibition leading up to Indian Arrival Day to honour the struggles of these ancestors at the Micles Atrium in Trincity Mall. This year marks the 173rd anniversary since this mission to the Caribbean started.

On the exhibition, Dr Nyan Gasdby-Dolly states that, “Each citizen, regardless of their origin, should venture to the Micles Atrium to feel the trepidation of these ancestors through the pages of the General Register of Indentured Immigrants, allow the energy and melody of the tabla sounds to pulse through one’s veins, and pause to reflect on the role of the East Indian community in shaping a thumbprint that is unique to Trinidad and Tobago.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday, and members of the public seeking to learn more about the relics or information displayed can contact 225-4023.

Over the years, the administrators who were responsible for conducting the rules and procedures for the game in every affiliated country were always seeking to expose the highest quality of the game during World Cup to be the main source of education for players, supporters, administrators and most importantly coaches.

As a young boy, witnessing a World Cup football match was extra special. In the days when the live telecast for these matches was not available in our living rooms and our nearest place to see the matches would have been in certain cinemas.

The excitement to get into a cinema was accepted by the lovers of the sport.

Back then most countries played their major domestic sports such as Cricket from January to June, and football from July to December. That is the reason why the World Cup tournaments were always scheduled for the summer.

Today, the previous schedule for these sporting disciplines have changed drastically. It is easy to witness International football and cricket matches played year round, they run concurrently. Not even the rainy season could dictate the time of year for cricket anymore.

Proof of this is the fact that the Cricket West Indies (CWI) has accepted a Sri Lanka visit to the Caribbean for the Caribbean inside from June to July, which is usually much of the rainy season and at the same time of the world’s biggest sporting event—World Cup football.

So our sports fans will have to make choices as to whether they follow the Test series or the Fifa World Cup.

The fans may not be totally affected as they could even share the days for their entertainment, but they will only be getting proportional insights into either sport.

Clearly, our country’s competitive players and coaches are expected to learn many lessons conducted by the finest footballers and cricketers in the world, where the visual opportunities will provide the (pictures are worth a thousand words) slogan.

There is also the question of the value of marketing from the sponsors who are not only facilitating the people of this country, but they are not getting the maximum value for their money.

We are referring to the matches which attract thousands of locals who sit before their TV screens in order to see as many games as possible.

How possible it is to sit in front of your TV or visit the Queen’s Park Oval to view matches being played in St Lucia and Barbados to support our cricketers at the same time the World Cup is on.

This only goes to show us that the management of sporting disciplines in our sport loving society does not give thought to the relevance of the values which benefit all ages.

I can imagine the office worker has to juggle his working time to have a semblance of an opportunity to witness any events which are taking place concurrently as I mentioned previously.

Nevertheless, I humbly ask that fans would support both the cricket series next week with similar regularity just as they have planned to do when the World Cup kicks-off on June 14th.

The second annual North Coast Jazz Festival was a celebration of local talent with the slogan Born Here, Played Here. The sold out event was held at the Sir Solomon Hochoy Grounds in Blanchisseuse on May 26.

The audience came with their tables, chairs, food, drinks, friends and family and created a real party atmosphere, liming and picnicking while listening to the music.

The majority of the patrons got to the venue via a Park and Ride system implemented by the organisers, which took them on a two-hour ride through the lush countryside of the North Coast.

Even though Olatunji’s set was disappointingly short compared to some of the others, he had the crowd out of their seats from the moment he hit the stage with his hit songs Bodyline and Ola, along with classic Lord Kitchener and Sparrow ballads. After whipping them into a frenzy, he leaped off the stage and was immediately surrounded by fans, who he led in a chorus of songs before ending his set. There were extraordinary performances from Tobago’s Kay Alleyne, Jeanine and Janelle Xavier of Xavier Strings on violins, Dean Williams and Friends and the Michael Dingwell Band, all of whom kept the crowd enthralled and dancing. The music ranged from jazz to contemporary to gospel to soul.

Alleyne performed a range of throaty soulful classics from different eras of music, and the crowd joined in enthusiastically. The Xavier sisters had the audience in awe with their virtuoso playing of their instruments, incorporating dance and performance elements. Brother and sister duo Ayanna and Saeed Garcia, along with Tristan Marcano, performed classical pieces on pan and the audience sang along and danced.

Dean Williams on guitar and the other members of his band on trumpet, saxophone and keyboard had the crowd moving and shaking to their original music, while the Michael Dingwell Band performed a series of jazz-infused gospel hits which energised the crowd from the beginning of the show.

The performances from vocalist Nyiida Andrews and musician Arthur Marcial were less enthralling, as both their performances fell flat and decreased the momentum of the show. Some fans experienced concerns with how the performers were ordered, although generally the show flowed smoothly without time for patrons to lose interest.

There were a few problems which cropped up, such as patrons not realising that the Park and Ride fee was not part of the ticket price, mechanical issues, not letting patrons know that they should bring seating, no social media response on the weekend of the show, etc. The buses also were ready to go before the end of the show, which also occurred last year, leading to some patrons leaving early and missing the end of the show.

There were a variety of food booths and crafts on sale. Patrons were eager to support the residents of the area who had leather work, jewelry and clothing on sale. The vendors also offered a variety of foodstuffs ranging from Pacro Water and Sea Whelks to fried fish, wings and fries. Some vendors from outside the community included Natalie’s Bake and Shark from Maracas Bay and Johann Mohammed of African Ark.

Also available were a dozen flavours of ice cream, including Tonkabean, Balata, Pumpkin and Mango.

Virtuoso singer Mavis John, who performed at last year’s Festival, was honoured by the North Coast Jazz Festival Committee. Committee Chairman Louis Lee Sing said John would be attending next year’s St Lucia Jazz Festival, all expenses paid by the Committee. She was also presented with a framed portrait of her performing live by renowned literary icon Dr Selwyn Cudjoe on behalf of the Committee. John became emotional as she accepted the portrait and expressed her appreciation for the accolade.

Patrons were delivered safely back to the Savannah by the Park and Ride Service, and the general consensus was that the Festival was well worth the price of admission.
(See more of North Coast Jazz in Pulse, in REC magazine)

See live performances by flamenco dancers, capoeira artistes (Afro-Brazilian martial arts), merengue dancers and a lot more at Nalis’ second edition of Latin Nights from June 11 to 16 at the National Library of T&T (Nalis), located at Hart and Abercromby Streets, Port-of-Spain. All events are free to the public.

Dubbed Latin Nights 2, this series of events is a celebration of Latin culture, folklore, films, arts and cuisine. It is geared towards bridging cultural divides and promoting the use of Spanish as T&T’s second language.

Through their embassies in T&T, participating countries will include Brazil (the only Portuguese speaking country taking part), the Dominican Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Spain.

The formal opening of Latin Nights 2 will be held on June 11 at 6:30 pm. Marlene Mc Donald, Minister of Public Administration and Communications; Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs; Jose A. Serulle Romia, ambassador of the Dominican Republic and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; and, Neil Parsanlal, Chairman of the Board of Nalis are expected to deliver remarks. The formal opening will be followed by performances by Los Alamos de San Flores

T&T’s contribution to the festival, a cocktail reception and the opening of an exhibition showcasing artefacts from all participating countries. The artefacts will be on display throughout the duration of the festival.

On June 12 at 6.30 pm, the embassy of the Dominican Republic will present merengue, a type of music and dance originating from that country which forms part of the island of Hispaniola. The award winning film Chicama will be screened at 9:30 am by the Embassy of Peru in the Audio Visual Room, National Library on June 13 and in the evening, Brazil will present Capoeira artistes.

On June 14 the embassy of Costa Rica and Cuba will present their countries’ offerings at 10 am and 6:30 pm respectively. Costa Rica’s presentation consists of workshops and the screening of films targeted to primary and secondary school students themed Our Essence Defines Us.

The Cuban classic film titled Clandestinos will be shown at the Audio Visual Room for persons of all ages. This film is a 1987 drama directed by Fernando Perez.

Chilean artist, Luis Vasquez La Roche will chat with members of the public at the News Media Room where his works will be on display on June 16 from 1 pm. The curtains will come down on Latin Nights 2 at 7 pm with performances by flamenco dancers. This show, put on by the Spanish embassy will be held at the Amphitheatre. Mexican ceramics, for which Mexico is popularly known, will be on display at that Rotunda of the library throughout Latin Nights 2.

By Act 18 on 1998, Nalis is mandated to provide library and information service, easily accessible to members of the public, in order to facilitate cultural, economic, educational, political and social development of the people of T&T. Latin Nights provides an avenue for Nalis to present information in a variety of formats towards fulfilling its mandate.

LATIN NIGHTS: THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Latin Nights was first held in 2017. It was as a direct response to the increasing number of Latin Americans, particularly Venezuelans, living in T&T and visiting our libraries.

Latin Nights is a celebration of Latin culture, folklore, arts and cuisine. The event is intended to bridge cultural divides by providing an insight into the culture, literature, poetry and films of our Spanish community resident in T&T.

Last year, the embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba and El Salavdor showcased their culture through films, poetry readings, folklore and performances by indigenous dancers.

Coming out of the relationship with Latin countries, Fernando Garcia-Casas, the Secretary of State of Spain for International Cooperation and for Latin America, during his visit in July 2017 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with T&T, handed over 88 Spanish language books to Nalis “to contribute to the advancement of the Spanish Language, learning and use.”

Other embassies donating collections since Latin Nights include Peru, Guatemala and Cuba. These and other collections will form part of the Spanish Language Corner at the Port-of-Spain Adult Library.

So excited were the embassies about their new found relationship that they sought collaboration with Nalis to establish a Spanish language conversation club titled Club de Español for persons who wish to practise their Spanish. From September to December the club met every Wednesday at the National Library for one hour from 5 pm. When the second cycle started in January, the sessions were extended to two hours weekly.

Sessions are conducted by ambassadors and other embassy officials. The establishment of the club is in keeping with government’s drive to encourage the use of Spanish as our country’s second language/first foreign language.

On April 23, the Spanish Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Secretariat for the Implementation of Spanish and Nalis partnered to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day and the International Day of the Spanish Language.

Nalis is a long standing member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). At IFLA, Latin America and the Caribbean countries are grouped together to work towards a global vision to increase the region’s impact and visibility on the world-wide stage. As a consequence, Nalis enthusiastically embraces collaboration with the Latin American countries with a view to forging enduring relationships with the Latin American embassies and the respective National Libraries.

In 2001, the Hispanic Women Club of T&T, started a Bilingual Story Hour at the Children’s Library, thereby providing a foundation for the children’s second language development.

In 2003, the club, with assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank, donated a collection of Spanish language books to the Children’s Library. These books are still used by the children for their enjoyment and enrichment.

Every now and then, somebody initiates a challenging discussion about the relationship between art and science. Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the best example of someone who straddled these disciplines with excellence; but he was one in a million.

Several contemporary musicians have emerged from hard science backgrounds to provide proof that these vantage points on the world and how it works are actually not that far apart.

For example, in T&T, medical doctor Kongshiek Achong Low performed for some time as a calypsonian by the name of ‘Dr Soca’, and Trinidadian aviation engineer, Sheldon Garfield Skeete, was named Calypso Monarch of the United Kingdom in 2012.

Accomplished young T&T soprano, Danielle Williams, who describes herself as a “singer/scientist,” seems pretty clear on the main issues here—the distinction between science and art is something of an illusion.

There is much in Williams’ background to reinforce the point. Not only has she completed advanced studies in Biochemistry and Nutritional Sciences, in anticipation of a now seemingly-abandoned future career in medicine, Williams also has an Artist Diploma in Music Performance from the University of T&T and has completed advanced artistic training at an opera studio programme in Härnösand Sweden.

For Williams, being a singer/scientist “is really a distillation of who I am and what I would like to offer to the local and international community. I’d like to use music and science to help transform the world. The worlds within and around us.”

It’s not all modern-era artistic gobbledygook though. The 30-year-old works hard at song and science and the numerous junctures at which they intersect. She is absolutely no slouch onstage as an operatic soprano and has matching accomplishments in scientific studies.

Being a singer/scientist, she says, “allows space for my brand to evolve to reflect all of my artist and scientific interests: vocal science and performance, pedagogy and eventually vocology and clinical practice.”

“I approach each facet of my life and artistry through this art/science filter—research well, find a balanced data-centred perspective, understand best practice, test, refine.

“Then, with a healthy dose of tell-a-story, emote, let go, feel.”

There is a major project of hers in the making that challenges popular beliefs in such matters. It involves the establishment of an ArtScience Foundation which Williams, 30, sees as a facility that will “create experiences designed to encourage critical thinking through the exploration of the interaction between art and science.”

How she sees this working in practical terms is through the use of “themed pop-up installations” that will be “immersive, interactive and participatory with a view of further developing the critical thinking and problem solving skills of the participant.”

This thesis will be put to the test on June 9 and 10 at Grundlos Kollektiv, 11 Cipriani Boulevard in Port-of-Spain when Williams presents Seeing Sound—“an immersive interactive visual and sonic experience which fuses digital art, film, music and dance.”

The live show will be an interactive art installation that explores cymatics (sound and vibration) and chromesthesia (sound and colour synchronisation).

The musical component of the experience will include hits, in different musical genres, from popular movies, operas and musical theatre.

“Woven together with film and poetry,” Williams says, “Seeing Sound will take the audience on a captivating journey that will leave them entertained, inspired and renewed.”

Interested? Click on www.daniellekwilliams.com/tickets or call
685-8970 or 785-8743.

Jazz heads to St James on day two of WeBeat St James Live 2018, the cultural experience hosted by the St James Community Improvement Committee (CIC).

Pan Jazz Night, offering an impressive line-up of well-known entertainers, takes place at the St James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St James, on Thursday, June 7, starting at 8 pm.

Featured performers are the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO); Codrington Pan Family; Golden Hands Steel Orchestra and Moore’s Music. They will showcase from smooth jazz to classic jazz, to calypso and groovy jazz.

Also sharing the spotlight will be this year’s honoree Power Stars Steel Orchestra, formerly known as Blue Stars.

The band was established in 1957 as Blue Stars, but ten years later acquired sponsorship from the T&T Electricity Commission (T&TEC) and subsequently became known as T&TEC Power Stars. The relationship existed for 41 years.

Over the years, Power Stars formed alliances with many junior steelbands, inclusive of St Francois Girls’ College of Belmont and Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive School. In 2008 the band lost its sponsorship, but continues to strive to keep itself firmly fixed in the steelband firmament by engaging in activities to ensure its continued existence, in addition to becoming a source of upliftment to the St James/Cocorite community.

For yet another year, the committee is inviting patrons to walk with their favourite beverages on the occasion, as chasers, non-alcohol drinks, and ice will be on sale.

Tickets for the event are priced at $150 each, and will be available at the door.

WeBeat St James Live is designed to promote the community of St James and plays a role in promoting an opportunity for artistes to showcase their talent, while seeking to build a sustainable tourism product with domestic allure. (DMC)

Our nation celebrated the 173rd anniversary of the arrival of our East Indian ancestors to T&T on Wednesday, and the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts (MCDCA) paid tribute to the rich cultural legacy brought by these ancestors at its third installation of the Live@Lunch Concert series at Woodford Square.

Titled Live@Lunch Masala, the event’s headliners were 2018 joint Chutney Soca Monarch Neval Chatelal and Nishard M, with Rick and Vanessa of the Fusion Band and Andre Mangatal rounding off the cast.

The attendees enjoyed doing the now famed ‘masala’ dance as the artistes brought their performance from the bandstand to guests huddled around the trees of Woodford Square.

The MCDCA will dedicate the month of June to its Brown Bag Series featuring the National Performing Arts entities, and therefore, the next edition of Live@Lunch will be held in July.

In Senate, Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses is known as the most reserved, brief on statement, low on profile. His recent trip with the Prime Minister, however, appeared to have had some impact.

“You were missed,” Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus greeted Moses at Tuesday’s Senate sitting. Moses then proceeded on a round of “hellos,” holding court. Loquacious, laughing and loud. Even Works Minister Rohan Sinanan’s traditional East Indian wear couldn’t distract from the din.

“Rohan the Rajah!” UNC Senator Kadijah Ameen exclaimed. Their Lower House colleagues had had similar exchanges at Monday’s sitting.

“We get invited to Lakshmi School (Indian Arrival Day) celebrations—you invited?” PNM’s Terrence Deyalsingh greeted Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. “Is dat Pundit-Ji?” she countered on his outfit “…You know white is for funerals?”

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, however, had no such fashion faux pas opportunities. At Tuesday’s media briefing on his overseas mission, Rowley said: “I came in late, went to bed at 1 am and was up at 3 am.

So I’ve not been invited to nuthin.’”

Rowley returned with a suitcase full of announcements which can potentially supplement Government’s political stocks once jobs and other opportunities materialise in “weeks and months” ahead (he projected).

Plans stated on the OPM’s website are pointedly prefaced with “expected outcome” (sic) that China will “consider” (sic). Actual concrete returns remain to be seen—including what rolls over into PNM’s 2020 manifesto. Chinese assistance is listed for practically all Government’s current plans from business “hardware” and housing to hospital unit and hotel construction. Deepened T&T/China links place T&T on par with regional neighbours also using Chinese help. 

If all fulfilled, China could have a huge stake in local development in a country of significant hemispheric stature. How that impacts on complementing or detracting from the local business sector—and on the global geo-political landscape—remains ahead.

Government’s repeatedly stressed Public-Private Partnership themes and there’d been projections of increased opportunities from some plans for which Chinese help is now being sought.

Rowley’s admission that only one local group was interested in Sandals’ development may signal continuing low local investor confidence. One of the contributors to that—crime—must particularly be tackled more aggressively with expected foreign investment, especially following attacks on Chinese nationals. After the rarified air of liaising with overseas leaders and being detached from T&T ground reality, it remains to unfold how Rowley views Government’s messaging in his absence and how his own mission report’s received. Both acting PM Colm Imbert and Rowley on return, referred queries on the proposed Chinese industrial estate to Trade, yet to detail what that “plan” is.

Rowley’s announcements stand to enhance Government’s Platform Positive thrust started in the election lead-up period, an effort clearly geared to transform Government’s mid-term image from trough level to optimistic priming point. Still, the much-touted economic turnaround is yet to be felt beyond PNM boasts when a tin of sardine varies between $8/$9.85, some booksellers are phasing out magazine sales (from this month) and job cuts still occur—and likely will since Education expects more UTT programme contractions in the 2018-19 term.

If turnaround messaging’s been weak, Finance’s communication on its property valuation drive—started surreptitiously—has been as weak as its 2017 property tax push and was “outed” via rumour. For which Finance, which made no timely announcement, is responsible. However, Rowley’s returned to certain political pluses—as his smile acknowledged when asked about the Persad-Bissessar/Sat Maharaj tiff. Indian Arrival Day 2018 met the Indo-TT based Opposition UNC challenged with potential for fragmentation from two community old guard figures: the legendary Panday name and Maharaj.

Maharaj’s criticism of Persad- Bissessar’s non-sectarian stance on his hijab issues, however, stand to help her national stocks, which would be UNC’s primary concern (well beyond Imam Rasheed Karim’s presence on UNC’s executive). Wednesday’s celebrations saw both answering queries with politically correct, though decidedly mixed messages for supporters not to be swayed.

In an increasingly active political landscape, the messages from Government and Opposition will sharpen. How much acceptance will come from J Public is the question.