BBC Caribbean now available in Tobago

People in Tobago can now listen to BBC World Service by tuning in to BBC 98.7 FM, with the launch of a dedicated FM transmitter on the island. Audiences will now have access to a wide range of BBC programming, including content tailored specifically for the Caribbean region.
 

The new service joins three other 24-hour BBC FM stations in the Caribbean – BBC 89.1 FM Antigua, BBC 104 FM Jamaica and the BBC 98.7 FM service which has been available on the neighbouring island of Trinidad since late 2007.

Queen's Hall hits golden anniversary

The Queen’s Hall turns 50 next week. To celebrate, the Hall is hosting an anniversary awards gala on June 3, at which 50 awards will be presented in tribute to the contributions of iconic local artists both living and deceased, complemented by a cast of over 300 performers.

"Our Golden Anniversary activities represent a thanksgiving; an honouring of the people who believed that the performing of dance, theatre, music and song in one common space could unify us," explained Queen’s Hall chairman Astra Da Costa. "It is an honouring of those who were committed to the idea that culture is not a pastime, but a representation and a definer of our identity."

Under the theme Symphony of Excellence, the event will feature a dynamic cast drawn from Trinidad & Tobago’s diverse pool of talent. Four of the nation’s top choirs have been invited to perform together: Marionettes Chorale, The Love Movement, Lydian Singers and the Southernaires Chorale.

Paul Keens Douglas, Errol Fabien, Dennis "Sprangalang" Hall, Raymond Choo Kong, Penelope Spencer and Albert Laveau will represent the islands' deep-rooted theatrical and oral traditions.

Making dance offerings are last year’s Best Village winners North West Laventille Cultural Movement, Satnarine Balkaransingh, the Bentley Potter School of Dance and Youthquake from Tobago among many others.

The Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, Ken “Professor” Philmore and pianist Felix Roach will be among those making musical magic on the night.

For more information, visit www.queenshalltt.com.

T&T Fashion Week

Trinidad & Tobago Fashion Week kicks off this weekend, with the action in this second annual installment centred around the new Hyatt Regency Hotel on the new Port of Spain Waterfront instead of Woodbrook's Adam Smith Square. The event runs May 29 through June 2.

Thirty-nine designers (up three from last year) and 41 lines will be showcased during the 5-day festival. Headliners include Meiling, Heather Jones, Garnett D’andrade (Simply Garnett), Shaun Griffith Perez, Stacy Smith, Dominique La Roche (DLR 'D') Claudia Pegus, Christian Boucaud, Dianne Hunt (Radical Designs), Francis Hendy as well as Mark and Ava Daniels (Avark from Barbados).

The theme of the event is supposed to be "save our earth", but I haven't been able to find exactly how the event and the designers are promoting sustainable fashion or raising environmental awareness. Do any of our readers have the inside scoop?

In any case, here's a look at the calendar of events, where each evening's event has a "green" theme, and includes both established and up-and-coming designers:

Friday May 29
Theme: Breaking Ground

• Heather Jones Designs
  
• DLR ‘D’
• Faraii
• Michael's Vogue Designs
  
• Lisa Laurie Clothing
  
• Brown Sugar
  
• Millhouse Mens' Wear
  
• CPFS

Saturday May 30
Theme: Clean Air

• Meiling
• DAV Originals
• Queen Esther Designs
  
• CIA’s Fashion
• Glen Montes de Oca
  
• Radical Designs Menswear
  
• Sean Griffith Perez Designs
  
• The Cloth
  

Sunday May 31
Theme: Tree of Life

• Peter Elias
  
• AVARK
• PILAR
• Sonia Mack
  
• M SQUARED
• Ivaek Archer
• Christian Boucaud Designs
  
• Zadd & Eastman
  

Monday June 1
Theme: Living Green

• Claudia Pegus
  
• Simply Garnett's
• Stacy Smith Designs
  
• Mariska's
• KAJ Designs
• Earth Member for Life
  
• BOY BOY
• Radical Designs
  

Tuesday June 2
Theme: On the Waterfront

• Francis Hendy
  
• Shurnel
• Contours
• Ecliffe Elie Designs
  
• GQS Genuine Quality Styles
  
• Calvin Southwell
  
• Saleem
• Concept Studios
  

Tickets for the event are $100 and available at DH Gift Shops West Mall and Long Circular Mall.

Rock D Spice in Grenada this weekend

Local artists in Grenada will rub shoulders with some regional and international superstars like Shaggy, Third World and Destra Garcia for this weekend's Rock D Spice music and arts festival.

Rock D Spice is reportedly the first major festival to be hosted in Grenada for over seven years, not least because the island has been recovering from several devastating hurricane seasons.

Playing May 29–31, the event is set to showcase the island's arts, crafts, music, culture and more at venues islandwide. Here's the schedule of events:

Friday May 29 (Cuthbert Peters Park)
Food, arts and craft market, and music from King Ajamu, Heatwave, the Tivoli Drummers, and more. The event is free, and runs 6pm–1am.

Saturday May 30
This is the big concert night at the National Stadium. The line-up includes international dancehall sensation Shaggy; soca star Destra Garcia; Rayvon; Rick Rock; Tivoli Drummers; Mr. Killa; Brother B and more. The event is scheduled for 9pm–3am.

Sunday May 31
Time for reggae on Bathway Beach in the north, with headline reggae act Third World and a supporting cast of top local gospel, reggae, and R&B acts. There will also be a Beach Fashion show featuring locally produced designer clothing, plus lots of games, rides and activities for kids and whole families. The festivities kick off at 11m and run through 8pm. Admission is $20.

Philo returns with second installment of No Men Allowed

After last year's successful fundraiser for the Rape Crisis Society, the Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (Aspire) teams up with Lifeline to bring the country’s best female comedy talent together for a good cause and a good laugh this weekend.

No Men Allowed, hosted by popular entertainer Philo (short for Philomena Alexis-Baptiste, a charcter portrayed by actress Deborah Maillard), plays the Queen's Hall in Port of Spain on May 28 and the Naparima Bowl in San Fernando on May 29.

This year's theme is "single, sexy, soul", and Philo plans to bring some romance to the strictly-adults-only affair.

"I is real sexy when I in de mood. I plan to bring soul," Philo assures us. "I single, so some lucky fella might just hit jackpot if he play he card right. He would not have to work. I will mind him and all he have to do is mind the children..." But that's not all: "I have something especial for the men, and the oilmen from South. My grandmother used to say there are no true love just 'rather' and 'prefer'. I prefer the oil money," Philo concludes.

Apart from MC Philo, headliners for the two-night event include chutney artist Drupatee, and actresses/comediennces Nikki Crosby, Mairoon Ali, Penelope Spencer, Nicky Carew, Princess Donelan and many others.

Lifeline: helping mega-producer, Sheldon $hel$hok Benjamin

Friends and colleagues of prolific and popular Trinidadian producer Sheldon "Shel-Shok" Benjamin – who has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, an extremely virulent form of cancer – have come together to organise an event to raise funds for his treatment and for the T&T Cancer Society.

The expensive combination of treatments used to combat the disease include chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, radiation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The concert event, called LIFELINE, features an all-star line-up which includes 3canal, Russell Leonce, H2O Phlo, Rocky, Denise Belfon, Allison Hinds, Destra Garcia and Machel Montano HD. LIFELINE will be hosted by Shal Marshall, and takes place Sunday June 7 at the Zen Nightlub on Keate Street in Port of Spain. Tickets are $150 general admission, and $300 VIP.

In addition to the fundraising event, well-wishers can make individual donations directly to a bank account being used to collect funds. The Republic Bank (Tunapuna East branch) account number is 250-022-596-231. The code is 250-022-596-231 (RBNKTTPX) for overseas donors.

For more information on LIFELINE, click the poster below, or call (all prefix +868): 783-6542; 741-9529; 715-4106; 332-5323; 689-9348; 689-9470; 747-6548 or 320-7045.

For more on Benjamin and his stellar international career:

• The Facebook group discussion about his long list of songs and collaborations
• Benjamin's official MySpace page

Mark your calendars: Red Earth Eco Festival returns May 31

The Red Earth Eco Festival returns this year in commemoration of World Environment Day (June 5), with activities running May 29 to 31, culminating on the final day with a concert scheduled for 3pm.

The Festival is run by the Red Earth nonprofit organisation, founded by environmentally concerned citizens who saw an opportunity to raise awareness about conservation through the arts. The Festival presents performances that are staged with as small a carbon footprint as possible. Instead, most acts perform unplugged, in the exquisite natural environment of Tucker Valley in the Chaguaramas National Park.

This year's programme will feature an eclectic mix of Aboriginal and contemporary performances by local and regional artists, outdoor cinema, beach clean-ups, a farmers' market, stargazing, picnicking, hiking, and more. Here's the tentative programme:

Friday 29 May

• 8.30am-11am: Nature tours for schools, hike to Edith Falls (free for schools, by reservation only: 868-633-6992)
• 10.00am-12:00pm: Working with the Earth – clay & craft workshops, storytelling (free for schools, by reservation only: 868-633-6992)
• 1:00pm: First Citizens Series: aboriginal dance & rituals of Australia & Trinidad (free for schools, by reservation only: 868-633-6992)
• 6.30pm: A Night Under the Stars ($30) – open air cinema (all ages), star-gazing camping
  

Saturday 30 May

• 7.30am: Nature Tour ($40/$30) – Covigne River Trail (by reservation only – CDA: 868-634-4346)
  
• 8.00am: Beach clean up, Chacachacare (by reservation only: 868-389-6623)
• 8.00am–4.00pm: Dream Time: Mystic Intervention (free) – interactive art experience
• 10.00am–12:00pm: Working with the Earth ($20) – clay & craft workshops, storytelling (by reservation only: 868-633-6992)
  
• 11.00am: Workshops ($50) – didgeridoo playing, body painting, traditional song & dance (by reservation only: 868-389-6623)
  
• 1.00pm: Survival Training in the Bush (free, by reservation only: 868-685-3213)
• 4.00pm: Ritual Blessing of the Performance Space (free)
• 5:00pm: Red Earth, Fire Words (free) – spoken word performances
• 7.00pm: Dream Time ($150)– Descendance -(aboriginal dance company from Australia), 3canal and other local performers, unplugged

Sunday 31 May

• 9.00am: Nature Tours – Gasparee Caves ($95/$65) and hike to Macqueripe ($40/$30). By reservation only – CDA: 868-634-4346
• 9:00am–1:00pm: Farmers Market – organically grown food
• 9:30am–10:15am & 12:30am–1:15pm: Permaculture Workshop (free)
• 11.00am: The Screening Room (free) – all day screenings of films/documentaries
• 3.00pm: Healing From the Earth – medicinal plants trek, Mt St Catherine (free, by reservation only: 868-685-3213)
• 5.00pm: Picnic & poetry (free) – performance poetry, open mic performances
• 7.00pm: Rock The River Bed ($150) – local performers unplugged; Descendance (aboriginal dance from Australia)
  

Photos courtesy Adelwyn Holder

The Marionettes Chorale puts out open call for string players

The Marionettes Chorale is getting ready for their 45th anniversary concert this July 10-12 at Queen's Hall, and are assembling a team of string players to compliment their core steel, brass, percussion and woodwind orchestra.

The choir is putting out an open call to the music community for talented local string players to join this special 45th Anniversary Orchestra. Interested candidates should send an email (preferably a performing resume) outlining experience and training to email@marionetteschorale.com.

Participation in the Anniversary Orchestra in no way supersedes or preclude membership in existing local orchestras, but rather is an invitation to join with the Chorale in celebrating this special anniversary in unprecedented style.

For more information, please send a message to email@marionettes chorale, or visit details of the open call on the Chorale's Facebook page.

Beach cleanups and more for World Environment Day in Trinidad

World Environment Day is June 5, and local environmentally conscious organisations and individual citizens are banding together to do their part in raising awareness and promoting conservation of the islands' natural resources.

On June 7, the Mayaro Environmental Wave (MEW), in collaboration with the Trinidad & Tobago National Commission for UNESCO, will host an all-day programme of activities, including an environmental walk; beach cleanups; a sand sculpture competition; and a games event.

For more information and to register, contact Andy Paul at (868) 396-9898, 794-7561 or acpaul2@hotmail.com; or Zia Zan at (868) 734-1531 zia_janboi@hotmail.com.

Lilliput Children's Theatre presents "Lagahoo" at Queen's Hall

Trini folklore has it that to see "lagahoo", you have to take the "yampee" (the dried mucus that gathers in the corners of the eye) from a dog’s eye, put it in yours and look through a keyhole at midnight.

But Lilliput Theatre, one of the country's foremost performing arts training and performance groups in Trinidad for children and young people, is offering a glimpse of the mysterious lagahoo right in Queen's Hall.

Lilliput Theatre’s Lagahoo started as all their shows do, with a junior Carnival band designed by Merylle Mahabir. From the concept that sparked the costume design, ideas were hatched and nurtured and developed into a script by the drama class.

This year’s production investigates local folklore through one of our lesser-known, more elusive characters, using traditional and contemporary storytelling to ask questions that nobody seems to have answers for any more.

The lagahoo is best-known as a shape-shifter capable of wielding the dark arts, but the full range of its power is open to debate and speculation.

Artistic director, producer and choreographer Noble Douglas and director Wendell Manwarren of 3canal have led Lilliput Theatre on a journey to explore both the traditional folkloric lagahoo, as well as contemporary incarnations.

The cast and the audience will be left with some compelling questions: when nobody whispers about lagahoo in the dark of night anymore, when nobody tells the stories, can lagahoo continue to exist? Does the shape-shifter assume a new form in keeping with the times, no longer known as lagahoo but manifest as some new danger? What happens to folklore characters when nobody believes in them? Do they simply fade away or do they strike back?

Lilliput's Lagahoo goes up this Friday-Sunday 15-17 May at Queen's Hall. Tickets are $85 for adults, and $70 for children and are available from Crosby's Music Centre (St. James), the Queen's Hall Box Office (868-624-1284) and members of the cast.

Video: CNN Hero Suzan Lakhan Baptiste works to save leatherback turtles

Watching a leatherback turtle come ashore on one of Trinidad or Tobago's beaches a breathtaking sight. The turtles are endangered, and still face threat not only from predators, but from human poaches. This Trinidadian CNN Hero, Suzan Lakhan Baptiste, works tirelessly to save them. Check it out and share!

Beauty & Sustainability: Caribbean holiday properties that offer both

What if you could have your dream vacation in the Caribbean, and know that your vacation helped promote sustainable development and tourism at the same time? A new website called Caribbean Experiences can help you do just that.

An initiative of the Organization of American States Department of Trade and Tourism (DTT), through its Caribbean STEP Program (Small Tourism Enterprises Program), the website – which launches this month – features properties that demonstrate "innovation, high quality vacation experiences and environmental stewardship".

The site features not just accommodation facilities, but offers travelers a site to search for various STEP recognized properties while also featuring details of top attractions in each of the participating Caribbean destinations. As of now, those destinations are: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and, Trinidad and Tobago.

"The Caribbean Experiences website offers an exciting new way for travelers to discover the authentic features of the Caribbean. By staying at these leading small properties visitors have an exceptional vacation and can feel confident that they have been part of a product that reflects responsible tourism practices," says Richard Campbell, Tourism Section Chief at the DTT.

The ever-growing list of properties who have participated in and been approved by the DTT's Caribbean STEP programme are:

ANTIGUA

• Tradewinds www.twhantigua.com
• Anchorage Inn www.antiguaanchorageinn.com
• Long Bay Hotel www.longbayhotel.com
• Admiral Inn www.admiralsantigua.com/english/history.htm
• Heritage House www.carib-hotels.com/antigua/heritage%20hotel/english/hotel.htm
• South Coast Horizons www.southcoasthorizons.com
• Catamaran Hotel and Marina www.catamaran-antigua.com
• Coconut Beach Club www.coconutbeachclub.com

BAHAMAS

• Quality Inn Cigatoo
• Gems at Paradise www.gemsatparadise.com/v2/index.htm
• Sugar Apple Bed and Breakfast www.sugarapplebb.com

BARBADOS

• Pirate Inn http://piratesinnbarbados.com
• South Gap Hotel http://southgapbarbados.com
• Yellow Bird http://yellowbirdbarbados.com
• Plum Tree Club www.barbadosplumtreeclub.com
• Worthing Court Apartments www.worthingcourt.com

BELIZE

• Machaca Hills www.machacahill.com
• Great House www.greathousebelize.com
• San Pedro Hotel www.sanpedroholiday.com
• Villa Boscardi www.villaboscardi.com
• Windy Hill www.windyhillresort.com
• San Ignacio www.sanignaciobelize.com
• Lamanai Outpost www.lamanai.com
• Black Orchid Resort / Belize R Us www.blackorchidresort.com

DOMINICA

• Garraway Hotel www.garrawayhotel.com
• Castle Comfort Lodge www.castlecomfortdivelodge.com
• Beau Rive Hotel www.beaurive.com
• Exotica Cottages www.exotica-cottages.com
• Evergreen Hotel www.avirtualdominica.com/evergreen.htm
• Jungle Bay Resort & Spa www.junglebaydominica.com
• Papillote Wilderness Retreat Inn www.papillote.dm
• Rainforest Shangri La www.rainforestshangrilaresort.com
• Sunset Bay www.sunsetbayclub.com

GRENADA

• True Blue Hotel www.truebluebay.com
• Blue Horizon www.grenadabluehorizons.com
• Flamboyant www.flamboyant.com

GUYANA

• The Residence Inn http://rri.hnconsultancy.com
• Cara Lodge www.carahotels.com/guyana_lodge/index.php
• Grand Coastal Inn www.grandcoastal.com

JAMAICA

• Hotel Mocking Bird www.hotelmockingbirdhill.com
• Rondel Village www.rondelvillage.com
• Morgan's Harbour www.morgansharbour.com
• Village Hotel www.villagehoteljamaica.com
• Hibiscus lodge Hotel www.hibiscusjamaica.com
• Negril Escape Resort www.negrilescape.com
• Christar Villas www.christarvillashotel.com
• Relax Resort www.relax-resort.com

NEVIS

• The Hermitage www.hermitagenevis.com
• Golden Rock www.golden-rock.com
• Montpelier Plantation Inn www.montpeliernevis.com
• Oualie Beach Hotel www.oualiebeach.com

ST. KITTS

• Ocean Terrace www.oceanterraceinn.com
• Rawlins Plantation www.rawlinsplantation.com
• Ottleys Plantation Inn www.islandinns.com/ottleysplantation.html
• Timothy Beach Resort www.timothybeach.com
• The Golden lemon Inn and Villas www.goldenlemon.com
• Bird Rock Beach Hotel www.birdrockbeach.com
• Frigate Bay Resort www.frigatebay.com
• Palms Hotel www.palmshotel.com

ST. LUCIA

• Palm Haven Hotel www.palmhavenhotel.com
• Harmony Suites www.harmonysuites.com
• Auberge Seraphine www.aubergeseraphine.com
• Habitat Terrace www.habitatterrace.com
• Zamaca http://zamaca.com
• Villa Beach Cottage www.villabeachcottages.com
• Caribbean Jewel Resort www.caribbeanjewelresort.com
• Stonefield Estate Villa Resort www.stonefieldvillas.com
• Fond Doux Estate www.fonddouxestate.com
• Vista Villas
• La Haut Plantation www.lahaut.com

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

• Grenadine House www.grenadinehouse.com
• Bequia Beach Hotel www.bequiabeach.com
• Beachcomber Hotel www.beachcombershotel.com
• Grand View www.grandviewhotel.com
• Sunset Shores www.sunsetshores.com
• Mariners Hotel www.marinershotel.com
• Villa Lodge Hotel www.villalodgehotel.com
• Rosewood Apartment Hotel www.rosewoodsvg.com/
• Fairview Guesthouse http://caribbeansunenterprises.net
• Hotel Alexandrina www.hotelalexandrina.com
• Young Island Resort www.youngisland.com
• Friendship Bay Resort

SURINAME

• The Residence Inn www.resinn.com/rooms-a-services/residence- inn-paramaribo
• Kristal Apartments www.kristal-apartments.com
• Kekemba Apartments www.kekemba.info
• Guesthouse Amice www.guesthouse-amice.sr

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

• Royal Hotel www.royalhoteltt.com
• Tradewinds www.tradewindshotel.net/Info_page.htm
• Cara www.carahotels.com/trinidad/index.php
• Coblenz www.coblentzinn.com
• Blue Haven Hotel www.bluehavenhotel.com
• Cuffie River Nature Retreat & Lodge www.cuffie-river.com
• Deyna's City Inn www.deynascityinn.com
• The Chancellor Hotel www.thechancellorhotel.com
• Marion’s Hotel www.marions-place.com
• Kariwak Village / Holistic Haven and Hotel www.kariwak.com
• Blue Waters Inn www.bluewatersinn.com
• The Speyside www.speysideinn.com
• Wave Crest Apartments http://grenadawavecrest.com
• Petit Careme Villa www.petitcareme.com
• Plantation Beach Villas www.plantationbeachvillas.com

Rainbow Cup International Triathlon returns to Tobago this month

It's that time again for the adrenaline junkies. In a way I really envy and admire these triathletes: they get to enjoy some of the most stunning parts of our twin islands on invigorating routes while enjoying a magnificent fitness level and knowing they are pushing their bodies as far as they can go. That must be thrilling.

But the rest of us can only watch and admire, including several friends of mine. And next on many of them have their eyes set on the Toyota Rainbow Cup International Triathlon, which is set for Grafton Beach, Tobago on May 30. The competition format includes swimming, racing and running.

There are also different competition levels:

• Olympic distance triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run). The Trinidad & Tobago Triathlon Association has also nominated this to be the National Olympic Distance Championship Race, for participants 16+
• Team relay triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run). Competitors again should be 16+
• Spring distance triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run). Ideal for first timers! (Maybe I should try? Oh shucks, the deadline's passed. Guess I can't.)
• "Kids of Steel" (100m swim, 1.5km bike ride, 1.5km run for kids 7-9 years; 150m swim, 10km bike ride and 2km run for kids 10-15 years)
• 5K charity fun run/walk (age groups: under 15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+)

For course maps and other details, visit the Toyota Rainbow Cup International Triathlon website.

Discover T&T call for photos

Just a reminder that the deadline for submitting your photos to Discover T&T is May 31!

SPECIFICATIONS

• Original photos must be at least 300dpi in their original form; thumbnail or low-res submissions are preferred for initial selection
• Photos labelled descriptively (e.g. ElTucuche.jpg, not IMG_012345.JPG), and/or accompanied by caption information are greatly appreciated
• Colour corrected images will be given priority consideration

SUBMISSION

• Please submit low-res photos for review via email to info@discovertnt.com or on CD (which may be mailed to or dropped off at our offices). We are also happy to look at online image collections, though email or CD submissions are preferred.
• Deadline for submission is May 31, 2009

SELECTION PROCESS
All photos will be reviewed. Properly labelled and colour corrected images are given priority. If your photo is selected for publication, we will contact you for the high-res original and more information for the caption where necessary.

PHOTO LIST (contact us for more details)

• Arts & Culture
• Festivals
• Food & Dining
• Landmarks & Architecture
• Natural Environment
• Nightlife & Entertainment
• People & Faces
• Shopping
• Sport
• Transport

For more information on what we're looking for, submission and the selection process, visit the Facebook event page and/or email us at info@discovernt.com.

We look forward to hearing from you, and have a great weekend!

Another whopper at the T&T Marlin Madness Tournament

No-one was able to top Sean Mendonca's record-setting 890lb catch from last year's Marlin Madness, hosted by the T&T Game Fishing Association, which would have given them a $60,000 prize. As such the million dollar jackpot for catching a 1,000-pounder was also beyond the competitors' reach. But this year's haul was still nothing to sneeze at.

Angler Jovan Jango brought in an 825lb blue marlin on the closing day of the event, which ran April 29–May 2 at Pigeon Point Heritage Park in Tobago. Both Jango and his vessel – the 50-ft bertram, Reel Fanatic – persevered for a gruelling 6.25 hours to catch the mammoth fish.

Finishing in second place was the Viking 4 (whose resident angler Teressa Jack won best female angler); Fun Now was third; Grand Slam fourth; and Barbie Doll 2 fifth.

While my own tree-hugging self would have loved the victorious crew to have released their catch and forego some of the photo opps and bragging rights, I'm still pleased that 17 blue marlets and seven sailfish were still released during the tournament.

Maxwell makes a return to the stage after 7-year hiatus

The sultry vocals of soul/R&B Caribbean-American singer Maxwell – who is the son of Haitian and Puerto Rican parents – are back on the airwaves ahead of his first album release in seven years.

Maxwell, whose charged renditions of mood-heavy hit ballads like "For Lovers Only", "Symptoms Unknown" and "Silently" got under the skin and into the hearts of legions of female fans (and his fine physique dissuaded none of them), drops a new album called BLACKsummers' night this July 7.

The album is actually the first of a trilogy, and the next two installments – blackSUMMERS' night and blacksummers'NIGHT – are scheduled to be released in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

So with all that material in the works, why has it taken the 35-year-old so long to release a new record? "I don't know," says the singer frankly. "But there's something to be said about being missed. No-one's going to say, 'oh, it's you again!'"

Maxwell's first single from the current album, "Pretty Wings", stays true to the haunting ballads that made him an international sensation, and is already moving up the charts and making the rounds on radio stations.

Caribbean Airlines advisory regarding the H1N1 flu virus

Caribbean Airlines is advising passengers that the carrier has been required to implement precautionary measures by the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago with the advent of the H1N1 "swine flu" virus in many parts of the world.

The following steps are now required for all airlines, passengers and crews entering Trinidad and Tobago by air from any international/regional destination, from May 3 onwards:

• Each passenger and crew member on board must be issued by the airline with an Acute Respiratory Illness Surveillance Declaration form
• All passengers and crew must complete the Acute Respiratory Illness Surveillance Declaration form. This form is to be presented to a port health officer upon entry into Piarco or Crown Point airports
• All airlines should issue surgical masks to all passengers and crew in the event of a situation on board that would warrant the issuance of these masks. There will be hand sanitisers available to all persons on board to use as required.
• An announcement will be made on the public address (PA) system providing arriving passengers of the health requirements at the ports of entry into Trinidad and Tobago.

Caribbean Airlines continues to work together with the authorities to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements as issued by the Ministry of Heath, and the health and safety of all its passengers and staff.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) or US Center for Disease Control (CDC) websites.

"A Taste of Grand Opera"

The upcoming concert, A Taste of Grand Opera, should help satiate the appetites of classical music lovers in Trinidad.

Featuring excerpts from popular operas and operettas, the concert will take place on May 29 and 30 (Friday and Saturday) at the International School of Port of Spain. Performers include Vertrelle Cameron-Mickens, Natalia Dopwell, and Rory Wallace (vocalists); and Haward Mickens (pianist).

Soprano Vertrelle Cameron-Mickens has performed with the Akron Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, and Austin Symphony as soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Handel's Messiah, and Verdi Requiem, and has recorded with the East-West Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany.

Lyric soprano Natalia Dopwell is currently a student at the Manhattan School of Music and is a former chorister and soloist with Trinidad's Marionettes Chorale and Love Movement choirs. She has performed at the Holder's Season, Barbados; Opera Grenada; and in operatic productions at the US conservatories she has attended.

Young Rory Wallace is a student of Plattsburg State University of New York, a T&T Music Festival winner, and a member of the Marionettes Chorale. In Trinidad, he studied at the Key Music Academy.

Pianist Hayward Mickens is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, he was on the faculty of Eastern Kentucky University before taking up his position as Assistant Professor of Music with the UTT.

For more info on the performance, see the flyer below.

Best in Caribbean honoured at 2009 IRAWMA

The Mighty Sparrow, Alison Hinds, Machel Montano, Buju Banton, Queen Ifrica and Tarrus Riley were among the Caribbean performers that were honoured at the 2009 International Reggae And World Music Awards show held at York College Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York, on May 3.

Beres Hammond, Mavado, Machel Montano, Queen Ifrica and Etana all walked away with two trophies each. Tarrus Riley won "Best Male Vocalist," Beenie Man took away the "Best Male Deejay" prize, Alison Hinds scored "Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer," Stephen McGregor nabbed "Producer of the Year," and Shaggy was honored with the "Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award." The Mighty Sparrow was given the Master of the Caribbean Award.

Below is the complete list of awardees:

Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year
Beres Hammond

Recording Artist of the Year
Mavado

Best Male Vocalist
Tarrus Riley

Best Female Vocalist
Queen Ifrica & Etana (TIE)

Best Song
Mavado - "So Special"

Best Album
Etana - Strong One

Best Crossover Song
John Legend & Buju - "Can't Be My Lover"

Best Gospel Song
Stitchie & Elephant Man - "What A Mighty God"

Best Female D.J./Rapper
Queen Ifrica

Best Male D.J./Rapper
Beenie Man

Best New Entertainer
Serani

Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer
Alison Hinds

Best Reggaeton Entertainer
Daddy Yankee

Best Latin Entertainer
Shakira

Best Compas Entertainer
Nu-Look

Best African Entertainer
Alpha Blondy

Best Soukous Entertainer
Awilo Longomba

Best Hip Hop/R&B Entertainer
Lil Wayne

Outstanding Contribution to World Music
Wyclef Jean

Most Outstanding Stage Personality
Machel Mantano

Best Music Video
Stephen & Damian Marley - "The Mission"

Best Poet
Mutabaruka

Most Educational Entertainer
Morgan Heritage

Most Outstanding Show Band
Machel & HD Band

Most Consistent Entertainer
Calypso Rose

Most Promising Entertainer
Lutan Fyah

Most Improved Entertainer
Tanya Mullings

Best Instrumentalist
Dean Fraser

Best Backing Band
New Kingston Band

Most Popular Selector
Stone Love

Concert of the Year
Irie Jamboree

Promoter of the Year
Sumfest

Producer of the Year
Steven McGregor

Songwriter of the Year
Beres Hammond

Award for Spiritual Service through Music
Lutan Fyah

Community Service Award
Ziggy Marley, U.R.G.E.

Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award
Shaggy

Best Song in Tribute to Barack Obama
Cocoa Tea - "Barack Obama"

SPECIAL: Int'l Reggae & World Music Hall of Fame/Lifetime Inductee
Clive Hunt, King Short Shirt, Sweet Honey in the Rock

SPECIAL: Master of the Caribbean Award
Mighty Sparrow

SPECIAL: Martin's International/Inter-Culture Award of Honour
Granville Straker

SPECIAL: Award for Contributions to Music, Arts & Culture
Hon. Olivia "Babsy" Grange

SPECIAL: Producer's "Respect" Award
Usain Bolt

SPECIAL: Awards of Appreciation for Contributions to Music Industry
Owen Dalhouse, Brigadier Jerry, Road Int'l, Heavy D

Rate increase for vehicles on fast ferry

The rates for sending your vehicle on the fast ferry have increased, as of last Friday. They are now TT$250 for a round trip, and $150 one way. All vehicles must have an accompanying passenger.

Read more at the Tobago News website.

Photo: Martin Farinha.
Published in Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2009

In the latest issue of Caribbean Beat (May/June 2009)...

The latest issue of Caribbean Beat magazine – May/June 2009, #97 – is now online at our website. Here's what you'll find:

• TIME STANDS STILL IN TOUNA AUTE by Paul Crask
This is a real Amerindian village, not a quaint replica for the benefit of tourists. Paul Crask visits the place where Dominica’s past meets the present
• ON A WING AND A PRAYER by James Fuller
Bird life in the Caribbean seems to be flourishing, but some species are threatened. James Fuller goes birdwatching in search of them • LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD by Peter Mason
When cricketer and politician Learie Constantine was ennobled, he was claimed by his hometowns in Trinidad – and Lancashire. Peter Mason tells how his lordship endeared himself to 1930s England • For a party you want people to remember... ENOUGH IS NOT ENOUGH by Donna Yawching
That might be the motto of Preston Bailey, who designs décor for the stars. Donna Yawching was dazzled by his Panamanian pzazz • HAPPENINGS by Various Contributors
A round-up of current events on the Caribbean calendar
• FROM BOGGY PEAK TO MT OBAMA by Joanne C Hillhouse
Like the rest of the world, Antigua has succumbed to Obamamania. Joanne C Hillhouse reports on the debate over the island’s proposed tribute to the ground-breaking US president
• HELPING THE REGION’S HEALTH
Based at St George’s University in Grenada, the Windref Foundation is pioneering research into endemic tropical disease
• GLORY IN THE RING by Laura Dowrich-Phillips
She lived fast and died young, but not before winning record numbers of world boxing titles. Laura Dowrich-Phillips remembers the short, triumphant life of Jizelle Salandy
• HAITIAN SENSATION by Judy Fitzpatrick
Musician Wyclef Jean says he’ll never forget his Caribbean roots. Judy Fitzpatrick caught up with him when he came to perform in St Maarten
• A POPE, A KING AND A DUKE by Keith Smith
Keith Smith pays tribute to the Mighty Duke, the veteran calypsonian who died this year
• MIXED MEDIA by Sharon Millar
Sarah Beckett has been a painter since coming to Trinidad in the 1960s, but her work also incorporates music, poetry and film. She tells Sharon Millar how the country nurtures her creativity • NATURAL BEAUTY THE WEST INDIAN WAY by Guyanne Wilson
Plants and herbs have been used for centuries by the many peoples of the region for their medicinal qualities. Guyanne Wilson explains how bois bandé and lemon grass, crabwood and mangoes are now being blended into gentle, eco-friendly cleansers and cosmetics • REVIEWS by Various Contributors
The new music and books that are reflecting the region right now • THE MAN WHO FILLS BOB MARLEY’S SHOES by Garry Steckles
The reggae superstar is a hard act to follow. Garry Steckles marvels at the chutzpah of the Wailers’ new lead singer, Elian Attias
• VOODOO PRIESTESS FROM ILLINOIS by James Ferguson
Legendary dancer Katherine Dunham adopted Caribbean culture, and was adopted in her turn. James Ferguson uncovers her monument in Haiti
• MORE TO JAMAICA THAN JERK by Andrew Marshall
What about festival, Blue Mountain coffee, ackee and saltfish, ital food, and patties? And Andrew Marshall finds even more delicious morsels on the menu
• A RUM DO by Franka Philip
It’s not just for pirates any more – the spirit of the Caribbean is sweeping the world. Franka Philip takes a taste of London’s Rumfest
• THE PERFECT SWARM by James Fuller
James Fuller was enchanted by the idea of sleeping under the snowy billows of a mosquito net. But then he found out why he needed one…

Don't want to miss a Beat? You can subscribe for as little as US$24.99/year to have Caribbean Beat delivered to your door six times a year!

Trinidad-based Caribbean Natural Resource Institue wins prestigious MacArthur grant

Almost any artist or nonprofit in almost any part of the world can understand the value and prestige of winning any kind of grant from the U.S.-based MacArthur Foundation. Caribbean residents and institutions are no exception.

One of the funding programmes run by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundation is their Awards for Creative and Effective Institutions, where organisations can receive up to $650,000 each to "advance innovative work".

Among the eight 2009 awardees – whose diverse missions range from defending equality in the Nigerian legal system to transforming low-income Chicago neighborhoods – is the Trinidad-based Caribbean Natural Resource Institute.

Founded over 30 years ago and based in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the Caribbean Natural Resource Institute promotes biodiversity conservation. Through alliances with the region’s nations and organisations, it has worked to harmonise the needs of the region's people with the health of their coastal environments. Their initiatives have included the protection of watersheds; promoting a role for civil society in managing threatened natural resources; developing training programmes; and fostering community-based tourism, sustainable fisheries and forestry. One of it major thrusts right now is working with governments and NGOs to help mitigate the global crimate and financial crises and their potentially devastating impact on the Caribbean region through the implementation of sustainable development.

Other awardees for this year include Access to Justice (Lagos, Nigeria); the Center for Neighborhood Technology (Chicago, Illinois); the Centre for Independent Social Research (St. Petersburg, Russia); the Chicago Community Loan Fund (Chicago, Illinois); the Mahila SEWA Trust (Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India); the National Housing Conference and Center for Housing Policy (Washington, DC); and the Women of the Don (Novocherkassk, Russia).

"These organisations may be small but their impact is tremendous," said MacArthur President Jonathan Fanton. "From protecting human rights to improving urban neighborhoods to conserving biodiversity, they are blazing new paths and finding fresh solutions to some of our most difficult challenges. The MacArthur Foundation has a long history of supporting organisations around the world like these that demonstrate the creativity, drive, and vision to make the world more just and peaceful."

Awardees will be honoured on June 11 at a ceremony at the MacArthur headquarters in Chicago. Congratulations to the Institute, and please do keep up the good work!