Trinidad & Tobago TV Time: Ghost Hunters, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Roger Mooking & Nicki Minaj

Trinidad & Tobago is, it seems, ready for its close-up... on American television, at least.

In the last few weeks alone, the islands have been featured (or mentioned) on three popular North American shows: Project Runway (Lifetime TV), through fashion designer and former Miss Trinidad & Tobago Anya Ayoung-Chee; allegedly haunted spots on Ghost Hunters International (SyFy network); and through Sasha Mallory, an American born to Trini parents shining on So You Think You Can Dance.

Meanwhile, the Trinidad-born, Canada-based chef Roger Mooking (who was featured in the March/April 2011 issue of Caribbean Beat), has not one but two shows on North American television – Everyday Exotic (on Canada's Food Network, syndicated globally including on the US' Cooking Channel) and Heat Seekers on the US' Food Network).

And in the last few weeks and months, there have also been two full-length specials about Trinidad-born rapper and hip-hop star, Nicki Minaj.

While airtime like that may be a walk in the park for many a person or place, it's ignited curiosity, pride, patriotism, criticism and debate among Trinbagonians everywhere from their living rooms to bars to social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

In case you've missed the episodes – and the people and topics that have tongues and finger-tips wagging – check them out here yourselves, and tell us what you think! (NB: we do not host these videos)

Project Runway – Casting Special



Project Runway – Episode One



Ghost Hunters: Episode One (Lopinot)



Ghost Hunters: Episode Two (Chacachacare)



So You Think You Can Dance: Clip



Sasha Mallory: Short News Feature



Nicki Minaj: "My Time Now" (MTV)



Nicki Minaj: E! Special

Marionettes production of Bizet's CARMEN opens next week in Trinidad!

The Carmen love quadrangle, opening weekend.
Photo: Mark Lyndersay

Set for a July 9th premiere at Queen’s Hall (and featuring three members of MEP's staff), the Marionettes’ production of Bizet’s CARMEN is easily one of the most anticipated shows of the year – in a year that has seen more full-length plays and musicals in the first six months than I can remember in Trinidad ever!

With just over a week to go to showtime, some performances of the bpTT-sponsored production are already half sold. Those who have been holding back, waiting for the announcement of which cast will perform when, need wait no longer!

CARMEN opens on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th with Candice Alcantara as Carmen; Marlon De Bique as Don José; Marvin Smith as Escamillo; Feryal Qudourah as Micaëla; Nigel or Richard Pierre as Zuñiga; Arnold Phillip as Moralès; Jacqueline Smith as Frasquita; Patrice Quammie as Mercédès; Kashif Dennis as Dancaïro; Raguel Gabriel as Remendado; with Caroline Taylor and Dwight Lewis in the spoken roles of Lillas Pastia and the Guide. They take the stage again on Friday 15th July.

The Carmen love quadrangle (second weekend). Photo: Mark Lyndersay

The following weekend (Thursday 14th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July), Lesley Lewis-Alleyne takes centrestage as Carmen; Nigel Floyd is Don José; Arnold Phillip is her Escamillo; Natalia Dopwell is Micaëla; with Garfield Washington as Moralès; Richard Pierre as Zuñiga; Ayrice Wilson and Llettesha Sylvester as Frasquita and Mercédès; Stephan Hernandez and Errol James as Dancaïro and Remendado; Caroline Taylor and Dwight Lewis in the spoken roles of Lillas Pastia and the Guide.

Tickets

Bizet’s CARMEN runs over two weekends, opening Saturday 9th and closing Sunday 17th July at Queen’s Hall. Showtimes are 7:30pm, except Sundays which are 5pm. Tickets are $200 open plan and $250 reserved, and available:

• Queen's Hall Box Office, 12pm-6pm daily, tel: (868) 624-1284;
• Online (open plan only) at http://marionettes-carmen.eventbrite.com;
• Marionettes’ members and administration – email@marionetetschorale.com or (868) 790-1751.

Casts

	Thursday 14th, Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July	Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th & Friday 15th July
Carmen	Lesley Lewis-Alleyne	Candice Alcantara
Don José	Nigel Floyd	Marlon De Bique
Escamillo	Arnold Phillip	Marvin Smith
Micaëla	Natalia Dopwell	Feryal Qudourah
Zuñiga	Richard Pierre	Nigel Pierre/Richard Pierre
Moralès	Garfield Washington	Arnold Phillip
Frasquita	Ayrice Wilson	Jacqueline Smith
Mercédès	Llettesha Sylvester	Patrice Quammie
Le Dancaïre (Dancaïro)	Stephan Hernandez	Kashif Dennis
Le Remendado	Errol James	Raguel Gabriel
Lillas Pastia	Caroline Taylor	Caroline Taylor
Guide	Dwight Lewis	Dwight Lewis

If you want more, visit:

• The Carmen Eventbrite page (open plan tickets on sale)
• The Carmen Facebook event page
• The Marionettes' Facebook page
• The Marionettes' website

The ladies of CARMEN (both casts). Photo: Mark Lyndersay

The Gypsies of CARMEN (both casts). Photo: Mark Lyndersay

Related articles

• Trinidad's Marionettes Chorale readies Bizet's CARMEN (meppublishers.blogspot.com)
• CARMEN Cast Performance Schedule Announced (marionetteschorale.com)
• Tickets now on sale for "Carmen"! (marionetteschorale.com)
• Open call for Bizet's "Carmen" (marionetteschorale.com)
• In Trinidad and Tobago, Bizet's Carmen Acquires Caribbean Flavor (repeatingislands.com)