14 posts tagged “carnival”
February 11, 2K9 10:10 AM
Wacky Tuesday – Dem Peeps R Real Wakos Oui
Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure that everything is real, on the upside so to speak. It has been a long time since I last logged onto the WACK radio page and also a long time between articles posted on this site. OK, so I logged into the WACK homepage to pay for the Wacky Tuesday show on Tuesday February 17, 2K9 for the third edition of the show. A switch went on and I had an idea for a brief write up. The thing is I always enjoy poking at Kenny and his people who follow without questioning his ways.
Now don't get me wrong, I really do admire his push in an industry that is constantly searching for change especially in Trinidad. Kenny has been innovating much but he still needs someone to tug on his coat tail to bring him down to earth. Hey someone has to do it.
Well the first thing that came to my attention was the fact that every show posted on the site had a cost of US $8.00 per event – cheap enough…well maybe. OK, first of all did you notice that there were no discounted package deals? Hold on no packaged programs whatever. I saw four shows on the schedule that included the Calypso Fiesta, Dimanche Gras, National Panorama and Wacky Tuesday … all live paid events and all quoted in US currency. Last year there were package deals that reduced the cost for shows grouped together rather that paying for individual shows. As a consumer this is a step back but could be profitable for the entity selling these shows. Where is the love is these bleak economic times?
So my first gripe is out of the way … what is my second gripe? Hmm, can someone please explain why WACKy Tuesday is given the same importance and the same cost as the other 'Significant National Events' that are known around the World? People mark their calenders and make the trip to Trinidad to be a part of these events. Oh I see they do the same for WACKy Tuesday? You mean the 'shoutbox' fans who attend? There is no comparison here! I am certain Kenny Phillips (CEO of WACK) will be steupsing and cussing when he does get to this article. Yes he will be annoyed when he reads this article ( he will get to it and blast me on his Sunday Show - a good show) but like it or not this is a valid question to ask. He will argue that the National festival prices are cheap – well, maybe and the cost to host this event is the same as the other broadcasts. But then again some of these events will be seen on the WWW for free if you know your way around browsing the sites. Forgive me but I believe that Tigress, the Wajang song lady and the Professor, Black Stalin ("still vex cause dem bois thief and pirate his music/his creativity/his CD") will also be performing at the event - class is class pardna. Can I give Kenny a pass because of these luminaries being part of the show? The question is should I give him a pass? Well if you know me then you already have the answer to that question.
So how do your value the event to price it? As a subscriber (and 'agent in advertising Wack for free mind you) I believe that WACKy Tuesday should be half the cost of the price charged for the National events. Now keep your pants on don't get an anxiety attack. The rationale here is to show the supporters of the station that even though it is costly to host the broadcast WACK values our support. As a result they have discounted the cost of hosting the event to show "their appreciation" for the support shown and for the supporters continually making WACK radio the number one online radio broadcast from Trinidad. Oh and yes I said it... Half the cost of the National Events! Mr. Kenny Phillips is going to broadcast the event regardless of the amount of paid subscribers. Yuh know it has always been said that yuh cyar clap with one hand, can you Kenny?
So am I still going to pay to see the show? Well... Maybe. Everything is upside down as far as I am concerned since the shoutbox representative is not a part of the 'shoutbox' (a shoutbox native wispered that "he is ah bogus shoutbox representative". Well on reflection I have to admit that the person who instigated that statement was wrong to say that. The shoutbox is an international body that is home to anyone who supports WACK even if it is by proxy. So don't get annoyed with SP most of what is written is done in jest and meant to rile up the CEO (for those who don't know, it just motivates him to do better and to prove everyone else wrong). They say he couldn't do it and look at WACK today. So whatever you say and whatever you do please "doh call meh wajang eh". Yes Damion it is really a level of madness compared to nothing else, for real...
So please support WACK and enjoy WACKy Tuesday because you won't see or hear another show like it anywhere else.
What are your thoughts?
December 27, 2K8 1:41 am USA 2:41 am T&T
Just one day after Christmas and the new tracks are already creating a stir on the airwaves. I have had the opportunity to hear new music from Professor Black Stalin and the Baseman from Hell aka Shadow. I am pleased to say that the musical morsels were not just music to my ears but that they left a good feeling because of their lyrical content. The tracks I heard were excellent and none had "ah wine or jam on anybody" - I am sure that will eventually come but let's enjoy classic work for now.
So if you are interested in listening to the new music please note that the best source on the Web for "Total Local Content" is WACK Radio 901FM.com. Hey and if you register and log on you now have a live web cam to see the on air personality do his or her thing. The good thing about the web cam is that it will provide an avenue for viewing the launching of new music and live in studio interviews.
Good job Kenny and the crew at WACK. We look forward to the new music because like it or not it already feels like carnival time on WACK.... Christmas goneeeeeeeeee...... Let the Kaiso, Soca and Chutney play on.
I came across a website named socanews.com with an interesting article headlined 20 countries for Abuja carnival. Well to be honest both were new to me.
“Soca News is Britain's only free A5 monthly magazine specializing in Caribbean music, culture and lifestyle”. http://www.socanews.com/sol/socanews/1556.shtml
The article continued: “Twenty countries in Africa, the Americas and Asia, including Canada, Egypt, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa and India, intend to participate in this year’s Abuja Carnival from November 20 - 23 2008.
Well today was a first for me regarding the magazine and the country named Abuja. I had to Google it and it turned out to be the new Capital city of Nigeria… There you go.
Carnival is in the air and with 20 countries participating in the event it means that they are serious about creating a carnival city in Africa with Calypso and Soca and other types of music.
This is one to monitor because they cover Soca in Britain (where they are located) and carnival/music around the Caribbean region.
Soca News magazine: http://www.socanews.com/
Abuja, Nigeria Photos: http://www.bnoack.com/photopages/abuja/
I am certain that most of the WACK radio Shout Box faithful found themselves in front of a computer to catch a glimpse of the festivities at home. I did and I observed the crew in the shout box having fun watching JS and Damion host the celebration from Coffee Street in Sando. I used C television and Wack’s free streams to get a feel of the celebration but I must tell you that I was very disappointed in that which I saw. Somehow it did not come across as the Greatest Show on Earth! I wrote an article dealing with this subject and posted it to: None of the video broadcasts captured the vigor and vitality of the masqueraders or the sea of colors. The camera angles were not good and poorly captured the impact of the festival. There were too many lulls in the parade because they did not switch to the hot spots where the action was taking place.along with lack of a good central stage for judging and viewing the proceedings. Now I can excuse WACK TV that chose to host from their studios capturing the sights and sounds of everything that passed in front of their station however,C TV and others should have had cameras placed all over the city of Port of Spain to show the enormity of the masqueraders as they blanketed the streets with thousands of members in each band. It looked like a block party at times with reporters scrambling to make conversation as they awaited bands to come to the venue where the cameras were placed. The festival needed to have the big stage at the savannah with the Grand Stand and North stand sandwiching the “stage” with cameras up high capturing the 'sea of masqueraders' as they approach the stage and take control of an elevated stage. That’s the way it used to be and the way it should be for future Caranivals. The reconstruction of the Savannah venue should have been given priority in the same manner those new buildings in Port of Spain are so speedily being constructed. That is an indication of the government's position on Culture - they care in pontification only not in deeds. Yes the prize monies are respectable now but that goes hand in hand with the bounty of our resources - oil and gas. I can imagine the great disappointment that many of the foreingners watching this great festival on their computers; “Yes the people seem to be having fun but where is the splendor, the brilliance of the bands that is showcased in magazines around the World? I know most of you don’t want to read this now because you love the festival that much, but when and who is brave enough to critize their own? Something needs to be done to properly showcase the festival. Don’t be fooled by the figures given out by the government that more visitors came to the festival than previous years, more can still be done to sell this great party to the rest of the world. The government needs to do a better job and the Ministry of Culture should start planning now, set the standard that everyone must adhere to and make next year’s portrayals look brilliant on all streaming media outlets. It is not just a case of streaming the video but it is how it is done to properly showcase the magnificent designs and creativity of the people that always captivates its audience that is so important. One last thing here, please finish the facilities at the Savannah for next year’s celebration!
After all the talk, after the threats that he would not participate it was bitter aloes for Winston Rawlings, Cro Cro and a sugar sweet night for Michael Osuna, Sugar Aloes, the new Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago. The top three places were separated by a total of five points. The difference between Cro Cro and Sugar Aloes was only three points. Cro Cro finished with 435 points to Sugar Aloes' 438 points. Now that all the anticipation and drama is over it is time for the merry monarch to rein supreme on the streets for two glorious days. In a few hours J'ouvert will usher in the official street festival, enjoy the festivities folks and remember to take all precautions for a safe carnival.
Feb 02, 2K8 As you go out tonight (Carnival Saturday) please be cognizant of your responsibilities to yourself, your family and the society. Do not be foolish and succumb to the cravings of the flesh. A one night stand could lead to the birth of an unwanted child – no child deserves this! This is a problem but your promiscuous night of reveling could lead to sexual contact that could result in a death sentence. Just a reminder, in case you forgot please note that there is no cure for this debilitating and deadly disease – HIV!
Jan27, 2K8
It is as it should be not the way it was for some years gone by but the way it should and will be for years to come - Pan in de Savannah! Today January 27, 2K8 the panorama semi final competition is in progress as of this writing at 6:33 pm Trinidad and Tobago Time. The bands are better prepared today and after reviewing the score cards from the preliminary judging the bands that have made it to today's stage of the competition have reviewed, added and taken away from their arrangements to excite the crowds and to make the judges take notice. The music has changed and so too has the organization of the bands getting to the stage as well as the players mode of dress. Everyone looks smart in their new Tee Shirts with the sponsor's information printed along with the band's name. Pan Trinbago also did their part to ensure that everything moved along smoothly. Yes, indeed it is the show that we expected and the bands delivered. Thanks once again to ctntwolrld.com for streaming the show over the internet so that the world could look in at our unique and unmatched festival of carnival. Well done everyone and may the best bands get selected for the finals without gripe or complaints from any band. They thief, they thief, we want to see the score sheet ... Hopefully not.
Jan27, 2K8 "Yuh could bring it in a bottle, yuh could bring it in a flask. You could send it in a cup, you could bring it in a glass. Ah want mih rum in de morning. Ah want mih rum in de evening." These lyrics come from Hunter the Hitman’s monster hit “Bring it” with the remix version being the most popular with an assist from Bunji Garlin. The Rum Chutney phenomenon as the Trinidad Express chooses to call it is a big problem that needs to be addressed. I have said it in the WACK radio 90.1 FM forums and have written about these types of lyrics before. The music is infectious indeed but the lyrics are dangerously alarming. There is no doubt in my mind that many young people think it is cool and even ‘sexy’ to take a drink when the music is playing. The Hitman is not the only one who has glorified rum. Adesh Samaroo, Ravi Bissambhar and a few others choose to take their God given talent and glorify rum instead of singing about positive topics. Rum drinking in the East Indian community is a very big problem and with these Chutney Stars glorifying this purveyor of more hard core drugs it has become a time to tell these singers that they need to stop. “Bring it” is a monster hit for this carnival season, and I must admit that I like the music but couldn’t the lyrics have been about something other than rum for heaven’s sake. If only one person chooses to take a drink of rum and feels that it was cool to do so because of the song then as good as the music is it has to be considered a monumental failure on the part of the composer/singer. We need to rid ourselves of these demons not encourage a generation to follow suit down this narrow road to a black hole at the end of what they believe to be the end of the rainbow.
Jan19, 2K8
Thirty killed in eighteen days, need I say more? Oh well I will, welcome to the killing fields of Trinidad and Tobago! So when I am reminded that I am in the cold and have to shovel snow and the radio personalities remark, “we’re so sorry” rest assured that I am not moved when Explainer’s Loraine is played – not when the murder rate has escalated to this horrible state. Maybe it is the carnival mentality that has blindsided these jocks and they are like horses in a race wearing blinders blocking out their peripheral vision. So please don’t feel sorry for me … been there, done that!
Jan10, 2K8 There was ah hiccup and most of the Shout Box faithful lost faith and abandoned their safe haven closed mouth stance and vented their displeasure when the video feed did not feed us anything – TSTT seems hell bent on giving WACK's CEO Kenny Phillips a sour stomach. It was reported (from a source) that TSTT caused water to fall from de man's eyeballs. Not a pixel or a drop of sweat on Damion’s brow to appease the Judases in the Shout Box – amen! The streaming video was an hour late but the audio was there all along so we survived – what most people don’t know was that Sharon aka ST asked Damion to dilly dally the feed until she got home (conspiracy theory) – she asked in the box (go and check the archives). Voila, just like that as soon as Sharon got home (she called me) the video came on in all its glory. What most people don’t know is that the cocoyea broom that was in the studio for last year's Wacky Tuesday is now housed in Boston – ent dat is de truth and ah know it eh sounding good but COTE CI COTE LA, ha ha ha … The quality of the audio broadcast was good but we missed most of the first half, and as everyone is aware, the tent performances depend a whole lot on props and facial expressions to compliment the lyrics (so no video meant you were missing ah lot). Damion, as was expected, did an excellent job! The second half was different and we got a better opportunity 'to see' the artistes perform. There were quite a few good performances but I enjoyed Mistah Shak, Brian London, Nobby and Mighty Trini. Later on I managed to catch a replay of some of the earlier performance and the report was not so hot. Trevor B, what was dat? Kaiso eh eh. Contestant #2 was better heard than seen in her boots. Nikko #3 was ok but his props made him look like an ole lady preparing for bed. Prospector #4 was good with his teach me some African - encore, and he deserved it. Rainbow was comedic nothing resembled a calypso and he brought back memories of Rex West – enough said. We got the blue screen of death and everyone decided to go to bed instead of waiting for the rest of the rerun. The bulk of this post went on early (updated later) because I wanted to enjoy the rest of the show … That was hell because Kenny only bothering me on the IM … and ah fig (banana) loving Semp whispered that Kenny paid Damion to say that he is getting a good pay check …dat is lacouray pardna. Well what yuh expect, COTE CI COTE La!
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