GuyanaLive.com Blog

Through efforts on the part of Vizion Sounds recording studios CEO Walter Fraser aka  Wally Several of Guyana’s top artistes are carded to entertain in England shortly. This Publication understands that after much planning and meetings In London several of Guyana’s top acts will be taking Guyana in Music to London on November 7 live to Entertain patrons at the Jazz Cafe in London. That lot includes Trinidad based artiste Fojo of  Woman fame, First Born, Shelly G, Timeka Marshall and Alabama.  New of this line up   getting  the Out of Guyana  experience has been meet with much  celebratory commendation from fans  both local and abroad.

Fojo migrated to Trinidad more than a year now after he was nominated for more than eight Accolades- the music awards of Guyana but did not win any of the crystals. Subsequently Fojo penned and recorded a song that categorically stated “Keep yah Accolade me don’t need it fuh dinner… i’m the ladies choice, the ladies voice.” He is now earning a living in the Twin Island republic. While speculation has been rife that First Born has split up group members have stated that such a statement is furthest from the truth and that they would be available if the gig was financially lucrative. Shelly G the lone Female Guyana soca Monarch winner to date is caught between raising her daughter and musical. She is elated and plans to make full use of the opportunity to showcase even as she decides on if she will return to the soca monarch competition circuit for Mash 2011. Timeka  Marshall recently returned from Canada where she is now testing her musical wings in search of her Mainstream music break. she recently released a song titled wining pro and also opened for Neyo at the just concluded Jamzone international night. Her song ‘One more day is constantly making rounds on regional television stations. Over the past few  months  not much  has been heard form  Alabama who is popular for the ‘dem don’t care’ hit single. Aside from working on this planned London show the members of First born have also launched their solo careers.

By Mondale Smith

The Guyana Musical Arts Festival is set for staging on April 26-30, 2011, at the National Cultural Centre where a multitude of local talent will be competing for recognition and a series of prizes. This festival has it origins from 1952 and will be held under the patronage of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, in collaboration with the Guyana Musical Arts Festival Inc, the Guyana Music Teachers Association, the Woodside Choirs International M.S. and the Partners Program of the Lutheran Church of Tulsa in Guyana.

The Festival was officially launched on August 13 at the Pegasus International Hotel. As a prelude the stage is being set for Music teachers and participants in the upcoming Guyana Musical Arts Festival to be granted the opportunity to receive training for the event at a series of workshops to be conducted during September.




These ‘training for trainers’ workshops are organized by the Planning Committee of the Guyana Musical Arts Festival and will be staged on September 11 and 12 at the Bishops’ High School, Carmichael Street, Georgetown, and September 18 and 19 at St. Theresa’s Pastoral Centre, Pope Street, New Amsterdam, East Berbice. All workshops will begin at 09:00hrs and conclude at 18:00hrs.

Training will be provided for vocalists, choir directors, verse and choral speakers and poets (dramatic poetry). Persons interested in participating are asked to contact the Festival Office, Dewar’s Music School, 221 Charlotte Street, Bourda, Georgetown, telephone; 223-1069 or 226-3052.

By Mondale Smith

Hot on the heals  of the Just concluded FUSE party the stage is being
set for yet another   show and this time the focus is likely to be on
entertainment for soca lovers.

Speaking with Show coordinator DJ Casual he has   confirmed that plansare in train for an all soc showcase.  Entertainer has   heard from sources that the show may not be held at the Tower Hotel Poolside but at a popular sports ground in the Nation’s capital. The event from what entertainer has heard may feature one of the veteran soca singersthat could be Sparrow or Shadow as the headliner and a current soca band that might be Krossfyah.  While DJ Casual has neither denied or consented to the names he said that the Show will also feature Guyana’s three times soca monarch Adrian Dutchin and Jumo as well as three times road march Queen Melissa Vanilla  Roberts. We also heard that another Fuse show would be planned for Christmas that could see the live performance from an American international artiste. For the soca show Casual said he is still working on Logistics and contracts for the October event.

The Krosfyah band  is  no stranger to the local shores  but has not
beeen to Guyana for more than five years. it is reportedly the hottest band to have ever come out of Barbados. The unique blend of soca, reggae and calypso is thrilling fans all over the world and the music is characterized by a fresh, innovative sound and positive, conscious messages. Krosfyah is popular for songs such as the Ultimate Party, Pump Me Up, ‘On the Road Again’, ‘No Behavior’, and ‘Oil Pumping’.

By Mondale Smith

Christopher Martin, D Major ignite Tower Poolside, Guyana - Kudos to DJ Casual

Even as some are thinking that a Guyanese promoted party ‘ain’t popping’ locally unless it has Hits and Jams or Wildfire attached to it; here comes food for though. Praises are being heaped on Radio DJ turn promoter Casual this follows the successful staging of FUSE at the Tower Hotel pool Side two Saturdays ago. Fuse is s string of parties that feature live performances by the crème de la crème of Guyanese acts and International artistes. The first show that filled the Tower Hotel pool Side and lobby area to capacity featured performances from reigning Road March queen Vanilla, Guyanese star entertainer Jumo and Jamaican artistes Christopher Martin and D Major. This we understand
is the first of several Digicel sponsored entertainment offerings before 2010 concludes and from what we hear it promises to get even better and better with each promotion.
Talks of Second serving:  If all goes well Guyanese Christopher Martin fans might be treated to a second serving of the Jamaican artiste and his team member D Major before year end… the most recent information from sources close to the last promotion. Entertainer understands that the second serving idea is being discussed and that it might be on Old year’s night possibly at a bigger venue. This talk was heard as more than 2000 patrons were celebrating the Digicel sponsored FUSE show live hosted by radio DJ Casual at the Tower International Hotel poolside.

The very humble and focused Martin, came to prominence in 2005 after winning the Digicel Rising Star competition in Jamaica and is popular for hits such as Driver, Real Friends and Christopher Giving it. More than a  year ago Martin was advertised as   one of the  featured acts along Side  Sizzla but that show  never  came off and  he  was most
apologetic as he told Entertainer “that was not my fault but I will make up for it.” He certainly did make up by arriving in Guyana one day ahead of the show with team member D Major. They hit up several night spots as well as the Guinness Bar on the Plaisance Line Top as part of their pre-show schedule and were celebrated on every occasion making friends at every location. Then on show night as part of his first live Guyana stage show he dished songs from his ever growing musical repertoire and aside from gaffing up fans, he along with D Major dished some back in time covers that attracted screams mostly from the overwhelming majority of women folk in attendance.

Aside from the excited capacity crowd there were the over enthusiastic ladies who took every opportunity to paw and claw at the 23-year-old crooner’s crotch and legs. Of the lot two in attendance.lucky women join him on stage at separate intervals. (One was celebrating her birthday while the other represented for the Guyanese women as the envy of every woman Both had more than enough body mass but the petite yet sculpted artiste took them on in a most entertaining but sexually charged way. At one point the artiste got more than he bargained for and enlisted the assistance of Guyana’s Rubber waist Jumo to entreatingly offer a human game of tennis with a lustful lady patron at the center.  Martin is probably still getting over the spine tingling experience of the tongue that brushed his left ear which saw him blushing uncontrollably while clasping his face and looking to the heavens.  It was D major’s rendition of “girl you know I, I, I …” that started the segment of hot cover songs such as unchained melody etc… Setting the tone for what can best be described as an excellent promotions start event were Guyana’s own Vanilla who dished her regular vibes with songs such as High etc.

Jumo Primo who is promising to bring the Byron Lee’s Dragonaires Band to Guyana for Christmas was his usual self that included him teaching the crowd to wine Guyanese style in comparison to the citizens of other Caribbean Countries. At the show’s conclusion there was hardly a person with dry clothing and there was no murmuring from fans who did express their desire for more shows of such a nature. Up beat about Guyana/ Florida show Chris Martin told one of Urban Islandz website representatives in Jamaica that he is still on a high after his hugely successful show in Guyana and in Florida. The former digicel rising stars winner rocked a huge crowd in Guyana at the Fuse -Hotel Tower. The young reggae singer dished out his huge catalog of old and new hits to a screaming crowd at his feet. “It was truly a pleasure being in Guyana, myself and D-Major felt as if we were right at home and the response of the fans was truly overwhelming. The crowd was somewhere between 2000 and 2,500 but they made me feel like they where 70,000 the entire experience was pure love an I truly appreciated it,” Chris told Urban Islandz rep.

By Mondale Smith

Local Dancehall star Jory, who has been dominating the airwaves with tracks from his recently released ‘Say what I want to say’ mixtape is already making preparations to put on a scorching show as he is dubbed the opening act for the Jamzone Regional Night which will be headlined by Jamaican Megastar ‘Movado’.

The lyricist has armed himself with several newly recorded tracks and advises patrons to anticipate a performance that may be considered one of his best. Jory recently completed a soon-to-be released ‘medley’ music video which includes several artistes including newcomers Jackie Hanover and Bliss.

This talented artist has also performed as the opening act for International and Regional Artistes world-wide including Hip-Hop artiste Akon, Dancehall and Reggae stars Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Konshens, Machel Montano, and soca sensations Alison Hinds and Shurwayne Winchester.
The Jamzone Regional night slated for August 21st will feature a diverse line-up of music and performances as acts such as renowned Chutney Crossover band Karma and Trinidad’s latest Soca Megastars J.W and Blaze are all included in the line-up.

General tickets for the Regional Show are $1500 and can be uplifted ONLY at Ashmins Trading located on High and Hadfield Streets. However, VIP tickets for this concert are available at Glamour Designer Brands located on the corner of Robb and Wellington Streets or persons can make reservations by calling 592-600-VIPS (8477).

Patrons are advised to buy their tickets as early as possible, since ALL tickets for Jamzone Super Concerts only, will be doubled at the gate also, NO tickets will be sold in close proximity of the venues.

It’s back and bigger than before! The Jamzone Chutney Super concert is here once more ready to blaze with some of the most phenomenal chutney artistes from around the region.

Brace yourself for a scorching night of entertainment featuring Caribbean artistes including,  Adesh Samaroo, D’Hitman, De Hunter, Soca Elvis, Sabrina Ragobeer and Guyana’s Shakti Strings and  Princess Fiona.

Guyanese, turn out in your numbers to get a glimpse of the artistes who are already making preparations to dish out some astounding performances.
This show headed for the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday August 15th, will kick off the host of events planned for this year’s Jamzone Summer Break Weekend including performances by Grammy-award winning R&B artiste Neyo and the acclaimed ‘Gully God’ Mavado.
Tickets for the Chutney Super Concert are being sold at an affordable cost of $1000.

Last year, fans from all corners of Guyana were treated to spectacular performances when Trinidadian Chutney Cross-over band ‘Karma’, along with the ‘More rum for me’ singer D’Hitman heated up the Guyana National Stadium at the first ever Jamzone Chutney Super concert.
The event dubbed the ‘Chutney Bacchanal’ featured supporting acts such as Kenneth Salick, Drupattie and Anil Singh. Approximately five thousand persons attended the concert which was quite significant for this premiere event.

This year, Jamzone will be celebrating its tenth anniversary and have planned a packed roster of activities that are sure to provide an unsurpassable level of leisure, fun and entertainment.

After several months of training and fervent preparations the delegates in the first ever Miss Jamzone International pageant are ready to kick start the competition this Sunday, August 15th.

The Princess Hotel and Casino’s Poolside will come alive as these eight exotic Caribbean beauties take the stage to display enticing swimsuits. Prestigious local and regional fashion designers will also display their fresh, hot summer clothing lines.
Guyana’s Soca sensation X2 who is famous for their high-energy, thrilling live shows is promising an exhilarating performance as they have been booked for the event.

Patrons will have the first chance to meet the contestants from Caribbean territories including Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Suriname, The Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Guyana.
This will be the first segment in this premier pageant, the second being the Intelligence Segment on August 18th and the finals billed for Sunday, August 22nd at the Splashmins Fun Park and Resort.

This year, the acclaimed Miss Jamzone Pageant will include regional delegates as a means of garnering support from our neighboring countries and sustaining integration within the region. Patrons can look forward to great leisure, fun and entertainment during this year’s Jamzone Summer Break Weekend.

Summer Sizzle BVI, the “ultimate fashion getaway”, was back and better than ever in its second year on the island of Tortola.  Project Runway finalist Korto Momolu, LA based Kevan Hall and New York based fashion designers Roger Gary, Cesar Galindo and LaQuan Smith as well as other breakthrough designers from across the globe presented their Spring
2010 collections during this super sexy annual event.  Top models Sesilee Lopez, Georgie Badiel, Arlenis Pena Sosa, Tara Gill, Wendell Lessimore and more than 20 internationally acclaimed models ripped the runway in the Summer Sizzle fashion show, the nexus of Summer Sizzle BVI.

The festivities kicked off on Thursday, July 22nd with a Culture & Style Welcome Bash Pool Party sponsored by the Ministry of Education & Culture and ended July 25th with an all day sailing excursion to one of the world’s most pristine islands, Virgin Gorda. Style influencers and fashionistas alike also enjoyed an elegant and festive Sunset White Fashion party at the Long Bay Beach Resort, “1748″ Beach Restaurant where guests were required to wear white and a delicious
buffet of traditional island fare while dancing the night away to music provided by one of the BVI’s top DJ Dre.  JTV Channel 55, the BVI’s top music television station and a platinum sponsor of the Summer Sizzle BVI was there to capture the festivities and interview well known guests for its viewers.  Other sponsors included CBN Channel 51, Bob’s Gas & Service Station, Voyage Escape, Speedy’s, Native Son, Villa Sade, Colombian Emeralds International and Norman
Allen Photography.

Guyana’s own, Roger Gary opened the spectacular event with his Aqua Couture Collection. The 80’s inspired collection that featured exaggerated shoulders, neon colors, feathers, sequins and lots of bling. “I was having a Dynasty flashback” said Gary, referring to the 80’s TV series, Dynasty. It was a dazzling opening to one of the best runway events in the Caribbean. More than 200 visitors from around the US and Caribbean experienced a 3-day non-stop lifestyle escape including the trendiest fashion show in the Caribbean hosted by Joel Steingold, co-host of The Style
Network’s Clean House and E! Entertainment’s That Morning Show. Glamour, glitz, fashion, and fun were the focus of this spectacular event held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in the center of Tortola. The show was sponsored in part by Mary Kay Cosmetics, Official Beauty Sponsor and featured collections from some of the world’s most sizzling designers such as Korto Momolu from Project Runway Season 5, New York designers Cesar Galindo, Aqua Couture by Roger Gary, and Johnny Vincent Swimwear.  Joining them were Mill House menswear and The Cloth by Robert Young of Trinidad and the BVI’s own designer Kristin Frazer of Trefle Designs and renowned fashion designer Kevan Hall. New York based fashion stylists Carlton Jones andMemsor Kamarake, who cast models for the show worked alongside legendary makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, celebrity hairstylist Giselle Modeste, top make-up artist Theo A. Faulkner and show producer Margo T. Lewis to make the Summer Sizzle fashion show a tremendous success.

Originally created in 2007 by Terry Donovan (of “Signature by Terry Donovan”), Summer Sizzle began as a fashion show with the purpose of promoting the British Virgin Islands.  Since then, Terry’s vision has culminated into a five-day fashion and lifestyle event.  Summer Sizzle is the central highlight of the British Virgin Islands each July and has attracted thousands of visitors from the Virgin Islands, neighboring Caribbean islands and the USA.  Summer Sizzle brings together a number of leading international and regional designers, industry executives, models, celebrities, international media and press, and attracts a diverse audience of affluent professionals and influencers from around the globe.  Commonly called “Nature’s Little Secrets,” the British Virgin Islands is the destination of choice for Summer Sizzle BVI.

Soca Queen Alison Hinds performs at South Jersey Caribbean Festival and is joined on stage by 2 Queens, Miss Caribbean US 2010 (left) Veronica Lorenzo-Puerto Rico & Miss Caribbean US 2009 (right) Tamara Lorenzo-St. Vincent. Karma Band flanks Alison in the rear. The performance was electric as fans pressed their way through the heat to catch a close up of Soca’s Queen.
Photos by Solomon Williams

‘One’s character propels one beyond the walls of any limitations or challenges therefore I believe my intelligence, humility, determination coupled with my open mind will enable me to lucratively represent Barbados’.

An eloquent 19 year old humanitarian who ardently upholds solid morals and grabs every opportunity to motivate and elevate her fellow youths Miss Barbados Je-Meila Ramona Maloney stands proudly as her country’s ambassador in the Miss Jamzone International 2010 pageant.

Je-Meila is currently the Barbados Face of Shabeau Model Search winner and is attached to the Ebony Model agency also of Barbados. At the tender age of sixteen, Je-Meila joined forces with a friend and started a youth organization called the ‘Emerging Global Leaders of Barbados’, a youth organization that seeks to ‘empower all young people so as to creatively shape a better tomorrow’.  She was sent by ‘UNICEF Barbados’ to Chitose City Japan to represent the entire Caribbean and Latin America at the J8 Summit in 2008 ,an annual forum where young people from around the world meet and discuss global issues, and share their solutions with G8 leaders and the world community.  There she was selected to meet the G8 Leaders of 2008 where she advocated for child rights and other global issues.  An avid youth leader this young lady is the current ‘UNICEF Barbados’ youth advocate and is a dedicated volunteer for the National Council on substance Abuse and United Caribbean Trust.

An aspiring lawyer Ms. Barbados hopes to own a law firm by age thirty and is working fervently towards achieving this goal. Remarkably, at 5ft 7inches Je-Meila bears a striking mannequin resemblance and explains that she enjoys singing, dancing, acting and writing poetry.

Miss Maloney assures the public that she confronts any challenge with poise, dignity and optimism and she is confident that the Miss Jamzone International crown is the exact fit for her head!