Hard work and determination can carry you far in pursuit of your dreams. That’s one of the many lessons singing actor Raguel Gabriel has learned over the first year of his three-year conservatory program at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. Gabriel is proud of his performance over the past … Continue reading
Filed under music …
K Bishop finds his ‘Freedom’ (August 14, 2016)
T&T rapper Kellon Bishop is on a mission to bring a positive message to young people with his new album, Freedom. The 28-year-old Princes Town resident has been rapping since age 14, when he realized it was genre where “you could say so much and really express yourself.” He said two major events led to … Continue reading
CDM Conference 2016 – Defining Caribbean Dance Music (August 7, 2016)
Now is the time for Caribbean Dance Music (CDM) producers, artists and DJs to come together to determine what the genre entails, says promoter Karrilee Fifi. It is for this reason she has organized the second annual Caribbean Dance Music Conference, scheduled for August 12 to 14. Published in the T&T Guardian on August 7, … Continue reading
Danielle Williams – following her singing dreams (July 31, 2016)
Following your dreams can lead you to far away places. In the case of T&T singer Danielle Williams, her determination to forge a career in opera has led her to the Härnösands Folkhögskola (College) in Sweden, where she is pursuing a two-year opera studio program. Originally published in the T&T Guardian on July 31, 2016 … Continue reading
Marionettes Sing for Home (July 3, 2016)
Having a home of their own is an important goal for many people and organizations. It is for this reason that the BP Marionettes Chorale will be partnering with churches in Port of Spain, La Romaine and Chaguanas for their July 2016 concert season, which runs from July 8 to 16. Musical Director Gretta Taylor … Continue reading
Songs of the Islands – Caribbean folk tales and Opera (July 3, 2016)
“It is important for a nation, in creating an identity, to celebrate our unique heritage, and not be limited in scope.” Natalia Dopwell, Creative Director of the Classical Music Development Foundation of T&T (CMDFTT), says it is for this reason the Foundation has commissioned “Songs of the Islands”, an albums of songs derived from music … Continue reading
Rapso, theatre and mas: Wendell Manwarren speaks on his life in the arts (June 12, 2016)
(I’ve added some pieces here that I had to leave out of the newspaper version. Enjoy!) Rapsoman Wendell Manwarren has had a long and varied career in the arts, beginning with the opera and continuing through theatre, mas-making and rapso. Manwarren spoke about his journey to a standing-room only crowd at the Monday Night Theatre … Continue reading
I-She dazzles again (June 5, 2016)
The audience at the gala performance of Shades of I-She: Every Woman’s Story on April 27 was held spellbound by the powerful performances. Audience members said the play, written and directed by Eintou Pearl Springer and put on by the Indigenous Creative Arts Network (ICAN), grabbed them by the throat with its intensity. Patron of … Continue reading
Pride Arts Festival a first for region (June 5, 2016)
Internationally, June is celebrated as Pride Month by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. This year, I Am One T&T, a local community-based organisation which seeks to address the needs of gender and sexual minorities, will be hosting a Pride Arts Festival in T&T from June 3 to July 1. I … Continue reading
Dominant Seventh releases calypso jazz CD (May 22, 2016)
Lovers of jazz, calypso and well-made local music will all find something to love in the Calypso Jazz CD, “Homegrown”, recorded by the Dominant Seventh Calypso Jazz Band and produced by Dominant Seventh Productions. The CD, which comprises seven tracks, was recorded live in studio by entirely local musicians. It will be launched on June … Continue reading