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bloodline@ttol.co.tt
'its
the season
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Eye-catching
Unipet staff at 51º Lounge last Friday included, from
left, Sarah Leotaud, Nicole Perreira, Kimberly Gomez
and Kamanie Matabadal. Photo: Andre Alexander
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Entrepreneur
Michael Headley, right, seems to be imitating WBC
world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather as he
makes a point to Brig Carl Alfonso at The Harvard
Club’s Friday night The Best of Pan and Parang
event. Photo: Zen Dionne Jarrette
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When
it comes to throwing a damn good party few can do it better
than Ron Milford.
The Unipet CEO hosted his company’s annual Christmas
party last Friday, together with employees of Esau Jan Transport
Company, at 51º Lounge in Port-of-Spain.
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Parrandero
John “Country” Bernard plays a mean marac,
accompanied by “tin pannist” Gilbert Ravello,
of Jerry & Friends, at bpTT Media Christmas Lime
on Saturday. Photo: Andre Alexander
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The first function to be held at the popular Cipriani Boulevard
showplace following the unveiling of its completely white
Smirnoff bar the previous evening, guests enjoyed the ambience,
and many were overheard commenting on the gastronomic feast
laid out by caterer Cecil Wint’s Ebenezzer Cuisine,
from Diego Martin. Just basic, traditional Christmas fare,
but boy was it well prepared and tasty, especially the lamb
with pineapple passion fruit sauce and humongous jumbo shrimp.
Rounding
off Friday night’s activity was a visit to The Harvard
Club for its annual The Best of Pan and Parang. It really
proved to be the best money could buy because, although
I arrived too late for the Sagicor Exodus performance, I
was thoroughly delighted by the offerings of Neal and Massy
Trinidad All Stars, Los Alumnos De San Juan and Kenny J.
Though not as huge as the Unipet function on Saturday, bpTT
CEO Robert Riley hosted the media at his Ellerslie Park
residence. Catering was by Eldon’s Catering Service
and the chef’s wife, Jackie, ensured that every one
in attendance sampled everything she and her husband provided;
from an appetiser of cognac pumpkin soup to curried lamb,
to desserts of traditional Christmas fruit cake and coconut
ice cream.
As usual, Riley hired the best music to entertain his guests,
with Jerry (Prudent) & Friends doing the needy. The
band was at the top of its game, especially the singing
of Andy “AA” Albert, aka Alcoholic Anonymous,
and mean cuatro licks by John Bernard, aka “Country.”
If ever you needed a poster boy for what a “true true”
parrandero” might look like, Country fits the bill
to a tee.
Saturday night also took me to 51º Lounge for its annual
Paramin Experience and what a treat that was. I’d reckon
that there’s nary a specie of wild meat left in the
forest given the abundance and wide array of this seasonal
delicacy available.
There was more authentic parang to be enjoyed at the 51º
gig with some mean playing by The Living Legends of Lopinot
parang group.
The night got even better when I realised that just downstairs
of 51º, Tony Roma’s was carrying live the Floyd Mayweather
Jnr-Ricky Hatton WBC world welterweight title fight from
Las Vegas on HBO. I have never seen so many celebrities
in attendance at a title fight, not even in the heyday and
reign of boxing’s greatest, Muhammad Ali. Seen ringside
were Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Tiger Woods, Bruce
Willis, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law and David Beckham.
On my usual weekend nocturnal wanderings, I discovered an
oasis, smack dab in the centre of the nation’s capital.
I am referring to the just opened Ice Club on Independence
Square (above Royal Castle). On Sunday evening, the father
of club owner Aaron Henry, Clyde Henry, hosted an event
he billed as Reflections, featuring DJ D’Original Wax
and Kenny J.
Clyde said he’s repeating Reflections on Sunday, with
Wax being joined by parang soca pioneer Crazy.
Eight
months pregnant, pretty Los Alumnos de San Juan singer Rhonda
Rosales-Lyons proudly shows off her tummy.
Photo: Zen Dionne Jarrette
Woodbrook
after dark
Rootsman
COME
Monday evening, at 8.30 pm, De Nu Pub, formerly The Mas
Camp, Woodbrook, will host its annual Christmas concert.
This year’s production is headlined by internationally
renowned cuatrista Robert Munroe & Friends, ably supported
by Kenny J, Marilyn Williams and Jennylee Hutchinson.
Maintaining its weekly live entertainment programme going,
the popular showplace will feature one of the few calypsonians
who actually composes his own work these days, Rootsman
(Yafeu Osei) on Wednesday night.
To launch his C2K8 CD, Rootsie has assembled quite an impressive
list of guest performers, including Crazy, De Fosto, Poser,
Bally, de Mighty Trini, Mini Priest, Charlo, Tempo and Shawn-T.
showtime is 9 pm
The new Rootsman disc includes some infectious tracks like
After Dark, Soca Jumbie, One for de Road and Where is the
love, all enticingly arranged by “the rasta master”
Junior “Ibo” Joseph.
Christman
In D Panyard
Last
Christmas it was one of the more enjoyable events I attended
and this year Harmonites Steel Orchestra is hosting yet
another edition of its Christmas in D’Panyard. Featuring
a mix of the best steelbands in the land with that in parang
and parang soca, R&B and DJ music, the eagerly awaited
event takes place on Sunday, at the Harmonites Pan Theatre,
Morvant Junction, Barataria.
Hosted by Angostura and Harmonites, the bill for Sunday’s
musical treat includes Baron, Marilyn Williams, Los Amigos
Cantadores, Angostura Woodbrook Playboyz, Neal & Massy
Trinidad All Stars, Courts Sound Specialists, Witco Desperadoes,
Harmonites Youth and Harmonites. Also in attendance will
be DJs CG and Fred Sounds, with show host Phill “the
Thrill” Simmons.
100
years of gold
WITH
2008 marking an auspicious milestone in the history of Newtown
Boys’ RC School, its faculty is planning a bumper centennial
celebration for Carnival. The first event on the calendar
will be the school’s annual After Work Lime, notably
an eagerly anticipated after event on the T&T Carnival
calendar.
Next year’s gig, scheduled for January 25, is appropriately
themed 100 Years Gold! and takes place at the school on
Maraval Road, Newtown. As usual, the season’s hottest
artistes will be dropping by to perform their hits.
For more information, contact the school at 622-4489.
(bloodline@ttol.co.tt)
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