LOCAL NEWS
IT’S PARANG SEASON!! LOTS OF EVENTS TO ATTEND
The ET&T WEEKLY Tabloid is published by ABSTRACT MEDIA GROUP Company Limited in the island of Trinidad and Tobago and is protected by strict copyright laws and is not to be reproduced in full or in part without the written consent from the management of ABSTRACT MEDIA GROUP Company Limited. ©Copyright Abstract Media Group Company Limited 2013. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are expressed by the writers and do not reflect the sentiment of Abstract Media Group Company Limited.
DESPITE NPATT STRUGGLES
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espite claims in September of this year that the 2014 parang season would be in jeopardy due to lack of funding, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for Parang lovers. National Parang Association competition events have been scaled down due to insufficient funds, but there are several one-off events taking place that one can attend to enjoy the sweets strains of this festive material. The action kicks off in the southland with Viva Parang. This is actually a series of competitionstyled events, which begins on November 15th and runs until December 21st. Hosted by Carnival City Ultra Lounge & NLCB, this parang fiesta promises over $40,000 in prize giveaways. The Prelims dates are November 15th, 22nd, 29th, December 6th and 13th. It all goes down at Carnival City, 2nd floor Gulf City Mall, La Romain. The St. Georges Alumni Association presents Parang Parang 3 on November 21st, 2014. The event which takes place at the
school compound is set to feature Amantes De Parranada, Los Chavales De San Jorge and Los Buenos Parranderos. Living legend Scrunter will be a special guest performer on the night. Coolers are allowed. Heavy hitters such as the Lara Brothers and Los Alumnos De San Juan will head the entertainment at the Green Meadow in Santa Cruz for Fiesta De Aguinaldos. Junior paranderos as well as Kelwyn Hucheon, Baron, Crazy and more will add to the strong entertainment cast expected on Saturday November 23rd. December 7th will feature En Soleil – Xmas Jam 2. After a promising first edition, the promoters are hoping for even more vibes at the House of Siete in Maraval. The Pork Inclusive party is carded to have some of the nation’s top DJ’s as well as a rhythm section in tandem with loads of parang. Patrons are invited to walk with coolers for the production. Now that you have been satisfied in the south and the north, you can even enjoy some parang down the islands. Yes, there is a Parang DDI. Road Trip TT will be taking patrons to the furthest of the Bocas islands west of Chacachacare. Parang will greet you as you board the boat at Island Homes and the vibes don’t stop for the entire day. The event starts at 8am and ends at 5pm on Sunday 7th. www.amgtt.com •
NOVEMBER, 2014 • ET&T
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LOCAL THE INCREDIBLE MYRON B CELEBRATES NEWS 10 YEARS OF SOCA PARANG W
hen an artist calls himself Incredible he leaves himself open to ridicule, as he tries to meet expectations caused by the name. However for entertainer The Incredible Myron B, this is certainly no problem. These are the words in the Incredible Myron’s B bio, and he certainly lives up to them. This year, he celebrates 10 years of Soca Parang and is soon to release his new album just in time for the Christmas season, which includes songs like “Christmas in Tobago,” “Paramin woman” and “Barrel a Rum.” In 1998, at age 17, Myron B completed school and by that time had written over 80 songs, as he began to pursue his dream of becoming an entertainer and music producer. By 1999, he recorded his first single, “The Mud Mass Band.” Today, he is an accomplished music producer and is the owner of "Incredible Entertainment Limited," an entertainment and advertising production company formed in 2004.
Myron B
Known for his expressive face, witty tongue and keen sense of humor, he combines his unique brand of comedy with music to deliver energetic and entertaining performances mainly in the field of Calypso and Soca Parang. In the genre of Calypso, he began performing at the Yangatang Humorous Calypso tent which was headed by Errol Fabien and Nikki Crosby in the year 2000. He travelled and performed in
a number of Caribbean islands, England and France. In 2001, his career flourished with his performances at the Maljo Kaiso, the humorous Calypso tent. There he executed hits such as “Boy of Wood” and the best song he claimed to have written, “Fraid for meh life,” which won the most humorous calypso title at the TUCO categories finals. In 2011, he returned to the Calypso Tent scene as he joined the cast of TUCO East Zone's Kaiso Karavan Calypso Tent where he performed a Humorous piece called Animal Man. In 2012, he won the Humorous Calypso Monarch Title for the third time with "Baby Roll Over,” and again in 2013 with “Ladies Gentleman” and “Boy of Wood.” In summer 2012, he successfully toured the UK, where he performed with his band "Calypso" at T&T Cultural Village at the Tricycle theatre In Kilburn London. In October 2014, Myron B released his 2015 entry for Humorous Calypso,
called “Ebola Scare.” In the Soca Parang arena, he earned two nominations for the Soca Parang of the Year Award, once in 2003 with “Ah Next House” and in 2005 for “The Grinch.” In 2007, he produced his first studio compilation “Soca Parang Bacchanal” which was an instant hit selling over 900 copies in its first season. In 2009, he teamed up with Joseph “Joey” Rivers to form the first ever Christmas Calypso tent, “The Christmas Caravan.” He released two solo albums, “My Crazy Christmas” in 2009, with hits such as “Coming down tonight” and “Greedy, Greedy” and in 2011 he "The Incredible Myron B Show,” with hits such as “Talking Parang.” So run come and taste a barrel a rum, as The Incredible Myron B will be performing at La Pastora Poolside Parang put on by the Amanecer Retreat and Spa on Saturday 22nd November, 2014 from 8pm.
SOUL TRAIN GLORY FOR MACHEL M
achel Montano got the ultimate early 40th birthday gift when he won the Soul Train Award for “Best International Performance.” The third time was the charm for Montano who received two previous nominations. His victory made it the third time a Caribbean artist copped the award with Tessanne Chin and Bunji Garlin having won it before. Montano won the award with his Road March and Soca Monarch winning tune Ministry Of Road. It should be noted that despite the song’s popularity locally, the Soul Train Awards victory was no foregone conclusion. There was stiff competition for the prize as some legendary artists and chart-topping selections were also nominated. Ziggy Marley’s “I Don’t’ Want To Live On Mars,” Shaggy Featuring Neyo’s ‘You Girl’, Davido’s ‘Aye’,
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Machel's Instagram post
Nico & Vinz’, “Am I Wrong” and Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” were the other songs in the category. Montano expressed great humility and gratefulness upon his victory via social media platforms and he was quick to thank all who were instrumental in the development, execution and marketing of the hit song. Below is a screen shot of his heartfelt thank you which was posted on Instagram.
LOCAL NEWS T
TRINI SOUNDBOY TAKES AFRICA BY STORM
rinidad and Tobago has another reason to be proud. Foreign-based DJ and promoter Kyle ‘Fire Kyle’ Lee Young is continuing to take Caribbean culture to new heights. The enigmatic figure teamed up with Kenya’s number one DJ Simple Simon to produce some very well received mix tapes under Simon’s Supremacy Sounds Label. Now the pair is on a whirlwind tour in Africa and Fire Kyle could not be happier with the results thus far. “So far it's incredible,” said Lee Young. “Our first show was in South Sudan and we had the club on fire. We were hosted by people with political and financial power and got first class treatment for our 3 day stay there,” he added. The duo regularly posts photos of their adventures on tour and they reveal warm receptions on all of their stops thus far. Among their supporters was the son of South Sudan's first President (John Garang). Apart from the hectic show schedule, Supremacy Sounds took the time to do some sightseeing and even visit an orphanage called Confident Children out of Conflict.
According to Kyle, the African tour was part of a natural progression for him having done serious networking and consistently producing good work. Their releases on soundcloud.com/ supremacysounds have received thousands of views from people across the globe so he felt the timing was right. Plus, the tour serves
as Simple Simon’s homecoming after three years. It also signals the 11th anniversary of Supremacy Sounds, which actually has a DJ academy in Kenya. The tour began on November 1st and continues until December 23rd with new shows in new cities every week. Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Southern Sudan
and Zimbabwe are all destinations Fire Kyle will be taking his Trini flavour to during the journey. They are also booked for two shows in Dubai. Speaking on how he feels to be touring the motherland, Kyle shared that he is proud to be a conduit for the culture. “I’m excited to make history as a MC from Trinidad and Tobago being accepted by people in an entirely different culture all through music and vibes.” He went on to state that he has never experienced love on this scale as they are often swamped by fans and the events have received billboard status in some states. “I was shocked to come here for the first time and receive this much love and respect. We are well taken care of and fans rush to take pictures with us. I knew they were familiar with Simon, but I was surprised to see they know all of our names.” No doubt, Fire Kyle is on his way to becoming a household name and ET&T will keep you informed of his movements till it happens. Follow Fire Kyle and Supremacy Sounds via www.supremacysounds.com.
CARIBBEANTALES WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RECEIVES MAJOR EU GRANT
B
arbados-based film distribution company CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD) has received a major funding grant from the ACPCultures+ Program, financed by the European Union and implemented by the ACP Group of States for ‘The 3D Distribution Project’ (3D) that will enhance CTWD’s digital, domestic and Diaspora distribution. 3D’s partners include the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, the National Institute of Culture and History, Belize, the Caribbean Examinations Council, the Film Commission of the Dominican Republic, Banyan Productions, and the German digital platform Onlinefilm.org. CTWD is the main global 4
CTWD founder and celebrated producer and filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon
platform for Caribbean film and television content. It is also the first - and still the only - full service film distribution company that specializes in the acquisition, marketing and sales of Caribbean-themed programs. Founder and celebrated pro-
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ducer and filmmaker FrancesAnne Solomon said: “This EU funding is hugely exciting. With it, we will raise the bar and really concentrate on delivering sustainable long-term income-generating streams for producers that will benefit our industry and the region as a whole. We have already put in place our Project Team.” She further stated, “We plan to acquire international distribution rights for 100 more films, expand our online platform, build strong broadcasting relationships with local and international television channels, and promote a wide-ranging marketing campaign, so as to make our Caribbean-themed content easily accessible to wide audiences around the world.” 3D addresses systemic issues that have plagued the develop-
ment of the Caribbean film/TV industry such as poor market visibility, high production costs, and restricted market access. Thus, CTWD will strengthen market access for content at local, regional and international levels and support the development of a truly professional, world-class and profitable Caribbean film sector. Founded in 2010 with a grant from the Barbados Business Enterprise Trust, CTWD’s programming also includes its Annual Film Festival, along with its Content Development and Market Training Program for filmmakers in Toronto, and the Video on Demand Platform. Courtesy Sonique Solutions
LOCAL 2015’S POTENTIAL BREAKTHROUGH NEWS ARTISTES REVEALED
W
e are almost at the end of 2014 and with Carnival and more not far away, we are left to wonder what surprises we will encounter in the coming year. We can almost always expect the big guns to deliver continuously, but each year we find undeniable emerging talent who will likely be the next ‘big thing’ in years to come. ET&T is already seeing signs that some people are on the cusp of breakout years and here we will show you who and why. Faith Antoine
Faith Antoine is the first name that comes to mind. The soulful Canadian singer with Trini roots has devoted much of her young career to R&B and Hip-Hop, but lately she has successfully delved into soca. Her Millbeatz-produced single ‘Like It’ has generated major airplay and it is quite a surprise that Faith has been able to transition so seamlessly into the soca genre. The groovy track is a musthave for your early C2K15 soca playlist and her follow up song ‘Celebrate’ isn’t too shabby either. What makes Antoine likely to succeed is the fact that she can back up her studio sound with a strong live showing. She says, these are all aspects of her craft she works very hard on. Faith told ET&T that she is just happy to contribute to the soca scene, but by the looks of it she is doing much more than just contributing. Immediately following Carnival, she will be releasing a track on the Purple Grape Riddim which also features established stars Kes and Konshens. 6
Kevon ‘K Kay’ Joseph
Another person who has been making major waves is producer Jesse "Chunky" John whose works are better known under the moniker Optimus Productions. The Vistabella based technician has been behind the boards of some of the hottest tracks on local radio of the past couple of months. The Parang Fiesta riddim which features the likes of Crazy, Rembunction, Baron, Marcia Miranda and more is one to remember while, he also helmed the controversial, yet popular No Ebola by Screws and Benjai. Plus, his Knock Out Riddim featuring the likes of KMC, Richard Trumpet and Denise Belfon is pure jouvert fare. The fact that the young producer has been able to link up with so many established artistes already this year is a testament to his production pedigree. What is even more promising is the fact that he has more stuff up his sleeve to be released before Carnival 2015 arrives. The sister isle is not to be left out. Kevon ‘K Kay’ Joseph has been doing tremendous work in the vineyards and is well known in entertainment circles throughout Tobago. The artiste –whose sound is a smooth mix of soca and dancehall – has been doing his thing overseas and is now ready to take Trinidad by storm. He released his first album ‘Home For Carnival via Rhona Fox’s Fox Fuse Distribution company in NYC and later learnt that the album was placed as a prized feature on iTunes
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New and Noteworthy chart. He later signed a film placement deal with Sugo Music in the US for the very same album. The gifted writer and musician has worked with other better known artistes such as Flippo and Fya Empress and he is hoping 2015 will be his year. Joseph believes it all boils down to branding and he is currently doing what is necessary to take his music into Trinidad’s mainstream. A fusion of pop, reggae and soca is behind the sound of the last person to be featured here. Sajivan Guyadeen who goes by the soubriquet F.L.O. is a livewire artiste who thrives on the performance aspect of entertaining. His song No Distance is respectable at the very least and having worked with Precision Productions, Advokit, Emanuel Rudder, Robert Baptiste and more, one can only expect to hear great things going forward. F.L.O. plays the drums, but his vocals are undeniable. He hopes that his vocal and stage performance strengths propel him to success in one of the competitions he plans to enter this year. He has both soca and chutney songs and is confident
both can deliver in a meaningful way. You can follow F.L.O on facebook or check him out @ flo soca on twitter. The Turning Point Entertainment artiste is ready to blow. No doubt the other acts featured here are equally ready and will be looking to be the 2015 versions of Flippo with breakout years. F.L.O.
REGIONAL NEWS
MARIAH CAREY TO PERFORM AT 2015 JAMAICA JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL Grammy-winning singer and pop legend, Mariah Carey will perform for the first time on Jamaican soil as she has been announced as the headline act for the 2015 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, set for the final weekend of January in Trelawny.
In a statement released Thursday, Carey expressed excitement about making her debut in Jamaica at the festival. “I’m thrilled to be performing in Jamaica for the first time ever,” she said. “I can’t wait to connect with my Jamaican fans and I am really looking forward to spending some time pon de island as well.” Jazz and Blues festival producer, Walter Elmore was also thrilled with the development, saying in a statement, “Welcoming Mariah Carey to Jamaica’s shores is truly exciting and we are extremely pleased to announce this iconic star as our headline act for 2015. Her agreeing to perform on our stage is a testament to the quality of our production. We are the only festival in the Western Hemisphere to present Mariah Carey since her last tour in 2006.” The 2015 edition of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will be the 19th edition of the show and will take place at Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny from Jan. 29-31.
ELEPHANT MAN SET TO STAND TRIAL IN RAPE CASE NEXT MARCH AFTER CASE IS PUSHED BACK Dancehall superstar, Elephant Man will be
WORLD NEWS There are not many details regarding the collaboration at this time, but MAC did reveal that the Cyrus-inspired products will donate 100% of sales to benefit AIDS research and will hit shelves in the beginning of 2015. In addition, Miley shared a tweet about the news and wrote, “Going #VIVAGLAM with @ MACcosmetics. Look for my lipstick in early 2015” Per a report from the company, MAC Viva Glam has generated upwards of $340 million since it started in 1994.
STEPHEN COLBERT ANNOUNCES END DATE OF 'THE COLBERT REPORT'
MILEY CYRUS IS MAC COSMETICS 2015 VIVA GLAM SPOKESWOMAN!
made to wait even longer to stand trial in his ongoing rape case after the matter was postponed on Monday during a hearing at the Home Circuit Court in Kingston. The matter was pushed back until March 2015 after the case could not be heard due to a backlog of cases currently before the court. The deejay, whose real name is O’Neil Bryan stands accused of rape and grievous sexual assault after an alleged incident at his St. Andrew apartment building in January 2012. The ‘Energy God’ was arrested by detectives from the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) shortly after the female victim reportedly filed a police report. The trial has been postponed several times since it was initially heard in February of that year.
The date for the final "Colbert Report" show has been set. Stephen Colbert announced on his show that he would make his last appearance as the host of the Comedy Central late-night satirical program on Thursday, December 18. The comedian made the announcement while promoting the paperback release of his book "America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't". "Stephen Colbert, the guy you've seen here every night for nine years will be gone. All you'll have left of me is this book," he said. "So pick up America Again in paperback for a loved one. Or for a hated one. Go
Just in time for the holiday season, MAC Cosmetics revealed its new brand ambassador. The makeup empire took to Twitter to unveil Miley Cyrus as its 2015 Viva Glam spokesperson. 8 ET&T • NOVEMBER, 2014 • www.amgtt.com
to your local independent bookstore, because I have a longtime war against Amazon, and I will never relent. Or - buy it on Amazon, because, you know, just buy it." Colbert is leaving Comedy Central for CBS, where he will replace David Letterman as the host of the "Late Show". "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will debut sometime in 2015 following Letterman's final broadcast early next year.
GUY NAME: Akeem Jackson AGE: 25 HEIGHT: 5’ 6’’ WEIGHT: 170 lbs CAREER: Educator BRIEFS OR BOXERS: Briefs. FAVOURITE SCENT: Burberry Brit Rhythm. FAVOURITE THING: Cell Phone. DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM GIRL: Intelligent, Charismatic and into fitness. YOU WERE HEARTBROKEN: Yep. (Sniffle) YOUR HERO: I wear several hats & I admire different people for each, but overall I’ll choose my grandmother as my ultimate heroine. FAVOURITE FOOD: Although I try to eat healthy, my favorite food is fried chicken. THE WAY TO YOUR HEART IS: A genuine and humble persona. YOU’D NEVER DO: Hmm… maybe murder. WHAT ABOUT PETS: I’m not into pets. ON YOUR BUCKET LIST: Visit every continent. FAVOURITE ARTIST: Male: Kanye West, Female: Florence Welch FAVOURITE MUSIC: Anything Independent/Alternative. FAVOURITE PLACE FOR A MEAL: Honestly, I enjoy eating at home in my room the most. EVER CHEATED: No. THE FREAKIEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE: Haha… Next Question! (Whoo) YOUR WEAK SPOT: I think my chest area. YOUR MOTIVATION: To become a professional athlete. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR BODY: Discipline & Consistency with my training, supplementation and I try with my diet. 10 ET&T • NOVEMBER, 2014 • www.amgtt.com
Photo by Roger Jackson of Absolutpics
DREAM
MODEL MANIA
Name: Renee Bhagwandeen Age: 26 Hometown: Siparia, Trinidad Hobbies: Writing and cooking unique recipes Career: Model, Fashion Blogger: ModelsMafia.com, TV Host\Personality She’s an astounding beauty with business on the brain. In fact, she is currently working on her goal of successfully launching her
food truck named IceyTruck and turning it into a franchise known worldwide. As far as her modeling is concerned, she has been doing her thing since age eighteen and has been very successful thus far. She attributes her model physique to genetics with a touch of her own hard work. “I cannot take all the credit for my figure because a lot of it was inherited from my beautiful mom and dad. As far as fitness I love to run and swim as a stress reliever and on my down time I’ve taken up Zumba,” she says. She also adds that her beauty regimen consists of keeping hydrated with her favourite drink and experimenting with natural
products. If I am feeling weak or have stomach problems, I drink coconut water for an energy boost and best of all it always reminds me of spending summers in Trinidad with my grandmother. I am a huge fan of natural products so I use coconut and olive oil as a moisturizer before bed and cocobutter during the day. I’ve been experimenting with some natural products you can find at home like coffee, brown sugar and even almond milk.” Renee has worked with a veritable who’s who of the fashion industry locally and abroad, yet she gushes over the work of upcoming photographer Aman Lexidor. Similarly, she loves designers Oscar
De La Renta and Vera Wang. She posits “If life were a fairytale they would dress Cinderella!” Keep abreast of all her latest movements by following her on Twitter @ReneeBigTime, Instagram @ReneeBigTime and http:// reneebhagwandeen.com/ Credits Photographer & Make Up Aman Lexidor @aman_lexidor Booking | Price and inquiries amanlexidor@gmail.com Fashion designer | red dress: joe @ thattrendyguy Green dress & Jewelry: Jasmine @ jabomb_boutik Hair | Serena : @royalhands_ hairstyles
RENEE BHAGWANDEEN
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BEAUTY O
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS OFFICE PARTY
ffice parties are great. They provide a way to relieve stress and create opportunities to break communication barriers between co-workers. It can be excellent for some and detrimental to others depending on their behavior. It is a time to introduce and showcase oneself to heads of departments who are not readily available on a normal working day. Though these parties are occasions to let loose, you must be aware of what you say and do, especially around people you are not familiar with. There is a set of unspoken rules that society follows and everyone is judged according to them. An office party, which may at first seem to be a relaxing day off work, is actually a battlefield which needs to be conquered. Everyone is into networking and vying for the attention of the boss. There are ways and means of getting noticed without making a total fool of yourself. So here are some dos and don’ts for the office party. Don’t drink too much alcohol, it lowers your inhibitions and alters judgment. If you are one of those workers who have unresolved issues bundled up inside, after drinking you may feel like letting them out. You could even end up on top of a table dancing with your skirt above your head. It’s pretty easy to lose control when you start to hit the bar. If you are not accustomed to drinking or you are unsure of how it will affect you, stay away from the alcohol. If you are a drinker watch how much you drink, because you may come off as an alcoholic to your co workers. Do mingle with as many people as possible especially those you are unfamiliar with. Networking is a great way to position yourself for a promotion or a raise. You have a chance to talk face to face with some of the leaders of the organization and you get to display who you really are. They also become aware of what type of work you do and how you contribute to the company. If you make a lasting impact you are going to be the first
person on their mind when there is a vacancy in your field. Sexual harassment is as taboo in an office party as it is in the office. Don’t flirt or act in a sexually provocative manner towards anyone. This type of behavior is deemed as sexual harassment as
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well as offensive behavior. You may see it as a joke or all in the name of fun but coworkers could feel differently about it. The way you dance with others should also be considered. You may feel that no one is taking notice but everyone is.
Don’t let your guard down because you may end up saying things that you didn’t mean to reveal. As I said before, office parties are a battlefield and there are those who are waiting for you to slipup. Remember you never know who is listening in on a conversation or to whom you are talking. As far as you are concerned no one is to be trusted, even close coworkers may repeat something that you said because they had a little too much to drink. So be careful what you say and do around others. Do show up to the party on time. Everyone will still be fresh and the boss would not have repeated the same greeting to many people so he is more susceptible to having a lengthy conversation with you. If there is a theme, go with it even though you may not like it. Do join in on the fun and show that you are having a great time. Don’t try to be the life of the party as it could cost you your job as well as your credibility as a good leader. Yes it is good to try to make others laugh but don’t let anyone be the butt of your jokes. Try and be as professional as you can be, it is important to portray yourself as someone who is good at having fun without taking it too far. Don’t bring along uninvited guests. The reason you are asked to R.S.V.P is to make sure that there is adequate accommodation and food for those who are invited. If the person was not invited as your guest then he or she is not supposed to be there. If you R.S.VP for a guest make sure that the person would behave in a manner that would be approved by the company. Your guest’s behavior reflects on you so be sure to choose wisely. The don’ts at office parties outweigh the dos as you can see. They are here to help you make a good impression on both your coworkers and your boss. If you follow these guidelines you definitely would not be the laughing stock of the company when the New Year rolls around.
THE COLOURS OF CHRISTMAS
FASHION
M
akeup sets the mood for magical moments in fashion and beauty. The right cosmetic application can transform you into the perfect reflection of the season. Here, we celebrate the colours of Christmas through cosmetics.
This beauty sports a bold, bronzed finish that goes well with golden Christmas backdrops
Nothing beats some hot chocolate on Christmas morning. That is the inspiration for this look for people with dark complexions.
Have a true Caribbean Christmas with all the colours of the rainbow blended to a flawless finish www.amgtt.com •
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FASHION
Red lips and rosy cheeks combine to turn this face to a powerful palette
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Kwanza you can embrace your ethnic background whilst still showing some holiday cheer
Glittery silver above the eyes with a light metallic lip colour provides that icy Christmas sparkle
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ET&T
HOT
H
MARCIA MIRANDA TALKS MUSIC AND CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT
SEAT
er songs set the mood for the ultimate Trini Christmas celebrations. This talented, beautiful, musical and cultural artiste has performed on both local and international stages spreading the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. She is none other than Marcia Miranda! Though she's quite busy during this season, we were able to sit and have a chat with her and we even found out what makes her cry! ET&T: What is your process for writing music? MM: The inspiration would usually come out of two things; the melody and life’s experiences. ET&T: What are some of the projects you’re currently working on? MM: There is a video of my latest Christmas release (corn soup) in production. In addition, I am preparing for a very hectic seven weeks of performances for the Christmas season. ET&T: Christmas to you is ___________? MM: Christmas represents me. The accumulation of all the gifts given to us by God; the birth of Christ, love, peace, family, joy, introspection and gratitude. ET&T: Favourite Christmas carol? MM: My favorite Christmas carol is O’ Holy night ET&T: Share with us your Christmas day tradition. MM: It usually begins the night before with Holy Mass. During the morning, I have breakfast and beverages with my mother and sister. Friends and relatives visit while the preparation of lunch begins. Finally, after lunch we go from house to house, visiting and paranging.
ET&T: What is one thing most people do not know about you? MM: There are moments that I would prefer silent retreat as opposed to the limelight. ET&T: How do you handle mistakes during performances? MM: I usually tell the DJ to ‘wheeeel it’ (lol). ET&T: Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition? MM: Yes, I do but if at any time
I didn’t then I would be worried. ET&T: Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? MM: Musicians? That would have to be Stevie Wonder because he is a brilliant human being who has truly showed great perseverance throughout his career; his compositions are truly happy and infectious. ET&T: Is there a particular song that never fails to move you emotionally? MM: Yes there is, I’m alive by Celine Dion.
ET&T: What is your most valued material possession? MM: I never thought about it because I cherish everything that I’ve worked hard to attain. ET&T: Are there any charities you are involved with? MM: Certainly, I am deeply involved with the work done at the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society and also there are the performances in which I render my services to charitable organizations.
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ETC! COCKTAILS & FASHION
ashion lovers F had lots of opportunities to em-
EVENTS
brace wearable art in the last few weeks. Model competitions and fashion shows seemed to spring up everywhere. ET&T was delighted to be a part of one such event hosted by the Anglican Youth & Young Adult Department - T&T at St. Mary's Parish Hall, Tacarigua. The event featured the designs of some up and coming talents and promising models. Here is a bit of the action as it unfolded.
No boy… is this knob for volume?
Who needs a mic stand anyway?
Everyone’s happy when there are gifts
Delivering an animated rendition
Hitting those notes
Piercing eyes
A twist on semi-formal
These pieces kept people talking
Keeping it gully
Tie-dyed tribal
Working the fabric
Loving this piece
Tiara and all
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EVENTS
BAEWATCH
beachwear event saw the massive turnout party away in water and fog in Chaguaramas to music provided by some of the country’s hottest DJ’s. Our photographers found a way to fit into the thick crowds to present you with these photos. See more on the ET&T Facebook page.
Cool and casual
We love ladies in two’s
Easy Pricey
Well dayum!
A confident smile
Patrice in the middle of a meat sandwich
Ram
clever spin on a popular TV show with a hint of A good old Trini Lackarae was the theme for the highly anticipated and well-attended Baewatch. The
Repping for the thick girls
Guidance
Ezel GT bai!
Twinning and winning
Wonder who’s Bae they were watching
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Comfortable in her black beachwear
EVENTS
DISCOVER
he swanky, rebranded Radisson hotel on WrightT son Road was where connoisseurs of great wine and spirits gathered for an event hosted by Massy
Distribution. Entitled Discover, patrons were treated to interactive sessions highlighting various brands. It then escalated into a swinging shindig powered by the music of DJ Nuphoric with guitarist Stefan Roach providing additional entertainment. The festivities were well enjoyed by those in attendance and the ET&T photographers were pleased as punch to be a part of the proceedings.
Tokens were distributed
Love to be in that Luau
Fans of the brands
Hello ladies
Enjoying a spirit
Quiet and cute
The party’s swinging
Her face says it all
Moving to the music
Having fun
Serving up the hot stuff
Another reason to love vodka
Dressed to impress
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Ducking the kite
How many bartenders does it take to screw in a light bulb?
PARTY TIME
he air-conditioned Point Loma was the venT ue for the small, but wild boatride event simply entitled Party Time. Patrons were encour-
EVENTS
aged to relive the 90’s aboard the vessel which departed from the Breakfast Shed. A scenic backdrop of the Hyatt and well-lit hills of east Port-of-Spain added to the atmosphere while shots were poured, waists rotated and music from top-class DJ’s roared. Peep the pace.
Ready to board
Cups ready!
Down the hatch
Why you guys sitting?
All smiles
Big sound
Enjoying the party pump
Posing solo
Nice and natural
Two reasons to love Party Time
These ladies enjoyed the cruise
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Loving the hair
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EVENTS EXTRA he esteemed Christopher Nathan imparted his fashion on several young scouts via several free workT MAKIN STYLE 2014 shopsexpertise hosted by his Coco Velvet International. This culminat-
ed with the grand fashion graduation showcase known as Makin’ Style in the Hotel Lobby of the National Academy for the Performing Arts. New designers were given the chance to highlight their work utilizing a crop of models who battled for supremacy in the Top Model segment of the proceedings. The Angostura Rum Cocktails sponsored event received the support of fashion greats such as Claudia Pegus and Meiling. ET&T was there for the inside scoop. See more on our Facebook page or visit www.amgtt.com.
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INTRODUCING
COCONUT UNSHELLED A delicious blend of natural coconut, passion fruit nectar and premium French spirits that offers superior mixability. Satisfy your customer’s taste for the islands with New Alizé COCO.
LIFE’S MORE COLORFUL WHEN YOU MIX IT UP. ™ Mix It Up Responsibly. | © 2012 Kobrand Corporation, New York, NY | Alizé COCO Liqueur 20% Alcohol by Volume | www.alizecoco.com
FP GOES ACROSS THE POND J
olly old England. For many Trinbagonians it is merely the home of their favourite football squads. However, some nationals frequently visit the UK for leisure or even school and work. FP went abroad to check up on the safety of some of our foreign-based friends and we encountered that there are just as many crazy people over yonder as there are locally. Stockings and sneakers. Not leggings, but stockings. However, the real problem we see is the hair choice. These long dirty locks are dyed in a variety of different hues with loose strands all over the place. The dirty shoes and all around frumpy appearance is a no-no. Have some pride people.
This cat just made us cough up a fur ball. She tries to mix and match leopard leggings with her bag with blue leopard scarf and blue denim jeans. Plus, she uses red hair highlights as an accent. A for effort, but alas, an F for the result.
ISLAND CELEBRITIES
PAPARAZZI
HOTT 93.5FM’S RESIDENT LIVEWIRE PATRICK ANTHONY SHARES SOME OF HIS VIBES WITH ET&T PHOTOGRAPHERS
GISELLE LARONDE-WEST IS FLANKED BY TOP MODEL WINNERS CURDESHA BYNOE AND HARLAN CRAWFORD AT MAKIN STYLE 2014
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VETERAN SELECTOR UMBA OF MATSIMELA SHOWS HE CAN GO DOWN
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CELEB PROFILE
SOFIA VERGARA
Name: Sofía Margarita Vergara Age: 42 (July 10, 1972) Profession: Actress, comedienne, model, television host and producer Claim to fame: Sofía Vergara was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her mother, Margarita Vergara Dávila de Vergara, is a housewife. Her father, Julio Enrique Vergara Robayo, provides cattle to the meat industry. She has five siblings. She was educated at a private bilingual Spanish/English school. She then went on to study pre-dentistry. However, Sofía was discovered by a photographer, whilst
at the beach, and this led to various jobs in modeling and television. At age 23, she was a runway model. From 1995 to 1998, she co-hosted a travel show, Fuera de serie (1995), which gave her exposure in the United States. Her first film role was Big Trouble (2002). Her breakthrough role was as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the American television series Modern Family (2009). In 2010-2013, she received 4 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for this role. Sofía resides in Los Angeles, California with her son, Manolo.
MOVIES
WHEN ANIMATION MEETS REALITY T
hese two films are a decent mix of 3D animation and real life acting that is set to hit the big screen soon. Trust us when we say, one of the two films is likely to be a mega boxoffice draw. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water SpongeBob SquarePants, the world's favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet. In the movie, the title character goes on a quest to discover a stolen
recipe that takes him to our dimension, our world, where he tangles with a pirate. The Paul Tibbit directed show will feature Antonio Banders as the pirate.
Big Hero 6 This film directed by Don hall and Chris Williams stars Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, T.J. Miller and more. It’s the special bond that develops between plussized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
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