We Beat 2008 presents its Grand Finale with a Parade of the Steelbands

Participating steelbands will be Caribbean Airlines Invaders, Phase II Pan Groove, Sagicor Exodus, Starlift, Silver Stars, HCL Valley Harps, Angostura Woodbrook Playboyz, St. James Tripolians, bptt Renegades, Scrunters Pan Groove, Brimblers, T&TEC Power Stars, St. James North Stars, San Juan East Side, Belmont Hilarks, Harvard Harps, Caribbean Vibes Engine Room, La Creole Pan Groove, Tassa, Traditional mas and More.

This year's We Beat extravaganza was again a resounding success. The audiences saw a young new Talent in Neisha Guy rise to the top to win the "We Talent" Competition, while "The Codrington 5" remained the undisputed champions of "5 Ah Side", a steelband ensemble competition influenced but the soccer fever that captivated the country during the "Soca Warriors" moment of fame when the competed in Germany during their World Cup run. '5 Ah Side' is a popular name for 5 man pick up soccer games which is popular around Trinidad & Tobago. the name lent itself well to the steelband ensemble concept.

Don't miss the Las Lap in St James tonight as Western Main Road comes alive with sweetpan from 7:00pm till 2:00am. This is a FREE event sponsored by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture & Gender Affairs.

WeBeat News

5Ah Side Steelpan Finals

For the third consecutive year, Codrington Pan Family appearing as Codrington 5 proved that they are the undisputed 5Ah Side Steelpan champions.

The family steelpan ensemble from East Dry River wowed both judges and audience with their exciting performance of “Soca Baptist” at last night’s WeBeat Pan Explosion held at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road. 

Not only did Codrington 5 capture the top prize of $10,000. sponsored by Mega Brite, but they also took home The Anthony Williams Trophy and NLCB ‘s $2000. award for the Best Presentation making a clean sweep.

In second and third spots were Family & Friends (“Fete”) and Perfect 5 (“Signal to Lara”). They collected $6000. and $4000. respectively.  Both prizes were courtesy Home Construction Limited (HCL).

The other finalists were Antillean Five Stars, Gentle Steel and Northlius, each of whom received $1000.00

Judges were Brian “Bean” Griffith, Dr. Jeannine Remy, Yohan Popwell, Avis Bruce and Kareem Brown.

Participants were required to play any tune composed or sung by SuperBlue (Austin Lyons). The objective was to play the tune (not more than five minutes duration) primarily in the calypso tempo, but other rhythms may be utilized. Players can use dress and dance to enhance their presentation. The accent is to entertain and evoke crowd response.

The second half of the program dubbed featured bp Renegades in concert and Super Blue.  Community band St. James Tripolians opened the evening’s program at 8:15pm

WeBeat St.James Live 2008 culminates with the popular steelband street parade featuring traditional mas on Saturday 14th June.         Seventeen (17)  steel orchestras and the Caribbean Vibe Engine Room will  move along the Western Main Road from 7:00pm bringing the curtain down on the eighth edition.  Next year’s festival is scheduled for June 5 to 13.

The results of the 5 Ah Side are as follows:-

Angela A. Fox
Media Liaison

MEDIA RELEASE

Vocalist Neisha Guy’s rendition of “Listen” by Beyonce earned her the top spot in last night’s Bptt Talent hosted by the St. James Community Improvement Committee at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James.

The 24 year old songster beat 12 other participants in keenly-contested show to capture the $5000.00 first prize in her second attempt. She also took the Best Vocalist Title earning another $1000.00 for her effort.

Second place and $3000.00 went to Friends Inc., a six member dance group from Picton Road, Laventille while Thalia Baptiste, 20, another dancer who hails from Surrey Village, Lopinot, placed third. She collected $1000.00 

Special prizes were presented to Aviel Scanterbury (Pannist), Thalia Baptiste (Dancer), Neisha Guy (Vocalist), and Brandon Ramnath (Drama). The latter’s award winning piece was titled “What Is A True Christian”.

In addition, each of the finalists was presented with Certificates of Participation and those placing from fourth to twelfth received $500.00 each.

Judges for the event were Noble Douglas, Neil Bernard, Carl “Beaver” Henderson, Andrew Alleng and Roland Gordon. The co-ordinator was Alvin Daniell.

Also on the receiving end was Gerard Jackson, Director Communications & External Affairs. Mr. Jackson accepted a Plaque on behalf of his Company BPTT, title sponsor of WeTalent since its inception six years ago. Mr. Earl Crosby, Chairman of the WeBeat Committee made the presentation.

Entertaining the Amphitheatre crowd were Kess and last year’s winner Adafih Padmore.  Whitney Husbands and “Chinee” of Red 96.7fm served as  master of ceremony.

WeTalent was conceptualized to promote the talent of young people who have no formal forum to showcase their material.

Angela A. Fox
Media Liaison

MEDIA RELEASE

Jazz holds the spotlight as WeBeat St. James Live continues

Jazz holds the spotlight in St. James as WeBeat 2008 continues this week.

“Jazz Beat/We Eat” takes place on Wednesday 11 June 2008 at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road. Showtime is 8:00 pm

This event has grown from the debut launch in 2001 to one of the more spectacular entertainment events in the WeBeat calendar. The hallmark of Jazz Beat is the deliberate exposition of local entertainers coupled with local cuisine that’s indigenous to St. James resulting in a potpourri of tastes.

This year’s WeJazz line-up includes performers who rank among the top entertainers such as Elan Parle featuring Clifford Charles, Denyse Plummer, Arthur Marcial & Friends for Life, H2O Phlo Kenny Phillips & 90.1 Degrees with Earl Brooks, Francis Prime, and Anslem Douglas.
All in all for an admission fee of $100., jazz enthusiasts and lovers of good music can look forward to a superb experience rather than just a musical event.

The diverse rhythms continue on Thursday evening with 5 Ah Side Steelpan Finals and Pan Explosion.

Taking centre stage are the finalists who will each be performing a five minute selection composed or sung by Super Blue (Austin Lyons).  Additionally, players can use dress and dance to enhance their presentation. Five judges will form the adjudication panel. Winner takes home $10,000. and a Challenge Trophy.

The second half of the program will feature bp Renegades Steel Orchestra in concert and multi-times Road March winner Super Blue. Admission is $60.

Friday 13th June is designated Vintage Kaiso Night featuring 10 calypso heavyweights taking patrons “down memory lane”.  Featured acts include Ajala, Black Prince, Cardinal, Anslem Douglas, Colin Lucas, The Original De Fosto Himself, Scrunter, Power, Shadow and Stalin. Music accompaniment will be provided by Kelly Greene & Harmony. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Popular comediennes Nikki and Myroon will perform the duties of MCs. Admission is $100. 

Angela A. Fox
Media Liaison

MEDIA RELEASE

“The Trials of Social Justice” is the topic for Monday night’s We Talk Sidewalk Historian Show at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James at 8:00 pm

Hosted by Winston Maynard, the panel discussion is the “serious aspect” of the nine-day celebrations on the WeBeat St. James Live calendar of events.

Joining Winston on the “round table” are Anton la Fond, Andy Johnson, Dr. Jennifer Rouse and Anthony “Almanac” Francis.  The latter will also perform some of his works.

The panelists will touch on some of the problems people encounter in social life in particular the elderly and disabled as well dealing with the human aspect of life.

The public is invited to participate. Admission is free.

The end.

Angela A. Fox
Media Liaison

MEDIA RELEASE

Steelbands desirous of participating in this year’s “5 Ah Side Steelpan Competition” are reminded that Preliminaries take place on Sunday 08th June 2008 at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James, from 6:00 pm

Participants will be required to perform any tune by Austin Lyons aka Super Blue.
           
This entertaining affair was developed by the producers of WeBeat St James Live to further showcase and highlight the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.

5 Ah Side Steelband Competition” is open to any group affiliated to a financial member band of Pan Trinbago.
 
A panel of three judges will select ten (10) finalists based the following criteria - Arrangement, Interpretation, Impact and Presentation.

Participants are required to perform any Kitchener tune not more than five (5) minutes.

The objective is to play the tune primarily in calypso tempo, but other rhythms may be utilized. Players are expected to use dress and dance to enhance their presentation and any innovative gimmicks that they can come up with. The accent is to entertain the audience and evoke crowd appeal.

Registration will be open to a maximum of thirty (30) groups on a first come first serve basis. Forms can be collected at Crosby’s North & South and on the day of the event.

Cash prizes totaling $27,000.00 are at stake in the Finals. The winner takes home $10,000.00 while the best presentation will receive $2000.00

The Finals will be staged during Pan Explosion carded for Thursday 12th June 2008. Patrons will also be entertained by the bp Renegades Steel Orchestra in Concert. Admission is $60. and advance tickets can be had at Crosby’s.

The end

Angela A. Fox
Media

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday June 06 marks the start of the nine-day cultural festival in St. James

“The city that never sleeps” will awaken to the sounds of pan, tassa, calypso and other cultural expressions as the St. James Community Improvement Committee (CIC) observe the 2008 edition of WeBeat St. James Live at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road. The events run from Friday 06 June to Saturday 14 June 2008 inclusive.  See attached Diary of Events

 WeBeat St. James Live celebrates the rich diversity of cultures under the theme “The Merging of Cultures” and at the same time commemorates the incorporation of St. James into the City of Port of Spain.

Under the distinguished patronage of The Mayor of Port of Spain His Worship Murchison Brown, WeBeat St. James Live features some of the best talent of the country in its various genres. 

Since its inception and in keeping with the tradition of the program, Mr. Anton La Fond, advocate for the elderly and disabled, and retired educator Miss Velma Redhead, have been selected as this year’s honorees.

While the success of WeBeat could easily be determined by the star-studded signature events such as “We Talent”, “Jazz Beat/We Eat”, “Steelband Explosion & Five Ah Side”, “ Vintage Kaiso” and “The Street Parade”, the economic viability of the festival is dependent on sponsorship and contributions from the community and corporate sectors.

Two “new” events have been added to the calendar. They are We Lime – the ultimate tribute concert Trini Style featuring Gail Valentine, David Baptiste, B Sharp & Calypso and Pan carded for Saturday June 07th at Harvard’s Sport Club, Serpentine Road, and the new format Carib Merging of Cultures on Friday 06 June.

Other popular events on the calendar are “We Talk – the sidewalk historian show”, a panel discussion on issues relevant to the community and the country at large and Health Day in collaboration with Port of Spain North Lions and The National Insurance Board of Trinidad & Tobago, The Craft Market in conjunction with the Trinidad & Tobago Arts & Craft Producers Association, and “We Treat – the Children’s Show”.

On-going efforts to define and develop We Beat St. James Live as a premier tourism event remain one of the organization’s challenges. However, in the interim, The St. James Community Improvement Committee continues to “create a living showcase of the community’s historical, educational, and cultural heritage through  WeBeat.”   

WeBeat St. James Live is now in its eighth year.  

 Angela A.. Fox
Communications/Media Liaison