Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
MERUNDOI Preview (Feb. 15th-21st)
It’s Valentine’s Day in Merundoi.So let’s check in on the lovers, young and old alike.
Monica & Lawrence start the day off brightly but does their bedroom conversation end with loving whispers?
How do the young ‘uns end the day?
Sherry & Amar and Anil and Ariana close Valentine’s Day on different notes.
Candace and Jamal feature once again in James and June’s discussion while Anil and Sunita embark on a life changing path together.
It’s decision time with Sherry and Amar. Can her question to him ignite sparks of destruction?!
Broadcast times:
98.1 FM Mon & Wed.: 5.45 pm, Tues & Thurs: 2.15pm & Sat: 6pm
VOG Wed. & Fri: 10.05 am & Sun: 2pm
LISTEN Last Weeks Episodes.
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Sonia Noel Launches House Of Fashion
By Oluatoyin Alleyne coutesy of Stabroek News.
Sonia Noel is the kind of woman for whom it seems there is never a dull moment. The designer and architect behind Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) and its offshoots Designer Portfolio and Stylist Competitions has now launched a fashion one-stop shop.
Silhouette, opened over the Christmas holidays is not just a boutique, Sonia says. While persons might be able to walk in and just find an outfit that fits and suits them, Silhouette offers much more.
In a recent interview with The Scene, Sonia revealed that it would not just be her designs displayed at Silhouette, but those of several other designers–giving Guyanese a wide variety of pieces to choose from.
The Barr Street, Kitty fashion house, Sonia says, has been in the making for quite some time.
Consider the scenario of attending one of the GFW events and viewing what you would have considered to be the most fantastic outfit and while you heard the name of the designer you were not in possession of his/her contact details. Well Sonia, who says she is always thinking about her customers and the buying public, has considered that scenario also hence Silhouette.
At present the designs displayed at Silhouette are from Sonia’s Mariska’s Designs as well as those of Marcia De Santos, Reshma Persaud, Zarina Hamid, Shedell Burch-Smith and Shawn and Shurland James – all of whom have been part of the GFW. Contact details for all the designers who would have been part of the GFW are also available
“So Guyanese would have somewhere where they can come and find local designers, they would not have to go looking for them,” Sonia told The Scene.
The designs cover just about everyone – men, women and children – and includes plus sizes.
Among the things that set Silhouette apart from any boutique is that if a customer can’t find anything suitable on display, s/he can go through the catalogues of the various designers or can speak to someone and have something custom-designed just for him/her.
According to Sonia, so far the response has been very good as persons “are ecstatic to find a place
where they can get all this and more…
“Persons who want to have custom made designs, persons who just want to look special, persons who want exclusive pieces can all come.”
She said that this year Mariska’s Designs would be placing special emphasis on plus-size women and men. “I am going to be focusing on very specialised plus-size women and the men too,” Sonia
said.
Silhouette also offers opportunities for image consultancy, makeovers, make-up programmes, styling services, confidence and self esteem workshops, decor services, wardrobe management and sewing services.
While Sonia had been operating out of Barbados, where her boutique Mariska’s Designs was established, in the last two years following the launch of the GFW she has been in Guyana.
She told The Scene that the boutique in Barbados is now being operated by someone else but she supplies the designs.
Her move back to Guyana was prompted by the fact that her children wanted to return and also because she wanted to offer more to Guyana’s fashion industry.
“I am going to be operating out of Guyana, Barbados and St Lucia,” Sonia said. A Silhouette boutique is located in St Lucia, which she also owns.
“I am committed to building the fashion industry in Guyana and to do so I have to be here,” she said.
She revealed that from year one, hosting the GFW even with sponsorship drained her resources and many times she was forced to use the resources from her boutique in Barbados.
“It is a huge budget to hold the event, but I am committed and I spent a lot of my resources, but I am in for the long haul,” she said.
She is all about giving youngsters interested in designing a platform to launch their career and according to her people outside the country are now recognising Guyana as a country that produces designers.
She gave the example of Andrew Harris who won the Designer Portfolio competition at a GFW and is now in Barbados and “doing pretty well.
“I am really committed to the young people. The ones who are very hungry, I am committed to those and I see them when they come to me, the ones who really want that opportunity. I can’t let them down.”
Sonia feels that there is need for a designers’ school in the country and it is something she is focusing in. She suggested that the school could be a part of another institution and all the training does not have to be in classroom settings.
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Sonia Noel is the kind of woman for whom it seems there is never a dull moment. The designer and architect behind Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) and its offshoots Designer Portfolio and Stylist Competitions has now launched a fashion one-stop shop.
Silhouette, opened over the Christmas holidays is not just a boutique, Sonia says. While persons might be able to walk in and just find an outfit that fits and suits them, Silhouette offers much more.
In a recent interview with The Scene, Sonia revealed that it would not just be her designs displayed at Silhouette, but those of several other designers–giving Guyanese a wide variety of pieces to choose from.
The Barr Street, Kitty fashion house, Sonia says, has been in the making for quite some time.
Consider the scenario of attending one of the GFW events and viewing what you would have considered to be the most fantastic outfit and while you heard the name of the designer you were not in possession of his/her contact details. Well Sonia, who says she is always thinking about her customers and the buying public, has considered that scenario also hence Silhouette.
At present the designs displayed at Silhouette are from Sonia’s Mariska’s Designs as well as those of Marcia De Santos, Reshma Persaud, Zarina Hamid, Shedell Burch-Smith and Shawn and Shurland James – all of whom have been part of the GFW. Contact details for all the designers who would have been part of the GFW are also available
“So Guyanese would have somewhere where they can come and find local designers, they would not have to go looking for them,” Sonia told The Scene.
The designs cover just about everyone – men, women and children – and includes plus sizes.
Among the things that set Silhouette apart from any boutique is that if a customer can’t find anything suitable on display, s/he can go through the catalogues of the various designers or can speak to someone and have something custom-designed just for him/her.
According to Sonia, so far the response has been very good as persons “are ecstatic to find a place
where they can get all this and more…“Persons who want to have custom made designs, persons who just want to look special, persons who want exclusive pieces can all come.”
She said that this year Mariska’s Designs would be placing special emphasis on plus-size women and men. “I am going to be focusing on very specialised plus-size women and the men too,” Sonia
said.Silhouette also offers opportunities for image consultancy, makeovers, make-up programmes, styling services, confidence and self esteem workshops, decor services, wardrobe management and sewing services.
While Sonia had been operating out of Barbados, where her boutique Mariska’s Designs was established, in the last two years following the launch of the GFW she has been in Guyana.
She told The Scene that the boutique in Barbados is now being operated by someone else but she supplies the designs.
Her move back to Guyana was prompted by the fact that her children wanted to return and also because she wanted to offer more to Guyana’s fashion industry.
“I am going to be operating out of Guyana, Barbados and St Lucia,” Sonia said. A Silhouette boutique is located in St Lucia, which she also owns.
“I am committed to building the fashion industry in Guyana and to do so I have to be here,” she said.
She revealed that from year one, hosting the GFW even with sponsorship drained her resources and many times she was forced to use the resources from her boutique in Barbados.
“It is a huge budget to hold the event, but I am committed and I spent a lot of my resources, but I am in for the long haul,” she said.
She is all about giving youngsters interested in designing a platform to launch their career and according to her people outside the country are now recognising Guyana as a country that produces designers.She gave the example of Andrew Harris who won the Designer Portfolio competition at a GFW and is now in Barbados and “doing pretty well.
“I am really committed to the young people. The ones who are very hungry, I am committed to those and I see them when they come to me, the ones who really want that opportunity. I can’t let them down.”
Sonia feels that there is need for a designers’ school in the country and it is something she is focusing in. She suggested that the school could be a part of another institution and all the training does not have to be in classroom settings.
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2010 Soca Monarch Begins
By Cathy Richards courtesy of Stabroek News.She was seven months pregnant. No less. But Antigua-based Guyanese, Tomeka Thomas did not let this hinder her stage performance as she set the Mackenzie Sports Club alight to secure her spot in the finals of the 2010 Soca Monarch competition in Linden on Saturday.
She moved and she grooved and gyrated and jumped. There were cries of anxiety because of her condition but nonetheless she turned out to be the night’s favourite sending the crowd wild with her piece titled ‘Balloon’. It was apparently a ladies night and judging from the crowd’s response, the second in line was mother of five, Beverly ‘Little B’ Williams whose piece, “Back Wine Time” was dubbed as the new name for ‘back ball’. While sporting costumes was not common among the contestants on Saturday night, Little B’s colourful halter top and tiny, black “popcorn pants” suited her performance eminently well.
The night was highly favourable for most of the female performers but the crowd failed to find any flavour in reigning Road March queen Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts. She was the last to take the stage and despite her dazzling, golden flouncy short skirt and matching bustier her ‘High’ failed to lift the crowd.Not many of the male competitors hit it off with the crowd though Orlando ‘Bonesman’ Johashen had everyone on their feet when he took to the stage doing his piece ‘Is We Own’. The first
competitor Atiola ‘Attie’ Peters performed ‘Leave me alone’ and the crowd left him alone. Patrons had high expectations of the lone Lindener, Jermaine “Cyclone” Bailey but despite his valiant effort to get the crowd moving with his song “Celebration time” almost everyone in the audience took their seats and were quiet as mice.The semi-final of the competition was well attended by Lindeners and persons from across Guyana. Popular entertainers Jomo and Chow Pow amused the crowd with comedy and a Soca medley before the first contestant took to the stage.
The twelve who participated in the semi-finals were Barbara ‘Lady Barbara’ Nedd performing “I Want a man”; Jackie Hanover performing “Festival Time”; Simeon Sam performing “Love Over Hate”; Bailey performing “Celebration Time”; Thomas performing “Balloon”; Peters performing “Leave Me Alone”; Pierre Da Silva performing “Mad! Mad! Mad!”; Williams performing “Back Wine Time”; Roberts performing “High”; Wilbur ‘B52’ Levans performing “Carrying On”, Johashen performing “Is We
Own” and Tiele “Tele Cruz” Thorne doing “Material Things”.Only nine of the twelve competitors have made it to the finals and eliminated are Peters, Bailey and Sam. This years’ contest saw three overseas-based Guyanese performers: Peters, who resides in Barba-dos; Da Silva living in Jamaica; and Thorne based in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bringing the curtains down on the Saturday show which was dubbed by most as “a very good show” was Linden’s own, Malika Boyd –the winner of the GT&T’s 2009 jingle and song competition. After the show all twelve of the competitors along with Jomo and Chow Pow kept the party spirit alive at popular Linden night spot, the Library Club.
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Monday, February 1, 2010
Mash To Revive Calypso
By Iana Seales courtesy of Stabroek News.
There is a pot of social commentary brewing in the Mashramani Calypso Competition this year which is expected to kick off in early February and some of the usual suspects are lined up and ready to take on a string of newcomers. After a brief hiatus, a few performers, including the popular Winfield James, are among those competing and this year at least one promotional company has thrown itself into the fray. Cinderella Promotions, which as been active in entertainment locally, is fielding a team in the competition which includes singer, Cyd Hooper of “We Linkin” fame.
Perrformers such as Lord Canary, Rebel, Young Bill Rogers and Ras Marcus are leading the pack of veterans and newcomers this year in what is being hyped in some circles as a much needed revival of the art form. The competition is also boasting a strong line-up of female performers for the first time in several years. Calypso here has been on the decline with showings at the 2009 competition being dismal save for a few performances.
Controversy has already marred the competition though the lyrics approved are yet to be made public. Calypsonian Aubrey Simon who sings under the name ‘Simple Simon’ has accused the Mashramani Secretariat of cutting him from the competition because of a song he entered this year which “had two lines hitting the government”. Simon, in his song, said the time has come for Guyanese to see the back of the PPP and he also made a reference to Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
The Scene contacted Coordinator of the Mash Secretariat Lennox Canterbury who rejected the claims made by Simon. He said briefly that many persons auditioned for the competition this year, but that some were eliminated because the quarter-finals only accommodate 25 performers. “He did not make the cut,” Canterbury added.
Simon maintains that he was cut because of his lyrics. The calypsonian, who was away from the stage for 17 years, said he was hoping to make a “good comeback” this year. He said the blow of being eliminated was heavy, but vowed that his song would still reach an audience.
The calypso competition this year is shaping up to be good, a source said, citing a string of fiery songs that are likely to heat up the stage.
“The veterans are there, but watch for the new faces,” the source said.
Reigning calypso monarch Lester ‘De Professor’ Charles is reportedly bringing a strong piece this year to defend his title. The calysponian who has been climbing to the top over the past two years remains the one to beat, but many are hoping to do just that.
The performers selected for the quarter-finals include Voter; Perai; Lady Karen; Bright Colours; Kenroy Fraser; Professor Clem; Garfield Campbell; De Mentor; Lady Mel; Blue Flame; Precious Pearl; Sniper; Mighty Duke; Wicked Pertab; Lady D; and Kaiso Kid.
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