Reddy ‘Fyah’ Rock writes music to remind us that carnival is about rebellion

Reddy ‘Fyah’ Rock writes music to remind us that carnival is about rebellion

By Lincoln DePradine The 2023 global carnival celebration, which included Trinidad’s pre-Lenten event and the Toronto festival that ended in early August, is continuing with a few more carnivals such as Miami’s that culminates October 8. For carnival, whose origin in the Eastern Caribbean is linked to the Emancipation of former enslaved Africans, entertainer Reddy […]

Trinidadian writer Michael Anthony dies at 93

Trinidadian writer Michael Anthony dies at 93

Trinidadian author and historian Michael Anthony died at his home in Port of Spain last Thursday. He was 93. In the mid-1950s Anthony left Trinidad to live in England where he worked at the Reuters News Agency and began his career as a writer. Anthony had more than 30 titles published, including novels, collections of […]

African Fashion Week brings Black designers to Toronto

African Fashion Week brings Black designers to Toronto

By Rebecca Kerr African Fashion Week Toronto has carved a space in the fashion scene in the city of Toronto for the last 11 years. It did not disappoint this year as they showcased designers from St Vincent Trinidad and Tobago, the UK and right here from the city. AFWT 2023 took place over a […]

Dundas square was Trini to the bone

Dundas square was Trini to the bone

By Stephen Weir The roar from Dundas Square Park on Sunday was so loud that one could hear the noise from a block away. A live soccer game on the big screen? Nope. It was the king. King David, to be specific. Calypso great David Rudder was on the park’s outdoor stage, singing many of […]

Former calypso queen and gospel singer Denyse Plummer dies at 69

Former calypso queen and gospel singer  Denyse Plummer dies at 69

Former Trinidad and Tobago calypso monarch Denyse Plummer who declared in song that “Woman Is Boss,” died in Trinidad on Sunday. She was 69. She had been diagnosed with cancer. When Plummer made her calypso debut at Skinner Park in South Trinidad in 1986, the mixed-race artiste was pelted with toilet paper while onstage. But […]

7-7 tie in local government elections in Trinidad

7-7 tie in local government elections in Trinidad

  The ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) each won seven of the 14 regional corporations in Monday’s local government elections in Trinidad. “We went in with seven and we came out with seven,” said Prime Minister Keith Rowley on Monday night. The PNM won the Port of Spain, […]

At 67, it’s still ‘Bacchanal Time’ for SuperBlue

At 67, it’s still ‘Bacchanal Time’ for SuperBlue

By Rebecca Kerr Carnival in the city would not have been complete without the welcomed appearance of the Icon, a living legend, the undisputed King of Soca, the one, the only Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons. In town for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival festivities, SuperBlue on board a boatride promoted by Troopie and Tasha of Tripple T […]

Machel Montano receives keys to Kingston, Jamaica

Machel Montano receives keys to Kingston, Jamaica

Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano was be honoured with a Key to the City of Kingston last Sunday. Montano was honoured as part Jamaica celebrates 61 years of independence. The event – the Independence Grand Gala, is one of the pivotal moments of the independence celebrations.  Members of the  Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation […]

A great moment for pan

A great moment for pan

It was certainly an historic moment last Monday afternoon when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a draft resolution for August 11 to be declared World Steelpan Day – a day to be annually observed on the UN calendar. The late pan pioneers Ellie Manette and Winston “Spree” Simon would have been beaming […]