NEW YORK, NY – The New York cultural community is set to pay homage to the late Rex Nettleford, cultural icon, Founder of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) and vice-chancellor emeritus of the University of the West Indies on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at St. Francis College – Founders Hall, starting at 5:30 pm.

In a special tribute titled, “Celebrating the Life. Preserving the Legacy. A Cultural Tribute to Ralston Milton “Rex” Nettleford”, Caribbean Cultural Theatre will bring together members of the artistic fraternity to reflect on the work on this stalwart and celebrate his achievements. The evening will begin with remembrances from friends, colleges and former students and culminate in a traditional Afro-Caribbean wake celebration.

Among the performers expected to participate are Ancient Vibrations headed by former NDTC drummer Gabu Wedderburn; Braata Folk Singers, a Jamaican folk group; Caribbean American Dance Company, based in Hartford, CT, Directed by NDTC alum Adrian Fletcher; Charles Moore Dance Theater, a US modern dance company; Giggles Productions, a Bronx based performing arts company; Something Positive, a Trinidadian folk dance company; Andrene Bonner, author, Olympic Gardens; folklorist Janice ‘Miss Mattie Lou’ Hart; and Guyanese musicians Avis Josephs and Wricford Dalgetty.

According to Artistic Director E. Wayne McDonald, “The Caribbean community has lost a creative genius and cultural stalwart to whom we are truly indebted. The early Sunday afternoon start will afford more families and second generation Caribbean-Americans to learn more about this icon and an opportunity to participate.”

Nettleford, who passed away on February 2 in Washington, DC made an indelible mark not only on the Jamaican and regional cultural landscape but globally with the formation of the NDTC in September 1962, one month after the island gained independence from Britain. A son of the rural parish of Trelawny, he epitomized excellence and has left a deep void as an academic, cultural activist and historian.

Caribbean Cultural Theatre has organized other similar observances in honor of folklorist and poet, Louise Bennett-Coverly in 2006 and in September 2009, to commemorate Jamaican-born playwright and co-screen writer of the film ‘The Harder They Come’ Trevor Rhone.

This special tribute is being held in collaboration with a number of partners including American Foundation of the University of the West Indies, Brooklyn Caribbean Youth Fest, Guyana Cultural Association, Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Past Members & Friends of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, St. Francis College – Office of Special Events and TSO Production.

The Caribbean Cultural Theatre is a theatrical immersion experience presenting the work of Caribbean based and/or influenced writers, performers and other practitioners that both entertain and enlighten. With an eclectic and ever-evolving blend of artists and cultures, the company, through active collaboration with both Caribbean and non-Caribbean artists of all disciplines, honours a balanced rendering of Caribbean culture and the Caribbean-American experience.

Celebrating the Life. Preserving the Legacy.

A Cultural Tribute to Ralston Milton ‘Rex’ Nettleford

Sunday, April 18, 2010. 5:30PM

St Francis College – Founders Hall

182 Remsen Street (Clinton & Court Streets), Brooklyn, NY 11201
Subway: M, N; R – Court St; 2, 3, 4, 5; Q – Borough Hall.
A, C; F – Jay St./Borough Hall (3 Blocks)
Bus: B25, B26, B37, B38, B41, B45, B51; B52 – Court St

The Queens-based Team Jamaica Bickle hospitality effort for Caribbean athletes participating in the Penn Relays scholastic track and field meet in Philadelphia are taking the good with the bad this year: accepting a request to host 50 high school students and coaches from Trinidad and Tobago while coping with the loss of a main financial sponsor.

This year, support from New York’s Trinidadian and Jamaican communities, new corporate sponsors and track fans will be needed to make it all happen, said Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) founder Irwine Clare.

“We’re proceeding as if it’s going to happen” said Clare, noting that TJB has already reserved discount hotel rooms for students and coaches from St. Anthony’s College, St. Joseph’s Convent, Queens Royal College, Bishop Anstey High School and St. Francois College for Girls.

The Penn Relays, a premier U.S. track and field event for high school, college and Olympic-level athletes, takes place April 22-25.

In addition to the Trinidadian athletes, an estimated 500 students and coaches from as many as 25 Jamaican high schools will be housed, fed and counseled under the supervision of TJB volunteers during their time at Penn Relays.

Clare said the reduced contribution from Jamaican foods manufacturer Grace Foods and the loss of Jamaica National Overseas as a sponsor are a severe blow to the group. But he thanked the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations, which has “stepped up to the plate” and made “solid” contributions. He also thanked Caribbean Foods Delight, which provides familiar Caribbean foods for athletes during the event.

Steps to compensate for the loss of major contributions from the Jamaica National Overseas financial firm include the “We Are One Caribbean” and “We Are One Jamaica” initiatives, part of fund-raising partnership with NetLinkz Group management consulting and business development firm.

A $25-per-person prix fixe Caribbean brunch on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Negril Village , 70 W. Third St. in Manhattan, is the first fund-raising event. Special T-shirts, designed by Trinidad-Tobago native Lisa Henderson’s Tone Graphics, are being sold to raise money.

This year’s Team Jamaica Bickle annual Penn Relays Launch Reception will be held April 16 at Luntey Commons Room of Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Special guest will be Jamaican Olympic medalist Alexandra (Sandie) Richards.

To RSVP for the Penn Relays Launch or get Team Jamaica Bickle information, call (718) 523-2861 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (718) 523-2861      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or send e-mail to teamjamaicabickle@gmail.com. And for brunch reservations, call Negril Village at (212) 477-2804 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (212) 477-2804      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Source: Daily News

Up and coming reggae singer, Romain Virgo is scheduled to make a South Florida appearance and performance on Thursday, April 15 at Nova Southeastern University in Davie at 7pm.

Up to five lucky fans will win a VIP evening with Romain, which includes an up close and personal concert, 5 star dinner at Top Chef Restaurant & Lounge, a night on the town in a limo courtesy of Bond Limousine. Register to win at VP Records Retail Store in Miramar (6022 SW 21st St.), Top Chef Restaurant & Lounge in Ft Lauderdale (1401 S State Rd 7, North Lauderdale), Nova Southeastern University Flight Deck in Davie (3301 College Avenue) or online at CONTEST@VPRECORDS.COM

Registration deadline is April 12 and for more info call, 954-378-4006 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              954-378-4006      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Watch, the latest video from Romain, “I Want To Go Home”

Source: South Florida Caribbean News

Singjays Gentleman, Gyptian and the group TOK are topping the online reggae charts worldwide while hardcore deejays are absent.

These singjays are dominating the major markets of Europe, America and Japan respectively with their new singles and albums. Only crossover deejays Sean Paul, Shaggy and Damian Marley are charting online with catalogue material whilst hardcore deejays which dominate local charts are absent from any of the 22 listed country online charts up to Saturday. Digital music is significant as it accounts for one-third of total music sales and iTunes is the dominant online music retailer followed by Amazon.

TOK’s latest album, I Believe released March 3 in Japan

Gentlemen’s single, It No Pretty released March 26 rocketed to number 1 in Germany and Austria, whilst at # 2 in Switzerland on iTunes Reggae Singles charts. The song with accompanying video shows a mob bludgeoning Gentleman to death, however his wounds are nursed by a pack of wolves. It No Pretty is in promotion of his fifth studio album, Diversity, to be released in Germany on April 9.

Gyptian’s single Hold Yuh is #1 on Amazon reggae singles chart; #2 on the iTunes Reggae Singles chart; and # 78 on the Billboard R&B Hip Hop chart. The song was made two years ago but recently released stateside. It has been five years since Gyptian topped the charts with his signature song Serious Times. Since then he has had minor hits including Mama Don’t Cry, I Can Feel Your Pain and Beautiful Lady.

Now record label VP Records and producer Ricky Blaze have thrown their muscle behind his latest hit Hold Yuh. Gyptian’s forthcoming album is tentatively titled Hold Yuh. “We’re looking at dropping the album around July and if everyone in Jamaica buys a copy, I am sure it can sell a million,” Gyptian told the Observer in a previous interview.

TOK’s latest album, I Believe released March 3 in Japan currently charts at #2 on iTunes Reggae Albums in that market. The single of the same name currently charts at #9 on the iTunes Reggae Singles chart. The quartet is the only non- Japanese act listed in the top 10.

Music stakeholders, including culture Minister of Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and music entrepreneur Charles Campbell, have lamented the waning influence Jamaican artistes are having within international reggae markets, especially Europe and Japan. Last week, less than 10 per cent of the reggae charts on iTunes were occupied by living Jamaicans — including Damian Marley, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Sean Paul, TOK, Lutan Fyah and Marcia Griffiths who, combined, had 17 slots out of the 220 chart positions within the 22 listed countries on iTunes. However, the late Bob Marley dominates the charts and currently tops 20 of the 22 iTunes markets.

Source: Steven Jackson – Jamaica Observer

Mother’s Day, May 9th, 2010.
Boarding at 6pm
Leaving at 7pm
Returing at 11pm

Leaving From:
Boat: River Rose
1 Worlds Fair Marina
Queens, NY
(Across from Citi Field, Mets Stadium)

Tickets $65.00
Tel: 914-410-7000