Here’s a brain teaser for Wired868 readers. A well known member of society gave the following quote: “I spoke of some of the things that I see women do, assisted by men of course, but the woman has the responsibility that they ensure that they are not abused.” Is the …
Read More »Carnival in transition: Raffique explains why the festival is not dying
I don’t think Trinidad’s Carnival is dying, as many people say it is. For the traditionalists, it’s a case of wishful thinking. They want to see the jarring noise that passes for music—songs that have no melody, only hook lines and tempo—consigned to the dustbin of Carnival history. And they …
Read More »Devon Seale is crowned Calypso Monarch; holds off Chuck and young Helon
Devon Seale is Trinidad and Tobago’s new Calypso Monarch after he beat a strong field with “Respect God’s Voice” and the “Spirit of Carnival” at the Dimanche Gras show in the Queen’s Park Savannah last night. “Respect God’s Voice” was a feisty rebuke for former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who …
Read More »International Soca Mystery: Live Wire investigates a carnival conundrum
Question: If 20 people sang, wined and jumped up on a stage and nobody got a trophy, did it really happen? Answer: … Hello? Hello, Mr Munro…? It is the day after yesterday. But it still isn’t tomorrow. And surely it can’t be today either. The calendar says it is …
Read More »Destra cancels QoB show normal normal; Trinis can’t afford bacchanal
Anytime the following three words, “Trinbagonians”, “frugal” and “Carnival”, can be found in the same sentence, thou knowest the time is near. (Source: The first book of Bacchanal 1:2-3). And, this morning, the management of Destra Garcia’s Queen of Bacchanal concert was forced to cancel its show, titled “Queen”, which …
Read More »Living the Carnival principle: Sunity finds wonder in mas
Just as the heart was groaning under the weight of yet another foreign franchise coming to serve us coffee, in floats Ras Nijinsky to turn the imperial order upside down before sending it forth, unrecognisable to itself in ras and drag. This Minshall Ras Mas is, indeed, a high mas, …
Read More »Laws, culture and Carnival; the Martin Daly SC column
Last Sunday’s appreciation of Jit Samaroo was warmly received. One of my Trinidad All Stars comperes suggested that I deliver some more evocative J’Ouvert morning descriptions. I will do so shortly with the added stimulus of the material he provided, but I must first return to the great economic uncertainty. …
Read More »Letter to the Editor: Why doesn’t EMA protect residents from noise pollution?
The following Letter to the Editor was sent to Wired868 by Josephine S Aché as a call to arms against noise pollution, which intensifies during the Carnival season: This is an Open Letter to The Air Committee, responsible for the Out In South Fete, held at the SAPA Car Park …
Read More »Sunity scrutinises Gov’t approach to recession, Carnival 2016 and Marlene
She might be a woman just hurting for her country. But the image of a tearful Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon pleading for loyalty to country in this time of recession, personifies the psychology of helplessness that poses additional risk to the economy. While reduced revenue could send an economy …
Read More »Keithos, Fazeer, Machel: Live Wire reads T&T’s New Year Temperature gauge
Scene: Office of the Minister of Satire. The phone rings. Mr Live Wire: Hello? Caller (singing): Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind… Live Wire: I hope you referring to Kamla. Caller: What? No my brother. Auld Lang Syne means to ‘times gone past’. I am calling …
Read More »Is Imbert working with gas or full of it? Live Wire looks at the Budget in brief
The good news is that Trinidad and Tobago citizens are about to have their country open up more than ever before as traffic lights come down, highways continue to expand and sea ports go up. The bad news is we may not be able to afford to drive to see …
Read More »Machel who?! Keith Rowdy and a rubber-waist cop take Road March
There is a time and a place for everything. Context, in other words, is key. On 21 October 2014, Leeds United’s Italian defender Giuseppe Bellusci remonstrated angrily with Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome and shouted “negro” at the latter player. An FA charge of racial abuse swiftly followed. The FA …
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