New Campaign Urges MySpace.com to Create a Soca Music Category

New Campaign Urges MySpace.com to Create a Soca Music Category

Toronto, Canada - A new advocacy campaign was launched yesterday to officially list soca as a musical genre on the internet entertainment portal, Myspace.com. The initiative entitled Bring Soca to MySpace is lobbying to make it easy for fans to browse soca music online and interact with their favourite personalities.

Bring Soca to MySpace has four main aims:

· The creation of a Soca category in MySpace Music

· The featuring of Soca artist profiles on the site splash page

· The inclusion of editorial relating to Anglo-Caribbean music

· The creation of a MySpace Caribbean regional English-language sub-site.

At present, MySpace considers the Caribbean to fit under the umbrella of Latin America. Therefore Caribbean users often login to into a Spanish-language interface featuring the latest in Reggaeton and Latin Pop. Organizers believe that the end result of the above recommendations will create a win-win situation for the soca music industry, fans and MySpace alike.

“Every other style of Western music is up there,” says campaign organizer and Caribbean entertainment writer Nurse Karen , “We are simply asking MySpace to give soca artists the respect they deserve. Artists already use site, but they have to describe their sounds as Reggae, Tropical, Fusion or Zouk. There is no category that represents them. As a result, Soca artists never have the chance rise to the top of MySpace music charts. Soca is way bigger than that, so the time is now for a change.”

The non-partisan campaign, officially endorsed by (Nurse) Karen (Etc) and Soca Therapy, Canada’s #1 Soca radio program, asks for the grassroots support of all Caribbean media outlets, entertainment professionals and music fans.

Supporters may assist in the following ways:

· Post or circulate this media release and campaign poster

· Join Bring Soca to MySpace in Myspace Groups

· Email MySpace in support

· Encourage contacts to join the Bring Soca to MySpace group

· Add your logo to future versions of the poster



For more information, to get involved or to join the Bring Soca to MySpace group please visit:

http://groups.myspace.com/socanow



To send an email to MySpace in support of the campaign

· All emails must be addressed to: CA-help@support.myspace.com

· The subject line must read: Re: Media - Not listed [ref:00D78NrS.50077iea4:ref]

· An effective support letter should list your name, age group, occupation, country and reasons for supporting the campaign

To get your logo added to campaign posters:

Send an email describing your affiliation, along with an attached .jpg to Click Here



For media inquiries or to receive an updated list of sponsors:

Karen L. Richardson

Mustard Seed Media

1.917.720.7724

Jamaican sprinters dominate as Shelly-Ann Fraser heads clean sweep in Beijing

From left: Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart, Sherone Simpson

Monday August 18th, 2008: Beijing, China - Jamaicans celebrations continue as 21-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser won gold in the 100 metres at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday in a time of 10.78 seconds. She was followed by teammates Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart (both tied for second place). It took a photograph to determine that Simpson and Stewart had dead-heated for silver medals in 10.98 seconds.

Yesterday's historic race marks the first time in Olympic history that a single country has swept the gold, silver and bronze medals in the 100metre. Not since the US Olympic team of 1912 has any one country dominated in this event.

Jamaican celebrations had already began only 24 hours prior, when Usain Bolt broke his own world record to take Jamaica's first gold in the men's 100metre in unique style. Fraser's win, along with her fellow Jamaican teammates, brings the Jamaican medal tally to four overall (two gold, two silver) so far.

Bolt celebrates, it's dancing time!

Olympic 100 metre champion and world record holder, Usain Bolt has made dancing a hobby. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Bolt rarely missed a party at the popular Quad nightclub in Kingston, Jamaica and introduced the world to the sweep version of 'Nuh Linga', just after his world and Olympic record run of 9.69 seconds.

'Nuh Linga' in Standard English means 'don't waste time', and is a popular Jamaican dance created by a dance group called Ravers Clavers

Bolt, who has celebrated his wins with dances, also gave a glimpse of 'To the World', a dance, composed by RDX. He later told journalists, "I just like to have fun. I like dancing."

In his first Olympic outing in Athens, 2004, Bolt gave a glimpse of Bogle's dance, 'Oh So Badly'.

A Video clip of Bolt's 'Nuh Linga' dance is available on youtube at... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Snu0zgE3s

Jamaica's Usain Bolt shatters 100-metre record to win Olympic gold

Jamaica's Usain Bolt (right) & Trinidadian Silver Medalist Richard Thompson (left)

Sunday August 17th, 2008: Beijing, China - Jamaica's Usain Bolt annihilated the field, running an amazing 9.69 seconds in the 100-metre sprint to set a new world record and take Olympic gold at Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing on Saturday night.

Bolt, who turns 22 on Thursday, exploded ahead of the pack and even took time to celebrate with his arms out with several metres left.

Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago won silver at 9.89, with Walter Dix of the United States taking bronze. Dix, an NCAA champion just out of school at Florida State, ran 9.91. Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles was fourth at 9.93.

Canadian Donovan Bailey's long-standing Olympic record fell as a result of the race in front of over 90,000. Bailey of Oakville, Ont., ran to gold in 9.84 at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Bailey symbolically placed an imaginary crown on Bolt's head after the race. Bailey said the sky's the limit for the sprinter, who gave Jamaica its first ever gold in the event. "He can absolutely run sub 9.6," said Bailey.

"I never knew how fast I was going," said Bolt. "One aim was just to win and do what I have to do." When asked about his celebration before the finish line, which may have cost him some time, Bolt said he was concerned about winning more than running the fastest possible. "Better to break it smaller than bigger, I would say," he said. "[Then] you have a next time to break it."
The other men competing in the final, in order of finish were: Michael Frater of Jamaica, Marc Burns of Trinidad and Tobago, and Darvis Patton of the U.S.

Bolt is expected to capture yet another gold in the 200metre race on Wednesday.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ 2008 Schedule Announced

Luminat’eau: Carnival H2O (formerly “Carnivalissima”)
Friday June 13 - Sunday June 15, 2008; Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Harbourfront Centre
Luminato month long event closing at Harbourfront.

Calypso Tents Music Series
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from June 13 - July 13, 2008; 8:00 p.m. - Midnight
De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Avenue, Scarborough Calypso City, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Caribana Festival. The series runs three nights each week (Friday Sunday) at various venues in Toronto, each night featuring a different cast of singers and 'live' bands performing Calypso in its best storytelling tradition: social and political commentary, humor and wit.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Official Launch
Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
Tuesday July 15, 2008; Noon - 2:00 pm
This official ceremony launches the activities for the 2008 Caribana Festival Season. Patrons can meet and mingle with Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials, Caribana representatives and sponsors while sampling Caribbean and international cuisine. It is a snapshot of what's in store over the coming weeks.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Junior Carnival
Shoreham Drive Yorkgate Mall
Saturday, July 19, 2008; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Junior Carnival provides festival-goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the thrills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their early festival years

Roots to Rhythm - Art Exhibition
Royal Ontario Museum
Thursday July 24 – Monday Aug 4, 2008; Noon - 9:00 pm
A Visual Art Exhibition – COLOURblind International – ‘Roots to Rhythm’ produced by the Association of African Canadian Artists. An intriguing collection of over 60 works that have been influenced by our journey.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Caribana Gala
Liberty Grand – Exhibition Place
Friday July 25, 2008; 7:00 pm – 1:00 am
An elegant evening of style and glamour, celebrating Caribana and paying tribute to its pioneers. Proceeds from this event will be directed to a Caribana Foundation.

'Kaiso 365' Calypso Monarch Finals
Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Saturday July 26, 2008; 8:00 pm - 1:00 am
This is where the Calypso Monarch is crowned. Come and see the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown. From the topical to the lyrical, the sweet Soca rhythms will lift you out of your seat and get you moving.

King & Queen Show
Lamport Stadium
Thursday July 31, 2008; 7:00 pm - Midnight
On the Thursday evening before Caribana Day the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience. It is an honour for any participant to be enthroned the King or Queen of Scotiabank Caribana 2008. The King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Band members and onlookers alike are to give them the respect, even if mockingly, usually accorded to real-life royalty

Pan Alive
Lamport Stadium
Friday August 1, 2008; 7:00 pm - Midnight
A thrilling evening showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan as members of the Ontario Steelband Association compete before a panel of judges. This Panorama of the North is the biggest opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. The evening is devoted entirely to the capturing rhythms of the steelpan.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Parade
Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd)
Saturday August 2, 2008; 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
This showcase event features an incredible display of colour and pageantry, commencing at Exhibition Place and proceeding west along Lake Shore Boulevard. Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival!

De CARIBANA™ Lime — Island Festival
Olympic Island
Sunday August 3, 2008; 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
This event features a full day of performances from a variety of artistes, highlighting the diverse cultures of all the Caribbean people. Activities include a food competition, song, dance, theatrical drama and storytelling.

Source: http://www.caribanafestival.com/

Fourteen beauties unveiled at the Miss Queen of the sashing ceremony

Reigning Miss Queen of the Islands, Camille Lewis (centre) and the 2008 pageant delegates

Monday April 14th, 2008 - Toronto, ON, Canada - Fourteen beauties were sashed on Saturday at De Great Iron Pot Restaurant and Banquet Hall for the 2nd annual 'Miss Queen of the Islands' pageant, which will be hosted by NBA star Jamaal Magloire on July 5th.

According to event co-ordinator Roxanne Austin, the new 2008 hopefuls are a better representation of the islands compared to those from the inaugural year. “Last year’s pageant was dominated by Trinidadian delegates (8), but this year no one particular island permeates over the others.” The 2008 contestants will represent several Caribbean nations, including Dominca, Grenada, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadeloupe and Trinidad and Tobago.

The next appearance for the Miss Queen of the Islands contestants will be at the Toronto Revellers Official CARIBANA Band Launch for 2008. The 2007 CARIBANA band of the year champions launch event takes place on Saturday May 10th at the Armenian Community Centre located at 45 Hallcrown Place (Victoria Park Ave and 401).

The crowning of 'Miss Queen of the Islands' takes place on Saturday July 5th at the Rembrandt Banquet Hall located at 930 Progress Avenue in Scarborough.

Corporate sponsors of the event include Butterfly Florist, Tourcan Vacations, Toronto-Lime.com and Palm Beach Hotel Group.

For tickets and information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact the committee at missqueen@rogers.com, 416-797-8040 or visit http://www.missqueenoftheislands.ca/.

2008 Miss Queen of the Islands Canada Pageant Delegates

Athena Bates Jamaica	Camille Langevine Guyana	Darnelle Charles Dominica	Diana James Jamaica
Janelle James Guyana/Jamaica	Jenneillia Julius Trinidad & Tobago	Kenesha Lewis Jamaica	Marsha Clyne Grenada
Michelle Paul Dominica	Pabilita Thomas Guadeloupe	Renee Forde Trinidad/Barbados	Sarah Harding Jamaica
	Roanna Sinclair Guyana	Tramaine Cato St. Vincent

WE Magazine keeps the cover sexy for a 3rd time in the last three months

Canadian hottie ‘Jully Black’ graced the February cover and soulful Jamaican sisters ‘Brick and Lace’ donned the March cover. In April, WE keeps the pages burning with Trinidad’s most talked about female artist, Faye-Ann Lyons.

“Sexy seems to work for us” says Jef Lo (Editor in Chief of WE Magazine). “I couldn’t even find a copy of the March issue anywhere, they were gone so fast. With Faye-Ann on this months cover, we may have to print a few thousand extra copies.”

In this month’s ‘must read’ cover story, the 2-time Road March Queen (and obvious 2008 Soca Monarch favourite) speaks out against her critics. Faye-Ann gives very candid responses about the rise of her career, despite the naysayers and negative press over the last couple years.
The latest issue of WE will be available in outlets from April 11th.

For more information visit http://www.wemagonline.com/ or myspace.com/wemagonline

Baba Kahn Announces Release of his Groundbreaking Compilation

(2008 -- TORONTO, ONTARIO) - Canada’s Most Celebrated Club DJ, Baba Kahn has teamed up with SPG Music to release his highly anticipated debut album "Culture Shock". On March 18th, 2008 Culture Shock will be released across Canada. The album unites sounds from both Eastern and Western cultures, creating a groundbreaking compilation.

The compilation features popular recording artists such as Ne-Yo, Sean Paul, Fabulous, Eve, M.I.A., Bob Sinclair, Fedde La Grand, Enur and many more! The album brings together music from the Eastern and Western worlds and delivers it in a mash-up compilation.

The album also includes three original songs produced by Baba Kahn:

The first single, Tomorrow is a smooth sounding, easy-listening, reggae ballad that has a 1950s feel and will appeal to the masses with its classic soulful sound.

An original underground electro-house track entitled Shiva fuses together the sounds of electro Indian house and dance to create a track unlike anything ever heard before.

The third single is an instant club hit entitled Tonight featuring Canadian Hip Hop Giant Kardinal Offishall and introducing Canada’s newest South Asian talents Lomaticc and Sunny Brown. This track will capture the attention of not only club-goers but of radio-listens alike.

"Culture Shock" is set to launch a full Cross-Canada tour, stopping in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The tour will round up internationally with stops in the UK, India, Beijing and Shanghai.

Baba Kahn’s success in the industry is documented in the numerous awards he has won. He is highly respected in the entertainment industry and has a loyal fan-base that has been supporting him for over a decade. He is an accomplished DJ and entrepreneur who has achieved massive success across various facets of the entertainment industry.

This musical compilation is the first of its kind in Canada on a commercial scale and acts as the next evolution point in the career of a DJ of Baba Kahn’s status.

UDeCOTT NCEC Project - The National Carnival and Entertainment Centre, Queen’s Park Savannah, POS

Plans for the National Carnival and Entertainment Centre to be erected at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad began in July 2006. A completion date has yet to be announced. Below is a project description of the NCEC from the UDeCOTT website.

The National Carnival and Entertainment Centre (NCEC), is a state-of-the-art, locally designed cultural centre, which will be the setting for the vast array of celebrations that are the highlights of our diverse national cultural calendar.

As the nation's cultural showpiece, the NCEC will make its home against the majestic backdrop of the Northern Range and be located a mere stone's throw from the planned Port of Spain National Academy for the Performing Arts.

The NCEC will seamlessly melt into the Queen's Park Savannah, since it will preserve the current recreational use of the area whilst simultaneously catering to the needs of the modern and future users of the facility. In order to ensure that the requirements of stakeholders are accommodated in the design, discussions were held with various groups involved in the performing arts and other cultural activities, resulting in an environmentally and culturally sensitive design approach.

Some of the other significant benefits of the new state of the art NCEC will include:

• Seating for 15,000 - 18,000;

• Artistes' suites and workshops;

• Dressing rooms for performers;

• VIP and media accommodation;

• Spacious concession area for food and beverage outlets with modern
  conveniences;

• Art and exhibition space;

• Modern and enhanced restroom facilities (including accommodations for the
  physically challenged); and

• State-of-the-art acoustic accommodations designed for the enhancement of
  musical and theatrical performance.

Source:
http://www.udecott.com/index.php/cc/cc_project_item/national_carnival_and_entertainment_centre/

2008 International Soca Monarch Semi-Finalists announced

Defending champion Iwer George performing at the 2007 Int'l Soca Monarch Finals

Sixty-two artists have been announced to compete at the 2008 Soca Monarch semi-finals. Only twenty (10 power/10 groovy) will move forward to 'Fantastic Friday' (Int'l Soca Monarch Finals) to be held on Carnival Friday February 1st.

3-time Soca Monarch winner Bunji Garlin has returned to once again face off against current title holder Iwer George. Also making a grand return is Soca Monarch's all-time title winner, Superblue, who will look to add to his record 5 wins.

In the Groovy Soca Monarch category, Biggie Irie will defend against some veteran talent as well as the likes of new-comers Kees Dieffenthaller and Zoelah to the competition.

The 2008 semi-finals takes place on Friday January 25th, and the finals will take place on Friday February 1st at the Queens Park Oval.

The power and groovy soca monarch semi-finalists are as follows:

GROOVY SOCA MONARCH SEMI-FINALISTS
1. Ainsley King
2. Brent Anthony
3. C'Donnia
4. Cassi
5. Devon Matthews
6. Eunice Peters
7. Farmer Nappy
8. Gary Cordner
9. Jamesy P (St. Vincent)
10. Kees Dieffenthaller
11. Keegan Taylor
12. Laura Pereira
13. Mr Dale (Barbados)
14. Michelle Sylvester
15. Mr Chucky
16. Nadia Batson
17. Patrice Roberts
18. Peter C Lewis
19. Peter Ram (Barbados)
20. Skhi
21. Shal Marchall
22. Shurwayne Winchester
23. Terry Seales
24. Teddison John (St. Lucia)
25. Tony Prescott
26. Tizzy (Antigua)
27. Third Bass
28. Tracey D
29. Zoelah (St. Vincent)
30. 3Suns
31. Marie Anne
32. Faye-Ann Lyons

POWER SOCA MONARCH SEMI-FINALISTS
1. Allan Piper
2. Blaxx
3. Bunji Garlin
4. Crazy
5. Dawg-E-Slaughter
6. Denise Belfon
7. Eustace and Phive Pound
8. Fireball
9. Kurt Allen
10. Keisha Stewart
10. Lil Rick
11. Lil Bits
12. Luni and Electrify
13. Nadia Batson
14. Nnika (Grenada)
15. Ms Alysha
16. Olatunji Yearwood
17. Patch
18. Pelf
19. Problem Child
20. Ricky T
21. Rootsman
22. Rita Jones
23. Shurwayne Winchester
24. Sanelle Dempster
25. Sean Caruth
26. Super Blue
27. Tizzy
28. Young Marcel
29. Blazer
30. Faye-Ann Lyons

WE Magazine celebrates Trinidad Carnival in its January issue by spotlighting 'Band of the Year' champion, Brian Mac Farlane

Wednesday January 2nd, 2008 - Toronto, ON, Canada - In its short six month existence, WE Magazine has managed some pretty impressive covers, including entertainment icons Alison Hinds, Machel Montano and Jah Cure; but to kick off the 2008 New Year, the mag has chosen not to feature a familiar face on the cover, but rather his masterful art. Brian Mac Farlane's 2008 presentation entitled 'EARTH' for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival gets the nod from WE in January as the Caribbean Canadian magazine showcases the man behind the 'Mas'. A very fitting cover considering we will soon be in the midst of the Trinidad Carnival season. The latest issue will also feature several other Carnival articles, including the history of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, a Carnival newbie's guide and a 2008 fete schedule.

For the New Year, WE magazine has also announced two additional columns to its already diverse array of editorials. Along with the monthly music, entertainment, culture and artist spotlights, WE has added some eye candy with a page called 'WE Girl' (featuring a beauty of Caribbean roots each month), plus a humorous editorial by Mr PlayHouse (StarStruck Show on KOSradio.NET) entitled 'WE Bacchanal'. "We're not shifting our focus away from culture, art or community. Those things will always be key facets of our mandate," says Jef Lo (Editor in Chief). "WE wishes to showcase the many talents of our heritage, including our beautiful women. Plus, the addition of Mr PlayHouse's column will give readers some great insight as well as a good laugh ".

The magazine will be available in outlets this weekend (Jan 5th). For more information about WE Magazine visit www.WEmagOnline.com or www.MySpace.com/WEmagOnline.

TORONTO-LIME.com named ‘Favourite Website’ at the NYC Promoter Awards

Wednesday December 19th, 2007 – Toronto, ON – The 2-time International Soca Awards winning website, www.TORONTO-LIME.com, copped yet another accolade last week. This time the online entertainment site was named ‘Favourite Website’ at the New York Promoter Awards hosted at Rum Jungle in Queens.

The website attracts not only visitors from every corner of the globe, but it also rivals many of the top entertainment websites on the net. TORONTO-LIME.com is currently ranked amongst the top 5000 websites in the world, thousands of ranking points ahead of any other Caribbean based website. "It's a tremendous honor," says Jef Lo (President of TORONTO-LIME.com INC.) "I'm just happy to be contributing to the Soca movement."

TORONTO-LIME.com was recognized for its achievements last week in New York and was also awarded two years in a row from public voting at the Int’l Soca Awards which first introduced a website category in 2006.

Nurse Karen Celebrates Two Years On-the-Air

Toronto, ON - Monday December 3rd, 2007 - The fun-loving source for all that is new in the world of soca celebrated two years on the radio on Sunday. Known to listeners as Nurse Karen, entertainment journalist Karen L. Richardson offers a light-hearted look at the devolopment of the soca genre on Flow 93.5 FM's Soca Therapy. "Dr. Jay's Rounds" was first conceptualized in August, 2005 when Richardson had just graduated journalism school. The idea was immediately pitched to 2-time SAO International Soca DJ of the year Dr. Jay and given the okay by Flow three months later.

Karen L. Richardson received her Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of King's College in 2005. She has since worked in radio television and print. Online she has contributed to Toronto-Lime.com, Boom-Tribe.com and WeMagOnline.com. She got her earliest experience working with The Vincentian, the oldest publication in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Always an avid lover of arts and entertainment, Richardson is a well-known spoken word performer. In 2004, she published and edited T-Dot Griots: An Anthology of Toronto's Black Storytellers with Steven Green.

To mark the special anniversary, Richardson is launching the (Nurse) Karen (Etc) blog. The site offers The Rounds to an international online audence that may not be able to catch her on-air each Sunday. "Ever since I started the Nurse Karen character, artists have been asking me to send them updates of what I say on air. I'm looking forward to providing a way for industry personalities to subscribe and track their press. I really can't wait to interact with the listeners. It should be fun to hear their opinions on the news I cover," said Richardson.

(Nurse) Karen (Etc) will be updated weekly with The Rounds scripts, and Richardson promises more! Readers can log on for special music reviews and carnival recaps, plus artist photos and video from Richardson's travels.

To get in on the action visit: http://www.mustardseeds.net/ and click (Nurse) Karen (Etc) or subscribe directly at: http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/

Toronto beauty NADIA DAWN on the December cover of WE Magazine

Toronto, ON - Monday December 3rd, 2007 - Toronto-born beauty NADIA DAWN is one of Hollywood’s fastest rising stars. The multi-talented actress/screenwriter/producer/model/TV host is of English and Indian descent, born to Guyanese parents and is WE Magazine's cover girl for December.

Nadia Dawn has gone from producing her own series, to landing a feature role with Prodigy (Mob Deep), to hosting on the red carpet at the NAACP Image Awards with A-list celebrities in Hollywood. From modeling, to hosting, to acting, to writing, and to producing – Nadia Dawn is definitely one to watch out for.

To read the full cover story, you can pick up a FREE copy of WE Magazine which will be available in all the major West Indian outlets this weekend (Saturday December 8th).

For more info, visit http://www.wemagonline.com/ or www.myspace.com/wemagonline.

‘Share’ columnist launches new satirical book: Tales from Iceboxland

Toronto, November 24th, 2007 - The Chancellor of 'Commess University', Queen Macoomeh (www.commessuniversity.com) officially launched her very first book at A Different Booklist in Toronto yesterday. On hand to assist the Queen with reading some excerpts from the book were Michael Lashley (Consul General of Trinidad & Tobago) and Rhoma Spencer (actress/playwright).

Queen Macoomeh also read from her book and shared her inspiration for writing her very first piece, which she submitted to the Share newspaper back in 2001. "I was able to live a childhood dream that CARIBANA day," she spoke of her experience at the CARIBANA parade where, for a brief few minutes she was given the chance to dance and carry a 'Carnival King Costume' from Louis Saldenah's mas band. The editor of Share was so impressed with her unique style of grammar and dialect that he asked her to submit another. Soon she found herself writing for the Share each week.

Queen Macoomeh has now compiled 37 of her best columns, along with a few new stories, into one book. Tales from Iceboxland is available at A Different Booklist, 746 Bathurst Street, (www.adifferentbooklist.com), www.Amazon.com and www.BarnesAndNoble.com. Personally autographed books can be purchased directly from Queen Macoomeh at www.CommessUniversity.com.

Alison Hinds on the cover of WE Magazine

Toronto, ON - Monday October 29th, 2007 - Not only is Bajan Soca star Alison Hinds hot off the press with her brand new album 'SOCA QUEEN', her latest image will also grace the cover of WE Magazine; which hits the streets this weekend (Nov 3). The Queen of Soca was in Toronto recently to share the stage with Kat De Luna and Elephant Man at Kool Haus and took the time for an an exclusive interview and photoshoot with Canada's premiere Caribbean entertainment magazine.

In the interview with WE Mag writer (Cheryl Hazell), Hinds shares personal details about her family life and comments on her brief hiatus from the spotlight a couple years back. Alison also talks about her new album and the reasoning for the title 'Soca Queen'.

To read the full cover story, you can pick up a FREE copy of WE Magazine which will be available in all the major West Indian outlets this weekend (Saturday November 3rd).

For more info visit www.WEmagOnline.com or www.myspace.com/wemagonline

WE REACH! - Announcing Canada's premiere WEST INDIAN Entertainment magazine

WE REACH! - Announcing Canada's premiere WEST INDIAN Entertainment magazine

Monday July 30th, 2007 - After weeks of teaser ads, the directors of 'WE' have finally announced the launch of Canada's premiere West Indian Entertainment and lifestyle magazine. The full colour glossy magazine hit the streets over the weekend and is reported to have a special CARIBANA circulation of 70,000 copies.

Soca icon, Machel Montano graces the cover of WE's inaugural issue, and on the inside he shares his personal spiritual philosophy in an exclusive interview with WE writer, Karen Richardson. Other features in the CARIBANA issue include a special feature on Marcus Eustace (renown Mas designer and brother to 8-time Carnival King Curtis Eustace), the story of CARIBANA, interviews with top Soca and Reggae artists (Tessane Chin, Da'Ville, Ghetto Flex, Tizzy, Zoelah and others), plus bits on food, travel, film, beauty, fitness and more.

According to the president of WE Magazine, Tony Chankar, "each month WE Magazine will celebrate the vibrant arts, culture, history and natural beauty of the Caribbean and it's people, through first-rate editorials and spectacular photography".WE Magazine is now available FREE, at all West Indian outlets across the GTA.

Why WE?(by Anthony Joseph – Publisher)

WE is not an acronym for West Indian Entertainment, but rather a reflection of you and me. It mimics our community. It celebrates the Canadians we have become and the West Indian niche in Canada we have created. WE is a reflection of the old countries of the Caribbean and all of our island's cultures and people. It celebrates what we have brought to our new northern home.
WE aims to represent you in the way you would expect to be in a quality periodical. WE will bring you the stories that matter to you. WE will keep you in the loop with what's happening within our community here in Canada and in the West Indies.

When the executives of WE Magazine first got together, it was with the intention of sharing ideas on marketing for our respective businesses. At the table was Tony Chankar (The Printing Press), one of our community's top printers, Jef Lo who operates the #1 West Indian website in the world (Toronto-Lime.com), Jason Singh (president of Soca Bookings) and myself Anthony Joseph, president of the #1 Caribbean newspaper serving the people of Toronto (The Caribbean Camera). Jef spoke about the number of people he met daily who expressed the need for a glossy, sexy Canadian mag that caters to the young at heart. The thought quickly gathered a life of its own and the next step was obvious - create a mag ourselves. Fill the gap ourselves. We took guidance from the old saying: Don't complain about it, just do it.

But even among a group of go-getters, ideas can die on the page moments after such sessions, but to my surprise Jason returned later with some compelling statistics that indicated that WE had to be created. Still, I did not think that my time or lack of it would permit me to be a part of such an enterprise, but with the encouragement of Raynier Maharaj, my business partner at the Caribbean Camera, passing on this exciting project was not an option. So here we are.
We intend to make WE your go-to periodical at month’s end when you can kick back, relax and dip into the glossy pages for perspectives on West Indian Canadian lifestyles, sport, entertainment, fashion, the spoken and written word in prose or verse written by some of the hippest writers in our community.

We will welcome your participation by keeping our editorial doors wide open because WE doesn't belong to only the people entrusted with its publishing and day-to-day operations, but to the people WE Magazine serves. WE is all of us.

For more information visit http://www.wemagonline.com/

Jah Cure releases his new album 'True Reflection', before his prison release

Anticipating his release from Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Jamaica (July 2007), Jah Cure is set to release his new album 'True Reflection' in May with VP Records. The upcoming album will have a mix of his popular hits as well as new exclusive tracks.

After a 9-year prison term, Jah Cure is already slated for his first performance on August 26th at James Bond Beach in Jamaica, alongside Gyptian, I-Wayne, Richie Spice and others. Born in Montego Bay and raised in Kingston, Jah Cure became involved with reggae music as a teenager and rapidly rose to fame in the late '90s only to have his climb to the top halted by a jail sentence.

After a string of hits in 1997 (including a collaboration with Sizzla called 'King in the Jungle"', Cure's career came a halt in November of 1998 when he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

While serving his sentence, was transferred from the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, which had a digital recording studio the inmates could use. It was there Cure recorded several new tracks, which would appear on his album 'Freedom Blues', released by VP records in 2005.

http://www.toronto-lime.com/news/news_2007_jah_cure_album_release.htm