CaribPR Wire

CARIBPR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. May 23, 2007: New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has proclaimed Saturday May 26 th , 2007, ‘Guyanese Independence Day’ In New York City. The declaration comes as the Committee to Celebrate Guyana gets ready to raise the country’s flag for the first time over Manhattan, New York, in the financial district at B owling Green. In making the declaration, Bloomberg proclaimed: “”The Guyanese community is an asset to our metropolis, whose greatness is predicated on an unparalleled diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives. New York City is proud to be a part of this celebration, as it is a fitting tribute to a Guyanese community that has stayed true to its roots while blossoming in a new environment.”"    Hollywood actor, Sean Patrick Thomas, who many will remember from ‘Save The Last Dance,’ ‘The Fountain’ and ‘Barbershop’ is among the honorees and VIP’s who will join committee members in marking this inaugural occasion. The event an initiative of Hard Beat Communications’ CEO, Felicia Persaud, is being presented along with the Bowling Green Association of New York and the Committee for Guyana’s Independence under the patronage of the Guyana Ambassador to Washington, Bayney Karran. The free, public from 11 a.m.

CARIBPR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 11, 2007: Motivated by the extraordinary quality and interest in the upcoming celebration of Guyana’s independence for the first time ever on the site of New York City’s founded, movie producer Rohit Jagessar has decided to produce a documentary on the event and the preparation surrounding it. According to Chair of the Committee To Celebrate Guyana, Felicia Persaud, Jagessar, who wrote and produced the movie, ‘Guiana 1838,’ will work on documenting the inaugural flag raising and independence celebration for Guyana on Bowling Green in New York City. The public Celebration of Guyana’s Independence at Bowling Green Park in Lower Manhattan beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday May 26 th and will include many entertainers. It will conclude with the raising of the country’s flag for the first time ever over New York City. And will be followed by the invitation only awards ceremony in the historic monumental Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House that will bring together an extraordinary line up of both honorees and entertainers. Being presented with the First Annual Independence Day Award are Jagessar as well as Hollywood actor Sean Patrick Thomas, actress CCH Pounder, boxer Vivian Harris and movie director, Mikey Nivelli. “”Each one is well known and respected in their field and their involvement proves the tremendous importance and the widespread appeal of this event all by itself,”" said Persaud. A wonderful list of Guyanese entertainers who will perform along with the entire Guyanese community in the tri-state area, the event’s sponsors, the many tourists who frequent Lower Manhattan on spring weekends and the various Caribbean and elected dignitaries will be also caught of film. The list of performers include The Dheeraj Cultural Foundation’s Ghungroos Dance School; poetry readings by James Richmond and Francis Quamina Farrier; comedy by Mahadeo Shivraj, songs by Almira Brasse, DJ Praksh, Mr. H2o WataFlow, the Triad group and Slingshot Drepaul, who is recovering from an accident and will make his first return to the stage at this event; and a musical saw presentation by Moses Josiah.
According to Persaud, “”Our goal is to host the best celebration of Guyana’s independence ever held outside of Guyana. We think our line up proves we will do just that.”" Bowling Green Park is easily reachable by most subway lines most of which serve the Wall Street area and the Lexington Ave. 4 & 5 as well as the RR stop right at Bowling Green. The event is an initiative of Persaud and is being presented along with the Bowling Green Association of New York and the Committee for Guyana’s Independence. To date, the event has received the support of Western Union, AmeriGroup Funding and North American Airlines. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are still available and can be made by calling 718-476-3616.

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, New York, May 3, 2007: Legendary Reggae Ambassadors and the Caribbean

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, April 30, 2007: Famed Guyanese American actor, Sean Patrick Thomas, is among the stars set to attend the inaugural flag raising and VIP awards ceremony on Bowling Green in New York City on May 26 th . Thomas is confirmed to attend the event, set for 26 days from today, April 30th. Many would remember the actor from his stellar performance in the movie,

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Frances-Anne Solomon’s A Winter Tale wins Outstanding Feature Film Award, and lead actress Leonie Forbes is honoured at the 2007 ReelWorld Film Fest Frances-Anne Solomon’s A Winter Tale took home the Tonya Lee Williams Award for Outstanding Canadian Feature at the Seventh Annual ReelWorld Film Festival ’s (RWFF) Closing Night Gala on Sunday April 15, 2007. The film also won Special Mention in the Outstanding Screenplay category at the packed awards ceremony. Since making its world premiere as the Opening Night film on April 11th, A Winter Tale has been praised by the media and audiences alike, – with influential personalities referring to the film as “”excellent,”" “”very compelling”" and “”exactly what Toronto needs.”" Written, directed and produced by Frances-Anne Solomon, A Winter Tale tells the emotional story of a black men’s support group that forms at a Caribbean Takeaway restaurant in Parkdale, after a ten-year-old boy is shot by a stray bullet. The film features a talented ensemble cast led by Canadian stars Peter Williams and Michael Miller, along with Caribbean stars Leonie Forbes and Denis “”Sprangalang”" Hall. A Winter Tale offers a brilliant perspective on the timely issues of gun violence in Toronto, set against the backdrop of a multicultural community’s unrealized hopes and dreams. Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and producer whose credits include Lord Have Mercy! (VisionTV, 2003), Peggy Su! (BBC Films, 1997), My Mother Told Me (Channel 4, 1995) and Bideshi (British Film Institute, 1994). She is the president and artistic director of the two companies she founded: Leda Serene Films , her film/tv production vehicle, and CaribbeanTales , a prolific not-for-profit company producing educational multimedia projects. She also worked as a film and television drama producer for the BBC. Recent projects include A Winter Tale , a feature film for Telefilm Canada and CHUM Television; Literature Alive , a groundbreaking 20-part documentary series that screened on Bravo!, Canadian Learning Television and OMNI, that showcased Caribbean-Canadian authors; and the Gemini-nominated Lord Have Mercy! , Canada’s landmark multicultural sitcom, for Vision TV, Toronto 1, APTN and Showcase. For more information, please visit: www.awintertale.ca For media inquires, please contact: Pennant Media Group Kevin Pennant [email protected] T 416.596.2978

CaribPR Newswire, New York, NY, Apr. 16, 2007: For the very first time in the history of New York City, Guyana’s flag, the Golden Arrow Head, will be raised above the financial district of the Big Apple in honor of the South American nation’s 41st anniversary of independence from Britain on May 26 th 2007.    The event is being made possible by the Committee For Guyana’s Independence Anniversary, a group comprising of several prominent Guyanese, and is the brainchild of Hard Beat Communications CEO Felicia Persaud and the Bowling Green Association of New York. Persaud, working in tandem with Guyana Ambassador to Washington, D.C. the Honorable Bayney Karran and individuals like Ron Bobb Semple, Chuck Mohan, Rickford Burke, Ramesh Kallicharran, Tanuja Raghoo, Shani Persaud and Alim Hassim among others and a growing list of organizations, says the aim is to raise the level of visibility and prominence of Guyanese as the fourth largest group of foreign born nationals in the city. “”It’s about taking Guyana and Guyanese to new heights in a big way and moving beyond the widely known ethnic rifts and coming together as a united front on neutral grounds,”" said Persaud. The flag raising will be preceded by a cultural presentation of some of the best artists of Guyana, from both dominant ethnic groups. They include dancers from The Dheeraj Cultural Foundation; poet James Richmond; the Guyana Shanto drummers; singers Almira Brasse and Slingshot Drepaul, who is recovering from an accident and will make his first return to the stage at this event. The free event is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Lower Manhattan on Saturday May 26th, where New York City was founded at Bowling Green, in Lower Manhattan, New York City, just below Wall Street.  A VIP, invitation only reception to honor Guyanese in film and sports is planned for after the flag raising in the Grand Rotunda of the nearby Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at Bowling Green, one of the most spectacular Federal Government buildings in the nation outside of Washington, DC.  Among the honorees are actress CCH Pounder, who was born in Guyana and stars currently in the television series, ‘The Shield;’ Guyanese American actor Sean Patrick Thomas, known for his role in ‘Save The Last Dance,’ as well as the producers of Guiana 1838

NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Feb. 5, 2007:   As North American revelers get ready to jump in the Dream Team mas band at the Trinidad carnival later this month, they are dialing CaribOne. The Trinidad-owned, NY-based company is giving back to their community for carnival later this month by delivering free minutes to mas revelers who sign up to play with the Dream Team crew. According to CEO Fabian Baksh, the move is part of the company’s effort to keep the culture of the Caribbean alive and is an extension of the promotional effort they already engage in with bands associated with Caribana Carnival in Toronto, Canada and Broward Carnival in Fort Lauderdale, USA. For the February 19-20 th party extravaganza, CaribOne will be giving revelers of the band a taste of the hassle free service, added Baksh. Since 1997, CaribOne has been giving Caribbean migrants overseas an opportunity to call back home without paying a fortune in long distance charges. “” Calling For Less is not just our motto it is the reality with CaribOne,”" explained Charmaine Aguillera-Tywang, the company’s spokesperson . “”Most importantly, users pay absolutely no fees for the service, obtain rates similar to calling cards but with the convenience of pinless dialing and get crystal clear quality. It is truly the most convenient, affordable and flexible way to call the Caribbean.”" Additionally, the minutes bought can be used from a home, cell or office phone or even when traveling from a hotel room or friend’s home and there is no need to change your present long distance or mobile service provider, enter into a complicated contract or be charged misleading monthly fees. “”There are no hidden fees or extra charges whatsoever,”" added Aguillera-Tywang . “”You decide how much to spend and when, recharge your balance automatically or at your convenience and you are in control.”" Rates, unlike similar service providers, range from a mere nine cents per minute to Jamaica and Trinidad, fourteen to the Eastern Caribbean countries like Barbados, St. Kitts, Dominica and Grenada, 17 to Haiti and 28 to Guyana. CaribOne also offers other great rates to destinations around the world. The NY-based executive also revealed that in an effort to make the service more widely available, CaribOne is teaming up with businesses all across the North American Caribbean Diaspora to allow Caribbean nationals to replenish their account on site. Currently, CaribOne users can simply add money to an account on the company’s website at CaribOne.com with a credit card. For more log on to http://www.CaribOne.com or call 1-877-467-0022. For more on the Dream Team, visit, http://www.dreamteamtnt.com/.     MEDIA CONTACT:   Charmaine Aguillera-Tywang or Fabian Baksh Carib One Inc. P: 631-423-8595 Email: [email protected]  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 JANUARY 2007
CONTACT:
KAYE WASHINGTON
1-510-278-2834
THE TALE OF THE MAGIC OKRA SEEDS: HOW GUMBO CAME FROM AFRICA
Published: January 2007
Publisher:  Author House
1663 Liberty Drive Suite 200 
 Bloomington , IN   47403  United States
DETROIT, Michigan, Jan. 30, 2007: A Detroit-born attorney has picked up a different kind of pen, releasing a children

WINDSOR MILL, MD, January 22, 2007: Which Caribbean island has the most beautiful women and whom would you pick to be in the top 100? Caribbean POSH magazine is giving you a chance to make that decision. Executives of the US-based, bi-monthly entertainment & lifestyle magazine are on a search for the

NEW YORK, NY, January 18, 2007: Seats on Air Jamaica are booking fast as fans of the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival rush to ensure they catch the Grammy-winning line-up from January 23 rd to the 27 th in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Festival, now celebrating its tenth anniversary, has become the biggest and best live music event in Jamaica and the Caribbean. With just a week to go before the festival, fans can still book their travel on Air Jamaica. “We still have seats available,” says George deMercado, Air Jamaica

Brooklyn, NY

THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS HOSTS ITS 2 nd ANNUAL “JAZZ IN THE GARDENS”
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Two days of continuous jazz, Latin jazz, R&B and reggae March 24 th & 25 th , 2007  
WHO:                     The City of Miami Gardens  
PERFORMERS:            India Arie, Sergio Mendes, Boney James, Will Downing, Paquito D

WINDSOR MILL, MD, January 4, 2007: Which Caribbean island has the most beautiful women and whom would you pick to be in the top 100? Caribbean POSH magazine is giving you a chance to make that decision. Executives of the US-based, bi-monthly entertainment & lifestyle magazine are on a search for the

NEW YORK, NY, January 4, 2007: The countdown has begun to the 10 th Annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, an event that

NEW YORK, NY, Dec. 22, 2006: Famed crooner Sanchez will be joining fellow reggae legends Freddie McGregor, Wayne Wonder and Billboard topping Dancehall deejay Shaggy for a special performance at the

NEW YORK, NY, Dec. 20, 2006: Turn Key Productions, producers of the annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues festival, is giving one lucky person the opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip for two to the festival in January.
A lucky fan will be flown to Jamaica for free, along with a special someone, aboard Jamaica

NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Dec. 14, 2006: Grammy award-winning superstar Michael Bolton is set to perform for the first time ever in Jamaica next month, courtesy of organizers of the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.
Bolton’s performance in Jamaica has been a long time in the making. As a family man and a single parent of three, Jamaica was Bolton’s vacation spot of choice for years. He even learn ed to snorkel and received his water sport’s certification in this beautiful Caribbean country . But despite invitations from several promoters, a performance never materialized.  
But come January 2007, the singer, who has sold over 53 million records worldwide and has become a towering figure in the world of music, will grace a Jamaican stage in Montego Bay at the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival . It is an event he describes as “”a land mark moment because it is the tenth anniversary”" of the festival.
So what can the thousands of fans expect from this versatile performer? “”Some great surprises,”" said Bolton, ading that he expects to deliver hits like ‘Soul Provider ,’ ‘How Am I Suppose to Live without You’ “”with some variations”" to make them “”feel fresh.”" And he will add the big band sound and some swing.   Over the last twenty years, the singer and songwriter has lent his unique vocal style to many genres of music, including rhythm & blues, jazz, swing and opera . Bolton, who will be recording two albums in January, says one will be part of his roots and he is going to bring that to the Jamaican stage.   The Connecticut-born artist is also honored by the fact that many of his songs have been re-recorded with a reggae beat by Jamaican artists. Anyone who has heard “”Can I Touch You There,”" hears the unmistakable one drop reggae feel on that track and his new album, ‘Til The End of Forever,’ includes a slinky reggae version of “”Said I Loved You? But I Lied.”" So, can the fans in the land of reggae expect the genre in Bolton’s Repertoire? Bolton says “”it very possible”" but that is the surprise.   Bolton will join a stellar line of some music’s best Jazz, R & B, Country, Blues and Reggae superstars such as K enny Rogers, Christopher Cross, jazz instrumentalist Roy Ayers , trumpet virtuoso Chuck Mangione, Pieces of a Dream, ABBA-The Tribute, Blues Icon Robert Cray, world renown Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander, the legendary Russell Tompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics , neo-soul icon Anthony Hamilton as well as “” the Art of Reggae”" featuring reggae/dancehall all-stars Apollo Lifetime Achievement winner Freddie McGregor, dancehall ‘cool ruler’ Wayne Wonder, crooner Sanchez and   mega DJ Shaggy . Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is a Turn Key Production and has been running continuously for the past ten years. It began in October 1996 on the lawns of the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, with some 3,000 persons but now caters to some 40,000 music fans. International acts that have been featured over the past decade include John Legend, Bo Diddley, George Benson, Air Supply, Patti Labelle, Al Jarreau, Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Mary J Blige, James Ingram and Nancy Wilson . This year it moves to a new venue

NEW YORK, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2006: Walter Elmore, president of Turn-Key Productions, who produces the annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, believes in helping spur the growth of young musicians. In 2006, Elmore used the annual Festival to launch the first “” Art of Music Workshop,”" to help mold young, Jamaican musicians.
The workshop was created because organizers recognize the importance of hands-on training and first-hand knowledge that students can develop by direct contact with established professionals, said the executive producer of the Festival recently.
“”It really is a unique opportunity for these young performers, as it promotes cultural and educational opportunities for musically talented youth and aspiring musicians in Jamaica that they would not normally have access to”" said Elmore, who has been involved with the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival since it’s inception in 1996. He also revealed plans to establish a scholarship for young musicians.
The inaugural workshop was hosted on January 26, 2006 at the Half Moon Shopping Village in Montego Bay, Jamaica and featured industry professionals like Reinaldo Monroig, Jose Hernandez, Lukes Morgan, Lyfe Jennings, and Nestor Torres, sharing their knowledge and experience with the aspiring musicians on topics that ranged from access to international promoters, radio stations in the US, and industry professionals.
Those benefiting from the workshop included the PACE Band, one of the few young bands that won an island wide audition for a chance to perform on the Ocean Spray Stage for the thousands who attended the festival. The Ocean Spray Stage features upcoming bands and is located near the food court at the Festival. Other attendees included students from the School of Music, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, and aspiring musicians.
This year, in October, 2006, Elmore launched the JazzFest Quest to find the best undiscovered jazz, blues, Latin, and reggae musicians across the U.S., in New York, Atlanta, Baltimore and South Florida. The best acts, like J.D. Smooth, Peter Humphrey and the Oasis Band and Jacky & Strings won an all-expenses paid trip to perform live in Montego Bay, Jamaica and a chance to be discovered.
The annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival enters its 10 th year next January and will take place at the Aqueduct at Rose Hall, from Jan. 23-27, 2007.   Five Day Festival ticket packages are just $250, and are available through your favorite travel agent or Air Jamaica Vacations at 1-800-LOVEBIRD www.airjamaicavacations.com Other top performers on the bill to date include, Earth Wind & Fire, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, Christopher Cross, Roy Ayers , Chuck Mangione, Pieces of a Dream and ABBA:The Tribute, Robert Cray, Monty Alexander, NEWA, and Anthony Hamilton as well as “” the Art of Reggae”" featuring reggae all-stars Freddie McGregor, Wayne Wonder, Sanchez, and Shaggy . Meanwhile, all U.S. fans are urged by Jazz Fest officials to secure their U.S. passport or certify that the passport of their foreign country is valid before traveling to the Festival next year. The call comes as the countdown to the US’ Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or ‘passport rule,’ begins ahead of the extended January 23, 2007 deadline, which will require all air travelers to present a passport to re-enter the United States. U.S. passports may be obtained through the U.S. Postal Service while Caribbean and other green card holder can obtain passports from their local consulates. U.S. passport fee are $67 plus an execution fee of $30 and a photo fee of $15.  Fees for children under age 16 are $52 plus the additional photo and execution fees. Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is a Turn Key Productions event and has been running continuously for the past ten years. It began in October 1996 on the lawns of the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, with some 3,000 persons but now caters to some 40,000 music fans. International acts that have been featured over the past decade include John Legend, Bo Diddley, George Benson, Air Supply, Patti Labelle, Al Jarreau, Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Mary J Blige, James Ingram and Nancy Wilson. This year it moves to a new venue

CaribPR Newswire, BRONX, N.Y Dec. 8, 2006: Reggae legends, The Messenjah Luciano, along side Third World, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffith And Dean Fraiser & Jah Messenjah Band, are set to thrill fans in Paradise!
The Paradise Theater that is! The event, a Heart & Soul productions, is set for the newly restored Theater at 2403 Grand Concourse at 188th street in the Bronx.
The “”One Love: Reggae Legends in Paradise”" show will also feature, R&B Classic Soul Legends Ray, Goodman & Brown (formally the Moments), Harold Melvin’s Blute Notes and Wil Hart/The Delphonics. Pat McKay of 98.7 KISS FM radio will emcee the event.
This sweet marriage of Caribbean Classic Reggae Artist with American Classic Soul artist on one show night is sure to be a treat for all who attend. All seats are reserved in the Paradise Theater’s grand concert-style environment. Tickets prices range from a special V.I.P. seat of $100 & others at $75- $55 Sponsors include 98.7 KISS FM, the Caribbean Life newspaper, Golden Krust Bakery, Culture Jam Radio and Irie Jam Radio 93.5 FM. For more info on the event contact Heart & Soul Productions toll free at (866) 798-1190 or log on to their website WWW.RCAHAS.COM .

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, N.Y., Mon. Dec. 4, 2006: Grammy-winning legendary musical super-group, Earth, Wind & Fire, is set to thrill fans at the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival taking place in Montego Bay in January. With hit tunes like