Nerissa Golden's Blog, page 7

Montserrat Tourism Division Photo Contest Winners Announced

The Montserrat Tourism Division (MTD) announces four winners in its December Environmental Photograph Contest.

In 2022, the Tourism Division supported by the European Union Development Fund embarked on an Environmental awareness campaign to educate the public about the importance of the environment to the sustainable future of Montserrat. As part of this awareness drive, the Division promoted a photography competition to encourage residents to capture the positive attributes of Montserrat’s envi...

General Grant Says, “I Want My Flowers While I’m Still Here.”

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – The name ‘General Grant’ is one that most people in Trinidad and Tobago and across the region, know and appreciate. A part of the music business for over 40 years, Grant maintains relevance, releasing new music frequently, and pushing hard to
deliver to the people. Another Carnival celebration now in focus at home in Trinidad and Tobago, General Grant says he wants his flowers while he’s still alive, lamenting that while many artistes often go unrecognized for their con...

Julius, Marge Blackman Deliver the Song of the Decade

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – Marge Blackman, the daughter of Soca music inventor, Ras Shorty I, has written “the song of the decade.” These were her words to Rodney Julius, a US based artist she’s collaborated with on a track that’s described as a song of service to country,
and perhaps the world.

“Free State of Mind,” is a refreshing spin on the traditional sound of Calypso. Uplifting and thoughtful, this piece of art is considered by its creators as a gift to country and the world. “When I spoke ...

The First Sage Cultural Award’s Surprising Connection to Publishing

– by Jacqueline A. Sample
GREAT BAY, St. Martin – The Sage Cultural Award revealed an unexpected element about record-keeping in St. Martin that might have gone mostly unnoticed at the inauguration of the prize in 2022 but will likely increase in short order.

The award, instituted by the ministry of culture and education of the government of St. Maarten, had its first presentation of prizes last November 26, hosted by the territory’s Department of Culture. The first class of 11 awardees of the S...

Calypso, Love Nia Premieres During Montserrat Carnival 2022 to Positive Reviews

Film director Nia Golden and Calypsonian Everton “Reality” Weekes at the December 20, 2022, premiere of Calypso, Love Nia.

Calypso, Love Nia a full-length documentary which looks at the development of calypso, the regional female calypso show, and how the artform is being preserved in Montserrat, premiered to rave reviews at the Montserrat Cultural Centre on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. There was also an online release at niagolden.com on Friday, December 23.

Produced in collaboration with Montse...

Terri Lyons of Trinidad & Tobago Wins Regional Female Calypso Show at Montserrat Carnival 2022

LITTLE BAY, Montserrat – The Queen of Queen’s Regional Female Calypso crown is heading back to Trinidad & Tobago. This time it will be worn by Terri Lyons, who won the competition held on Friday, December 30, 2022, as part of Montserrat Carnival.

Tasha P of Dominica at QoQ Regional Female Calypso in Montsertat – Joshua Golden Photo

Ten of the top female calypsonians from across the Caribbean performed in the competition.

Other nations participating were Anguilla – Roxanne “Roxxy” Webster, Antigu...

Montserrat Arts Council Adds Maxcine Lee to Regional Female Calypso Competition

Montserrat will have two calypsonians in this year’s return of the Queen of Queens Regional Female Calypso Competition slated for Friday, December 30 at Festival Village, Little Bay.

Kenneth Silcott, Director of the Montserrat Arts Council said “We have decided to enter both female calypsonians from our semi-finals, Maxcine Lee and Silvina “Khandie” Malone into this year’s competition. We believe they will both benefit from the vast pool of talent and experience from across the region. This will...

Warda and GT Win Soca Monarch Titles at Montserrat Carnival 2022

Montserrat has two new soca monarchs after the Boxing Day competition at Festival Village in Little Bay. Taffy was the runner up in the power segment.

John “Warda” Murrain, a Montserratian based in New York City won the Groovy segment with his carnival hit Iron and Parang. Warda’s track had received a lot of airplays on the local radio station since November and the soca monarch crowd energetically supported his performance with a dance train around the Festival Village.

Trevon “Trevvle” Pollar...

Montserrat Carnival 2022 Calypso Finals Renamed to Honour First Monarch

Ten calypsonians are ready to compete in the finals on Thursday, December 29 at Festival Village in Little Bay, Montserrat.

The competition has been renamed to honour Justin “Hero” Cassell; Montserrat’s first calypso monarch crowned in 1962. Hero still holds the title for the calypsonian with the most crowns, amassing ten local titles during his competitive career. He also won the OECS calypso crown in 1986 in Dominica.  The Government of Montserrat awarded him the Order of Excellence for his ex...

Regional Female Calypso Show is Back at Montserrat Carnival 2022

The region’s top female calypsonians are preparing to descend on Montserrat Carnival 2022 for the Queen of Queens Regional Female Calypso Competition slated for Friday, December 30 at Festival Village, Little Bay.

There will be 10 women in the competition representing nine nations.

Defending champion, Karene Asche of Trinidad & Tobago will have to battle the reigning calypso monarch of her nation Terri Lyons to retain the crown.

Kenneth Silcott, Director of the Montserrat Arts Council said “We a...