August 1st is Emancipation Day in Trinidad and Tobago, a public holiday. Trinidad and Tobago was the first country in the world to commemorate the abolition of slavery with a national observance, and since that time several other countries (mostly in the Caribbean) have followed suit.
For quite a few years now the last week in July, building up to the holiday (August 1), has been set aside for a series of festivals, lectures, films and fairs in honour of the occasion.
This year the African Food Festival is …

Last to the stage was soca artiste Shurwayne Winchester. I was blown away by his set, which felt more like a mixtape on steroids. Seamless and flawless, he and his band (Y.O.U) combined elements of hiphop, his own soca hits (and those of others), and also wisely drew kaiso classics into the tapestry, creating a beautiful showcase of local music that also embraced the world beyond.
By this time my memory card was almost full, and I was cursing myself for not carrying along a third. Never had I anticipated …

The next thing on the evening’s agenda was the launch of a new Carnival band Oasis. From the opening notes of Shakira’s “Ojos Asi” I was drawn in…
Oasis Carnival Band Launch 2011 Playlist (6 videos)

All in all I think that Oasis did an exceptional job presenting their inaugural face to the world.

By the end of that showing I was ready to pay down my deposit! (then I remembered I have bills and other things to save up for)

The only thing left now was the grand finale! …

After the magnificence of the Picton Folk Performing Company’s offering, I could be forgiven for thinking that I could take a little time out between performances. The organisers however clearly had different plans. It was not long before the notes of Shakira’s “Waka Waka” started to play as the MC announced that the bMobile Shiv Shakti dancers were taking the stage.
The Shiv Shakti dancers have been a fixture in local cultural performances for as long as I can remember and I always love the energy and joy that they …

Prior to last Saturday’s performance I was completely unaware of the existence of the Picton Folk Performing Company. As a result, I feel really grateful to Cloud Nine, the organisers of Sauté Trinbago, for the exceptional level of talent which they allowed to shine from the event’s start to its end.

Opening with a young charismatic performer, I could barely believe the level of sheer talent which was on display for what felt like almost an hour. The non-stop flow of the performances, the intricate choreography and the sheer dedication …

Like moko jumbies, blue devils are mainstays of traditional Trinidadian Carnival (or ‘ole mas’ as it’s commonly called). A form of Devil Mas/Jab Molassie/Jab-Jab, blue devils are mostly associated with the Maraval hills of Paramin and have also been immortalised in song by 3 Canal with their classic track (and video) Blue.

Terrifying to the uninitiated eye, these maniacal characters have always filled with me awe. Famous for harassing and cajoling bystanders into handing over monies (‘pay de devil’) the more one observes them the more one begins to …

It has been no secret to anyone who follows my Twitter and Facebook accounts that I was extremely excited to attend last Saturday’s Sauté Trinbago. After a 2 year wait, since the last Taste T&T festival, I have been itching for an event that showcases the cuisine and culture of my homeland.
I had grand expectations for this event (in no small part due to its $400 TT price tag) and I am happy to say that for the most part those expectations were met.
Arriving at Queen’s Royal College …

As I continue sorting through the 297 photos and videos that I took at this weekend’s wonderful Sauté Trinbago, I thought I would allow you the chance to glance through bits and pieces of Taste T&T 2008. For 3 years it was Trinidad’s premier culinary festival, before being unceremoniously pulled without announcement. Although Sauté Trinbago did not compete with it in scale, it definitely went a long way towards capturing its spirit. More on that in my next post! Until then… let’s look back at the sights & sounds.

Remembering …

It’s been over 2 years since Taste T&T last opened its doors, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and disheartened patrons in its untimely demise. In the interim, many foodies like myself have wondered if and when its resurrection would occur and what, if anything, could rise to fill its place.
In a matter of hours Sauté Trinbago will throw its hat into the ring as a contender and, if reviews of last year’s Sauté Trinidad are anything to go by, the crown may be theirs for the taking.
From …