Fall Classic cultured program features Avinash Maharaj & T&Tec Gayatones in Canada

On stage: Avinash Maharaj

On a warm fall evening in Mississauga, Ontario, the T&Tec Gayatones did their final sound check prior their performance on September 24. After the sound check, the entire cast were in the Am 30 radio studio on Caribbean Fusion hosted by Gary and Nicola Khan.

Also, in the studio of Am 530 was the promoter of the fall classic Nirvan Balkissoon who hosted the radio program for the first hour interviewing Avinash Maharaj, Nadia Madoo, Neshad Sultan, Oscar B, Soca Elvis and Rishi Gayadeen.

Over the past four weeks the Fall Classic has been featured on many of the radio programs, Caribbean Xpress newspaper and Masala TV. The featured artiste was Avinash Maharaj whose just 11 years old and emerged as the most talked about artiste and new artiste to look forward to seeing at the event.

Jai OJah Maharaj who interviewed Avinash Maharaj on Chin radio Saturday September 14th was very impressed with Avinash and Nadia. He spoke about the composure and manners of Avinash, also pointing out that Avinash spoke properly and was on track in terms of the event and his singing.

Saturday night’s weather was warm and people started arriving at 7 pm. With a steady flow of people the venue started filling up around 8 pm and the program started at 8.45 pm with the singing of both Canada and T&T’s anthems. 

Also celebrating T&T’s republic day was the Friends of Trinidad and Tobago and the President Krishna Nankissor spoke about republic day and the connection with Trinidad. 

At 9 pm the program opened with Neshad Sultan, Nadia Madoo and then Avinash Maharaj who delivered a stunning performance. Many who brought their children along to see Avinash were not disappointed at all. 

Nirvan Balkissoon spoke about this program being simply a cultured program promoting Avinash Maharaj and T&Tec Gayatones, “ Gayatones haven’t been here for a while and with Avinash being part of the cast it truly represented the Culture of Trinidad and Tobago while giving the audience a wonderful evening of music and dance.”

“There seems to be so many programs here with the same bands over and over again and basically the same performance. Tonight people had an opportunity to see the culture of T&T and the growth of this young boy”. 

Mr. Balkissoon continued “overall I am happy with the event and happy to play a part in bringing Avinash here to perform. I will continue to promote good events, new artistes and bands. Those who came out will come back again when Avinash and the T&Tec Gayatones come back to town. Those who didn’t come out missed a tremendous event. I am especially happy to see parents bring their children to see Avinash as he’s becoming an inspiration to many of our young people. If you don’t attend these events you are only denying yourself, as I will continue to promote new artistes, because I know that it’s not only about money but more of keeping our culture alive.”

Guyanese “Bassant Motorsports“ Team in CASC - Ontario Region series

The Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs (CASC), Ontario Region, http://www.casc.on.ca/ , has just completed their 2011 season.

Dereck Bassant

Taking part in the GT Sprints Championship in GT6 was Bassant Motorsports who are of Caribbean background. The team was born in Guyana in a motorsport series that lacks representations from the Caribbean community.

Motorsports is big in the Caribbean. For example, look at the Caribbean Motorsports Championships being held in Jamaica, Barbados and finishing up in Guyana in November. Yet, Canada lacks these skillful driver’s from the Caribbean.

Dereck Bassant, a racer with Bassant Motorsports, is 36 years old and was born in Guyana. When interviewed by Caribbean Xpress about how he became interested in racing he said, “growing up in Guyana, me and my two brothers used to always drive dump trucks. I came to Canada and Dereck Bassant was still interested but didn`t pursue it yet because of financial reasons.”

In 2009 he attanded the Caribbean Championship in Guyana and said to himself, “I can do this.” He returned to Canada and got his racing license soon after.

He did not race much for the rest of the year due to the passing of his father. However, in 2010 he raced half a season, and then the full 2011 season.

Bassant Motorsports was competing in the CASC-OR, which is the official sanctioning body of motorsports in Ontario in the GT-6 class and GT-5 class (separate series).

Bassant Motorsports was racing a 2001 Nissan Sentra in GT-6 of the GT Sprints series. There were a total of 8 race weekends from May 2011 to October 2011 of which each race weekends comprises of three 20 minute races(all weekends except one).

Although, the Bassant Motorsports car # 203 is classified in GT-6, it races together with all of the different classes(GT-1/GT-2/GT-3/GT-4/GT-5/GT-6) on the track at the same time. It is by far the fastest motorsports series in Canada with speeds in excess of 272 km/h.

The two tracks that were used were: Shannonville Motorsports Park(SMP) and Mosport International Raceway (MIR). Here are the standings of some the races Dereck was competing in with his series:

The Ontario GT Sprints 2011 Season Points - Shannonville - May 28, 2011
1) Dereck BASSANT 107 points
2) Colin GIBSON 84 points
3) Sean GIBSON 54 points


CASC - Mosport Celebration of Motorsport - Race 1 - October 1, 2011
1) Colin GIBSON
2) Dereck BASSANT
3) Alex TOTH

CASC - Mosport Celebration of Motorsport - Race 2 - October 2, 2011
1) Colin GIBSON
2) Jonathan RASHLEIGH
3) Dereck BASSANT

CASC - Mosport Celebration of Motorsport - Race 3 - October 2, 2011
1) Colin GIBSON
2) Jonathan RASHLEIGH
3) Dereck BASSANT

Saaz O Aawaaz’s 20th annual graduation ceremony

On Sunday September 11, 2011, Saaz O Aawaaz Academy of Indian Music held their 20th annual graduation ceremony and dinner.

The Master of Ceremony for the evening was Kenty Khan.

This was an evening of Semi- Classical & Light Music which had performances by Guruji Dev Bansraj, the Saaz-O-Aawaaz Choir, students of the Academy and tabla recitals.

There was also the presentation of the certificates to the graduates made by Guruji Dev Bansraj, the director/teacher of the Academy). The academy had over 50 graduates gradutating this year, making them one of the largest Indian music schools in Ontario

Banraj’s message to the students was:

“Nothing worthwhile is achieved expect by patience and constant practice. I am convinced that without the help and encouragement of parents, the younger students experience more difficulties learning their chosen field of music. This is indeed a team effort and my praise also goes out to the parents of these students. Practice is the key to your success.”