Legendary singer Lalchan Rafi Singh return to Toronto is questionable

Lalchan Rafi Singh

Reported by Nirvan Balkissoon

Lalchan Rafi Singh’s return to Toronto is questionable due to a fall he suffered on Monday October 10, in Queens, New York.

“I was in New York at the time and in fact with Lalchan at the time of the fall. Lalchan came over to see me around 1 pm, We relaxed and played one of his CDs. He had a couple of drinks with Gerry and Joe while I just relaxed. We must have played the CD about 3 times while talking about his visit to Toronto and he also sang with the CD and enjoyed a wonderful time with us.

I connected him with Harold Boodoo so that Harold can prepare the music. Lalchan’s performance will be about 1½ hrs so he had about 12 songs and a medley that he would do in the second Harold, everyone started talking about some of the jokes that Lalchan would be belting out in between his performance as he stated he wanted people to come and enjoy themselves with him after 15 years away from Toronto.

Sometime around 4 pm we sat down to eat some food, I left Lalchan sitting at the table and went to lie down inside after finishing eating. After about 20 mins or so I was told that Lalchan got up from the kitchen table and said he was going home. While walking down the steps he must have lost his balance and fell down,. When I rush to the steps I saw Lalchan flat on his back fast asleep.

The landlord called the ambulance and they took him to Jamaica Hospital. The next day we visited him at the hospital to find him awake on a bed waiting for the doctor.

His left hand was bandaged up and in a sling. Lalchan told me at the time that he still wants to come to Toronto and would let me know as he’s supposed to come out of the hospital by the end of the week.

I spoke to Lalchan earlier this week and discussed his trip to Toronto and agreed that we’ll see how it goes with him on a day to day basis.

He still wants to come and perform and is hoping that he can still make it. His left hand is broken and he’s attending therapy but will keep me inform towards the end of the week.

At the time of this publication we cannot confirm whether Lalchan will be here to perform but if he does make it, everyone will be pleased.

Major changes to be implemented at the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch

Major changes will be implemented at the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch held annually during the Carnival celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago.

New rules and regulations, exciting new elements, and a new theme in 2012, will all make up what is carded to be the biggest ever Chutney Soca Monarch in the history of the competition.

The Chutney Soca Monarch is the most important and largest Indo Caribbean event in the world. Held annually, it has also become one of the ‘Big Four’ events in our Carnival every year, the others being the International Soca Monarch, the Dimanche Gras and the Panorama Finals.

The event is being re-branded and will have a new look in 2012.

2012 theme - Chutney Soca Monarch

The Chutney Soca Monarch remains one of the most colorful productions in Carnival, and 2012 will be no different as the theme of the event reflects an embracing of the Caribbean spirit, Caribbean music and Caribbean people - ONE – One Caribbean, One music, One People – the theme for 2012.

New venue and new date

The Producers of the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch have decided to move the event to Port of Spain. We have been having discussions with the National Carnival Commission with the intention of hosting the event at the Queens Park Savannah. These discussions are still ongoing.

Producers will also be moving the event one week closer to Carnival  and has proposed the Grand Final to be hosted on Saturday 11th February 2012.

New rules and regulations

2 new rules will be introduced to the competition in 2012.

Artistes will not be allowed to use film melodies in their songs, which have plagued the competition over the last few years. Only songs that have 100% original melodies and lyrics will be allowed to compete, and there will also be a screening of the music to ensure that lyrics and topics are positive.

Guyana to be included in a major way

In 2012, a number of new features will be added to the event.

3 artistes from Guyana will be taken directly to the Grand Final of Chutney Soca Monarch through a special screening process that will see eliminations gradually come down to the three selected Guyanese artistes.

2 judges from Guyana will also sit on the judging panel for the Grand Final should in case the technologies fail onthe night.

The Grand Final of the Chutney Soca Monarch will be broadcast ‘live’  via satellite to Guyana and featured on a major TV network in Guyana.

Finally, the event, which is judged by 100% text votes, will also give the Guyana public the opportunity to participate at this level, as arrangements are also being put in place for the people of Guyana to be able to vote via text voting through a local network.

By 2013, it is expected that a ‘Guyana Leg’ of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition will take place in Georgetown.

Other voting

In 2012, apart from Guyana nationals being allowed to vote through a local network, online voting will take place as the event will be streamed over the internet to a ‘live’ viewing public. Text voting will also take place as in years gone by in the USA, Canada and of course Trinidad & Tobago.

Major international act for CSM 2010

A major International act will be included in the program for Chutney Soca Monarch 2012. An act that will further enhance the production and add major value to the show. The event will also have an International co-host, and the opening of the show will feature several Caribbean countries.

Other Carnival events

In 2012, Southex will start a Jr. Chutney Soca Monarch that will crown a young champion. The event will feature one grand show that will showcase the talents of those artistes below the age of 18yrs.

Chutney on D Sutton, one of the most successful events in 2011 will once again be a feature on the Calendar of events.

Girlz Gon White, held at the Space Car Park over the last 3 years will also find a new home in 2012, as the event has outgrown the present venue.

Conclusion

Southex is projecting that 2012 will be the biggest and most exciting year in the history of the Chutney Soca Monarch. The Grand Final’s move to POS is a positive one, and one that will position the event where it should be.

Many other countries will be added to the 2013 event, as Chutney Soca Monarch starts to spread throughout the Caribbean.

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.”

Nicki Minaj pleads guilty

Nikki Minaj

Nicki Minaj, who headlined Reggae Sumfest in Catherine Hall, St James, on Saturday July 23, has been charged with indecent language. The Jamaica media reporting that Nicki Minaja whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj, was served with a summons by the police as she exited the venue

following her performance Sunday morning.

Senior Superintendent Linette Martin Williams gave a confirmation and noted that the Trinidad-born rapper is scheduled to appear in court sometime this week.

The rapper, who did not appear in court, was represented by local attorney Hugh Thompson, who entered an ex parte guilty plea on behalf of his client and paid the corresponding fees for the use of the expletives.

Entertainer Minaj fined $1000 for indecent language, according to police, her court date was set for Thursday, July 28. Her lawyer made an appeal for the matter to be put forward. He then pleaded guilty on her behalf and was fined JM$1,000.

It is not certain whether or not 28-year-old Minaj was in the island when it the matter was being dealt with in court.

On Saturday night she rocked a capacity audience attending the final night of this year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay.

Her performance, a first in Jamaica, contained many of her popular tracks, but was peppered with expletives accentuated by sexually suggestive dance moves.

For her troubles, Minaj earned the admiration of a Jamaican audience, as she easily eclipsed superstars like Wayne Wonder and Jah Cure.

As her set began to come to an end, Minaj swept into Hold Yuh, a remix of the mega-hit from Gyptian. The crowd was almost on the stage at this point.

Another interesting moment came when Minaj took a back seat to her dancers and allowed them free reign to tackle some of dancehall’s more enduring dance tunes. When the dancers showed they could do the ‘Dutty Wuk’, the crowd was more than a little appreciative.

Minaj did her fair share of dancing and acting as well, playing out parts that told the stories of the songs she rapped. Again, the audience appreciated what was a well rehearsed set. The artiste later gushed on her Twitter page, “I had the time of my life at Reggae Sumfest... Jamaica I fell in love tonight,” she tweeted.