The 2026 Panorama season, organized by Pan Trinbago, officially commenced on November 9 at the iconic Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. This year’s theme, ‘Legacy: Ours to Love, Ours to Cherish,’ underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of the steelpan, an instrument born out of struggle, creativity, and community spirit. The event, described as a celebration of rhythm, resilience, and identity, featured libations, prayers, and performances by renowned steelbands such as Massy Trinidad All Stars, bp Renegades, and Republic Bank Exodus. Admission was free, with attendees encouraged to wave the national flag as a symbol of unity and pride. Pan Trinbago President Beverley Ramsey-Moore emphasized the festival’s role in empowering youth, engaging women, and preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural legacy. However, the season faces challenges, including the withdrawal of sponsorship by the National Gas Company (NGC) from three bands and Pan Trinbago itself. Ramsey-Moore appealed for corporate and state support, highlighting the festival’s impact on community development. Despite these hurdles, she remains optimistic about the future of the steelpan movement, stating, ‘Pan will never die.’ The competition begins with single pan band judging on November 12, culminating in the Large Band finals on February 14, 2026.
分类： entertainment
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Reflections 2 concert: Former monarchs go down memory lane
Former calypso queen Tameika Darius is set to captivate audiences with her upcoming production, ‘Reflections 2: Down Memory Lane,’ at the Little Theatre, SAPA, on November 9. Known for her iconic songs like ‘Ah Come Out to Equalise,’ ‘Now More Than Ever,’ and ‘Jahaji Bash,’ Darius has been a prominent figure in the calypso scene since her childhood. Recently returning from the Trinbago Toronto Festival, she is ready to showcase a blend of traditional calypso, jazz, gospel, and storytelling in this unique performance. Darius promises a heartfelt journey through her life experiences, emphasizing family roots, cultural preservation, and the intergenerational transmission of musical heritage. The event will also feature a surprise reveal of honorees and a special guest performer. Joining her on stage is her nine-year-old son, Xhaiden Darius, a prodigious talent who has already made waves as the reigning National Junior Calypso Monarch and Schools’ Intellectual National Chutney Soca Monarch. Xhaiden, who has performed at prestigious events like Barbados-Carifesta XV and the Trinbago Toronto Festival, will deliver several duets. Other notable performers include Roderick ‘Chuck’ Gordon, Vaughnette Bigford, Renee Fortune, and Freetown Collective. Darius describes the show as a celebration of community, continuity, and the enduring vitality of calypso, proving it remains a dynamic and evolving art form. The performance begins at 5 pm.
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Preedy launches duet with Patrice Roberts at Acoustic Experience
The first-ever performance of the new duet ‘Bacchanal Mode’ by soca queen Patrice Roberts and National Freestyle Champion Akeem ‘Preedy’ Chance became the highlight of Preedy’s Acoustic Experience event on November 2 in St Clair. The intimate backyard venue, chosen for its lush ambiance, was filled with hundreds of patrons who were treated to an unforgettable evening of music and celebration. Roberts made a surprise appearance, joining Preedy on stage just after 9 pm, elevating the event to new heights of excitement and satisfaction. The duo’s performance, despite being a debut, was described as surreal and nostalgic, with Preedy reflecting on his journey as an artist. The event also featured opening acts by Aaron Duncan, Kimba Sorzano, and Tevin Hartman, who set the stage for Preedy’s grand entrance around 8 pm. Preedy, known for his charisma and vocal prowess, captivated the audience for over two hours, weaving musical stories and interacting passionately with fans. The night was further enhanced by performances from Kimi, reggae icon Isasha, and Freetown Collective, with music by Temperature The Band and chorale accompaniment by Armonias Magnificas. Roberts praised Preedy for his determination and growth, expressing pride in his achievements. The event also featured refreshing cocktails by HybridTT and delectable nibbles by Cup of Joe Cafe, with hosts Jynnyn and Akeem 5.0 keeping the entertainment flowing. International culture journalist Jeanette ‘JLova’ Mitchell highlighted Preedy’s role in cultural preservation and his growing artistry. ‘Bacchanal Mode,’ the song and music video, was released earlier this week, marking the beginning of a vibrant Trinidad Carnival season and an exciting 2026.
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Carnival in the City launches on November 7
The National Carnival Commission (NCC) is set to kick off Carnival 2026 with a vibrant launch event at the Brian Lara Promenade in Port of Spain on November 7. Titled ‘Yuh Go Love Dis,’ the event aims to foster greater inclusivity and accessibility, bringing the festivities directly to the people. NCC CEO Keiba Jacob Mottley emphasized the commission’s commitment to making Carnival a shared experience for all, stating, ‘The mandate of the NCC is to ensure everyone has access to Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival because it belongs to all of us.’ The day-long event, running from 9 am to 6 pm, will feature live performances, traditional Carnival characters, and addresses by Minister of Culture Michelle Benjamin and NCC Chairman Peter Kanhai. Highlights include a lunchtime performance by reigning Panorama Champions Republic Bank Exodus and a children’s zone with cultural exhibitions and activities. The NCC has also partnered with the Port of Spain City Corporation and local police to ensure safety and smooth operations. Additionally, the event will support local commerce by hosting craft vendors throughout the day. This initiative is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate Carnival and measure its economic impact, with the government collaborating with the Inter-American Development Bank on a study to assess its contribution to GDP. Stakeholders, including TUCO president Ainsley King, have praised the launch as a step in the right direction, emphasizing its potential to engage new audiences and celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural heritage.
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Miss Bahamas joins in walk-out from a Miss Universe ceremony
The Miss Universe 2025 pre-pageant ceremony in Thailand took an unexpected turn this week when Maliqué Maranda Bowe, Miss Universe Bahamas, and several other contestants walked out in protest. The dramatic exit followed an incident where Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, the national director of Miss Universe Thailand, publicly insulted Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a live broadcast. Itsaragrisil reportedly called Bosch a ‘dumbhead’ after accusing her of insufficiently promoting Thailand on social media and missing a sponsor photoshoot. The confrontation escalated when Bosch defended herself, emphasizing the need for respect, only to be interrupted and escorted out by security. The incident sparked outrage among contestants, leading to a collective walkout despite warnings of potential disqualification. Anthony Smith, national director of the Miss Universe Bahamas Organisation, praised Bowe for her courage and grace, stating she remains focused on the upcoming finals. In response to the backlash, the Miss Universe Organisation imposed sanctions on Itsaragrisil, who later issued a public apology, citing personal pressure. The incident has since gone viral, with many applauding the contestants’ unity and condemning the perceived bullying behavior.
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Kendrick Lamar leads Grammy nominations with nine
The Recording Academy unveiled the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards on Friday, with Kendrick Lamar emerging as the frontrunner with an impressive nine nominations. This comes on the heels of his triumphant sweep at the previous ceremony, where he clinched five awards. Lamar is set to compete in major categories, including Album, Record, and Song of the Year, at the 68th Grammys, scheduled for February 1 in Los Angeles.
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Vybz Kartel, Jesse Royal, Lila Ike, Kezamdi and Mortimer to battle for reggae Grammy
The 68th Grammy Awards have unveiled their nominations, with Jamaican artists dominating the Best Reggae Album category. Vybz Kartel, Jesse Royal, Lila Ike, Keznamdi, and Mortimer have all earned nods for their exceptional contributions to the genre. Jesse Royal’s ‘No Place Like Home’ marks his second Grammy nomination, while Vybz Kartel’s ‘Heart & Soul’ also secures his second recognition. Mortimer and Lila Ike are celebrating their first-ever Grammy nominations, with Mortimer’s ‘From Within’ and Lila Ike’s ‘Treasure Self Love’ project gaining widespread acclaim. Keznamdi’s ‘Blood & Fyah’ rounds out the impressive list of nominees. Interestingly, four of the five nominated albums were accurately predicted in a recent edition of the Jamaica Observer. The prestigious awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
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Jazz Festival Takes Centre Stage at World Travel Market London
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has seized the spotlight at this year’s World Travel Market London, shining a renewed focus on its globally acclaimed Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Held from November 4-6, the prestigious travel event served as an ideal platform for the SLTA to engage with industry partners and offer a sneak peek into the 2026 edition of the festival, slated for April 30 to May 10.
Geraine Georges, SLTA Public Relations Manager, emphasized the festival’s significance, stating, ‘Building on last year’s emphasis on community tourism, the 2025 highlight is our world-renowned Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.’ To amplify its reach, the SLTA hosted a preview event in London, attracting over 40 media representatives, influencers, trade partners, diaspora members, and festival enthusiasts.
The showcase aimed to spotlight the festival’s evolution, artistic diversity, and its pivotal role in bolstering Saint Lucia’s cultural identity. Louis Lewis, SLTA CEO, remarked, ‘This year, we’ve brought special attention to our Jazz & Arts Festival, exposing it to the UK traveling public as a unique travel opportunity for Saint Lucia.’
The SLTA delegation, led by Chairman Thaddeus M. Antoine, included key figures such as Board Director Thomas Leonce, Director of Global Marketing Dexter Percil, and Tourism Ambassador Julien Alfred, a World Champion sprinter. Accommodation partners like The Landings Resort and Spa and Harmony Marina Suites, alongside performers Ronald Boo Hinkson and Christa, also participated.
Lewis highlighted Saint Lucia’s growing appeal among travel partners, noting strong airline load factors and hotel occupancy rates. He underscored the festival’s dual role as a tourism driver and a platform for local artisans to gain international exposure. ‘We continue to capitalize on the festival not just to attract visitors but also to provide intrinsic benefits, such as offering our artisans a global stage,’ he added.
Unlike previous years, which focused on lineup announcements, this year’s approach was more thematic, emphasizing the festival’s cultural depth, community jazz initiatives, and artisan participation.
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Nigerian artist, medical student Somto Doris showcases first art exhibition in Saint Lucia
Somto Doris, a Nigerian-born artist and medical student, is captivating audiences with her debut art exhibition, ‘Body Currency: For Soul to Soul Interaction,’ at La Place Carenage in Castries, Saint Lucia. The showcase, supported by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), opened on October 29 and will continue until November 12, offering free entry to the public. Doris, who began painting as a child, decided to pursue art professionally in December 2016. By early 2017, she transitioned to oil paints and portraiture, a move that earned her recognition when one of her portraits won a competition in Nigeria, boosting her confidence in her craft. After relocating to Saint Lucia in September 2017, Doris has skillfully balanced her medical studies with her artistic endeavors, despite the challenges. ‘Balancing it with school wasn’t very easy… but it was a dedication,’ she shared. Her exhibition, ‘Body Currency,’ delves into human connection and emotion through vivid portraiture and cultural symbolism, showcasing her unique storytelling approach. Beyond her personal achievements, Doris is committed to nurturing the local art community. She founded an informal artist club that meets monthly to share ideas and collaborate. Doris also aspires to organize art competitions, workshops, and seminars to inspire consistency and commitment among artists. A recent highlight of her career was presenting a portrait to the President of Nigeria during his visit to Saint Lucia, an experience she described as a pivotal moment.
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Dominica’s 25th World Creole Music Festival Marks a Milestone for Tourism and Cultural Pride
The 25th edition of Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival has concluded, marking a significant milestone in the island nation’s cultural and tourism landscape. Held annually, this vibrant event celebrates the rich Creole heritage through music, dance, and art, attracting both local and international audiences. This year’s festival, which took place from October 27 to 29, featured a diverse lineup of artists performing genres such as zouk, reggae, and bouyon, showcasing the unique fusion of African, French, and Caribbean influences. The festival not only serves as a platform for cultural expression but also bolsters Dominica’s tourism industry, drawing visitors from across the globe. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit emphasized the festival’s role in promoting national pride and economic growth, highlighting its contribution to the island’s recovery post-Hurricane Maria. The event’s success underscores Dominica’s resilience and its commitment to preserving and sharing its cultural identity with the world.