Thousands of revelers, according to soca star Machel Montano "scandalous" and "delirious," descended on the streets of Port of Spain from as early as 4 a.m. Monday for a spectacular climax to this year's carnival.

The revelers started their merriment under the cover of darkness for J'ouvert, some bathed in body paints, others in oil and mud and jumping to the sounds of pulsating soca music emanating from the huge trailer trucks that have become so much a part of carnival.

The Mayor of Port of Spain Murchison Brown, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul, opened the celebrations in downtown Port of Spain where the traditional Old Mas competitions are held annually.

As I write this, costumed revelers are roaming the streets of Port of Spain in Trinidad.  A special congratulation goes out to Shurwayne Winchester for winning both the Groovy Soca Monarch and the International Soca Monarch competitions.  Judged on presentation, lyrics and performance, Shurwayne won the International Soca Monarch competition with his song, “Can’t Wait.”  He beat the 2004 and 2005 Soca Monarch King, Bunji Garlin who was a favorite to win the competition.  While not everyone was happy with the decision, there was no denying jost of the competitors put out their best effort.  Other performers included: Iwer George (3rd), Nadia Batson (4^th), Rita Jones (5^th), Mista Vybe (6^th), Fay-Anne Lyons (7^th), Miss Alysha (8^th), Sheldon Douglas (9^th), Terry Seales (10^th), and 1999’s Road March Queen, Sanelle Dempster placed last.

When you hear the hot new single “Drive you Crazy” blazing up the charts and getting video spins, you’ll know about DJ Kulcha Don who’s been working professionally since 1993, but is just bursting out powerfully on the scene. The collaboration with Dancehall King Beenie Man is the first single on the Kulcha Don’s album of the same name.

Kulcha Don was born in Montserrat and was raised between Montserrat and Jamaica. He then moved to New York City where he is based. But for Kulcha Don, it’s the Jamaican culture that has seeped into his mind and it is the Dancehall music from the shores of that Caribbean nation that has captivated him and influenced his music.

The Reggae artiste said he had a choice between basketball and the world of Dancehall, but a broken ankle and a stroke of luck made his decision easier.

Aston Cooke's outrageously hilarious satirical revue, Jamaica 2 RAHTID, is all set for four South Florida performances in March.

The production opens on Saturday, March 4, at 8:00 p.m., at the North Miami Beach Performing Arts Center, then plays Palm Beach on Sunday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Royal Palm Beach High School. The following week they play on the West coast in Tampa on Saturday, March 11 at Chamberlain High School at 8:00 p.m., and end the Florida run on Sunday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Coral Springs Center for the Arts in Coral Springs.

According to Cooke, Jamaica 2 RAHTID will provide much laughter and plenty 'bangarang'. The revue, said Cooke, "is a high-energy and fun-filled satire which will mirror Jamaicans at their best, worst, nicest, sweetest and funniest".

Trinidad Carnival is here.  Brass Festival and Machel Montano’s Alternative Concept were what many of us here in South Florida missed over the weekend.  Machel performed to a crowd of no less than 15,000 and had guest artistes such as Red Rat, Wyclef Jean, and Mr. Vegas.  This week, however, will be filled with some of the main events of the season which include plenty of fetes such as the ever popular, “Glow.”  This year, “Glow,” will feature top soca acts such as Bunji Garlin and the Asylum Band as well as international R & B artiste, Ginuwine.  This year Bunji and Ginuwine did a remixed collaboration called Secret featuring Trinidad’s 2’Ntrigue.  Other fetes include the Soca Warriors fete on the 24th which is rumored to have a guest host such as Beyoncé, Ludacris, Will Smith or Shakira.  No matter what, Trinidad fetes will go on, with or without an international name.