Miami and Broward Carnivals are fast approaching and the lineup of fetes looks very promising.  Islands United is bringing their annual Girl Power to Bongos (located at the American Airlines Arena, Downtown Miami) again.  While the previous years have always done well and remain the top Thursday event, the artistes weren’t representative of a true GIRL POWER event.  Last year included a large amount of male performers, as did the year before.  This year is the return of Alison Hinds to the card as well as Destra and Atlantik.  Also scheduled to perform is Michelle Sylvester, Fayanne Lyons, Nadia Batson, Candy Hoyte, and the lone male artiste, Iwer.  This year’s event should be a great event.  I love the venue, as there is plenty of parking. For more information on Girl Power, log onto http://myspace.com/islandsunited.

Trinisouthboyz is also another promotion that brings some of carnival’s biggest fetes.  The 6^th annual Socavivor includes a 6-day schedule of events.  You can start your wardrobe shopping from now to participate in their color-coded events.  I love the idea of wearing a particular colour on specific days as the parties have a unified look amongst partiers.  Their lineup for Carnival includes Machel Montano & Xtatik, Benjai, Red Hot Flames, Bunji Garlin, The Elvis White Band, and more.  For more information, log onto http://trinisouthboyz.com.

The International Caribbean Music Festival is back.  It hasn’t been held in 2 years, but in the past the event was primarily a reggae event.  Previously held in the month of November, I’m happy to see the event held during Carnival with more soca artistes included this year.  Alison Hinds and her band, as well as Machel & Xtatik and Rupee will be there.  For more information, their website is http://icmfest.com.  Over the coming weeks, I’ll add more information for more Carnival events.

There is another awards event this year.  The Fourth Annual International Soca Awards will be held at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York on September 8^th.  For anyone who would like to take a trip up to New York for the event, tickets are available via ticketmaster and the box office at the Apollo.  For a listing of nominees, their website is http://socaawards.com.  There are categories for just about every aspect of soca, so I’m excited to see who will be taking home awards.  Stay tuned to D’ Soca Train for a listing of winners in the coming weeks.  

A special congratulations, goes out to Vincentian artiste, James ‘Jamesy P’ Morgan, who was recently married in Tortola.  His bride is Maria Doyley, of Tortola. Jamesy P’s best man was another Vincentian artiste, Randy ‘Luta’ McIntosh.  I wish the bride and groom all the best and continued happiness.

Labor Day is in just a few short days.  I’ll be reveling down Eastern Parkway and enjoying North America’s largest Caribbean Carnival.  For anyone heading to New York, have a wonderful and safe trip.  For a listing of events for the Labor Day weekend, check out http://smallislandmassive.com and http://islandmix.com.  If you are staying here in Florida, check out the Bayside Hut this Friday.  It’s a trip down memory lane with music by Gary Enforcement, and Sound Rev, and into the present with Eternal Vibes and Dorenzo.  For more info, check out http://partyspree.com. Until next week…