Paula Lindo

Over $6m to refurbish Diego community centre (February 16, 2020)

Paula Lindo Sunday 16 February 2020

Parliament showcases Carnival art at Red House (February 16, 2020)

Paula Lindo Sunday 16 February 2020 In this file photo, (centre) Ansel Wong, Advisory Council chairman of Notting Hill carnival alongside, Francis Williams-Smith, left, and Keith Simpson, members of Belmont Exotic Stylish Sailors…

Woodford Square still closed, 7 of 13 trees cleared (February 14, 2020)

Paula Lindo Friday 14 February 2020 Cut trees in Woodford Square. PHOTO BY VIDYA THURAB - Vidya Thurab Woodford Square will stay closed for at least another week to facilitate the removal of trees from the venue. But Port of…

FilmTT reels in local producers (February 19, 2019)

Local animators for 2019 Kidscreen Animation Summit (February 14, 2019) Six animators will be representing T&T at the 2019 Kidscreen Animation Summit, regarded as the children entertainment industry’s most important annual event, in Miami this month. They will form part of a delegation being led by Animae Caribe, with assistance from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Export TT and Film TT. The delegation will be composed of: delegation lead Camille Selvon-Abrahams; Jessica Yawching, who will be presenting her Magnificent Maggie Animated Project; Jason Lindsay with DIY Zoe; Jeunanne Alkins with the Bim and Bam Animated series; Michael Richards with Birds of a Feather; Mathew Hudson with Cairi; Andy Berahazar of Coded Arts Gaming Studio; and, Animae Caribe Business Development Director, Roxanne Colthrust.

Local animators for 2019 Kidscreen Animation Summit (February 14, 2019)

Six animators will be representing T&T at the 2019 Kidscreen Animation Summit, regarded as the children entertainment industry’s most important annual event, in Miami this month. They will form part of a delegation being led…

Africa Film TT opens with gala (July 30, 2017) The Opening Gala of the African Film T&T Festival saw a wide and diverse crowd filling the Central Bank Auditorium on July 24 to watch the Burkina Faso film, Frontieres by director Apolline Traore. The films to be featured in the Festival from July 21 to 30 come from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Mauritania, Mauritius, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Chad, Kenya, Benin and Morocco.

Africa Film TT opens with gala (July 30, 2017)

The Opening Gala of the African Film T&T Festival saw a wide and diverse crowd filling the Central Bank Auditorium on July 24 to watch the Burkina Faso film, Frontieres by director Apolline Traore. The films to be featured in the Festival from July 21…

Raguel Gabriel celebrates being HUMAN (July 30, 2017) As singing actor Raguel Gabriel begins his third and final year of study at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, he’s looking toward the future after school. Gabriel said he wants to be known as “the singing actor from T&T who does theatre, film, musical theatre, the Hugh Jackman of T&T. My hope is to have one foot in the world and one foot in T&T, so I can come back and help to develop the arts further here.

Raguel Gabriel celebrates being HUMAN (July 30, 2017)

As singing actor Raguel Gabriel begins his third and final year of study at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, he’s looking toward the future after school. Gabriel said he wants to be known as “the singing actor from T&T who…

Plenty Talent website shows off creative wares (July 23, 2017) Local website plentytalent.com was founded in 2014 based on the perceived need for a regional database of emerging talent in all areas of the creative industries. Three years later, expansion plans are in the works through a crowdfunding campaign in association with the World Bank and Caribbean crowdfunding consulting company VisionFunder. Co-founder Gavin Luke said the website was created using UNESCO’s definition of creative industries, thus featuring creatives from the visual and performing arts, film, music, fashion and literature and stretching across the Caribbean from the British Virgin Islands to T&T.

Plenty Talent website shows off creative wares (July 23, 2017)

Local website plentytalent.com was founded in 2014 based on the perceived need for a regional database of emerging talent in all areas of the creative industries. Three years later, expansion plans are in the works through a…

Film industry stakeholders talk turkey (July 16, 2017) Tension filled the air during the FilmTT stakeholder meeting as the recollection of past disputes threatened to disrupt the proceedings. However, many in the substantial audience chose to agree with FilmTT General Manager Nneka Luke as she acknowledged the past turmoil and urged stakeholders to view collaboration as a way of moving the sector forward. The stakeholders were introduced to Johnathan Olsberg and Leon Forde of Olsberg SPI, the UK-based consultancy firm which will be developing a new strategic plan for the sector.

Film industry stakeholders talk turkey (July 16, 2017)

Tension filled the air during the FilmTT stakeholder meeting as the recollection of past disputes threatened to disrupt the proceedings. However, many in the substantial audience chose to agree with FilmTT General Manager Nneka Luke as she…

Film TT to talk strategic plan tomorrow (July 9, 2017) Film TT will host a stakeholder meeting tomorrow at the Government Plaza Auditorium, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. FilmTT General Manager Nneka Luke said the upcoming stakeholder meeting will serve to introduce stakeholders to the firm which will be developing a new strategic plan for T&T’s film and audiovisual industry. The organization, Olsberg•SPI, was chosen following a tendering process which involved local and international submissions.

Film TT to talk strategic plan tomorrow (July 9, 2017)

Film TT will host a stakeholder meeting tomorrow at the Government Plaza Auditorium, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. FilmTT General Manager Nneka Luke said the upcoming stakeholder meeting will serve to introduce stakeholders to the firm which…

Fashion TT workshops for fashion industry start soon (July 9, 2017) As FashionTT begins the first of its 2017 round of capacity-building workshops, General Manager Lisa-Marie Daniel said the entity was excited to be holding a workshop in Tobago, which will be the first of its kind in the sister isle. The current workshops are called the Business of Fashion and deal with educating local designers on the importance of strategically managing their businesses to achieve desired results and revenue.

Fashion TT workshops for fashion industry start soon (July 9, 2017)

As FashionTT begins the first of its 2017 round of capacity-building workshops, General Manager Lisa-Marie Daniel said the entity was excited to be holding a workshop in Tobago, which will be the first of its kind in the sister…

Girl Be Heard an epic experience (July 9, 2017) “We are Girl Be Heard!” was the rallying cry at the Central Bank Auditorium as the first cycle of Girl Be Heard TT came to an end with the final production, UnMasked. The production told the story of Maia, who grew up in a single parent household being abused by her mother after her father left them to start another family.

Girl Be Heard an epic experience (July 9, 2017)

“We are Girl Be Heard!” was the rallying cry at the Central Bank Auditorium as the first cycle of Girl Be Heard TT came to an end with the final production, UnMasked. The production told the story of Maia, who grew up in a single parent household…

Sneak peak at a T&T Opus (July 2, 2017) “In creating Remembrance, I started to make my own nationalist statement using Trinbagonian elements of music." "Since I’m a choral musician, it had to contain a choir; since I’m trying to chart a new course for instrumental music with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, I had to also include them and because the first type of music I ever heard in my life at the age of five or six was Pan by Hatters Steel orchestra in San Fernando, it had to contain pan, and then I tied these elements together with a Kalinda song “Mumma Mumma, you son in he grave already, you son in he grave already, take a towel and band you belly” as a unifying thread from start to finish throughout the whole piece.”

Sneak peak at a T&T Opus (July 2, 2017)

“In creating Remembrance, I started to make my own nationalist statement using Trinbagonian elements of music." "Since I’m a choral musician, it had to contain a choir; since I’m trying to chart a new course for instrumental music with the National…

Jillia’s dazzling debut (June 25, 2017) Singer and dancer Jillia Cato’s debut concert, Jillia in Concert, was a fun mix of original songs and covers chosen to show off the songbird’s range of musical ability. The concert, the second event in the recently concluded Pride Arts Festival 2017, was presented by I Am One T&T. Cato said she chose the songs in the concert to tell a story of love, loss and strength.

Jillia’s dazzling debut (June 25, 2017)

Singer and dancer Jillia Cato’s debut concert, Jillia in Concert, was a fun mix of original songs and covers chosen to show off the songbird’s range of musical ability. The concert, the second event in the recently concluded Pride Arts Festival 2017, was…

Theatre light Knolly Whiskey retires after 38 years (June 25, 2017) If you’ve been to Queen’s Hall in the last 20 years, more than likely you’ve seen a lighting design made by lighting designer and technician Knolly Whiskey. Whiskey has been at Queen’s Hall for the last 38 years, beginning as an assistant electrician and retiring as Senior Lighting Technician this June. He began his career working on the Savannah stage in 1975, when his father sent him to work with the foreman there, Ralph “Socks” Coker, when he expressed an interest in electricity.

Theatre light Knolly Whiskey retires after 38 years (June 25, 2017)

If you’ve been to Queen’s Hall in the last 20 years, more than likely you’ve seen a lighting design made by lighting designer and technician Knolly Whiskey. Whiskey has been at Queen’s Hall for the last 38 years, beginning as an…

Arts in Action camp on Memories (June 18, 2017) This year’s Arts-in-Action Summer Camp is themed Memories, in honour of recently deceased cultural icons Narcenio ‘Señor’ Gomez, Samuel ‘Brigo’ Abraham and Sir Derek Walcott. The title is also taken from a classic calypso of the same name by the Mighty Sparrow where he sings into memory the names, lives and work of important cultural icons. Camp coordinator Taaliba Quashie said the decision was made to focus on these icons because “it is important to bring the children back to or at least help them remember some of these people and the work that they’ve done.” …

Arts in Action camp on Memories (June 18, 2017)

This year’s Arts-in-Action Summer Camp is themed Memories, in honour of recently deceased cultural icons Narcenio ‘Señor’ Gomez, Samuel ‘Brigo’ Abraham and Sir Derek Walcott. The title is also taken from a classic calypso of the same name by the…

Masters mentor, continue traditions (June 18, 2017) As the 2017 Mentoring by the Masters Program began on June 10, participants were exhorted to be serious about the great opportunity they are being presented with. Over 80 participants, past and present mentors and officials of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts gathered for the launch at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Permanent Secretary Angela Edwards said she was excited to see that the culture, history and legacy that makes T&T unique were being preserved through the program.

Masters mentor, continue traditions (June 18, 2017)

As the 2017 Mentoring by the Masters Program began on June 10, participants were exhorted to be serious about the great opportunity they are being presented with. Over 80 participants, past and present mentors and officials of the Ministry of…

Necessary Arts stages provocative show (June 11, 2017) “Provoke,” the graduation showcase of the 20th cycle of the Necessary Arts School, lived up to its name as it took a provocative look at issues currently confronting T&T. The showcase, produced and directed by thespian Penelope Spencer, featured cycle graduates Amanda Robley, Lisa James, Jynnyn Edwards, Heather Dickson, Triston Wallace, Sarmad Yaseen and Nigel Bishops, as well as past students.

Necessary Arts stages provocative show (June 11, 2017)

“Provoke,” the graduation showcase of the 20th cycle of the Necessary Arts School, lived up to its name as it took a provocative look at issues currently confronting T&T. The showcase, produced and directed by thespian Penelope Spencer,…

T&T performer roars as Nala in Lion King (June 11, 2017) For Trinidadian Janique Charles, playing the part of Nala in Disney’s The Lion King musical on London’s West End is the culmination of a life-long dream. The 23-year-old said the accomplishment is all the more poignant because she has been in love with Disney all her life. “As a child I dreamed I would be a triple threat superstar like Beyonce, and starring in Blockbuster movies alongside Denzel Washington, after I had my own Disney Channel series of course.” …

T&T performer roars as Nala in Lion King (June 11, 2017)

For Trinidadian Janique Charles, playing the part of Nala in Disney’s The Lion King musical on London’s West End is the culmination of a life-long dream. The 23-year-old said the accomplishment is all the more poignant because she has been…

Indigenous Artists sing at Acoustic Sessions (June 4, 2017) The purpose of the Acoustic Sessions put on by the Indigenous Movement is to encourage spontaneous collaborations between local artists as well as expose interested audiences to a wide variety of local talent. Organizer Sheldon Manoo encouraged the audience at the first installment on May 27 to support local artists by going to their concerts and calling radio stations to request their music.

Indigenous Artists sing at Acoustic Sessions (June 4, 2017)

The purpose of the Acoustic Sessions put on by the Indigenous Movement is to encourage spontaneous collaborations between local artists as well as expose interested audiences to a wide variety of local talent. Organizer Sheldon Manoo…

Dani Lyndersay the travelling thespian (June 4, 2017) Thespian and theatre-in-education (TIE) facilitator Dr. Dani Lyndersay said she’s had itchy feet all her life, with a love of traveling bequeathed to her by her parents. Born in Australia, she lived in Indonesia, Holland, Portugal and Canada as a child. She said she decided early on that she wanted to be an actress and fortunately she was good at it.

Dani Lyndersay the travelling thespian (June 4, 2017)

Thespian and theatre-in-education (TIE) facilitator Dr. Dani Lyndersay said she’s had itchy feet all her life, with a love of traveling bequeathed to her by her parents. Born in Australia, she lived in Indonesia, Holland, Portugal and Canada as…

Abhijit Anchortassoo’s a musical whiz (May 28, 2017)

Musician Abhijit Anchortassoo says his interest in Indian classical music began when his family sent him to classes in the genre at age eight. Now, at age 20, he says music is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. Anchortassoo plays a…

Mavis John, still singing at 71 (May 21, 2017) For over 60 years, Mavis John has graced the stages of T&T. Now, as she prepares to perform at the North Coast Jazz Festival: Blanchissuese 2017 and celebrates her 71st birthday, she looks back and reflects on her life thus far. John said if she knew what kept her going, she would bottle it. She said she does work as it comes and sometimes she finds joy in it, as when she works on productions with Eintou Springer, and sometimes it’s a learning and performing experience, as with Dr.

Mavis John, still singing at 71 (May 21, 2017)

For over 60 years, Mavis John has graced the stages of T&T. Now, as she prepares to perform at the North Coast Jazz Festival: Blanchissuese 2017 and celebrates her 71st birthday, she looks back and reflects on her life thus far. John said if she knew…

National Drama Association seeks new life (May 21, 2017) The revival of the National Drama Association of T&T (NDATT) will enable T&T theatre practitioners to contribute to the development of T&T as a nation as a cohesive whole. That’s the view of Dr. Lester Efebo Wilkinson, who is the Chairman of the organization’s caretaker committee. Wilkinson, who was the second President of NDATT after its founding in 1979, said he would encourage all theatre practitioners to join NDATT so that it could once again become an influential body for drama in the country.

National Drama Association seeks new life (May 21, 2017)

The revival of the National Drama Association of T&T (NDATT) will enable T&T theatre practitioners to contribute to the development of T&T as a nation as a cohesive whole. That’s the view of Dr. Lester Efebo Wilkinson, who is the Chairman of…

Wasafoli T&T – discovery through dance (May 21, 2017) Wasafoli Trinidad and Tobago’s upcoming dance and drum show is a landmark for the company in two ways. “Ajuba: Paying Homage to Those Before and After Us” is the fifth African Folk Ballet production put on by the company, and its first major collaboration with performers from the Ijo Vudu Dance Company from Nigeria and Canada. Wasafoli T&T Manager, Nisha Harding, said the purpose of the show is to highlight authentic forms of dancing and drumming from across the African continent.

Wasafoli T&T – discovery through dance (May 21, 2017)

Wasafoli Trinidad and Tobago’s upcoming dance and drum show is a landmark for the company in two ways. “Ajuba: Paying Homage to Those Before and After Us” is the fifth African Folk Ballet production put on by the company, and its first major…

Mervyn de Goeas – raising the acting bar (May 14, 2017) “There’s so much we don’t know, and we don’t know that we don’t know.” This is the reason actor/director/artist Mervyn de Goeas gives for establishing The Actor’s Lab, programmes on intermediate and advanced acting techniques taught by himself and veteran actor Cecilia Salazar. He said acting is tough to get into and even harder to stay in for unknown actors, as there are very few jobs.

Mervyn de Goeas – raising the acting bar (May 14, 2017)

“There’s so much we don’t know, and we don’t know that we don’t know.” This is the reason actor/director/artist Mervyn de Goeas gives for establishing The Actor’s Lab, programmes on intermediate and advanced acting techniques taught by…

Head Sisters to hold recital (May 14, 2017) Closing Doors: The Final Recital is the final year concert put on by sisters LeAndra and Tylah Head as they complete their music degree at UTT. They describe the free recital, which is one of the final requirements to complete the degree, as the grand finale to their time at the University. The sisters, who have been training as vocalists, will be performing a mix of Western Classical and Caribbean contemporary music.

Head Sisters to hold recital (May 14, 2017)

Closing Doors: The Final Recital is the final year concert put on by sisters LeAndra and Tylah Head as they complete their music degree at UTT. They describe the free recital, which is one of the final requirements to complete the degree, as the grand…

DCFA Art students’ ingenuity shines (May 7, 2017) Knowledge of yourself and how your creativity can contribute to the betterment of the world around you are some of the topics creative persons confront as they develop their potential. This was evident in the exhibits presented by students in the recent UWI Department of Creative and Festival Arts Final Year Art Exhibition 2017 at the National Museum and Art Gallery, Port of Spain.

DCFA Art students’ ingenuity shines (May 7, 2017)

Knowledge of yourself and how your creativity can contribute to the betterment of the world around you are some of the topics creative persons confront as they develop their potential. This was evident in the exhibits presented by students in the…

Joanne Kilgour Dowdy dances for life (May 7, 2017) Dr. Joanne Kilgour Dowdy currently teaches Adolescent/Adult Literacy at Kent State University in the US, and so even though she has been involved in dance all her life, attendees at the Monday Night Theatre Forum on April 24 were not expecting to be treated to an impromptu dance lesson. Joanne told the story of a disabled dancer and dance instructor, Keith Williams, who she met at an assisted living facility in the US, whose left side was paralyzed following a stroke.

Joanne Kilgour Dowdy dances for life (May 7, 2017)

Dr. Joanne Kilgour Dowdy currently teaches Adolescent/Adult Literacy at Kent State University in the US, and so even though she has been involved in dance all her life, attendees at the Monday Night Theatre Forum on April 24 were not expecting to…

2017 Grand Slam includes five women poets (April 30, 2017) In recent times, T&T audiences have been accustomed to seeing and hearing male voices dominate the Spoken Word arena, despite a long history of women-led Spoken Word spaces and initiatives. This year, five of the 12 confirmed finalists of the 2017 First Citizens National Poetry Slam Finals are women and the hope is that one of them will take the grand prize.

2017 Grand Slam includes five women poets (April 30, 2017)

In recent times, T&T audiences have been accustomed to seeing and hearing male voices dominate the Spoken Word arena, despite a long history of women-led Spoken Word spaces and initiatives. This year, five of the 12 confirmed finalists of…