A new Caribbean magazine, more new albums and a new issue of Barbados Beat! This week we feature Beenie Man in Bim, Rihanna, Hal Linton and much much more.
Beenie and Bounty bring Ultimate Storm
On Tuesday Jamaican dancehall superstar Beenie Man went to court to answer charges of tax evasion, but last Saturday he "blew: people away when he joined long time rival, Bounty Killa on stage for the "Ultimate Storm' show.
Despite being in an off and on fued with Bounty for about ten years Beenie Man (real name Moses Davis) arrived straight from Dominica where he performed at the Creole Music Festival and dispelled concerns that he would not be attending due to his legal problems.
Even Barbadian pop princess Rihanna took in the show. The young singer, who is one of the world's most visible performers right now has been chilling in Barbados for the past few days following her concert in Montreal and just a few days before she attends the American Music Awards.
Flanked by her security guards, Rihanna hung out in the VIP section with friends and fans. Reports indicated that like any other teenage fan, Rihanna took pics of the two dancehall singers and sang along with some of the songs.
Red Star lucky for Hal?
Another Young Barbadian entertainer that's resting between tours is local soul singer Hal Linton. Returning home this weekend, Linton was chosen as part to perform as part of the Heineken Red Star Soul Tour for October. A showcase of veteran and undiscovered soul acts across the USA, the Red Star proved the lucky star for new Def Jam singer Chrisette Michelle last year and Linton's management team have expressed the hope that the Red Star will be lucky for Hal as well.
Linton told the local media that he is presently working on a new album, a follow up to his 2006 debut album "Spirit, Life, Love " which grabbed four major awards at the 2006 Barbados Music Awards, including "Song of the Year," and "Best New Artist."
Here Comes the Caribbean Bride!
The wedding industry is a billion dollar one all across the world and a new Caribbean magazine has tapped into this niche market to showcase the people, companies and services offered in the Caribbean for all aspects of the wedding day.
"Caribbean Bride" is the brain-child of Barbados born US based photographer Dave Cox. He who has worked for almost two decades for several top advertising companies, bridal magazines such as SPOSA in Toronto "I Do For Brides" and the magazines for the Pinnacle Publishing Group distributors of the 4 top bridal magazines in the South Eastern United States.
"The magazine is of a very high quality so it can compete with any magazine anywhere, but more than that it's a way to sell the Caribbean as wedding destination and sell the many talented people who work in the industry," says Cox.
Along with a fantastic fashion spread featuring regional and international dresses by designers the first issue's cover features Barbadian born, International model Lene Hall, a running column by another man Oprah Winfrey made famous - Preston Bailey and his amazing event designs and a look at several Caribbean weddings.
Already available in the Turks and Cacaos, the Bahamas, Antigua, Barbados, St Vincent, Toronto and some areas of the United States Cox says that his company is now in talks with three major distributors for distribution across the US and the UK.
The first issue was officially launched last weekend at the Kampai restaurant in St. Lawrence Gap, where Beautiful models floated comfortably through the chic crowd in contemporary wedding gowns on the grounds as a chic twist on a wedding's "first dance" for the celebrations.
The second instalment of the magazine comes out in January 2008 and from then on Caribbean Bride magazine will be published twice a year in January and June.
Weekly Wrap-up
The Absolute Caribbean Fashion Show came off this weekend featuring, among other designers Heather Jones from Trinidad, Bahamian Sue Bonham, Guyanese designer Pat Coates and Barbadian duo Simon/Peter. Shane Forrester has released his first solo album "Shane" and two more art exhibitions "A Puzzlement" and "Works by Bill Grace" have opened.
