These sounds coupled with Creole Christmas will reverberate throughout Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s this Sunday.

Trinidadian trumpeter Charles’ ten-piece “suite” – released in June this year was described by John Stevenson in ejazznews.com as being one of his most ambitious projects to date. The Suite which rose to number two on the Jazz Week Charts would feature as part of the first half of the show on Sunday, the other half would feature Creole Christmas with joint performances by Clarita Rivas, Ernesto Garcia, Stanley Roach and Enrico Camejo. Local songbird Llettesha Sylvester would replace Orange is the New Black star Danielle Brooks, who was originally scheduled to perform along with Charles.

Other performance will come from Alex Wyntz, Brian Hogan, Jonathan Michel, Sullivan Fortner and John Davis.

But for Charles it is important the people attend the show because it gives an opportunity for them to become curious about their history.

Each piece of the Suite tells the story of a geographical space and its people.

In a phone interview, he said, “Each place that we went, were socio-cultural pieces in a sense, where I got to know the people through a cultural perspective.

The piece “Boruca” was born out of the Costa Rican festival Juego de los Diablitos which celebrates/ commemorates the fight against Spanish conquest.

Charles listened to the music of the Boruca, [the indigenous people in Costa Rica] and how they sang in harmony and their rhythms. The adaptation of that song gave rise to the same titled piece, “Boruca”.

In the re-telling of the story of the Californian Bay Muwekma Ohlone tribe whom he described as having a “very dark” historical story, Charles said he created a, “sombre forlorn tone with the music” but then, “move[d] it up to sow hope.” The other San Jose City, San Jose de Oruna later known as St Joseph, Trinidad, tells, musically, of the battle between Nepuyoan warrior Hyarima and his fight against the main Spanish settlement of St Joseph.

“I tried to fuse the idea of the wars, with the current sound of the Spanish and African descendants in San Jose today. I took that and I doubled it. So I waltzed a waltzed,” he said.

In “Revolt”, Charles took the 1837 revolt led by Makandal Daaga in St Joseph and told of his fight against the British with “heavy dark harmonies and heavy drums.” The songs take a run through history.

“Speed City” tells of the black student population of San Jose State University which had a powerful track team in 1968. The team supplied most of the US’ Olympic gold medallists in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and of the movement to de-segregate that Campus.

Each piece building a sound story board of its various peoples and their struggle.

The song “Cahuita” tells of one of the Costa Rican Caribbean Community and their music, calypso.

For Charles this is his way of telling the stories of people others tried to write out of history-in a sense.

He recalled, “When I met with Maureen Campbell the chairperson of the council of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe in California and I said to her what can I do to help and she said I want you to write a song and tell my story, our story, the story of my people.” “By writing a song and having the name of that song be “Muwekma”, it immediately creates a question in the mind of the listener as to what is Muwekma and they might Google or just ask or they might open the CD jacket and it would get them to read about this beautiful people that is living in the California Bay Area and what they have been through.” It is his hope that the show makes people curious about their histories and the histories about other First World peoples.

While tickets sales have been good, Charles hopes it gets better.

He has performed for sold-out audiences in spaces such as Toronto, New York and California.

Noting that “Music is healer”, he encouraged people to come out and be taken on a journey.

Constellations II will feature stars and friends and well as the band in concert.

Fans of All Stars can expect a fantastic production based on the band’s track record of having a history of excellence and a varied repertoire of music.

All Star’s is known for its innovations in pan music.The orchestra was the first to introduce classical music on the road played to the rhythm of calypso.

It was also the first orchestra to fuse melody and harmony by playing the pan with two sticks, said a media release.

All Stars made the first “quatro pans” later called the grundig and the guitar pans. A former captain of Trinidad All Stars, Neville Jules, is credited as the inventor of the first bass pan. The orchestra is recognised internationally for bringing ten Classical Jewels concerts to the stage, to date.

The band has won the National Panorama champions title nine times, the Steelband Musical Festival champions six times and received the Humming Bird Medal Gold in (1982). Last year All Stars’ victory in the International Panorama competition added to its many accolades and enviable track record of discipline and musical excellence.

Constellations II starts at 8 pm.

The Mr and Miss NGC Teen Sanfest showcases performances in dance, drama or music. The competition, an integral part of the Sanfest festival, is open to male and female students 13 to 19 years who are registered students of secondary schools.

NGC Sanfest provides a platform for primary and secondary schoolchildren to exhibit their talent in all aspects of the arts such as visual arts, creative writing, drama, music and dance. The teen talent aspect of the competition which began in 2015 is sponsored by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (NGC).

In preparing for the competition, the 2016 teen talent hopefuls have been honing their talents and improving their performances. Part of their preparation also includes learning to be positive role models, respected leaders and engaging public speakers, while picking up tips on grooming and appearance along the way.

The finalists of the teen talent competition recently visited NGC’s head office to learn about NGC and its business, as well as do a tour of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. The NGC wishes the participants every success in the competition, said a media release.

Alcantara showed her versatility in handling contemporary jazz standards, R&B and Caribbean classics with ease as Michael “Ming” Low Chew Tung and Friends provided the appropriate backing music.

She kicked off her set with Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love” followed by Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Making Love” and Randy Crawford’s “One Day I’ll Fly Away”. By then the audience was completely mesmerised with Alcantara’s vocals.

Sitting in the audience were Caribbean Queen of Jazz Mavis John and her manager Margaret Gittens, Patti Rogers and dramatic soprano Anne Fridal. A further span of the audience revealed another jazz singer Vaughnette Bigford.

“Silent Tears and Roses” came next followed by “Don’t Make Me Over”. It was just on 9.35 pm when “Ming” ran his fingers over the keys to produce the music of the Theme from Mahogany (“Do You Know Where You’re Going To”) as sung by Diana Ross. The entire audience became the chorus and Kaiso Blues was pumping.

Based on the songs she performed, Alcantara described the session as one of “Sweet and Sour” as she also did “I Love a Man” and “I Know You Know”.

She up the tempo with the Rick James written, arranged and produce 1983 hit for the Mary Jane Girls, “All Night Long” and the audience was loving it. This heated performance was followed by another winner this one Rufus and Shaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing”.

Both the musicians and singer needed some time to “chill” after that sultry version.

In the second half of the show Alcantara performed songs like “Why Worry”, “Falsa Biano” and “Mas Que Nada”. Each musician on stage had an opportunity to “show off ” during “Mas Que Nada” and they did not disappoint. The high point of the night came when “Ming” started “From Now On”, a Carl and Carol Jacobs hit which they both performed.

But after the first verse a voice from the background chimed in and Alcantara realised that she was sharing the stage with the man himself Carl Jacobs.

Jacobs did not come into the spotlight but performed from behind the mixing board where he was serving as sound engineer for the night.

It was a rare treat for the audience as Jacobs no longer performs live.

Alcantara told the audience she was “humbled by the historic occasion.” The show continued with “Someone Loves You” followed by the Merchant and Ray Holman classic “Oh Trinidad” after which the singer began her credits and thank you speech.

She ended the night with Ella Andall’s “My Spirit is Music” and had the audience asking for one more.

The musicians behind this excellent concert performance which really put the audience in the mood were Rodney Alexander (bass), Richard Joseph (drums), Tony Paul (sax and flute) and Ming (keyboards).

For her recent works, Cynthia primarily paints in acrylic but has produced some oils as well as copper and painting pieces for her 2016 collection.

Her paintings mirrors many local scenes such as fishermen, seascapes, landscapes and Carnival figures. Her work, which is executed intuitively and with spontaneous feeling, is bright and energetic in nature. Mc Lean’s exhibition opens on November 22 from 7 pm until 8.30 pm at Horizons Art Gallery 37, Mucurapo Road, St James. It continues until December 3 from 9 am to 5.30 pm Mondays to Fridays and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

The event takes place in the form of a Pan Fest featuring some of the top steel orchestras in Trinidad. From 4 pm along the Eastern Main Road in Tunapuna reigning Panorama Champions Desperadoes will line up with bp Renegades, NGC Joylanders, FCB Supernovas, Birdsong, Curepe Scherzando, Facinators???, Republic Bank Exodus, and CAL Invaders in a street parade.

The occasion is in celebration of Tunapuna Day.

She will also participate in the “Best Global Model of the Year” (BGM) competition in Portugal on November 28.

Samuel’s appearance at FFFW in Turkey will give her the opportunity to demonstrate her professional skills at one of the highest-rated events attracting international media coverage, said a media release.

At FFFW top fashion brands and trends will be presented which includes jewelry, cosmetics, fashion and perfumes. During the contest period Samuel will be required to fulfil different protocols, tourist, charitable and social activities.

At BGM Portugal, Samuel will be participating in various activities aimed at pro moting TT and creating linkages aimed at benefiting disadvantaged youth in her community.

Apart from her modelling career, Samuel is also a designer, entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. She has made it her mission to use her influence for good, making positive contributions to her own community and on the global stage.

She also serves as the national director of Miss Intercontinental TT , Miss Supranational TT , and Top Model TT .

She manages her own pageant and runway coaching school, House of Tizrah.

Samuel also designs for her fashion brand, Afrodesiac, which she launched in the Cayman Islands. She also showcased at the New York Fashion Week, Atlantic City Fashion Week and Caribbean New York Fashion Week.

As a philanthropist, she dedicates her time and resources to her community through the Athaliah and Friends Foundation. Samuel also credits her sponsors who have been instrumental in ensuring that she is fully prepared.

VK Krishna Menon proposed the idea of Universal Children’s Day to the United Nations General Assembly and November 20, 1959 was selected as the day of celebrating Rights of the Child.

The preparatory school has planned a day of fun activities, with some surprises, for the pupils, which include an inter-house spelling bee and reading competition followed by lunch and planned outdoor games. Says parent, Natalie Morales: “The day is devoted to having fun with the students, as they are given the opportunity to play and relax before going into their endof- term test period.

“In recognition and celebration of children around the world, the students are asked to come to school on Friday, coming dressed in national wear or national colours of any country around the world. Students must be able to tell their peers which country they are depicting and give some basic facts about that country.” Hope Academy Prep is the first privately-owned and operated full-time Christian elementary school in Sangre Grande. The school was born in direct response to the growing number of complaints that parents have about the public school system, such as, overcrowded classrooms, absent teachers, high incidences of bullying and violence, poor instruction and the high number of young people who are falling through the “cracks” of the public school system.

Says Morales: “At Hope Academy we believe that every child deserves the right to learn in a safe, comfortable, nurturing environment and be provided with positive support systems in order to avoid the pitfalls that could derail their academic performance.

“Hope Academy’s goal is to provide a well-structured learning environment that caters to, and looks after, the all-round development of every child.” Each child is therefore provided with the necessary instruction, learning support systems and pastoral care required to help him or her achieve highest potential (intellectually, physically, emotionally, spiritually and morally). As a Christian institution, strong emphasis is placed on the pupils’ moral character and citizenship, education and development which have all become crucial in today’s society where our nation is threatened by a lack of care, consideration and compassion for our fellow men.

Naparima College Ground, the latest venue to host top flight football after the Morvant Recreation Ground, will debut with a 6 pm kick off between third-positioned W Connection (13 points) and sixth-positioned Morvant Caledonia United (six points) today.

Club Sando owner and San Fernando businessman, Eddison “Eddie” Dean said the “easy to access” Naparima College Ground has the potential to get the crowds because of its location in within the city San Fernando.

“It’s not like the (Ato) Boldon Stadium (in Couva) which is a little out of the way if you don’t own a vehicle,” he said.

Dean also believes playing at home in San Fernando will give the club the opportunity to reconnect with the city and supporters.

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene said the move by Sando to play at home, falls within the strategic plan of the League to have top flight football into all the communities represented by Pro League clubs.

Skeene said, “San Fernando has a history of developing excellent footballers over the years and we know this will contribute to the viability of Club Sando.” Tomorrow, the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin will host a juicy double- header with coach Ross Russell leading Ma Pau Stars against his former club Defence Force from 4 pm before hosts Point Fortin Civic take on league leaders and two-time defending champions Central FC in a ‘David versus Goliath’ battle from 6.30 pm.

The weekend’s slate of matches will culminate on Sunday at another community venue when s e cond-pos i t ioned San Juan Jabloteh (15 points) host fifth-placed St. Ann’s Rangers (10 points) from 4 pm at the Barataria Recreation Ground.

Central are unbeaten in the league with 16 points at the top from five wins and one draw, while Civic are winless at the bottom with just one point from after six games. But both sides are coming off disappointing exits at the First Citizens Cup.

Meanwhile Ma Pau Stars and Defence Force, who are both through to the November 27 semi-finals of the First Citizens Cup against Police and Morvant Caledonia, respectively, currently occupy fourth and ninth positions, in that order, on the league table.

“It’s always a touching moment for me,” said Ma Pau Stars coach Ross Russell ahead of his clash with his former team Defence Force.

“Because I nearly played and coached my whole life there.” Russell who guided the Army/Coast Guard combination to the league crown in 2010- 2011 and 2012-2013 added, “Everyone there are still my friends, still personal with me, still call me gaffer, even Marvin Gordon (who now leads the Defence Force coaching staff).

But we have to be professional on Saturday and may the best man win.” Ma Pau have 10 points while Defence Force have just four points, tied on points with eight-placed Sando and one point less than seventh-positioned Police after their six games played.

“We are definitely looking for three points (against Ma Pau Stars),” said Gordon. “We are looking to climb in the league after a bad start.

We are hoping to transfer out form in the First Citizens Cup into the league. I know Mau Pau have been playing well and have some ex Trinidad (and Tobago) players that can click at any time.” (tt

He made this comment during a news conference at the Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday.

Imbert also said approximately $1 million in revenue has been collected via this tax during the first ten days of its introduction.

“In terms of who it should be applied to, who it should be collected from. I don’t think that is an issue,” he told reporters.

Imbert said while there was an initial confusion about the online tax, he has heard nothing further on that matter.

“I haven’t heard anything since then because we clarified that the online tax only applies to individuals.

“It does not apply to businesses that import items for sale and distribution. It applies only to air freight. It does not apply to gifts that come from abroad,” he stated.

Imbert added, “The goods have to be acquired via an online transaction, an electronic transaction and so on.” The minister said now that people understand the online tax, the only issue now is, “whether they like it or not.” Imbert observed, “I mean nobody likes taxes.

“Who likes taxes? The problem is now, whether there should be a tax at all.” He said he was not worried about this because “there will be some grey areas that will be dealt with from time to time, as we go along.” Imbert also said the ministry is giving active and serious consideration to a request from the Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) to look at the profit margin of gas stations in light of recent increases in the price of fuel.

The minister added that there has been no further issue regarding the issue of using credit or debit cards to pay for fuel at gas stations in the country.