If a talent scout should only see Jonathan Bishop work the floor of his mother’s living room, or any area for that matter where he can slide, moonwalk and show off his breakdance moves, there’s a guarantee that before he finishes his routine he would be a done deal.

He’s got it all under wraps — the shiny gloves, the hat, the black ankle-length pants and little bit of John Travolta too with his side-combing motions in Grease — and his clinical moves to Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” must be described in two words “Mind-blowing!” But here’s where the twist comes in! Jonathan’s 10 years old, barely four feet tall and choreographed his own routine after watching video tapes of his idol, “the gloved one” since the age of four. (He’s got at least 10 tapes including “Moonwalker”, “30th Anniversary” and “Thriller.” And, it was his creativity and skill that landed him a role in Geraldine Connor’s “Carnival Messiah”.

Carnival Messiah is not only one of the biggest productions to come off at Queen’s Hall this month, but ranks among top productions in England which has attracted over 20,000 patrons. Jonathan was still coming to grips with the magnitude of the show with a 200-member cast. Neverthless, he was loving every moment of it. What’s more, he’s telling his mother, Suzanne Bishop, that he wishes the rehearsals were longer and more regular. Jonathan may not be the youngest cast member but the lone boy dance talent in his grouping. “I feel unique that I’m the only boy so I’d have more parts to perform,” he said. Jonathan’s aunt, costume designer for Carnival Messiah Clary Salandy, was the one who encouraged him to audition. “She knew I would like it. She knew I liked to dance…and I was fine with it,” said Jonathan. He’s glad he did because now, he’s getting his opportunity to show everyone he can dance. He felt a bit “scared” though, when auditioning. “I had to sing the Halleluja theme to determine my voice range,” said a very articulate Jonathan. “I feel frightened sometimes because I think I’m doing stupidness, but it turned out alright.When it was my turn to dance, I didn’t even get half way through the dance. After the first 10 moves they stopped me and said Okay, you’re in,” said the St Monica Preparatory School student.

His part in Carnival Messiah includes short scenes where he sings, dances and acts the role of a thief in a market scene. Six weeks of rehearsal didn’t affect his end of term exams though. He placed fourth in his class and in September, will advance to fourth standard. Very aware of the meaning behind the show Jonathan explained: “It teaches about our cultures…the birth of Jesus Christ and what happened on his journey…the battle between good and evil.” As he sees it, he’s gaining a step closer to his dream. “I want to become a star, a dancing and singing star and most probably an actor and to be able to play the piano and all those instruments!” Jonathan told  People.  “You know, everything that I’ve done is always bigger.” How so? Well, ever since he’s had a knack for footworks with the burst of energy that even his dance tutors of Carnival Messiah envy, Jonathan’s been practising and practising in his bedroom and in the living room of his Mt Hope home. Soon, he was performing for crowds. He told the secret to his inspiration — “I like to hear the crowd cheering and saying oooh gooud boy! This boy could real dance.”

For example, when the Bishop clan including his dad Mark, mom and brother Stephen vacationed in Margarita last year Trini talent got a showing. Like the work of a child star agent, Jonathan approached Miguel, resident performer at the hotel where they stayed, booked his talent and instead of getting a spot at “Kids night”, he entertained the adults. “Miguel was blown away by his performance,” said his mom. “But the thing is, we didn’t even walk with any of his clothes to perform in. He had a white vest and he said Michael sometimes perform in a vest, he used my jacket and we had to roll up the sleeves. He didn’t have his shoes so he performed in a white socks. He performed. I sat in the crowd there, frightened for him because I’m thinking the socks might be too slippery, would people recognise he’s not wearing shoes.”  Jonathan’s black leather shoes were specially re-soled with a smooth surface to allow easy mobility. “The people loved him,” said Suzanne. Jonathan was called for a repeat performance, two nights later. He enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame, since he became known as “MJ” and “Michael” at the hotel. Suzanne added: “Miguel told me that he has dealt with a lot of children in the business who are haughty, but he noticed that Jonathan apart from being very talented, has a humble spirit and that’s a comment I hear regularly. So I try to instill that in them (her sons) that they must not let the commendation and their talent go to their heads.

Why pattern his dance after Michael Jackson? Jonathan answered: “He’s a great dancer… I don’t think he’s odd. People tease him because they’re jealous of him.” “I love this! I love to dance!” he exclaimed. He secured fourth place with another Michael Jackson interpretation in the finals at Rikki Tikki some years ago and loves it when he can perform for his friends like his recent stint at his karate club’s (SKIFT La Joya) tea party and fashion show. Just give him one chance, Jonathan said he’d migrate anywhere in the world to pursue his dream of dancing. First, he must pursue his studies, his mother reminded. When the excitement of Carnival Messiah is over, it’ll be back to watching cartoons like his favourite — Tom and Jerry, Disney movies, and staying up late nights entertaining his cousin Simone, who’s visiting from London.

The talented singer and dancer, Boodram Ramgoolam, 61, of Hermitage Village, San Fernando, has been, for decades,  travelling the length and breadth of this country doing the ancient East Indian traditional folk dance called the “Biraha.” Boodram who is employed with Caroni 1975 Limited as a foreman is married to Chandroutie Ram-goolam. The couple has four children, Visham, Vishnu, Arti and Shakti. 

This extremely versatile entertainer has taken many awards for his performances on the local stage. The walls of his home are decorated with scores of medals and certificates from groups such as Mere Desh, Palmiste Ramleela, Sanatan Dharma Mandalli, Princes Town Youths, Barrackpore Youths Action Innovators, Rio Claro Hindu Temple, Penal Mandir and programmes such as Mastana Bahar and Indian Variety. Speaking from his home in the quiet village on the outskirts of San Fernando, Ramgoolam said that it all began for him in 1964 when the people of the Tarouba Ramleela committee contacted him to play a character in the “ten day” drama of Ramleela. He was chosen to do the role because of his command of the Hindi language.  “I was all excited about this. And I took my role seriously. I prepared elaborate costuming and when I presented my character everyone was really impressed.” He recalled the days of November 1964 as if it was yesterday. He was quick to note that there are some things in life that a man can never forget and the memory of getting involved in the life story of Lord Rama remains fresh in his mind.

A typical night out for him saw hundreds of villagers gathered around a playground, which was the stage for the unfolding drama. The characters danced to tassa drums while performing various roles. “This was one of the most spectacular events for the village people who could not enjoy the luxuries of going to the cinemas and to the town for any kind of entertainment,” he said. Ramgoolam learnt the dance from narrations given by his father, Ramgoolam Matthai (now 98 years old). He developed the footworks by practicing what is father taught him. And the works of the folk songs came from the Ramayan (Holy text of Hindus). Ramgoolam was brought up in a strict religious surrounding, where his father spoke Hindi all the time. “My father believed that the English words could not describe what he had to say to his children so he encouraged all of us to learn Hindi. I am happy that he did bring us up along the religious road; today I am reaping the rewards of maintaining this disciplined lifestyle,” he said, nodding proudly.    

Ramgoolam said he learnt to sing with rhythm from listening to his father sing chowtal (folk songs sang for the Phagwa festivals in TT) songs. The festivals of Pha-gwa and Div-ali provided exciting pastimes for Ramgoolam while he was a boy growing up in his hometown. He distinctly remembers the sound of the jaal (brass instrument) that makes an enchanting sound when accompanying the chowtal songs. “As children we valued the festivals because we had nothing else to look forward to. Today the children are exposed to all sorts of shows on television and on the Internet. And I believe that they cannot appreciate these festivals and arts because they really don’t take the time to get involved,” he said. It is his wish that his grand children follow the art of dancing the Biraha. “I would like to see this tradition being upkept. If any of my grand children take up this artform my life will be complete,” he said. Ramgoolam spends a lot of time composing his Biraha songs for the weekend performances. He takes simple everyday stories about people and puts it in story form, in Hindi and while many people do not understand Hindi, Ramgoolam’s powerful voice laced with the sound of tassa drums in the background hold their attention. In this regard, Ramgoolam thrilled the audience at the Rousillac Community Centre where he was invited to perform at the Mastana audition last Sunday afternoon.

comedian (n): An actor of comic parts. An entertainer who tells jokes. A person who behaves in a humorous manner.

When I was asked to write a little something about my first comedy audition, I was a bit hesitant. As a journalist, my job entails writing about others. Other than a resume and cover letter, I haven’t written  much about myself. On the few occasions that I did (and I can count them on one hand), it always tied in with a situation, like the mispronunciation of my name, for example. At that time, I had just about had enough of people mispronouncing my name and calling me everything else under the sun, like Calcium, Helican, Hyacin, Allison, Hyacinth, Heliconia, Althea, Alcia… Funny, I still get the mispronunciations… But I digress.

People have been telling me for years that I make them laugh, but all I do is just crack myself up and give a lot of sh** talk. Literally. I guess it helps that I watch a lot of television and observe people, trends and events, but Trinidadians on the whole are a funny people. We are the only ones that can (and will) laugh at someone falling down in front of Colsort Mall in the rain, even while we come to give them a hand to stand up again. And you know exactly how the talk goes afterwards…
“Man, I see this ‘oman passing and she playing hoity-toity. Just so, she four inch heel stick in the pavement… all yuh hear next is ‘BRA-DANG!!!’ and she, she umbrella and the heels gone so… eeeef you see dat catspraddle…”
(Yuh smiling, ent?)
Now, I saw a notice in Newsday on Friday June 27, about Rachel Price’s search for new comics to take part in a series of shows called Jest in Time.
(These had taken place on June 30 and July 1st; the latter date coincidentally, was my birthday.)
I was playing around with the idea of going, but was hesitant, seeing that I had no experience, other than cracking up the people on the job. So I tried the direct approach.
(To the Features crew) “Allyuh, I thinking of doing an audition.”
“For a play?” asked Jacinth.
“Nah, to do comedy with Rachel Price.”
“Wha? So what yuh waiting on? Do the ting, gyul… yuh go lick dem up!” That was Robin.
“Yeah man, do yuh Crocodile Hunter jokes, you always have we going with that,” Jacinth added.
Man, such confidence… why didn’t I have any?
I mean, it’s one thing to make jokes with your friends, they know you. But to do it in front of strangers? Eeeeek!
Timidly, I went to the audition, asking myself , “What the hell I doing? Suppose they find ah stale?
I decided I would not be the first one on-stage.
Thank goodness I got there early… a little too early. Not even Rachel had arrived yet. Nerves for so in my skin. In time though, the rest of the novices arrived… and the media.
“Wha? Oh gorm, look trouble now!” I thought, realising how huge this thing could go, and the fact that I didn’t write down a single joke… but was that how they did it? Or did they just “wing it” on stage, letting the jokes fall where they may?
I started to wish I was Monique from The Parkers. Given my girth, I not too far behind!
Up the stairs and to the right, Price sat, the comedy monarch of all she surveyed. Luckily, I would not be the first one to go on (thank you Jesus!). Nervousness aside, I decided to give it my best shot and if I fell flat on my face, so be it.
“So what about this young lady in black?” said Price.
“Ah don’t think I ready yet,” I said, willing my shaking left leg to stay still.
“Come nah, we here to have fun, come and launch, man. What’s your name?”
“Halcian Pierre,” I said, and stepped forward for her to take my info. That done, the “spotlight” was on me.
I don’t know where it came from, but it came, albeit shakily. I launched into a spiel about Sesame Street, then (taking Jacinth’s advice) I tore into Animal Planet’s Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, an Australian Game Warden and Conservationist.
“G’Day! Ahmm Steve Irrrrrrwin, the Crocodile Hunnah, and todoi, we’re gonna be lookin’ fer snoikes! Wanna know wheech one? The KIIIING COOOOOBRAH!!”
Price tapped her table, laughing. “Now these snoikes grow to be really huge, and they don’t like people messing around in their territory, cuz they’re reeeeeeelly protective, and they don’t take koindly to stroingers… (pointing) there’s one right theeeeeere!!”
Everybody was listening and laughing, even the folks at the bar.
“Let’s get a closer look at him shall we? (Picking the snake  up) Aww, he’s got pretty markings on his back, lookit that! Whoa, now… you can tell by the oies when they’re angry! (Flinching) One boite from one of these snoikes can kill up to fifty full grown men… let’s look a leetle closaaaah!!”
My routine ended with the snoike giving Steve a good bite, and he ends up unconscious. Everyone was laughing heartily, including me. Price hugged me, saying, “Girl that was perfect, yuh on! Yuh on! Yuh make the cut!”
My response? To scream and hug her back, and tell her that it was the best birthday present I ever got.
And that was no joke.
The Jest in Time series is slated to start sometime in August, featuring new comedians alongside seasoned veterans like Mairoon Ali, Sprangalang and of course, Rachel Price.

Together the Karims and Pilgrims, celebrants of their 50th wedding anniversary, the Singhs and Madhoos have accumulated over 200 years of wedded bliss, tough times, happy times, good and bad.

However did they do it — make their marriage work in spite of all the hardships that few families are immune to, and the general modern trend of break-ups before couples can mark five years? “It wasn’t easy!” they said. Though they had lots to say, all agreed that “doing things together” and “putting up with each other” were keys to success. The only impediment now is old age said 70-year-old Israel Karim. “My wife (Miriam, 68) and I feel very happy to celebrate fifty years because not everybody live to see that, but our health is not the best. I have sugar, pressure and heart problems and my wife too, isn’t well,” he said. The Karims of Chaguanas, celebrated their golden anniversary at their home on May 31. Family and friends numbering over 100 attended. Karim absorbed the fine words of commendation delivered by his daughter Farina, then he too, on behalf of his wife said a prayer.

The Karims were married in 1953, a time he said, when “money was small but I could still move about, not like now with so much kidnapping.” “Our marriage wasn’t arranged. I lived in Cunupia and I had to pass near Miriam’s home in Montrose to get to my (auto) garage so I used to see her,” he remembered clearly. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Their eldest child is 48. Karim sighed. He said that getting to where they are now took many sacrifices. “The mechanic work was slow and didn’t bring in much finance and my wife opened up a roti shop to help make ends meet. That is how we got the children to secondary school and so on… My wife is very faithful, hardworking and understandable,” he added. He surmised: “Sacrifice, pleasing one another and understanding one another made our 50 years work.” Of course, he looked forward to more years of marriage. He didn’t fail to give some advice to newly weds. Karim said: “…sacrifice…like the little money you working for, save, whether to save to buy land. Yuh eyes will be on food, but doh eat all!”

Charlton and Joan Pilgrim also celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. At a reception held at the Scarlet Ibis Room, Hilton Trinidad their daughters Cheryl and Carol treated the two to a memorable evening. The Pilgrims were married on June 19, 1953.

“We looked forward to that day, actually my husband was hoping he would be able to celebrate it because he isn’t well,” said Mrs Pilgrim, 75. Her husband is 85 years old. The event was touching. She recalled: “I sang for him,” the words of ‘When I fall in love’ by Nat King Cole. “And you know he came up and sang the ending of the song with me too…” Mrs Pilgrim still remembered the words Rev Buxo, marriage officer, told her on the day of her wedding at St Agnes Anglican Church: ‘When arguments arise, always remember that you are never right’. “I was young at the time. I didn’t realise why he said this until later on. And it’s true, someone’s got to give in because there will always be a misunderstanding. If you keep on…you will never get anywhere.”

Mrs Pilgrim said the happiest moment of her life came when she gave birth to her first daughter, Carol. “I figured that after marriage, having to start a family is good. I was very, very happy,” said the former Glendennings employee of 30 years. Her husband is from Manzanilla and she is from Belmont. The two moved to Morvant where they now reside. Mrs Pilgrim’s secret to a happy marriage: “Communication is very important, so is commitment and tolerance. Never hide anything from your mate. We always tried to go to bed having solved our differences. We tried to make up before daylight,” she said in accordance with the Scriptures. Describing her husband she said: “He’s okay, he’s the type that wouldn’t prevent me from going anywhere I want to go because I’ve been all over the world. He wasn’t the jealous type.”

The Singhs were glad to mark three celebrations — their 50th wedding anniversary, their 60th and 65th. Rampersad, 86, and Phagmania Singh, 82, were married on July 1, 1938. At their home in Indian Walk, Moruga, family gathered for (Hindu) prayers. The Rampersads were also planning a get together, pending the recovery of Mr Rampersad who recently suffered a heart attack. When Phagmania visited her husband at the nursing home last Tuesday, she was happy to hear of his improvement. “He tell me he feeling better and want to come home,” she said. Though their marriage was arranged, the Singhs boast of “unity” and “living good” with each other for 65 years. “I born and grow up in Moruga Road, St Mary’s village and come to live in Indian Walk. My husband was a canefarmer and I was a housewife… Long ago people used to say marriage was ‘cat in bag’ because yuh never meet anybody, no boys coming and going and you going out with them. I grew up in a strict home. I didn’t get to see my husband until the day of the wedding. And then for three days I had a lokhani, a big ole lady with meh,” Phagmania remembered.

The couple has 10 children, nine girls and one boy. The oldest is 69 years. They have 34 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Phagmania doesn’t regret her life course. She loves her husband, she said, simply because he’s “very kind and loving.” Mohanlal and Shirley Madhoo of Orange Field Road, Carapichaima have been married for 38 years. They celebrated their wedding anniversary on June 20. Their five children and three grandchildren commemorated the occasion with prayers in a small gathering. “We’re still happy,” said Shirley, 58. Her husband, a retired clerk of Caroni Ltd is 60. She described him as a “quiet person. We met at a Kirpalani’s store I used to run when I left school and he used to come in and buy records. He used to sing in a band at the time.” Shirley recalled their early years at Ravine Sable, Caroni, where they lived. “We didn’t have lights and water, we had what they called Delco and we made out,” she said. The secret to a happy marriage she said: “We understand each other. We argue a little bit but we don’t let it go too far.” She looks forward to many more years, she said, with her loving husband.

Bissoon Birsingh’s eyes seem to smile with you when he looks your way. He is 65, and is the president of the Progressive Youth Movement (PYM), Justice of Peace for St George West and a retired Port Authority worker. He is also responsible for distribution throughout the country of more than  seven million books over a period of 47 years. The books were distributed to many institutions, especially libraries.

PYM has been reaching out to schools, community libraries, hospitals, religious institutions, the University of the West Indies, the Hugh Wooding Law School, and the School of Continuing Studies, the Pharmacies Board and other institutions, free of cost. Birsingh said that his entire life has been centred around getting people to read. “Reading really helps people to become more intelligent, to be informed and to be involved in the happenings of the world. More so it helps the individual to develop a good vocabulary and a good command of the English language,” he said. Birsingh seems to have one objective on his mind — to reach out to various communities and establish libraries so that both young and old would be able to gain knowledge about any topic in the world. He noted that reading helps the individual escape into another world while enjoying their own life. He recommends that people should always have a novel or magazine close by so that they can learn while relaxing at home or on holidays.

Birsingh is an Overseas Partner (OP) of Book Aid International (BAI), and he often sends requests for certain books. BAI provides these books free of charge. BAI has been established in London for more than 80 years. They collect used and new books from various sources  and, are then distributed to more than 70 countries globally. Speaking about the early days in the field of book distribution, he said that it was in 1963 when he approached the British High Commission for assistance in establishing a library in San Juan, he was introduced to Ranguly Libraries Services of London. He made a request for some books  and within three weeks the books came to Trinidad. This was the start of things to come for Birsingh. He started requesting more and more books for schools. Today there are 112 different institutions receiving assistance from BAI.

Talking about the functions of PYM he said that the movement now has a membership of 300 people, including President of the Senate, Dr Linda Baboolal and her husband, Michael Baboolal. PYM has established football and cricket teams, but the emphasis is on books. Members are involved in collecting used books and distributing to the needy. He added that while many people insist that PYM charge a fee for the service, he likes maintaining a free distribution so that even those in rural areas and the underprivileged can assess the books. “Our major objective is the development of libraries and the boosting of the existing ones across the country. Emphasis is placed on the nurturing of remedial and developmental reading amongst children and the transformation of lives via the use of books to acquire skills and knowledge. Birsingh believes that one way to save the youths of a nation is to encourage them to read. He travels around the country conducting workshops and lectures on the importance of reading. Still, he says a lot more work must be done in order for people to get in the habit of reading books.