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New Kingston will come alive when Campari, will once again join Saint International Model Agency in the staging of the 2015 Jamaica Avant Garde Designer of The Year (JAGDOY) contest. Fifteen brilliant designers will be showcasing their fabulous creations inspired by the theme Flights of Fashion Fantasy for the coveted title and cash prize of $100,000 courtesy of Campari. The event will be held at 9 p.m., on Saturday March 21 at the Courtleigh Auditorium, 8 St Lucia Avenue in New Kingston. Tthe JAGDOY contest is the country's longest-running and most prestigious designer competition created by Saint CEO Deiwght Peters in 2003, as a platform to excite, acknowledge and reward members of the fashion design industry in an unprecedented way. “This year Campari and Saints will bring even more glamorous surprises to the Avant Garde stage ” said Deiwght Peters. Color Me High Fashion; an exclusive invitation-only reception will precede the marquee event. This event will honor Saint International’s history making models Tami Williams and Kai Newman for appearing in the March issue of American Vogue-the world’s most influential fashion magazine. There will be special performances from dancehall maven Ikaya and breakout star Mink Jo.

Reggae singer Queen Ifrica took to Facebook to announced that she is dating fellow artist Tarrus Rile. The photo is captioned: "yes tarrus riley and i are togather...something aguh roun. loves contagious! !!!" Is a picture is worth a thousand words.... Base on comments from social media many believe this is publicity stunt. What’s your take on the manner?

The voice winner Tessanne Chin and her husband broadcaster Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr are having marital problems, this according to The Jamaica Gleaner. Sources close to the couple confirmed her that Cuffe has moved out of their home and he's staying with friends. The couple got married four years at the Coyaba Hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica after a year-long engagement. The couple on their wedding day Fans got to know the Fame 95FM radio presenter, the son of noted Jamaican broadcaster Michael Anthony Cuffe Snr, through his support of his wife during her appearance on the Voice. She released her post-Voice album, Count on My Love in July last year.

Austin, Texas - The Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Arts & Multiculturalism in conjunction with ASK Promotions, the producers of the Caribbean’s no #1 Music Business Conference - AMMBCOM, are showcasing some of the top artists of Trinidad & Tobago at the world’s largest and most notable music conference, SXSW 2015 (South By Southwest) in Austin Texas. We're offering you interviews with some of the most talented musicians, known throughout the world! Trinidad & Tobago will host its very own stage and will showcase seven of their most accomplished artists who’ve influenced and entertained worldwide audiences. This is a once in a lifetime experience for the audience, with the best in; Soca, Calypso, Parang, Hip Hop, Steel Pan and more. Stephan Howard, the CEO for ASK Promotions says, “It is an opportunity to build on what was started last year at SXSX with Bunji Garlin, our mission is to position our music to the world.” The headlining act will be Trinidadian American and platinum selling recording artist, rapper Trinidad Jame$ and he’ll hit the stage at 1amfollowing legends such as, MungalPatasar on March 19th-8pm at Flamingo Catalina, one of the worlds most popular steel pan bands - Codrington Pan Family on March 21 - 2pm on the International Day Stage at Austin Convention Centre. And the hosted stage on March 21 at Karma Lounge will include; Spoken Word Artist Dennis Morgan at 7:45pm, Mungal Patasar again at 8pm, Los Alumnos de San Juan at 10pm, the King of the Calypso World - Mighty Sparrow at 11pm, Shurwayne Winchester at 12am and the show stopper is rapper Trinidad Jame$.

Though hated by American critics, the "Rude" hitmakers have completed an unlikely crossover For six weeks last summer, the Number One song in America belonged to a group of Canadian reggae fans whose frontman sings plaintively to a girlfriend's particularly impolite father who won't approve his earnest marriage proposal to her. "Rude, " Magic!'s debut single, sold 3 million copies in the United States alone, but many objected to its syrupy take on a beloved genre. Time named the tune the worst of the 2014, and publications as diverse as Grantland and Jezebel brought similar ignominy. "America, we need to talk about our taste in reggae music," wrote Slate. They might also want to have a few words with the adoring crowd that earlier this year gathered in the north shore parish of Trelawny to see the band headline the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. In Trelawny, Magic!'s two hits – "Rude," which went to Number One in America, and "Let Your Hair Down," a follow-up even softer than its predecessor – were received by an enthusiastic audience that belted out every word. Both tracks are in heavy rotation on just about every FM radio station in the country: DJs enthusiastically introduce the group as "Canadian reggae band, Magic!" and their songs are often "licked back" – rewound to the beginning and played again – three or four times in a row. "Jamaica has always been accepting of different genres of music," says DJ Wayne, one of the marquee names at IRIE FM, perhaps the most important all-reggae station in the country. "Back in the Fifties and Sixties we were listening to R&B from the U.S. and it connected with reggae." Wayne has embraced "Rude" in particular. "[Magic!] are good musicians and the music speaks for itself," he continues, referring to the song's rebellious love story. "It's the magic of the topic combined with the smooth reggae flow. It's a timely song that captured everyone's imaginations." Although Americas often associate contemporary Jamaican music with the harder dancehall of artists like Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel, the Jamaican listening audience has an under-reported love for melodic pop and smooth flows. Downtown dances play Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers remains popular and local supergroup L.U.S.T. – Lukie D, Trilla U, Singing Melody and Tony Curtis – scored a hit with a cover of Air Supply's "Just As I Am." In Trelawny, Magic! are joined by Peter Cetera, the Chicago bassist whose solo career included a handful of Eighties and Nineties U.S. Adult Contemporary hits. In fact, before Magic! even made it to Jamaica, dancehall artist Kiprich, one of the island's toughest lyrical battle champions, rang up guitarist Mark Pelli to ask if they could work on a song together. "That was an organic, seamless thing," says Pelli. "I just did some production and then he asked me to sing on a verse." Their session led to "My Own Holiday," a lumbering reggae tune buoyed by occasional bursts of pop energy, and four new fans: "Kiprich is an amazing artist," Pelli enthuses. "I've introduced him to the rest of the band." American reggae producer Zeke Stern, who has worked Beenie Man, Chronixx and Collie Buddz , regularly travels to the island to produce new tracks, but even he didn't expect the Canadian group to cross over. "I was really surprised at how many Jamaican artists love it," he says of "Rude." "I hear a lot mention how catchy the hook was and that the song was well put together." "Many reggae artists are great songwriters," says Magic! vocalist Nasri Atweh, attempting to explain both the music's appeal to him and his own appeal to Jamaicans. "Regardless of the genre, they write great songs." Although he grew up idolizing crossover stars like Bob Marley and the Police, his accessible, soft-reggae vocals were partially inspired by an orator with even wider appeal. "I aim for a good placement," he explains. "When you hear Obama talk, his words allow you to digest them. This 'Obama Effect' is what I try to do when I write – it's what we tried to do with 'Rude.' People respect good musicianship and good songs." Source: Rollingstone

Hollywood legend Sir Sidney Poitie r will be joining the second season of the series The Cinema , with host Travolta Cooper . The Cinemas is a bi-weekly web and TV show taking a look at the world of Galleria Cinemas, currently airs on Tempo TV throughout the Caribbean region. The show first began as a series of small segments for the web. Shortly after, it was picked up by Cable Bahamas for a half hour version and by the time the show wrapped in October 2014, it was the top rated local show on Cable 12 and one of the top rated local shows on television in the Bahamas. It is the brainchild of its host, Bahamian writer, director, and producer Travolta Cooper . The Cinemas is designed to promote and encourage the new wave of Caribbean Cinema happening in the Region and around the world. The show consists of movie reviews and interviews with a Caribbean twist. The second part of The Cinemas will air beginning Thursday March 26th. Check your local listings.

Los Angeles, CA – In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, the Caribbean Heritage Organization (CHO) and the Institute of Caribbean Studies, DC (ICS-DC) are pleased to announce the launch of CaribbeanLens™, the first Los Angeles Caribbean entertainment conference and film festival. The festival is scheduled to run Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, 2015 in the NoHo Arts District/Universal City areas of Los Angeles. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the blending of the Caribbean and American cultures and talent to create unique and outstanding work and to raise global awareness of the new renaissance of film-making and music production that the Caribbean region is currently experiencing. “This is a very exciting time for the Caribbean and Caribbean-Americans in the entertainment business,” says Marva Griffiths Herman, Founder & Executive Director of CHO and Executive Producer of the film festival. “The Caribbean culture has become a significant ingredient in this wonderful salad bowl we call the American society, and we are especially pleased to showcase its contributions,” she added. With a new breed of talented filmmakers, writers, producers, actors who are working collectively to create films for the world to see, CaribbeanLens will be showcasing great films from the past as well as newer films from the present to provide a glimpse of where the future of Caribbean cinema is heading. CaribbeanLens will also serve as a platform for not only showcasing the Caribbean as one of the best vacation destinations in the world, but to introduce Hollywood to the many filming locations and tax incentives the region have to offer. “CaribbeanLens Entertainment Conference and Film Festival is an event whose time has come. Bearing in mind the size of the entertainment economy and Caribbean potential across all genres and aspects, the need to intensify the visibility of our talent and locations is paramount. We hope that by bringing the Caribbean to Hollywood, the mecca of the global entertainment industry, we can contribute to ensuring that the opportunities for Caribbean peoples to participate are expanded and enhanced,” remarks Claire A. Nelson, Ph.D., the architect behind Caribbean-American Heritage month and Founder of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, DC and producer of CaribbeanLens. This year’s theme is “Legends of the Caribbean” and will open the evening of Monday, June 15, 2015 at the El Portal Theatre in NoHo Arts District with a retrospective look at the works of Ms. Cicely Tyson who has roots in the island of Nevis, Mr. Harry Belafonte, Jamaica and Sir Sidney Poitier, The Islands of the Bahamas. The five-day festival will culminate at the Hilton, Universal City on the evening of Friday, June 15 with the Salute to Hollywood & Excellence Awards gala, now in its 10th year.

The pageant will pageant will focus on cultivating the true meaning of beauty, promoting healthy lifestyles while celebrating Jamaican women (ages 18-27) who have taken on the task of enhancing their charitable endeavors, building confidence and developing leadership skills—all important characteristics for a successful future. Galleon Foundation the host of the event will also have a Cultural Arts-Health and Wellness Expo that will address the needs of the South Florida Caribbean community, encourage youth and families to improve their eating habits and maintain a physically active lifestyle. In addition, Galleon Foundation will also present scholarships to five students in need at Florida Memorial University. The Galleon Foundation is a not-for-profit Florida corporation who believes that everyone should have access to an education regardless of their financial background. This year’s event promises to be a day of celebration and will also include a kid’s zone, spoken word performance, musical performance, fire dancers and a Caribbean pop-up marketplace showcasing Caribbean arts and craft and travel information! For more information about becoming a contestant visit www.missjamaicadiaspora.com

Reggae singer Christopher Martin recently released his new video for “Steppin Razor,” the title track off his VP Records’ debut EP slated for release this spring. Directed by Kurt Wright and shot in Kingston, Jamaica – the comedic video offers a lighthearted and entertaining vibe, following Martin out on the town as he swarms the club with lovely ladies. The women proved that Martin’s charm is indeed undeniably dangerous, even engaging in fights to be the “last lady” standing

This summer the Caribbean will be sizzling with entertainments, from mainstream jazz to the tantalizing sounds reggae, dancehall, calypso, soca and R & B. In addition the music visitors can expect to enjoy the plenty of sun, sand and good food that the Caribbean has to offer. This year’ Caribbean jazz and music festivals will feature what is likely the most diverse musical presentation yet, with a variety of the most popular Caribbean destinations getting into the act, so to speak. The presentations planned at various Caribbean islands even include a music festival dedicated to blues CEM rounds up 10 of the best music festival across the from Aruba and Anguilla to St. Kitts and St. Lucia ARUBA: Soul Beach Music Festival 2015 - MAY 20-25, 2015 This Memorial Day Weekend bash will headline Trey Songz and Charlie. Join Soul Music Lovers from around the world and take part in amped-up nightclubs, sizzling wet and wild beach parties beach parties, and music concert in this five-days of power-packed event. www.soulbeach.net BARBDOS – Reggae Festival - April 19, 2015 - April 26, 2015 The Barbados Reggae Festival is a mixture of the sweet sound of Reggae Music with the compliments of the soothing Caribbean Sea breeze and atmosphere! It is a week of spectacular events and the most popular reggae event on the island. Crop Over Festival –June 27 – August 3 The Crop Over Festival in Barbados which ends with the spectacular Carnival/Kadooment Parade is the season used to celebrate the ending of the local Sugar Cane harvest, and is distinctly unique from the Carnival festivities in other Caribbean countries. CURACAO: International BlueSeas Festival – My 7 - 9 It’s a celebration of “traditional and gentrified” jazz music where on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 May, nine artists will give free concerts in the streets of Punda, while on Saturday 9 May the festival will close with two concerts on the Kleine Werf, the quay in the port of the St Anna Bay. Blues Brothers, and new artists Kat Riggins, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Moreland & Arbuckle. http://www.curacaoblueseasfestival.com/ North Sea Jazz Festival – August 29 -30 Now in its 5th year this Dutch island’s soul, jazz, hip-hop and R&B festival will include acts such as Bruno Mars, Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Juan Luis Guerra on three stages. This is one of the Caribbean’s priciest music fests, but with such star wattage, Sea Jazz offers plenty of bang for your buck. http://www.curacaonorthseajazz.com/nl/ .JAMAICA: Reggae Sumfest – July 12 – 18 Now in its 21st year, the bass-driven Montego Bay bashment traditionally features local reggae and dancehall artists (Rohan Marley, Sean Paul, Buju Banton) alongside international stars (Mary J. Blige, Usher, Jay-Z), and this year The Voice season five winner Tessanne Chin will grace the stage in front of her home crowd. SAINT LUCIA: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival – April 30 – May 10 The 24th edition of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is slated for April 30 to May 10 at various locations. Performances will be set against the iconic and historic Pigeon Island National Landmark backdrop, along with other scenic vistas across Saint Lucia, showcasing an innovative infusion of Music and Arts designed to highlight the island's rich historic and cultural legacy. Recently added to the lineup were Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and songwriter Chrisette Michele, and Trinidadian soca singer and songwriter Destra Garcia. Other featured performers will include the iconic Jamaican reggae musician and actor Jimmy Cliff; Jon Secada, a two-time Grammy Award winner; American rapper Flo Rida; two-time Grammy nominee Joey DeFranceso and pop singer Robin Thicke. http://stluciajazz.org/ TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Tobago Jazz Experience – April 19 -26 The weeklong festival is a fusion of music, heritage, cuisine, hospitality and everything that is Tobago, with performances slated for the Tobago coastal town of Speyside, Tobago’s Pigeon Point Heritage Park and at other sites across the dual-island nation. The event will offer a truly outstanding array of artists, including recording star and actress Jennifer Hudson, legendary R&B band Kool and the Gang and highly regarded singer-songwriter Jill Scott. Recently added to the lineup were Jamaican dancehall stars Romain Virgo and Busy Signal; also slated to perform are Miguel, David Rudder and soca star Olatunji. The event is sponsored by Tobago’s Division of Tourism and Transportation. http://tobagojazzexperience.com/ ST.KITTS: Music Festival - June 25 to 27 In its 19th year, the Festival features traditionally features a wide range of musical styles including R&B, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, rock, calypso, gospel and contemporary music. The lineup this year promises to be equally eclectic, with Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano, Chicago’s Bill Champlin, legendary reggae singer Freddie McGregor and more. http://stkittsmusicfestival.com/

Reggae history opened its books at the Hendrickson Auditorium on the grounds of the Jamaica College campus in Kingston, Jamaica, when Chronixx delivered the third leg of his Captureland Tour on Saturday night. The 22 year old powerhouse graced the sold out crowd with a memorable 180 minute live performance, with cameos from Jesse Royal, Kelisa, Keznamdi, Kabaka Pyramid, and his father, Old School Dj Chronicle. Delivering a flawless live set, Chronixx firmly established himself as the New King of the Dancehall, delving into an extensive catalog, thronged by dub inspired remixes and cover medleys. From Roots inspired Rockers, Dub driven solos, Dancehall emission collabs, Chronixx trodded across the expansive soundscape of Reggae's genealogy in a nearby three hour live set. The audience was filled with a wide cross section of Jamaicans, in some cases entire family clusters, young and old, who thoroughly enjoyed the coronation of Dancehall's new king. For many of his elder fans, this is the first concert in recent memory, (since Bob Marley's "One Love" peace concert for some), have they felt such an energy, and from such a young Reggae artist. Some compared him to the late great Hugh Mundel, others firmly crowned him, "the real king of the dancehall", as the world embraced the new poster child of homegrown Reggae music. The event was streamed live from his website, and broadcasted by the Caribbean based cable network, Flow, into five other regional territories. The four date tour traversed Jamaica, kicking off on March 11th in Negril, before heading on to St. Elizabeth last Friday, and Kingston tonight before wrapping up in Portland tomorrow, Sunday the 15th of March. Chronixx, an alumni member of Billy Mystic's Jamnesia music incubator, follows closely behind Dub Rockers Dubtonic Band, whose pioneering Neo-Reggae wave was further catalysed by the release of Nomaddz live album, "The Trod", in 2010. Since then Protoje, Jah 9, Raging Fyah, and Chronixx have broken new ground within the Neo-Reggae genre, but Chronixx's live exhibition at Jamaica College has surely raised the bar, and set the standard for all that is to come in this new and exciting transition, currently taking place on Reggae's ever changing frontier. Top40 Charts

Rihanna has been announced as the new ambassador for Dior, making her the first Black woman to be a face of the iconic fashion house. She will star in the fourth episode of Dior's "Secret Garden" video series. In addition, Rihanna will appear in a print campaign. Both the video and images will be shot by Steven Klein and debut later this Spring. She joins actresses Jennifer Lawrence, Marion Cotillard and Natalie Portman - who are all current faces of different elements of the Dior collection. This is not Rihanna's first outing for a fashion house; she has already posed for Gucci, Emporio Armani and Balmain.