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All the Caribbean. All the time. For more information on opportunities to advertise

in the next issue releasing January 2011, please contact:954.560.7072 or 754.422.3102

Dear Readers,

Once again the evolution of the Gregorian calendar has brought us back full circle to that time of year, when fun seekers from all over the Americas, representing the various nationalities and ethnicities of the Western hemisphere, converge in South Florida to celebrate Bacchanalia. For over a quarter of a century the city of Miami has played host to this annual phenomenon known as Carnival and to see it all unfold is a wonderment to behold, even for those familiar with the tradition. Come this October, the side streets, alleys and main roads of Metropolitan Dade County will be hoarded with scantily clad bands parading for aesthetic approval, revelers performing anatomical twists that defy Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and to the chagrin of the conservatives at heart, excessive carousing will not be frowned upon, but actually encouraged. It is how we assuage the stress and adversities of everyday life. To define it in technical terms, one could say it is a form of self psychoanalysis, or better yet, a process of spiritual cleansing, and this is why we spend all year looking forward to and preparing for it the very second it ends. So as the merrymaking madness known as mas draws nigh, we at Island Head-quarters (IHQ) - being the safety first organization that we are - remind you once again to lose total control, throw caution to the wind, party hard, find somebody and jam, drink and be joyous, hmm scratch that, drink responsibly and be joyous - safety first right? - And let free of your inhibitions, after all it is the only time of the year that any inexplicable act of negligence will not warrant a condemnation of your moral fiber or worth as a fellow

citizen.

Sincerely,

Kenny Spence,

IHQTV Inc

Co-President and staff editor

5. Child support enforcement returns your payment. 4. The child bears a striking resemblance to your bredren Trevor.

3. Your child keeps asking “where’s my daddy?”

2. Friends frequently say “him look like him madda still…”

1. Maury Povich keeps leaving you voicemails.

(for definition refer to page 22)

THE FIFA

R E V I E W

2010 The 2010 edition of the Fifa World Cup saw a debutante nation - doubted and oft maligned prior to the tournament for its perceived inability to play host to the world’s grandest sporting event – defy all the hypothetical odds and prove all of its detractors wrong. As sweet as South Africa’s vindication was, the dubiousness that plagued the Cup was equally impactful and the shortcomings read like a laundry list of calamities. First we saw the introduction of a new ball aptly dubbed the “Jabulani” - the Zulu word for joy and happiness, and how appropri-ate when you consider its freakish Frisbee like movement in flight - a conservative and unimaginative Brazilian squad that mirrored their mind-numbing leader, a pathetic révolte by the hapless French, academy award worthy flops from players pantomiming like luckless ducks being shot out of mid-air, more cards than a blackjack table,

stumbling and bumbling from Fifa head Sepp Blatter, incompetent officiating without accountability, and an updated version of the “Hand of God.” Then there were the oddities, like the Italians failing to make it out of the group stage for the first time in 36 years and legend-ary player turn clueless coach Diego Maradona deciding not to include any natural wing backs in his squad. More Americans tuned in to watch the World Cup than ever before, even well after Uncle Sam’s Army had made their exit, thanks to the Ghanaians, who tried desperately to capitalize on Africa’s moment to shine, but only made it to the quarterfinals. Losing to the Uruguayans on the afore-mentioned “Hand of God Part II” and penalty kicks in what was probably the most thrilling match of the tournament, filled with all the theatrical vagaries of an Alfred Hitchcock classic.

In the end, the final match was the coup de grace to a lackluster tournament that was at times hard to watch. Eleven ruffians fully clad in orange jerseys took the field against a well oiled Spanish machine, and displayed what will probably go down as the most shameful brand of hooliganism in a World Cup final. The Dutch literally went into combat, employing a style of play that was pale in comparison to the “total football” of the 1970s that brought them global admiration. So 120 minutes, 47 fouls and 14 yellow cards later, the Dutch bullies justly saw themselves on the wrong end of the score sheet. Gratefully the Gods were not crazy and the team who had most exemplified flair, intelligence and imagination in the spirit of the beautiful game, were the victors. By: Kenny Spence

www.islandheadquarters.com 9

Party go-ers have dubbed him “The People’s DJ”, due to his ability to know exactly what to play at the right time. Known

primarily for his work in Soca, Trinidadian born Dorenzo Olivier has been perfecting this seemingly instinctive knack for over 20 years since his days as a youngster in Brooklyn, New York, spinning Reggae, Dancehall,

Calypso, R&B, Hip Hop and Latin records. After weeks of trying to pinpoint a break in his hectic schedule, DJ Dorenzo

finally found the time to afford IHQ a chance to chew the fat.

IHQ: Who are your musical influences?

DJD: To be specific to the genre, I would say GB Productions, Anonymous, Teddy Muhammad, The Supreme Team and Mad Mad Maddy. The list can go on and on. IHQ: How did you get started in the industry?

DJD: A friend introduced me to DJ GB productions back in 1989, and as they say the rest is history. IHQ: Was there ever a point you wanted to quit?

DJD: I can honestly say I have never felt like quitting, this is my passion. IHQ: What are some of the positives of the industry?

DJD: I would say networking, traveling and meeting new people. IHQ: What are some of the negatives?

DJD: Unfortunately, I would have to say all the under cutting that goes on. IHQ: What is a typical day like?

DJD: Juggling all my responsibilities, like going to work, spending time with the family and working on music. IHQ: What are some of the projects you are working on currently?

DJD: Working on the next mix tape, I don’t have a name for the project at this moment. IHQ: What selection do you have in your CD player right now?

DJD: Palance IHQ: In your opinion, who is the most significant Soca artiste or band of all time?

DJD: Wow that’s a tough one, gun to my head I would have to say Machel Montano. IHQ: What advice would you give to someone trying to get into the industry?

DJD: Stay positive and never give up on your dream.

DJ D

orenz

o

wi th

Tell Me-Machel Montano No Behavior-Machel Montano

Palance-JW Blaze Slow Wine-Machel Montano

Proppa-DestraBumper to Fender-Machel Montano

Party Hard-DonaeoParty Hard-DonaeoBaddest Wine-Alison Hinds

Ramajay-MachelMy Girl-Kes the Band

Startimekid’s Soca Playlist

10 Q

uestio

ns

They came from assorted points of

origin, extravagantly adorned in multi-

layered garments of silk and textile, beautifully decorated to stimulate the optic nerves of the human retina. To the observing novice, the costumes that pervade the streets during Carnival are simply just a by-product of the frolic that is associated with bacchanal; but to the weathered veteran, it is a religious conviction and a symbol of appreciation for one’s culture. Those involved will be quick to point out that beyond the glitzy surface there is an exact science at work, as the making of a good band requires complete self sacri-fice, a lot of money, super organizational skills and the meticulousness of a trauma

surgeon. And no, that last point was not a misprint

or an exaggeration, the process is truly surgi-

cal and band leader Kizzy Alleyne of Vibrationzz can attest to that. In fact, it is very likely that the story behind the construction of her band went something like this.

Roll Credits...Kizzy Alleyne as Dr. Kizzy

Michelle Saldanha as Dr. Saldanha

NursePaging Dr. Kizzy…(radio static), paging Dr. Kizzy...(radio static)

Dr. Kizzy pauses in the middle of finishing the last chunks of some delicious Roti and rushes over to the operating room.

INT. HOSPITAL O. R.Dr. Kizzy enters the room and a nurse puts on her surgical apron and gloves. She then joins Dr. Saldanha at the operating table.

Dr. KizzySo what do we have here?

Dr. SaldanhaSome sort of Carnival mutant, half human/half mas band.

Admitted with disjointed ligaments and decreased heart rate, we are in for a doozy.

Dr. KizzyFirst things first, we need to perform an angioplasty.

OK clamps. Nurse, hold these in place.

Dr. SaldanhaScalpel please; OK let’s makes an incision here for the guide wire.

Let’s get this balloon catheter in there.

NurseI’m sorry Dr. Tizzy, but I’m having a problem

getting the balloon through the incision.

Dr. Tizzy takes charge and inserts the balloon catheter.

Dr. KizzyGet the paddles; the patient is close to flat lining.

A nurse brings the paddles over and charges them to capacity.

Scrub NurseClear!

Dr. KizzyExcellent we have vital signs.

Dr. SaldanhaOkay, now that we have the heart pumping, let’s restructure its anatomy. First we need to attach prosthetic limbs, and next we need a hip replacement; the patient’s medical records detail poor

wining skills. I mean hey, yuh haffi can jam right?

After several hours of intense surgery, Dr. Kizzy emerges with an exuberant bellow.

Dr. KizzyLOOK!!! It’s moving, it ah jam. It’s alive. It’s alive. It’s alive,

it’s moving, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, IT’S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE END

Pretty intense isn’t it? Okay, okay so it’s not an actual surgery, but you get the picture. The process of assembling a band truly requires a disciplined approach. From the role as the band leader, to the person in charge of food and beverages, to the costumes, the DJ and all the other ancillary parts, it is a daunting task. So the next time you go to Carnival, mentally sieve through the hype and allure, and take a second to appreciate the work and skillful artistry that it took to put on the grandiosity appearing before your eyes.

By: Kenny Spence


he search for enjoyable music nowadays is usually a drawn out effort that ends in utter disappointment.

Calypso music fans however can take solace in knowing that they can turn to the old reliable Soca Gold compilation CD. Since 1997 the Soca Gold CD compilations have successfully managed to capture the essence of the genre, while achieving overwhelming critical acclaim and fan approval. Edwin Howell the project’s mastermind lets us in on the cloaked experience of his musical realm.

IHQ: What was the impetus behind the creation of Soca Gold?

E.H: Back in 1997, the public was over saturated with “sing over” versions of the popular tunes. We wanted to introduce a mix CD that would feature the actual artistes that did the original versions so that the public could become familiar with them.

IHQ: Explain the creative process that is required to put a Soca Gold CD together?

E.H: Well our mind-set is to not just focus on Trinidad, but to survey the entire scope of the Caribbean and hand pick the hottest tracks and artistes in order to bring the entire Caribbean under one roof.

IHQ: The bonus DVD is a cool feature, when did that idea take shape?

E.H: Back in 1999 we decided to include a bonus CD - which was a DJ mix – along with the actual Soca Gold CD. Beginning in 2006 we wanted to take it up another notch and include visuals along with the audio. So now fans could see their favorite artistes’ videos, on stage performances, interviews, etc.

IHQ: There is a definite sex appeal to each CD cover, what are the motives at work here?

E.H: Well we search for concepts and themes that relate to Carnival or the atmosphere that

surrounds a fête. Every cover has a unique concept, for instance, year one may have a bathing suit theme, and the next year, a wet look theme, etc. Just like how it is during Carnival.IHQ: How are the models chosen?

E.H: The models come from all over. The Caribbean, the United States, everywhere. We try to make sure they have a Caribbean background.

IHQ: What is the current range of distribution for Soca Gold?

E.H: Worldwide distribution, I mean Japan, Europe, the Caribbean, the four corners of the earth.

IHQ: What are your future plans for the Soca Gold series?

E.H: Well, first and foremost, every year has to be better than the previous year. We have a few things in store for the fans that I’m just not at liberty to discuss right now.

IHQ: Any last words for the fans?

E.H: Go support Soca Gold and Reggae Gold, and if you say you love the artiste, buy original and don’t buy bootleg.

T


IHQ: Name two things about other people that drive you nuts?

S.L: People with bad manners and people with body odor.

IHQ: Name two things about yourself that drive other people nuts?

S.L: I’m never on time and I’m always in the mirror.

IHQ: Worst advice you have ever received?

S.L: I don’t take advice from people. I’m so hard headed, I do what I want. Live and learn is my motto.

IHQ: Name 3 things a man could do to impress you?

IHQ: Be themselves - it’s so hard to find a real man nowadays in this mate-rial world - worship the ground I walk on, that’s always cool, and smells good.

IHQ: Describe your perfect man?S.L: My perfect man would be rich, smart, funny, handsome and faithful.

IHQ: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is the one CD you must have?

S.L: Wow that’s a hard one. It would have to be a compilation CD, I can’t pick one artist. It would have to have Beyonce, Alanis Morissette, Trey Songz, Beanie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybez Kartel and Bob Marley all rolled up in one CD. IHQ: Hey that was a cop out.

S.L: I know, but you didn’t specify.

IHQ: What is your favorite genre of music?

S.L: REGGAE!!

IHQ: That was emphatic. OK, which is more appealing, athletes or musicians?

S.L: Musicians definitely. They are more in tune with their emotions.

IHQ: I have two “corny or not corny” questions. First one, people who wear sunglasses at night and in the club, corny or not corny?

S.L: CORNY!

IHQ: Guys with long fingernails, especially the pinky finger, corny or not corny?

S.L: CORNY!

2010


carnival’s beautySHANIK

LOPEZ

like Bunji can. The lyrics of his songs cover a broad scope of issues like crime, poverty, discrimination, politics and sex. As only he can, he presents his social commentary in a way that all can dance to and have fun with. Bunji also explores the lighter side of life in his music and many of his songs are created just for dancing and romancing.

Even though Bunji has climbed the summit of the world of soca, do not expect him to slow his meteoric ascent. Now in his 12th year as a professional musician, he is poised to take his music and all his listeners to a higher level. Being one of the few, if not the only artiste to create music that can attract fans of different genres of music such as soca, reggae, dancehall and even hip hop; he is certain to impact a wide cross-section of international audiences. The expressive vocalist wields the power to move you, indulge your imagination, stimulate your intellect and tell a story like none other. The Monarch of Soca invites his constituents to accompany him on his journey to revive the soca genre to heights never before seen. You can rest assured that this is a journey worth embarking upon.

By: A.S. Jawara


superstar, Bounty Killer. In later years, he was dubbed “Bunji Garlin (the girl’s dem darlin’)”. When asked about the origin of that name, he answered Bunji is from the bungee-cord which is used in death-defying

stunts which is flexible but unbreakable and Garlin is a gun with powerful shots. He lives up to this moniker with his versatile and rapid-fire flow. Trinidad Carnival, 1999, Bunji bursts on the scene with “Send Dem Riddim Crazy” and establishes himself as a force to be reckoned with in the soca music scene. The very next year, he lived up to that potential by capturing the “Young King” title and winning the inaugural “Ragga Soca” title. This led to him being signed by the record label IP Music International Ltd and the release of his debut album, “The Chronicles”. Since his debut, he has went on to garner numerous accolades such as, 2001 Ragga Soca title and 4-time winner of Trinidad International Soca Monarch (2002, 2004, 2005 & 2008), among others. Current day, he is widely respected as the foremost lyricist of the genre which is exhibited in his high energy performances. Backed by his band “The Asylum”, Bunji is known for his crowd-controlling routines. At a whim, he can command an entire crowd of hundreds, sometimes thousands to move in any direction he pleases. He is also famous for sending crowds in a frenzy with his displays of “extempore” (impro-vised rhyming, like free-styling in hip hop). Anyone who has attended a show where the “Fire Man” (as he’s also known) has

performed can attest to the truth of my words. There are few artistes of the genre that can boast of crossing the generational gap and addressing a wide range of topics quite

It’s 2010 and the man known as Bunji Garlin sits on his throne ruling over the sovereign kingdom of soca music. As the current undisputed premier of the soca genre surveys the musical landscape, there are few (except Machel Montano) that pose a legitimate challenge to his reign. The scary thing to fellow artistes is that as far as he is concerned, his dynasty is still in its infancy. Should things go his way, soca music will become one of the most influential genres of music known the world over. July 14th, 1978; the man now known as Bunji Garlin is born Ian Alvarez in Arima, Trinidad. As a youth at Arima Senior Comprehensive School, he made a name for himself singing for classmates and in local talent shows under the name “Little Bounty”. He got the name from his style of chanting which closely mirrored that of the Jamaica dancehall

Collaborative Efforts By: Patrice Campbell (Chatty Patty) & A.S. Jawara


All my people from (insert your favorite Caribbean isle here), are you ready?! October will see South Florida being inundated by West Indians com-ing together in harmony to celebrate the 26th annual Miami/Broward Carnival. In order to alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed with your carnival “to-do” list, it would be best to make an itinerary to get your tasks completed. I humbly suggest that you begin this week. For those that may need a bit of help with their schedule, here is what my pre-carnival activities will look like on a daily basis.

Now that you have an idea of what event(s)

you plan to attend, choose wisely; you can’t do

them all, you would need to get tickets. South

Florida isn’t usually a “buy your tickets in

advance” type of town but Carnival time is one

instance where it may be in your best interests to

do so. Procrastination will not only run the risk

of falling victim to a sell-out, but prices habitu-

ally double (sometimes triple) when purchased

at the door on the day of the event. Trust me

when I say that you don’t want to be stuck

outside, wondering what bacchanalia is going

on inside. Purchase your tickets online or at one

of the many West Indian owned businesses like

the aforementioned roti shops. While at the roti

shop, have a shrimp roti (slight

pepper) and a Carib (beer) on me.

You out-of-towners would want to orga-nize your Carnival vacations accommodations on this day. If you have good friends or family willing to provide a place to crash every morning, consider yourself lucky. Otherwise booking a hotel is your only alternative. If you haven’t already booked a room, then yuh stickin’! Go online ASAP and assess hotel rates on a website like hotels.com, Orbitz, or any such site that you may know of. Rooming with friends to share the cost of boarding is the most suggested way to go. You may also want to establish some ground rules to ensure that no-one is throwing blows before J’Ouvert gets underway.

The first rule of planning to attend any event is to get an idea of what you’re getting yourself into. Start by checking out the official Miami/Broward Carnival website (www.miamibrowardcarnival.com). They have a list of participating bands that would all be willing to accept last minute masqueraders. You may also inquire if they have any group dis-counts or special pricing for leftover costumes. For party go-ers who don’t intend to play dress-up, there are other websites that you could investigate that would give a lineup of all the fetes happening in South Florida for Carnival. If you aren’t internet savvy, you can simply visit a roti shop close to your area and check out the multitude of flyers they’re sure to have.

Reliable transportation in South Florida is

mandatory as we have no subways (except the one

that sells sandwiches), the trains only carry cargo

and a skateboard is more reliable than the buses

here. In addition, fetes will be happening all over

Dade and Broward counties. You may begin your

day of feting at a function in the heart of Miami

with plans to attend another event in Ft. Lauder-

dale. For that voyage, a taxi cab is a financial bur-

den that not many may want to shoulder. Gather

you and your friends to procure a rental for the

week/weekend. I personally recommend Enterprise,

where weekend rates may be 50% cheaper than

weekday rates. Remember to choose a designated

driver so you know who to tease while the rest of

you pop bottles.

I know my ladies will descend upon South Florida with the intent of causing spontaneous neck injuries. To execute this assignment you would want to do your beautification as close to the festivities as realistically possible so you can look your sparkling best. As a result, Friday morning/afternoon should be devoted to doing hair, mani-pedi, Brazilian waxes, etc. The same applies to the guys. Take the day off work so you could beat the crowd at the barber shop or take an hour on your lunch break and get “niced-up”. The last thing you’d want to do before heading out is to make sure everything is in order.

With your activities completed, you are now ready to suc-cumb to the spirit of Carnival. At this point, the rigidity of following a daily itinerary will be rendered obsolete. The best experience will be enjoyed by those who handle their scheduling with a laissez-faire mentality. I now welcome you to Miami/Broward Carnival 2010. I hope you left your troubles and your mind at home because you’re destined to lose both if you’ve brought them. Enjoy…

EXPRESSION

Skettel

Jumbie

WutlissKaba-Kaba

Auntieman

Crab mash

Mudda sickMaco

Belly workYuh faddah is a

glassmaker?Yuh nuh haffi gwaan so

Pappy ShowAlmshouse

Batty Peg or Batty JawRake and Scrape

Ruff skin lemon

Shall I Baby

DEFINITION

A woman of questionable morals, one who haunts the more sordid

side of town.Spirit or Ghost. Comparable to the

Jamaican word “Duppy”Useless person

Badly dressed. Disheveled. Looking ‘anyhow’

An offensive term for an effeminate male

To iron ones clothes in a sloppy manner

An expression of disbeliefA very inquisitive person

DiarrheaYou are blocking my view

You don’t have to act like thatTo make a fool of yourself

A series of unscrupulous actionsButtocks

Folk music performed by using a handsaw

A thick skinned sour orange used for making beverages

Another’s man child that is passed off deceptively for another

man to raise

LAND OF USAGE

Jamaica

Trinidad

JamaicaTrinidad

Various

Barbados

BahamasTrinidadGuyanaTrinidad

JamaicaVariousJamaicaJamaicaBahamas

Trinidad

Belize

or centuries the language of the West Indies has been shaped by a melting pot of influences, resulting in a mottled collection of lingo that is as diverse as the people of the Caribbean themselves. Words and phrases suc-

cinctly chopped in such a witty manner that they evoke laughter at first sound. The following is a small sample, or, as they say in Jamaica, “a likkle tups”.

F


OCTOBER 6 - WEDNESDAYTHE WELCOME TO MIAMI PARTY @ KARMA SUPPER

CLUB

OCTOBER 7 - THURSDAYCARNIVAL BLAST-OFF @ TROPICS IN PINES

NAUGHTY OR NICE PARTY @ CAMEO

OCTOBER 8 - FRIDAYVIRGIN ISLAND BIG BANG @ DARYL’S HALL

ANTIGUAN PARTY @ CALDER RACE COURSERISE MIAMI MEETS SHINE NYC

@ AMERICA’S BACKYARDJOUVERT/BLOCK PARTY INTERNATIONAL FLAG

NIGHT @ SOHO STUDIOS

OCTOBER 9 - SATURDAYSOCA XPLOSION @ GALAXY SKATEWAY

MIAMI DAY FETE @ GULFSTREAMR.A.V.E - A Real Artist Vibe Experience

@ CALDER RACE COURSEWETE FETE @ LOCATION: T.B.A

DONS & DIVAS @ PLAY NIGHTCLUB

OCTOBER 10 - SUNDAYPARADE OF THE BANDS AND STAGE SHOW @ SUN

LIFE STADIUMRAMJAM CARNIVAL AFTER PARTY

@ CALDER RACE COURSEJABBA STRIKES BACK @ BONGOS

OCTOBER 11 - MONDAYRAMJAM ON FIRE @ CALDER RACE COURSE

LAST WUK UP @ TROPICS IN PINESSOCAVIVOR BOATRIDE @ S.S LOVE BOAT

LAST LAP PARTY @ MANSION

OCTOBER 12 -TUESDAYPURE NICENESS @ CLUB BED

Bennett Davis is deep in thought. You can tell he is deep in thought because he is leaning forward in his office chair, his eyes staring at some distant point, both elbows digging in his desk and his chin resting atop his clasped hands. The recent recession has forced business owners like Davis to become more resourceful, and as the spearhead of the Plantation Inn Hotel, the past 7 years has been a process of constant innovation. His exploratory approach has transformed this once run of the mill establishment into a vibrant and fully furnished accommodation. Locals can escape from the everyday strain of

work and out-of-towners can sidestep the hustle and bustle of the tourist spots to seek refuge in this restful abode, equipped with wonderful amenities, such as cable TV, high speed internet access and an out-door pool just to name a few. So the next time you feel like getting away, but not too far from home and you don’t have much to spend, seek out that friendly lodging on State Road 7 just north of Broward Boulevard, where the ambiance is great and you can have the security in knowing that there is a pleasant staff always avail-able for your every beckon call.

THE PLANTATION INN HOTEL & LOUNGE

StaffEditor In chief & Co - President

Kenneth Spence

Marketing Director & Co - PresidentMario Lawson

Art DirectorVeon Watson

vwats.com

ContributorsPatrice Campbell chattypatty.com

Kizzy Alleyne A.S. Jawara

Photographers Lead Photographer:

Nick Wallace Photography

Troy Morgan

Roger B. Stillz

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and friends.

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