This blog is now hosted at www.coreykgraham.me/bizblog - As you can expect I am ever evolving and when its time to move its time to move.
Now if you are reading this message in an RSS Reader it would mean that you are not subscribed to my feedburner feed. This means that when I change feeds you would not have a seamless transition and you will have to subscribe to - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/coreykgraham.
Subscribe to my feedburner feed! It helps me to know who is reading which is certainly a motivation to keep writing.
This move is going to be a pretty silent one, no big splash.
Bring out the food and drinks to this nice cocktail party on my blog. This is the time for the Beta launch of another Corey Graham 2.0 innovation. Its an invitation only launch party. Lots of important and influencial people attending. These are my blog subscribers. Also appreciating the value of your time I am going to keep this launch within 5 mins. So let's get started.
Meet and Greet and Getting seated (1 sec) Most of you are already sitting
Opening Remarks - (2 sec)
Hi
History Behind this Moment - (2 mins)
The Caribbean Entertainment Search started out as a personal tool which I developed to make my job easier. Its really a personal tool that I created around Trinidad Carnival time (February 2008). The list of websites to check for the info I wanted was getting a little long. I am good an google search but it was a bit annoying when searching for certian thing especially names of people in the Caribbean entertainment world. It was a bit of a pain sometimes to find some info you wanted quickly. Accomodation, car rentals, music producers, artiste managers etc. were definately not always the easiest thing to find. I used the Google Custom Search to tweak my search results so that I could see all the things I really want to see, in a single search.
After a little testing, it proved to be worth its salt from there I essentially built my own personal Caribbean Entertainment Search Engine. I only shared it with a few people who might ask for my help to find Caribbean Entertainment related info.
These ranged from people in the entertainment business to persons planning trips to Carnivals and other Festivals. One person who I gave the site to contacted me about a week ago ranting and raving about how useful the search was. It was then it hit me that I should share this search engine with other people wanting to find Caribbean Entertainment Information.
After all it will be one of the things which could go a long way in creating a more tangible Caribbean Entertainment Community, by allowing people to find the relavant information more readily.
Feature Presentation (1 mins)
It took some time to package up, and it not perfect however its a useful tool. And
I am constantly refining.
I would like to thank you for attending this launch. I hope that My Caribbean Entertainment Search make life easier for you. I would like to also thank Out Of The Box Thinking for their continued support of my blog and different initiatives.
Thank you for coming see you at another of Launch Event before 2009! I just know there is going to be some other idea.
Corey Graham 2.0
http://www.coreykgraham.com/blog
http://mobile.coreykgraham.com
Corey K Graham : What about the other entertainment Shaggy and Alison Hinds ...
CG 2.0 : Hmmm there was alot of entertainment planned the Heineken Regatta is really a 4 - day event but the Alison hinds ....
Corey K Graham : Alrite maybe you can give us a short run down of the Schedule ?
CG 2.0 : Yeah man I can do that... Alrite so..........
Day 1 (Thrus) At Port De Plaisance (the warm up day for sailing)
Fashion show followed by 2 local bands take the stage White Knuckle Weekend(Rock Band)and One White Chick(9 piece soul band).
Day 2 (Fri) At Philipsburg, Boardwalk (first day of the race)
Boardwalk was set up with 3 stages Island Flavor, Holland house and St. Rose Arcade. The St. Rose Arcade. The performances we got to see were HoneyPot(versatile band from Aruba), Intwine (St. Maarten born-International Rock Band) and King T-Mo (st. Martin Carnival Jump Up King)
Day 3 (Sat) At Marigot , Waterfront (second day of the race)
International Ladies Day and it was fitting to have 2 female soca stars in the "Soca Queen" Alison Hinds from Barbados and Tizzy with El-A-Kru from Antigua and Cutcreator DJ Outkast from St. Maarten.
Day 4 (Sun) At Kim sha Beach, (final day of the race) International Superstar Shaggy (Mr Lova Lova) from Jamaica, Youth Waves from St. Martin, Pan Band and Mixmaster Pauly.
Corey K Graham : Wow man that is alot of entertainment .....
CG 2.0 : Its a kind of showcase of the Caribbean Culture for sailors, spectators and locals....St. Maarten is not your typical Caribbean island there is alot of dance music, zouk and other genre you won't usually expect when partying in the Caribbean.... There was even a premiere of St Maarten movie.
Trailer shown for a St. Maarten Movie - The Panman: Rhythm of the Palms
Corey K Graham :Wow man that looking like a Hollywood style trailer that was not expected at all!
CG 2.0 : Yeah man its for international release they said.
Corey K Graham : What stood out in the entertainment package for the Regatta? Something you not accustomed to?
CG 2.0 : Definately the variety, I know about Alison Hinds, Tizzy (El-A-Kru) and Shaggy before the Regatta but I mean the other bands I didn't know very much about them. I guess I would have to admit the whole North of the Caribbean is all a bit new to me. I think though Intwine was definately intriguting to be. I am told they are pretty big in Holland, they are a rock band, but to connect with their Caribbean roots they created something called the 'Rum shop" acoustic session that they have become known for. Its really like a musical melting pot with short clips of some top Caribbean hits that are blazing the airwave across the region from every genre. All mixed into a acoustic session. I am sure as a Caribbean person no matter your musical preference you would have found your leg shaking during their performance.
Corey K Graham : hahaha yeah ?
CG 2.0 : yeah man for sureeee
Corey K Graham : Anything else that stood out? That was different for you!
CG 2.0 : Definately Mix Master Pauly facing off musically against St. Maarten's top pan man. It was crazy .... that's definately a clip i will get up on BoomTribe.com soon! the pan name playing the pan upside down and DJ Paulie keeping up with him. It was maddd!!
Corey K Graham : hahahaha ...
CG 2.0 : Oh and I almost forgot! Vicks is Fa Cold and fa Cough (Read aloud and quickly lol). That was a one song that certainly stood out! It was killing me dead. King T-Mo really did well with that tune....
Corey K Graham : ahahaha, What about the other performances?
CG 2.0 : Everyone seemed to be on their A game, from the press conference where we got our interviews with Tizzy, Alison Hinds and Shaggy for Roamin TV show. When they took to the stage at their appointed times they really delivered.
Tizzy really stood out for her energy even though she had 3 false starts due to technical difficulties with the sound system. when she go going she really did! The crowd going crazy to her hit "Expose". Tizzy was just about looking sexy and cute she showed she had all the moved to back it up!
Alison Hinds really did well too, having the crowd singing along with her most of her performance to songs like "Faluma", "Raggamuffin", "Thundah" and "Roll" and more.
Her dancers providing good visual support to her show. Alison was looking well herself!!!
Corey K Graham : Hahaha sounds like you enjoyed your International Women Day!
CG 2.0 : Yes i did!
Corey K Graham : Tell me did the ladies, Enjoy Mr Lova Lova?
CG 2.0 : Listen, Shaggy came out and in a few second said he was feeling horny. Man for the women it was all over ... all the women were hooked from there, esp those volunteers that were working all weekend, they went crazyyyyyyyy. I was impressed with Shaggy he really performed and rocked the crowd. Took the party to another level. Shaggy is a real star man, just real matter a fact and confident throughout his interview.
Corey K Graham : That's why they call him "Mr Boombastic".
CG 2.0 : Did i mention all these parties were free? all?
Corey K Graham : No you didn't!!!
CG 2.0 : Yeah man all them were free. and it suprised me! But after all Heineken ain't got small bank accounts. Also St. Maarten is a big Heineken market. Actually There is the new Heineken Premium Light that is only available in 3 places in the world and St. Maarten is one of them!!
Corey K Graham : Really? Is it any good?
CG 2.0 : Its smoother that the regular heineken's. but the Heineken in St. Maarten in general tasted different because they are brewed in Holland. The South Caribbean gets
Heineken's from St. Lucia.
Corey K Graham : Talking about that? you were mentioning something about a Heineken plane ?
CG 2.0 : Oh yeah believe it or not there is a plane that was turned into a restuarant. So you can actually dine on board the plane in the fuselage!!!
Corey K Graham : Are you serious ????
CG 2.0 : Yesssssss, lol look at the photos. we did some filming of it for Roamin' too. Apparently it was a plane that the wings had been dismantled in Anguilla and it was brought to St. Maarten and made into a restaurant!
Corey K Graham : St. Maarten does sound like an interesting place? What about the night clubs ?
CG 2.0 : We hit 2 clubs Bliss and newly opened Mansion. Because of your hectic schedule we only really got just over an hour in each club. They were really nicely laid out. Bliss is an outdoor club, with a indoor type feel it was definately nice. Although its an outdoor club the dance floor is still light up with all the lighting effect you expect from an indoor club. You can really feel like you are in an indoor club
Mansion is just as nice. its a smaller club but styled with couches running throughout. It done in such a way that people are able to stand on the back of the cushions and party the night away!
Corey K Graham : Sounds good ...
CG 2.0 : Yeah man, let me know forget Klush Ultra Lounge with the largest collection of 128 vodkas in the caribbean and probably soon the world. Very chic place with nice decor and a very keen staff. The bar tender and chef were definately on the top of their game. There was new bartender just on the island for a few weeks and he was becoming know for his Rasberry Mohito which I have to say was quite good. I was definately impressed! The food was just as good as we took some time lounge around.
Corey K Graham : That's how you are rolling?
CG 2.0 : In a little bit I hope to be getting accustomed to it !!
Corey K Graham : Thanks for a good interview man, funny thing though, I feel like I know you!
CG 2.0 : Same here, I dont know. thanks for having me.
Corey K Graham : Np
So there you know my experiences in Sint. Maarten all captured in interview format. I interviewed myself yes .... dont call it cocky ... crazy works for me.
Thanks.
I am back home from my trip to the Heineken Regatta. Its was quite an experience flying to the north Caribbean. All the islands are soo much closer to each other (more on this in another post)
I had hoped that I would have been able to take you along with me daily as it unfolded, however that was not possible between my very very poor cellular signal and also a very demanding schedule of shoots and coverage of the 4 days of action that is the Heineken Regatta.
I am going to try to mash together my impressions of it in this post so that you can get a real feel for it. I guess it might be good to take a wholistic approach to it. Hmm maybe i can interview myself!
Hmm well where do I start....
Corey K Graham : Yo man
CG 2.0 : yeah man what's up ?
Corey K Graham : Had a Heineken yet for this Weekend ?
CG 2.0 : Hahahaha, I had enough last weekend for the rest of the summer. Heineken Reggatta was an experience..... believe it or not Heineken's were even in the press pack! and $ 2 Heinekens for the entire weekend long. Corey K Graham : You Serious!
CG 2.0 : Yeah and because you have on your media badge there was always another Heineken on its way from somewhere.
Corey K Graham : For the people out there who dont know what is the Heineken Regatta really about ?
CG 2.0 : Oh hmmm, A regatta is really a collection of boat races. The Heineken Regatta in Sint Maarten is really a partnership between the Sint Maarten Yacht Club and Heineken to put on what has now become on of the premiere events on the Yachting calender worldwide and definately a major event for the North of the Caribbean period. Heineken is of course all about the partying and having some "serious fun".... Of course this is where I come jumped on the board via of course Roamin TV show on WSEE (CBS Affiliate) and BoomTribe.com.
Corey K Graham : I thought the BoomTribe crew had a team for the Regatta ?
CG 2.0 : lolman ... we just might!!! We were at a press conference hearing about the Gun Boats. These boats are at the top of the food chain and will a calm 45 million the most expensive yachts actually competing in the regatta ...we are not ready for the sailing just yet, soon thought soon lol...and you know we would have to be rollin in a Gun Boat!
Corey K Graham : Alrite man we looking out for big red sails ... with the big BT?
CG 2.0 : Yeah man apparently this Regatta is really a big deal, over 4000 people are actually involved in the sailing aspect of the regatta whether it be competitors, support teams or officials etc. and that is not counting in the sailing enthusiasts who travel from all over the world to be a part of Regatta. They were saying its the right time of the year .... further up north its winter and its a good time to come to the Caribbean and spend a few months. Also there is no need for great navigation skill cause you ca nsee that island as you sail down.
Corey K Graham : Wow sounds like a melting point - that alot of flavour in the entertainment ?
CG 2.0 : Yeah man for sure, from wet t-shirt contests to shaggy it was certainly varied.
Naturally the Heineken Regatta's entertainment is very much about the sailors & co. bonding over some beers after a long hard day of sailing.
Corey K Graham : Wait, wait, wait, you slow down - wet t-shirt contest? You said that so cool and calm
CG 2.0 : Lol that's how it was, I mean it was a few party at the Soggy Dollar Bar, with guys and gals watching ... I mean it was shocking to me but it was like an ordinary pageant show to everyone else lol. But it was girls from all over the world Spain, Columbia, Venezuela, South Africa ... It was a Miss Universe Show. Its the unofficial launch party of the Regatta.
Corey K Graham : Where are the pictures ?
CG 2.0 : Unfortunately I didnt have a camera but i am sure Youtube got a scoop. So many guys had their camera's wet. Look out for something on BoomTribe.com on it! It was a good show man! On and it was a really nice laid out bar for sure.
Corey K Graham : What about the other entertainment Shaggy and Alison Hinds ...
Look out for the rest of the interview in another post.
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Graham : Alrite maybe you can give us a short run down of the Schedule ?
Day 2 (Fri) At Philipsburg, Boardwalk (first day of the race)
locals....St. Maarten is not your typical Caribbean island there is alot of dance music, zouk and other genre you won't usually expect when partying in the Caribbean.... There was even a premiere of St Maarten movie.
something called the 'Rum shop" acoustic session that they have become known for. Its really like a musical melting pot with short clips of some top Caribbean hits that are blazing the airwave across the region from every genre. All mixed into a acoustic session. I am sure as a Caribbean person no matter your musical preference you would have found your leg shaking during their performance.
CG 2.0 : Definately Mix Master Pauly facing off musically against St. Maarten's top pan man. It was crazy .... that's definately a clip i will get up on BoomTribe.com soon! the pan name playing the pan upside down and DJ Paulie keeping up with him. It was maddd!!
CG 2.0 : Everyone seemed to be on their A game, from the press conference where we got our interviews with Tizzy, Alison Hinds and Shaggy for Roamin TV show. When they took to the stage at their appointed times they really delivered.
Alison Hinds really did well too, having the crowd singing along with her most of her performance to songs like "Faluma", "Raggamuffin", "Thundah" and "Roll" and more. 
volunteers that were working all weekend, they went crazyyyyyyyy. I was impressed with Shaggy he really performed and rocked the crowd. Took the party to another level. Shaggy is a real star man, just real matter a fact and confident throughout his interview.
eken in St. Maarten in general tasted different because they are brewed in Holland. The South Caribbean gets 
Apparently it was a plane that the wings had been dismantled in Anguilla and it was brought to St. Maarten and made into a restaurant!
Hmm well where do I start....
Corey K Graham : Wait, wait, wait, you slow down - wet t-shirt contest? You said that so cool and calm
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