Month: May 2015

After this column, you’re going to hate me, more than you do already.

TRANQUIL TOBAGO.

My work in the music and media industry often takes me to far-flung places and amongst those locations; the Caribbean has seen me visit many of its islands including Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, the BVI Islands and more.

Even though they are all clustered quite closely together, each Caribbean island really does have a very unique personality and presence of its own. Whilst Jamaica is Scary Spice; full on boisterous, intense and perfect if you want a high-energy break with high fashion and catwalk kids running around, Barbados is Posh Spice; laid back cosmopolitan and attracts the Simon Cowell’s and Michael winner’s of our world. Dominica is Baby Spice; very raw, rural and untouched.
Trinidad is Ginger Spice; buzzing and inclusive, especially around carnival time each February, when colour and music juxtapose into an explosive fireball. The BVI Islands are Sporty Spice; all water sports and Olympic water champs.

TOBAGO’S CASTARA BEACH.

All have their beaches, annual festivals and local cuisines that attract tourists searching for that picture book perfect white sands, palms trees and cocktails vacation. But it’s tranquil Tobago that is Beyonce; she’s got it all and has captured my heart more than the rest in recent years.

It’s a tiny island, just 24miles wide. Its very colourful, hilly landscape reminds me of an Italian island. Like Capri in the Caribbean! It is quiet, calm and quaint. The people are a mixture from all across the world, so whether black, white, brown or yellow, no-one bats an eyelid at tourists and it all feels very inclusive and unthreatening.

PIC- PIGEON POINT PALM WALK

With its white powder sand beaches, backed by almond trees and coconut palms, it boasts the world’s most photographed jetty; on the most picturesque postcard beach I’ve ever been to, called Pigeon Point. Strangely named, as it’s very un-pigeon-like, there are no pigeons, anywhere. It’s a strip of white beach; the entrance pathway welcomes you with a vertiginous palm-tree guard of honour. It should be called Sparrow Shore what with all the chirping birdsong.

PIGEON POINT!

Tobago isn’t really for the vacationer who wants drunken discos, boisterous beer fuelled bingo or tumultuous theme parks with rides that turn you upside down and empty your pockets of change. You won’t find the status quo of tacky trinket markets, disorderly bars and restaurants and cafes that cater to a certain British demographic. Full English breakfast, drunk yobs and footie anyone? Not here.

While its twin island Trinidad twerks with parties all night, tiny Tobago chills out and ‘limes’ in a hammock with a coconut water and cocktail, watching its aqua blue waters twinkle in the sun. It’s the perfect location for me as I love sun, fun, nature, spicy good food and natures birdsong which is so loud and insistent that you rise and shine early as the cockerels start their singing and chatting at 6am!

PIGEON POINT.

I arrived at ANR Robinson International Airport on a pleasant British Airways flight, (though they really need to update their planes and give their service staff image and style sessions), on a Monday afternoon and was picked up and taken straight to my first location for the trip; Bacolet Beach Club.

This is a small very chic boutique hotel with huge expansive rooms based on a cliffside overlooking the ocean. Its rooms are enormous, and prettily decorated in rich, jewel-colours and big modern fittings. Especially in its new wing, which overlooks a number of, tranquil pools, which in turn spill and cascade into the ocean.

BACOLET BEACH CLUB – JUST ONE OF THEIR MANY POOLS.

Its all-glass, cube reception is always manned and welcoming. The hammock filled bars, hidden all the way down the cliffside onto the mini beach, make you jump for joy as you discover them. The food at its onsite restaurant is the only thing that lets it down. It’s acceptable but feels a little neglected in comparison to the high standards of the rest of the hotel and compared to the rest of the islands incredible food-fest offerings.

BACOLET BEACH CLUB ROOMS.

A cliff walk spiralling down to the beach from your room reveals a small white-sand beach like the rest of Tobago’s shore. Most tourist developments are centred on the south-western side of Tobago, starting at Crown Point and running along a string of bays up to Arnos Vale. The lowlands that predominate in the southwest extend to Tobago’s only large town, Scarborough. The coast beyond is dotted with small fishing villages and the interior is ruggedly mountainous, with thick rainforest. Divers and snorkelers, and those seeking mellow days, visit the easternmost villages of Speyside and Charlotteville, while bird-watchers head for the Tobago Forest Reserve although I honestly was bombarded with all types of birds dancing and spinning loudly everywhere we went.

MY GROUP IN TOBAGO LOOKED AFTER BY ”HANS” (FAR LEFT)

We were lucky enough to have one of the best tour guides in the form of a jovial local chap called Hans (Hans tours), who was always larking around. As he drove us around the islands corkscrew vertiginous roads or walked us through cocoa plantations, he would always be on hand with a fascinating fact or 10 about Tobago. ‘‘In Tobago we are surrounded by two oceans, the Caribbean side is like a woman; calm and pretty, the Atlantic side is aggressive and rough like a man’’ lol. Or whist picking up what looked to us, like a red pepper, and asking ‘’what is this?’’ it turned out to be a single almond! (no wonder they’re so expensive!).

INSIDE THIS PEPPER LOOKING POD IS A SINGLE ALMOND!

On the Tuesday morning we went to visit the Tobagonian version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We were guided around the Cocoa Estate by a weathered, elderly woman named Kristina, who was friendly, knowledgeable and as strong as an ox. Her skin golden from years of working out in the sun, who suffered no fools or bad behaviour. She showed us numerous trees on the plantation. Name any fruit, veg, spice or nut, we were shown the plant and schooled on it. We learnt how the cocoa grows, is protected from wildlife and shaded from the sun, where it’s roasted dry and about its final voyage to France where it’s turned into fine chocolate.

COCOA PLANTATION ESTATE GUIDED BY KRISTINA FINISHED WITH A CHOCOLATE AND RUM TASTNG!

At the end of the tour we were treated to a chocolate and rum tasting, which was divine!

RUM AND CHOCOLATE TASTING.

(In fact, it was on this walk that a part of my psyche went into slow-mo as we wandered slowly into a wide grassy path of flowers, shrubs and foliage that was flanked by benches and surrounded by birdsong and crickets chirping in the sultry heat. This strip of the plantation is so breath-taking and paradise like, that I felt an otherworldly aura that returned to me after leaving. I realised I retrospect that this was henceforth going to be my future ”think of your happy, safe place’’. Heaven.

CRAB AND DUMPLIN’

Next, we had Lunch at Blue Crab Restaurant where yet another high-spirited, frolicsome lady (Alison Sardhina) entertained us with stories about Olde worlde cooking methods and local customs. The crab and dumpling dish she and her husband cooked for us was out of this world!

PADDLE BOARDING AT PIGEON POINT.THE LOCAL GOATS WATCHED US BEFORE THEY TOOK PART IN A GOAT RACE!

After lunch we went Stand-up Paddle Boarding at Pigeon Point beach.

You have to pay a nominal amount to get access to Pigeon Point, its the fine dining of Tobago’s beaches, with landscaped grounds lined on either side by acres of huge soaring palm trees, boomboxing bbq accommodating beach bars, clean well maintained toilets and showers spread along an abundance of beachfront. The postcard-perfect, palm-fringed beach has powdery white sands and milky aqua water.

An instructor spent 15 minutes talking us through the technique whilst on dry sand, and then hurried us onto the ocean to catch the sunset to try it out properly.

Whilst the swimmers on the beach shouted encouragement ‘’go on stand up it’s easy!’’ I gritted my teeth determined not to swear back at them to ease off the pressure. I would try standing when I was good and ready lol.

I started off terrified I’d fall in, but taking it slowly and surely ”look up and ahead, not down!’’, I managed a good hour stood up, whizzing along and when tired, drifting motionless alongside the Pigeon Point ocean side without falling in at all. Whoopee! An experience of a lifetime.

HUGE PLATES FULL OF FOOD ARE THE NORM OUT HERE!

That evening we had dinner at a restaurant that surprised me. I ignorantly assumed the only great food I’d get out here would be Caribbean with a twist of Indian. However, I had the best Italian food outside of Italy that I’ve ever experienced, at La Tartaruga Restaurant. An Italian family that moved to Tobago a few years ago run it. With an impressive and enviable wine cellar, the bossman chef Gabriele De Gaetano explains each day’s speciality dish to diners and suggests the best wines to accompany the food offering tasters and advice. (When it comes to attire, Tobago is quite a casual affair but some restaurants prefer you to make an effort with trousers / jeans and sleeved shirts or polo t-shirts and no flip-flops at dinnertime). A truly incredible, culinary experience.

Luckily on Wednesday morning we were able to work off those carbs with a tour of the local rainforest. A long drive planted us at the top of a huge mountain range, lush green and moist. We were guided through the rainforest by Hans, who excitedly pointed out birds with regal names and exotic titles. Soaring majestic bamboo tribes and lofty ferns shielded the sun from us. As we walked in silence we heard trickling streams as well as gushing waterfalls. At random moments colourful birds would swoop and sing at us. At one point just as we were leaving a humming bird dropped straight in front of our faces and danced a hummingbird-ballet for us for a stunning 30 seconds as we froze in the delight of the moment! Forget goody-bags, the rainforest gives you an unforgettable experience to take home!

TREKKING THROUGH A RAINFOREST, SWIMMING IN A WATERFALL AND EATING ROASTED BREADFRUIT- ALL IN A DAY’S WORK!

PS Insect repellent in the rainforest is a must. I slathered it on and wore khaki shirt and pants (a look I researched on Google ‘’what to wear in a rainforest?’’ and found numerous pictures of Prince William and Kate Middleton) if it’s a look that works for the royals, I can be down with it too!

After trekking the rainforest for a short while we walked to Castara Waterfall where our guides Hans and Kathryn picked a huge breadfruit from a tree.

Whilst we stripped to our swimsuits and swam in the waterfall, they made an oven from rocks and wood, and roasted the breadfruit until the aroma permeated the forest, and was ready to be broken up and eaten to all our delight! Scrumptious!

Later that afternoon we had a homemade lunch at Castara Beach and then chilled out watching the sea and listening to the loud soca blasting from the nearby stage.

CASTARA BEACH LOUNGING, HELICOPTER RANDOMLY DROPPING OFF A MUSIC STAR.

Imagining we would just be chilling, nothing much doing, imagine our utter delight when all around us, locals jumped up and started tugging on what appeared to be a tug-of-war rope leading out to the sea? Not even considering why and how, we jumped up to join in tugging rhythmically alongside the soca track that sang ‘pull it, pull it…!’’.

DRAGGING THE FISH IN BY ”PULLING SEINE”!

It wasn’t until well into breaking a sweat and making our hands raw from the rope pulling, did we realise there was another pulling line up parallel to us just yards down the beach, and between us both we were helping the local fishermen to pull in their humongous wide net and drag the flipping, frantic fish in! Apparently what we were doing is a local fishing tradition referred to as ‘’pulling seine’’ (look it up!).

PULLING SEINE.

PULLING SEINE AND CATCHING FISH!

On Thursday morning we ventured out for the Buccoo Reef & Nylon Pool Tour. The reef is teaming with multi-coloured fish and coral and you could snorkel here for hours, where even non-swimmers delight in the underwater world with a glass bottom boat ride. Buccoo is also one of the major reefs easily accessible to non-swimmers.

THE BOAT TOOK US TO BUCCOO REEF AND THE NYLON POOL.

All the known hard corals and most of the soft ones can be found around Tobago as well as hundreds of different reef fish including the giant manta rays. Turtle species such as the endangered leatherback, the green loggerhead and the hawksbill all nest on beaches along Tobago’s west coast. French naval explorer and conservationist, who studied the sea and all forms of life in water – Jacques Cousteau – rated Buccoo Reef as the number three spectacular sight to behold in the world, so what better reason to visit? We snorkelled for ages until we literally had to be forced back onto the boat for our next stop off.

Just minutes away lies the Nylon Pool – a mile square of shallow twinkling turquoise warm water (with water not exceeding 2.5 feet high), slap bang in the middle of the ocean. They say that when you swim in this natural wonder, you take 10 years off your age. As I’ve now visited this spot four times I’m hoping that I look like a foetus!

Lunch was down at Store Bay Beach where tourist style stalls sell trinkets, organic spa’s sell lush body creams, lotions and potions and a neat straight row of candy-coloured cabins called things like Miss Sylvia, Miss Jean’s, Esme’s, sell their home cooked real food like crab and dumplin’ or curry goat, macaroni pie and sea-moss punch. We opted for the legendary “Miss Trims” where the roti’s and curries were mouth watering and washed down with fresh juice or if you’re feeling brave, the liquorice tasting mauby. You’ll also find white sands and good year-round swimming at Store Bay.

The next morning (Friday), we left our hotel on one side of the island for another called Blue Waters Inn; which sits on pretty Batteaux Bay, just 1km from the main road. It’s a spectacular huge hotel right slap-bang on the ocean water so the sound of the waves here is constant.

THE ROOMS AT BLUE WATERS INN – NOT BAD EH!

It’s one of the most upscale places to stay and geared to divers; the rooms all have patios and great views. Guests can also use tennis courts, beach chairs and kayaks.

BLUE WATERS INN COASTLINE.

There’s also a very top-class, New York brassiere style restaurant, with incredibly high standard dishes, a bar, spa services and Blue Waters Dive’N, a full-service PADI dive centre!

THE POOL AT BLUE WATERS INN.

My fave thing about it though, was a lone huge white bed moored just meters out in the ocean, which we swam to and bounced on occasionally. As you do. Pretty bloody impressive!

SEE THAT BED BEHIND ME? JUST TO MY RIGHT….YEP- THATS THE SPOT!

JEMMA’S TREEHOUSE KITCHEN RESTAURANT

Another great spot to have lunch is at Jemma’s Seaview Kitchen in Speyside- it’s a totally underrated foodie destination. Shark bake, crab and dumpling are to die for but I wasn’t so courageous as to try the ‘’soup’’ of pig’s tail and trotters.

The following day we departed for the airport scooping up basketfuls of the amazing body scrubs and lotions made from local ingredients. I love the chocolate, brown sugar and honey body scrub, although it’s taken all my willpower not to taste it.

Tobago fulfils all your holiday fantasies yet is so much more. Your toes kiss warm, white sand, hundreds of beautiful birds chirp sweet nothings in your ears all day and half the night long, your eyes squint from the sun’s reflection in the Caribbean Sea and lastly, your entire body adapts to a few new dance moves from the groove that’s always coming out of a Tobago home or business.

Though Tobago is proud of its rainforests, fantastic dive sites, stunning aquamarine bays and nature reserves, it’s also the best kept secret of all the islands and totally OK with not being mentioned in the latest rap or bashment song. Here you can choose between plush Oceanside hotels or tiny guesthouses in villages where you walk straight to the open-air bar with sandy bare feet, and laugh with the locals drinking rum.

We returned back to the UK with perfect vacation memories, like humming birds fluttering everywhere, sounds of 6am cockerels, healthy weathered ladies full of jokes, children jumping in and out of the ocean all day, paddle boarding on one of the worlds prettiest shores and exploring lush rainforests.

If you’re not sure what time of year to visit, check out the annual calendar and see what takes your fancy. http://www.tntisland.com/calendar.html

There’s something for everyone whether music, arts, culture, eco tours, history and more. From rum festivals, to motor rally’s, to jazz weeks, and Maypole festivals (yes, really), it’s pretty diverse. If you were to ask my advise, and you’re not, but if you were….having been four times now, I would recommend coinciding it with a quick trip to Trinidad carnival first in February – it’s the best carnival you will ever experience anywhere in the world, then after dancing your heart out you can take a quick flight to Tobago for a truly restful week in paradise.

NEED TO KNOW;

The heat in Tobago is always accompanied by a breeze, which lulls holidaymakers into a false sense of ‘’wont burn’’ security. You will. It’s most certainly all about the Sunscreen!! Factor 30 and above!

Trinidad & Tobago Tourism – www.gotrinidadandtobago.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/islandsoftrinidadandtobago
Twitter – https://twitter.com/gotrinbago

Island of Tobago Website:
www.tobagostyle.travel & www.tobagostyle.travel/uk Facebook www.facebook.com/visittobago Twitter: https://twitter.com/visittobago

UK T&T Tourist Office Facebook:
www.facebook.com/adventuresofsteelypan Twitter: www.twitter.com/tnt_steelypan

Trinidad & Tobago Overview Brochure https://www.dropbox.com/s/bq4tzfgl7duroky/TT_Brochure.pdf?dl=0

British Airways into Tobago (twice a week) but the airline also flies into Trinidad’s Piarco Airport 6 days a week.

Bacolet Beach Club and Blue Waters Inn
Trinidad is Tobago’s larger sibling island. The flight between Trinidad and Tobago is only 20 mins long and cost £15 each way on Caribbean Airlines – Caribbean-airlines.com

Flight time London-Tobago via Antigua:
11hrs. Time difference: +4hrs.

£1 = 12.10 TT dollars.

Massive thanks and shout out to the local Division of Tourism and Transportation who couldn’t have been more helpful on each and everyone of my trips. Booking flights, helping with camera crew logistics, suggesting filming spots, hooking us up with local characters with great knowledge…the list goes on and on!

Remember in the 80’s when aids and HIV campaigns were everywhere? When the overriding message for school kids, lusty teenagers and adults was wear a condom and safe sex. Well, guess what, its still a thing.

TALIA STORM AND TINIE TEMPAH ON THE MTV ”FOUND” RED CARPET EVENT IN LONDON.

HIV is the world’s leading infectious killer and HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 35 million people are living with HIV worldwide and an estimated 39 million people have died from AIDS-related causes so far, including 1.5 million in 2013, according to the World Health Organisation.

MTV
The key to preventing more deaths is education and getting into young minds early. Global youth brand MTV have been passionate about helping champion this crusade for years, both with programming and by events and fundraisers, and also consistently getting key influencers and celebrities on board to help spread the awareness.

TINIE
This past week, music act and man about town Tinie Tempah headlined MTV’s Staying Alive London Fundraising Gala ‘Found’ to raise money for fight against HIV.

JASMINE WITH TINIE AND HIS MANAGER DUMI.

Tinie performed his new single ‘Not Letting Go’ for the first time on the night and the catchy summer time hook ( also sung by pop sensation Jess Glynne), had the crowds up on their feet dancing and singing with Tinie , all reciting the lyrics word for word.

Even when I was working at MTV for over a decade they were tirelessly fighting for air time and hitting up their bigwig A Lister’s to jump onboard their campaign, so it’s great to still see it go from strength to strength, under the leadership of the MTV Staying Alive executive director Georgia Arnold. Georgia opened the night with a touching speech, highlighting the important international work being done by the charity.

MTV EXEC DIRECTOR GEORGIA ARNOLD WITH TINIE TEMPAH.

Backstage beforehand Tinie told us “I can’t wait to perform, it’s an honour to be part of raising funds and awareness for such a worthy cause as the fight against HIV and AIDS and to be the face of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation”.

Of course Tinie (who was joined onstage by his long term DJ, DJ Charley), was impeccably dressed. A past Brit award winner and prominent figure in British fashion, Tinie was named Best Dressed Man in GQ’s Men of the Year Awards 2012 and in 2015 was selected as the ambassador for the London Menswear Collection so he is always at the top of the male grooming game. Tinie was support by the very talented singer/songwriter, Tallia Storm who sang her new single ‘Social Security’.

FOUND FUND RAISER.

At London’s Victoria House the event saw VIP’s and celebrities turn out for the exclusive, intimate fundraising gala. Attendees included MTV presenters Becca Dudley, Laura Whitmore, Dutch footballer Edgar Davids, ‘Victim’ Actress, Anna Nightingale, 
Publicist Jessica Huie MBE, singer/songwriter Sonna Rele tipped to be the next big thing from Universal Records. The evening saw a host of VIP’s in attendance including legendary Dutch footballer Edgar David’s (seen pictured with Tinie) although there was no sign of Chuka Umunna following rumours of a campaign song from old pal Tinie Tempah for his short lived Labour leadership race which he mysteriously withdraw from the following day.

TINIE WITH FOOTBALLER EDGAR DAVIDS.

On arrival we were greeted by an interactive Staying Alive space with information on the charities projects and young leaders as well as a chance to play the Big Reveal Game, which had some fantastic prizes including the top prize of an iPad Air 2. Dark mood lighting engulfed the venue as though we were on a mysterious adventure to unlock hidden secrets. The ornate Found logo – a large gold key – appeared on walls throughout, as if reminding us of the treasure to be unlocked.


The especially chosen 250 guests enjoyed a Champagne reception, unlimited drinks all evening and canapés with a twist followed by a delicious bowl food menu.

The unforgettable Supreme Fabulettes oversaw the auction-bidding proceedings, as they paraded throughout the crowds to entice prospect bidders to take part; their huge regalia dwarfed the guests who were spurred into action.

After the auction guests were ushered into a second room, there, to our delight was the FOUND funfair, a marketplace of retro games, candy stalls and prizes to be won.

SINGER / SONG WRITER SONNA RELE WITH TALIA STORM.

We found a third room and slipped into the hidden VIP lounge at the side of the stage to watch performances from headliner Tinie and support act Tallia whilst enjoying private Champagne bar service.

TALIA STORM PERFORMS AT MTV’S FOUND FUNDRAISER.

Afterwards Tinie said: “There’s so much stigma about talking about sex. But the more you’re able to have these conversations with older people and get appropriate advice. “The most important thing is before you do it – wear a jimmy.” he added: “I know what it’s like in the heat of the moment, but stop and think. It only takes two seconds to say ‘have you got a condom? It’s your life that you’re playing with. Aids and HIV is the second biggest killer of young people in this generation. It’s affecting a lot of young Africans and I’m someone of Nigerian heritage so it’s an issue that’s quite close to me’’.

An estimated 3.2 million children are living with HIV. According to 2013 figures from the WHO, most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Over 240 000 children [210 000–280 000] became newly infected with HIV in 2013.

MTV SHUGA.

MTV also keep on the ground momentum from events like this up with their on air programming. An MTV series titled SHUGA has been ground breaking in leading the way through its local storylines and pro-social narrative.

Set and filmed on location in Nairobi, the soap opera came about after UNICEF teamed up with MTV to create a health campaign to impact the lives of youths in Kenya, where an estimated 6.5 percent of its population lives with HIV.

Shuga is an MTV television soap opera that was first aired in November 2009 on MTV Base as part of an initiative dubbed “MTV Staying Alive Ignite!” It later became a hit and was aired in 40 different African countries before it was aired internationally in over 70 television stations. It was thought to be a very controversial series by the senior generation of Kenyans because it contained some scenes that contained sexually explicit content. It bagged a Gold award in May 2010 at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany in the Public Relations Health category for its vivid and uncompromising focus on love, emotions and sexual behavior amongst the Kenyan youth.

In 2013, production of the series was moved to Nigeria, where the third and subsequent seasons are set. Dubbed “Shuga Naija”, the new version is a multimedia campaign, which educates youths on HIV, safe sex and teen pregnancy. It also touches on maternal and child health, family planning, gender-based violence, and women empowerment. It was produced in partnership with Nigeria’s “National Agency for the Control of AIDS” (NACA). The season 3 of the series was broadcast via 88 television stations across the world, with estimated household viewers of over 550 million and MTV Shuga, has a combined reach of over 1 billion households.

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation.

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation is an international content-producing and grant-giving organisation dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV among young people. The Foundation creates and distributes challenging and entertaining HIV-prevention content across MTV channels and with third-party broadcasters, while finding and funding young leaders who are tackling the HIV epidemic in their own communities. To date, MTV Staying Alive Foundation programming has reached 100% of the top 50 countries affected by HIV, and has awarded 500grants in 66 countries around the world, distributing over $5 million to grassroots HIV-prevention projects and directly benefitting 2.6 million young people.

Modern HIV testing is extremely accurate. A single screening test is correct more than 99% of the time. Staying Alive is not just a token CSR brand. So far it has helped change lives. Since 2005, Staying Alive have reached over 500 million young people, distributed over 7 million condoms, helped 200,000 get people tested and supported the growth of 538 projects worldwide.

(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).

This week saw the opening of the brand new west-end musical ‘Beyond Bollywood’ making its UK Premiere at the London Palladium, just seconds from Oxford Circus tube.

BEYOND BOLLYWOOD IS SHOWING NOW FOR 60 PERFORMANCES AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM.
All pics copyright Amit Ashar & Ibrahim Merchant.

The show premiered in Mumbai, India in the summer of 2014 and has garnered tremendous appreciation ever since. With a heaving red carpet of princess-like-ladies wrapped in jewel coloured saris, paparazzi, onlookers, camera crews and celebs like Wayne Sleep, the premier night in London was buzzing!

The diverse audience were treated to an incredible show full of cheesy lines, blingtastic pomp and were transported right into the epicentre of a full on Bollywood film scene.

However, be warned, you can’t attend a Bollywood spectacle without also transporting yourself into a fairy-tale state of mind. Cheesy lines (‘‘this theatre is my heart and dance is my heartbeat!’’ ‘’Follow your heart, where dreams turn into reality!’’ And ‘’there is nothing to fear when Balloo is here!) and ghostly apparitions that appear in a cloud of white dust, are all par for the course, and like a pantomime you have to get into the spirit of things to truly appreciate this genre.

Set in Munich Germany and India, the story follows Shailey Shergill, whose mother owned a run down Indian theatre in Munich that her father is intent on selling. Her mothers dream is to turn it into a success with traditional Indian dance shows. Shailey travels to India and is taken on an adventure of Indian culture, festivals, rituals and dance that are breath taking!

Written, choreographed and directed by self-taught dancer Rajeev Goswami, with lyrics by Irfan Siddiqui and featuring an original, infectious score by Salim-Sulaiman, we were hit hard with a high-impact, full techni-colour, leaping, spinning and twirling dance opening, right from the start. A group of live musicians with their instruments set the scene for the story with their tabla’s, sitars, keyboards and vocals all conversing together onstage. 45 dancers, technicians and musicians from India make up the cast and its obvious with their style and technique that they’re the real deal.

The dancing is mesmerizing with its very stylised Indian choreography, with staccato hand gestures and swirling, twirling spins that Margot Fonteyn would be impressed by. In fact, so much of the choreography mirrors a western ballet or musical in structure. Barefoot, grounded pirouettes like ballerinas, thudding foot taps like tap dancers, even a pas de deux routine with male and female solos that came together to form a perfect otherworldly union. The sounds of the rhythm of shaking ankle bells, juxtaposed against intricate body popping locking techniques had us all gripped.

With huge, full cast, ensemble song and dance numbers, to tracks like Jai Ho (the very catchy song composed by A. R. Rahman for the 2008 film, Slumdog Millionaire), and oodles of high intensity dynamic smiley dancers, this is Bollywood come to life in an eye popping, mindboggling way. Beyond Bollywood mixes Indian and western dancing and fuses them with a pizzazz and vigor in a way that I’ve not ever seen before (and as a former dance student, trust me, I’ve seen it all!).

The musical explores the friction between two choreographers who specialize in traditional folk dancing and Bollywood hip-hop routines. During a section, which showed a western music video style, sexy girls dance routine, the character onstage looked disgusted and unimpressed stating ‘’this is not choreography but pornography!’’. Hilariously, my mother turned to me with a nod and knowing look that said ‘’I told you so!’’

The high points of the show are a black and white gloved number titled ‘‘Sheila’’, which is arresting and hypnotic, as if you are sat in the center of an exotic Bob Fosse number, a beautiful contemporary dance section, a traditional Kathak routine, a lilting Garba dance from Gujarat, a high impact Bhangra dance originated in the Punjab, a dreamy gold and red shaolin monk style Chhau martial arts dance and a section where ‘its raining men’’.

As well as all the high impact energy, fantastical staging, flashing lights, haze smoke, loud noise, fiery dancing and drumming, there is also much visual spectacle with huge colourful Vegas showgirl and Indian regal costumes. In fact, the ‎incredible array of jewel-coloured costumes seem to change in mere seconds over and again, as do set designs and graphics honouring Indian deities, cultural traditions, festivals and landmarks.

There’s also much slapstick humour too with quirky, contradictory characters. My mum was high as a kite afterwards telling me ‘’it reminded me of my motherland that I left behind when I came to the UK in the sixties. It reminded me of our big family gatherings, colourful festivities and the sheer beauty and exuberance of my homeland. I feel very proud!’’

It’s clear that the very best of Bollywood’s creative talent have brought this spectacular event to life but they’re in London for 60 performances only. The last big Indian west end extravaganza was way back in 2002 when Andrew Lloyd Webber brought Bombay Dreams to London’s west end. Now he’s done it again with Beyond Bollywood.

The colour, energy and sheer exuberance of Beyond Bollywood is a great experience for audiences from all backgrounds and takes you on a truly authentic cultural tour of India capturing the fire, heat and wonder of the country. Rajeev Goswami has accomplished his mission to bring an authentic representation of India to the west, beyond the glitz and sheen and cultural clichés synonymous with Bollywood. Beyond Bollywood is not just a musical; it’s a theatrical experience never seen before outside a Bollywood movie.

Many snooty brands that gave this show negative reviews just didnt get the tongue-in-cheek vibe of the genre. It’s not Shakespeare-it’s kitsch!
3.5 / 5 STARS FROM ME!

Visit http://beyondbollywoodmusical.com/ for more details on the show.

JASMINE PRESENTING THE BEST ALBUM AWARD AT THE NAMIBIAN MUSIC AWARDS 2015.

Joan Collins was in New York this week being honoured by private members club, The Friars Club. As she made her toast she stated ‘’there is this old saying that goes around in Hollywood ‘’at 20 a woman is like America – fresh, new and ready to be discovered. After 40, a woman’s like Asia – she’s mysterious, exotic and inscrutable. After 50 a woman is like Australia – not easy to get to but when you get there she is warm and welcoming. After 60 a woman is like Africa. Everyone knows where it is but no-one wants to go there!’’

This shows us how out of touch with the modern world both Joan Collins and Hollywood are if they’re still thinking like this. Africa is the continent that most of my media savvy peers and business minds have been clamouring to visit this past few years. With the world finally waking up to the fact that it’s not just about sickness and poverty, Africa has been quietly killing the fashion, media and business worlds. You only need look at who is buying up most of London’s expensive property (Nigerians) and the fact that the world’s richest black woman is not now Oprah, but Nigerian oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija with an estimated fortune of $7.3 billion. Africa isn’t just safaris and exotica though. It has culture, history and a landscape that is unrivalled.

AIR NAMIBIA FLEW US FROM LONDON, VIA FRANKFURT TO NAMIBIA IN THEIR LUXURIOUS CABINS WITH INCREDIBLY HOSPITABLE CREW.

Just this past weekend I was in Namibia for the 5th Annual Namibian Music Awards which took place again in the seaside town of Swakopmund, at the Swakopmund Sports Indoor Centre. The Town of Swakopmund was once again, the proud ‘Official Host’ of the Namibian Annual Music Awards 2015. (NAMA). Flight operators don’t make it easy though; with us having to take three flights to get there from London, but luckily Air Namibia have a first class service that is above and beyond comfortable! Also, once you’re there its more than worth it with first class hotels (my faves are The Swakapmund Hotel and Entertainment centre and Hotel Eberwein), restaurants (my favourite is the Jetty which is akin to a New York brassiere right on the ocean on stilts), and incredible fresh food options.

FOOD ALL ACROSS SWAKOPMUND IS DIVERSE AND DELICIOUS- MY FAVE- THE JETTY RESTAURANT RIGHT ON THE SEA ON STILTS!

I was lucky enough to be working there as an international judge for the music awards and also presenting the Best Album award on the night. We spent 30 hours flying there, a day and a half working, with a day off afterwards and 30 hours flying back via air Namibia, so I was up in the air more than I was actually in the country!

As ever, the sheer world-class standard of both the show and performers blew me away. With a huge stage, striking set, incredible graphics and lighting as well as huge screens and camera cranes, this was one expensive, well-organized event, and one that surpassed expectations. I’ve been to many award shows around Africa and I have never seen one being delivered like this years’ NAMA’s.

As is the norm across the African continent, the awards ceremony was split over two nights, with the Industry Awards taking place on Friday to award the smaller categories, and the main event on Saturday night awarded artists in the higher-profile, more popular categories. Both nights of the ‘blue carpet’ event were televised live on Namibian TV on main broadcast sponsor NBC who had a buzzing red carpet crew, which streamed online throughout. Many people watched the awards via live stream with over 17,000 viewers with 62% in Namibia, Rest of Africa 18%, Europe, America and Asia 20%. Their tech, handled by the MTC brand, was more on point than most London awards I’ve attended with ‘’NAMA free wi-fi’’ running strong across the venue for social media engagement and of course a lot of banter and trolling of performers and winners.

The show hosts were local stars Gazza and Lady May, who was driven into the arena in a uber flash Bentley for the opening performance alongside Keko (from Uganda). Later one of the rock performers The Namibian Cowboy rode onstage on a Harley motorbike, and the best female winner Oteya started her performance spinning down on a high wire from the vertiginous ceiling. One winning act was even accompanied onstage by a tribe of authentic Herero tribes people dancing and hollering.

Show host / artist Gazza won numerous awards! The award for male artist of the year as well as Best Collaboration and Radio Song of the Year for ‘Shuna’ featuring DJ Bucks and Uhuru from South Africa, as well as Best Musical Event of the Year for his Ondjila album launch were all his for the taking.

WINNERS AT THIS YEARS NAMA MUSIC AWARDS 2015.
(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT; BEST HIPHOP – KK02, BEST R&B – LIL D, BEST MALE – GAZZA, BEST FEMALE – OTEYA)
ALL SHOW PERFORMANCE PHOTOS COPYRIGHT – NAMA.

This year’s show also included live performances by StarDust, Nianell, Riana Nel, Bullet Ya Kaoko, Tswazis and Female Donkey. My favourites were Female Donkey, Tswazis and Nianell.The vivacious Tswazis, kept us all bouncing in our chairs and on our feet with their dynamic choreography, straight after they won the album of the year category, which I presented to them.

PERFORMERS AT THE NAMA2015 SHOW.
(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT; FEMALE DONKEY, SEAN NAUDE (THE NAMIBIAN COWBOY), LIZE EHLERS, ELIZE)
ALL SHOW PERFORMANCE PHOTOS COPYRIGHT – NAMA.

NAMA Executive Chairman, Tim Ekandjo told me ‘‘the performances were on point, entertainment value was high, the stage was bigger and better and the production of the show was accurate. That is exactly what makes a great show. After having delivered a sterling NAMAs 2014, we knew that we needed to maintain the standard or improve it and we decided to improve it against all odds to be the best amongst the best in Africa and the world, and we have achieved that with flying colours. We would therefore like to confidently declare the 2015 NAMAs as a resounding success!’’

NIANELL PERFORMING AT NAMA2015.
ALL SHOW PERFORMANCE PHOTOS COPYRIGHT – NAMA.

Hundreds of music lovers both local and regional flew in for the NAMAs. It was also attended by Ministers and political leaders who spoke about how proud they were that Namibian music was starting to get a wider regional recognition around the continent.

Now habitual stage invader Kanye has a lot to answer for. Nowadays acts globally are all trying to pull a rebellious moment onstage. Namibian artist LeShawn bounded onstage near the end of the ceremony to cuss the media and the public for not paying attention to his music, and industry efforts. The audience didn’t bat an eyelid and all continued with no drama lol.

The same morning as the show there was also a conference on ‘How To Succeed in the pan-African music industry’ seminar hosted by the NAMA Academy where a panel of international judges including myself, talked about our opinions on the songs and videos and took questions from the gathered audience. Artists turned up in huge numbers and engaged with us for over an hour. In fact one of this years nominees was spotted and earmarked for international collaborations, posed for Pan African breakthrough with extended support from Pan African and international media partners, showing that NAMA is an unrivaled primary platform to showcase and celebrate the best of Namibian music to audiences not just across Namibia, but also across Namibia’s borders to audiences across the rest of Africa and the world – opportunities that have never been possible for Namibian artists historically.

THE BEST SKYDIVE LOCATION EVER- OVER THE NAMIB DESERT!

The next day I was determined to make the most of my day off so spent the morning skydiving, the afternoon on a sea safari and the evening quad biking through the Namib Desert.

THE SEA SAFARI- DOLPHIN CRUISE SAW US FROLICK WITH SEAL, PELICANS, FLAMINGOS AND WHALES!.

An incredible country with very welcoming people and an abundance to do, from visiting local villages and tribes, fishing, safari, quad biking and sand boarding in the desert, dolphin cruises where you can view thousands of friendly seals, pelicans, dolphin and flamingos or just marvel at the unusual birds and plants that populate the region. Palm-lined streets, immaculate old buildings and well-kept gardens give Swakop (as the locals call it) a unique atmosphere, and make it a pleasant oasis in which to spend a few days.

Swakopmund is Namibia’s largest coastal town and is a huge draw for merrymakers and vacationers from all over the globe. This seaside resort showcases its German origins in its European-style colonial architecture, creating a breath-taking juxtaposition against the landscape of the Namib Desert.

African music is booming, and so is its web presence. Ever-expanding numbers of websites, blogs, e-tailers, Tumblrs and online magazines dedicated to African-influenced sounds represent a genre of music that is as fast evolving as the social and online media that shows it love. A new generation of African and diaspora music stars like P Squared, Ice Prince and D ‘Banj have gained attention in recent years, and African hits are a perennial trend on international radio and chart playlists too. Don’t sleep on the amount of talent this great continent is developing and selling globally.

This years Namibian Annual Music Awards juxtaposed with this absolutely unique location, made it a musical adventure with action both in the air and on the ocean. Salute Namibia!

QUAD BIKING ACROSS THE NAMIBIAN DESERT IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!-IT’S WHERE THEY SHOOT STAR WARS AND MAD MAX!

List of ‪#‎NAMAs2015‬ winners Saturday night:

Best Male Artist: Gazza
Best Female Artist: Oteya
Album of the Year: Tswazis
Radio Song of the Year: Gazza
Song of the Year: Paradox
Best Newcomer: Kalux
Most Popular Artist: Paradox
Best Music Video: Black Vulcanite
Best Duo/Group: StarDust
Best Collaboration: Gazza
Best House: StarDust
Best Afro Pop (inclusive of Township Disco): Oteya
Best R&B: Lil D
Best Rap/Hip-Hop: KK
Best Kwaito: Exit
Best Traditional: Donsy and Daisy
Best Soukous/Kwasa: Blossom
Best Damara Punch: Dixon
Best Oviritje: Bullet ya Kaoko

Official Website: www.nama.com.na

Facebook: facebook.com/namibianawards

Twitter: @namibianawards
Instagram: @namibianawards