The idea of Rock music let alone Heavy Metal in Guyana as a supported genre may seem laughable to some but it does have its local following.

Amidst talk of rock being a dying art form heavy metal band Eu-Tu Brutus is daring to rock on.

Many have said that the most dauntless efforts have failed and that the art form is as good as dead but the band members sharply contrasts this belief. “We have heard the naysayer’s rumours prophesying the end of rock in Guyana, but we don’t believe it because we still exist,” the group in an invited comment said.

Their explanation is that this sort of talk came about because of the lack of live performances which have become near impossible to realize simply because of minimum sponsorships and dwindling fan support.

However the affirm that “ET-TU Brutus have not giving up, we have grown from strength to strength and hard at work honing our craft.” The band that has been in existence for more than eleven has done over one hundred or more gigs and they said “we never expected to reach this far but we have and will continue…rock will live.”

After playing for three important shows in Trinidad and Brazil, with other heavy Metal bands for the first time and being treated like rock stars they said these experiences have brought them to the realization that “we are a Heavy Metal machine to be reckoned with.” Fortified with this inspiration and two additional members the band has embarked on a series of recording at the Brutal tracks studio for release in a matter of weeks. .

Sounding a warning to rock fans the band states that ‘Pure Original Guyanese Heavy Metal’ music will soon be released from ET-TU Brutus. They pride them selves in being called the heaviest Metal band in Guyana.

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Mondale Smith

Raquayyah Boyer a 2009 delegate of the Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant has been selected by the Simpli Royal group as Miss Teen Universal Guyana and is already in Barbados competing for the coveted title. She describes herself as the essence of a true Guyanese youth who mirrors the epitome' of feminine grace and beauty and she admires Oprah Winfrey.

Boyer is among thirteen other delegates drawn from Barbados, Trinidad, El Salvador, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica , Bahamas, Margarita Islands and Roques Island contending the crown at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford conference Center.

Boyer’s chaperone is Meleesa Payne, the reigning Miss Tropical Paradise who will also be showcasing her fashion line titled FREE. Guyanese creativity will also be represented at the event through a fashion showcase of designs from ORGANICS by Carol Frazer, a display from Lindener Alana Binnings, and Pam Fox’s FOXY fashion line. The reigning queen of the Miss teen Universal is Lucy Ryvara of Venezuela.

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Mondale Smith

As opposed to it being this Sunday the Hits and Jams team has shifted the Car and Bike show staging to November 29. This decision according to Entertainer Kerwin Bollers was arrived at based on the request of some of the contenders to this event. “The body workshops owners asked us to hold because they need some more time to import supplies to dazzle and surprise fans,” Bollers aid.

Expressing regrets at the postponements Bollers also said his team remains committed to providing the best quality events.

On November 29 all roads lead to the Everest Cricket ground for the seventh annual Hits and Jams Car and bike show. This year the much anticipated event will feature cars, bikes and SUVs in more than fifteen categories for various tangible prizes as well as bragging rights.  The categories up for competition include cleanest car and bike, best car, SUV and bike, best antique car and bike, cleanest sounding car and SUV, loudest car and SUV, Super car or SUV and the Car show king.

The king walks away with a giant size trophy and a year of bragging rights.   The family event is fair at which allows automobile operators to showcase their toys.  It does not promote violence and noise nuisance on the roadways. For this GT&T and Banks Power stout sponsored event patrons are guaranteed a show a notch above the last staging. Application forms are still being accepted at HJ-TV 72 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown. Added attractions include booths with automotive parts companies showcasing automobile accessories. The event is family oriented.  More than frothy forms have been uplifted.

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Mondale Smith

Timeka Marshall accepted an invitation to visit Trinidad and share her most recent work on The Basia Show with host Alicia Powell (a.k.a. Ms. Basia), before heading off to Jamaica (where she is based) to get back in the studio.

While on the show, Timeka spoke about her career goals and what she has been doing to develop as an artist since she came on the scene three years ago.

“What I really want to be known for is my voice. That is what we are pushing right now and so far it has been great”, shared Timeka.

Alicia asked Timeka to perform and she obliged with ‘It Doesn’t Matter’. She also took the opportunity to premiere her latest video ‘Feel Fah’ featuring Busy Signal.

Apart from Timeka’s music, the two women found a connection in breast cancer and the impact it has had on both their lives. Alicia is a breast cancer survivor and ardent supporter in the fight against the illness while Timeka has lost an aunt as well as a friend’s mother to the cancer. The singer performed a heartfelt accapella version of a self-penned song titled ‘One More Day’ which she wrote in memory of those she has lost to breast cancer.

Speaking to Timeka after the interview she stressed the need to keep breast cancer awareness in the foreground.

“We have to use our status in the public’s eye to continuously advocate about breast cancer and to get women in the habit of practicing breast self awareness. The earlier it can be detected the more likely it can be overcome”, noted Timeka.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the two women have forged a new link towards raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Alicia is hosting a Breast Cancer Drive on October 22 and Timeka has agreed to be one of the artistes taking part in this event. We look forward to hearing more about this show and Timeka’s alignment with breast cancer.

Guyana’s Beauty Queen and runway diva MeLeesa Payne has won yet another international pageant title. On October 10 she proved the best of ten world beauties to cop the crown and the Miss Tropical Paradise title in Jamaica. The 24 year old former Miss Guyana Universe competed against delegates from countries like United States of America, Jamaica, Barbados, Canada and others. Miss America placed second whiel Jamaica placed third.
Her prizes for winning the pageant include a cruise with Jamaican singing sensation Freddie McGregor from Miami to 10 Caribbean islands, a number of trips to and from Jamaica, 2 First class trips to the USA, a pair of earrings and an outfit from Corpa designs.

She also won the prizes of Best Gown and Best Interview at the pageant but while she was poised to compete at eth Miss Earth pageant she will not be going there. Financial difficulties have caused her to cancel plans to compete at the Miss Earth Pageant and as such she will focus on her career in dance. As a professional dancer she said “I disappointed in not getting sponsorship to go to the Miss earth but I preparing for the Classique Dance Company’s Battle of the Sexes show slated for December 5 at the National Cultural Centre.

A man has been charged and sectioned under the Mental Health Act, after Leona Lewis was punched during a book signing in London.

Peter Kopwalczyk, 29, from south London, was arrested at the Waterstone's book store in central London on Wednesday afternoon moments after the Bleeding Love singer was assaulted as she signed copies of her autobiography for fans.

Police say Kowalczyk has been sent to a mental hospital, but is due to appear in court charged with assaulting the former X Factor winner later this month.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Peter Kowalczyk, aged 29 of SE1, has today been charged with common assault and sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He is due to appear at city of Westminster Magistrates Court on October 26th.'

Leona cancelled a visit to Germany today as she recovered from the assault.

The 24-year-old had been due to fly out for a day-long promotional trip, but pulled out in the aftermath of the incident.

Former X Factor winner Lewis had been signing copies of her autobiography at Waterstone's Piccadilly in London yesterday afternoon, when a man in the queue allegedly lashed out. She was left 'shaken'.

Lewis said today that the experience was a 'horrible shock'.

In a statement she said: 'Thank you so much for your support, it is truly overwhelming.

'Yesterday was a horrible shock and left me extremely hurt and upset. I'm very sorry to those I wasn't able to meet at the signing.

'Thank you again for all of the lovely messages. Love you all.'

Her spokesman said: 'Leona was due to go to Germany today for promo but that has now been cancelled.'

He added: 'Leona is obviously shocked after yesterday but is OK.'

Shocked fans could only look on in horror as she clutched her head before bursting into tears.

Five security guards piled in to restrain her attacker, pinning him to the ground until police arrived at the scene.

One fan told the BBC: 'My brother saw the whole incident.

'He [the attacker] walked up there with the book, she signed it and, as she looked up, he just punched her.'

Another witness said her attacker yelled: 'I love you, Leona' - and she screamed back: 'I don't love you.'

A separate bystander added: 'I heard Leona cry out in pain and she was quickly led off by her security as more security guards and fans restrained the man until police arrived.

'She had sunglasses on and even though she had her face in her hands you could see she was clearly crying and her face was swollen.

'The worst thing is that the man was grinning - he thought it was funny.'

The man is described as over 6ft, skinny, with mousy brown long hair. He was wearing scruffy jeans and a jacket.

A spokesman for Miss Lewis, who witnessed the attack, said he did not hear the man say anything.

He confirmed the singer had suffered bruising to the side of her head and was taken to a private doctor in Central London as a precaution.

Waterstones said it took security at book signings "extremely seriously" and this was the first incident of its kind.

The firm added: 'We would like to thank Leona for her professionalism and we are extremely sad that this event was ruined for her, and her fans, many of whom queued from the early hours of the morning to meet her.'

The spokesman added that Miss Lewis was left feeling 'shaken', adding: 'Leona is absolutely gutted that she did not get the signings finished.

'This guy whacked her one in the face, and she was sitting down and he was standing up, so you couldn't get more cowardly.

'She was in pain and when police arrived, they advised her to go and see a doctor.

'Leona is incredibly shaken up. It was absolutely horrible.

'She will see how she is feeling today and will decide if she's up to working.

'At the moment, she's too shaken up to think about any of that.

'She is expected to fly to France this weekend but that remains to be seen.'

In the face of the current economic crisis Ashmins has created an avenue for our customers and potential customers to not just shop and save but also gain tangibly while getting what they need for the approaching festive season and beyond.

The launched a new promotion titled ‘Win this car’ it is aimed at giving back to their customers especially for their retail customers.

Note: They are still offering their wholesale services but the competition does not apply to them.

Three basic rules: It is not open to whole sale buyers, staff and immediate family members.

Weekly drawings begin Saturday and for the first three weekends three customers will benefit from prizes valued between $90,000 and $35,000 each. Thereafter, they will have one drawing per weekend: sometimes on Saturdays or Sundays. The prizes include membership cards to Splashmins, Weekend getaway for two, appliances and other prizes.

They are weekly drawings for various prizes ranging from winning your purchase free to winning other prizes within the store. Through the ‘win this Car’ promotion they are offering a multi-million dollar car as the main prize that can be won simply by shopping retail in the High street store.

Ashmins Trading opened its door to the public in August of 1992. Their main aim was to import and supply retail businesses. Since then for almost 17 years they have been the backbone to many businesses small and large nationwide.

This promotion begins from tomorrow morning when the store opens and runs up until January 9 2010.

Mondale Smith PRO

The Miss Renaissance Pageant is billed for October 24th 2009 at the National Cultural Centre, Georgetown Guyana. 11 mature women are set to vie for the crown in what has become a much-anticipated pageant by persons of all ages.  Below are the eleven ladies vying for this year’s Renaissance crown..

Excellence Dazzell, Delegate Number One:
Many may know this 29-year-old mother of two as Osiea Paris, Guyana’s representative at the 1997 Caribbean Song Festival in Barbados where she copped the second position. Excellence permanently changed her name by deed poll earlier this year after she had a dream. She explained to The Scene recently that Osiea means delicate and tiny and it was for this reason that she did not like her name. However, she did not have the boldness to change it. But she was finally encouraged to take the plunge by her husband.

Excellence, the administrator at the Philbert London Ministries said this is her first pageant, something she always wanted to be a part of but was never able to fit the height criteria. Excellence who also plays a part on popular radio series Merundoi said that at first she wanted to drop out because of the hectic schedule the pageant entailed but was persuaded by a Ms Renaissance fan. She told The Scene that the training is not hard, nor is walking in heels as this is how she makes up for her lack of height, but finding the time to practice is difficult. So far she is enjoying the training as it is educational and she is enjoying meeting different personalities. This pageant, she said, has given her a social life. Excellence loves peace and singing in her spare time. She will be singing on pageant night.

 

Maxene Joseph, Delegate Number Two

This mother of four is a confidential secretary at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and this is her first pageant. Her decision to enter the pageant followed the bidding of relatives and friends and the fact that it was designed for the mature and professional women. According to Maxene, her positive outlook on life and artistic ability are aiding in her preparations for the big night. For her this pageant focuses on the positives, the cultural awareness, and achievements of the matured Guyanese woman and gives an opportunity to express the values, which had been extended by education, work and cultural experiences. Being in the pageant gives her a sense of purpose “even as it brings out my hidden potential and allows me to showcase my talent and inner beauty”. Unfortunately with her work and her academic studies she hardly has spare time but when there is some, Maxene likes to interact, sing, read, listen to music and dance. She already holds a certificate in Secretarial Studies and a diploma in Computer studies and is now reading for a diploma in Public Management at the University of Guyana. While she has confidence, Maxene admitted that getting that crown would be a challenge since all of the contestants are beautiful and all have the potential to wear it. She will be performing a dance on pageant night.

 

Roslyn Williams, Delegate Number Three

At age 29, Roslyn the mother of a six-year-old daughter has accomplished a lot academically and is still striving to achieve more. She had certificates in masonry and plumbing from the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and a certificate in Industrial Relations and Social Studies from the Critchlow Labour College. She is also a graduate at the Cyril Potter College of Education, where she also had some training in special education needs in disabled children. Starting this month, she is reading for a degree in Education at the University of Guyana.

Currently a teacher at Diamond Primary School, Roslyn a resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara told The Scene that she was motivated to enter the pageant by a former contestant, relatives and friends. She describes herself as a very outgoing person who loves to look at television, meet new people and sightsee.

She has visited places such at Lake Mainstay, Essequibo and Linden. So far, Roslyn says that she is enjoying the dance practices, weekly exercises and walking sessions. Like most of the other contestants this is her first pageant and she is nervous cannot wait for pageant night to arrive. On pageant night she will be performing a steel pan rendition in her bid to grab the judges’ attention.

 

Monique Elke Wilson, Delegate Number Four

A 29-year-old mother of an eight-year-old son, Monique is very excited about Ms Renaissance which is her first pageant. An analysis programmer at the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), Monique told The Scene that it was a former contestant who persuaded her to enter this year and so far she is not regretting her decision. According to her, the pageant is a plus for her social life and as a lover for fashion and modelling, she was not reluctant to enter. Another reason was the fact that there was no swimsuit segment.

At first Monique’s son was sceptical that she has what it takes to wear the crown but as time goes by he is getting more confident that she could be that person. This pageant she said is teaching her a lot about life in a fun way.

With this pageant she is learning the art of time management. The modelling practices, exercise routines, educational sections on various topics and speech perfection are what she is enjoying so far. She told The Scene at first she was nervous but “I can’t predict my feelings on stage pageant night”. Monique holds a degree in Computer Science from UG is currently reading for a degree in Clinical Physiology at the American University of Peace Studies. Her talent on pageant night will be a dramatic monologue.

 

Pamela Atwell, Delegate Number Five

The mother of a nine-year-old girl Pamela rose above her grief after her mother died in May this year and decided to remain a contestant in the pageant. According to her she now sees this pageant as an honour to her mother. “I contemplated dropping out but I remembered her saying, be strong and don’t give up. When you start something finish it,” Pamela said. This gave her the strength to continue her quest for the crown. A counsellor at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Pamela, like her daughter, is very excited about the pageant.

She is enjoying the training sessions and is particularly pleased that the preparations are not clashing with her job commitments. As of now her daughter is her biggest fan and would correct her when she errs while practicing.

Pamela has been trained in hotline and face-to-face counselling and has a diploma in computer studies from the National Database Management Authority at the University of Guyana. She at one time attended adult aerobics classes at the National School of Dance and plans to return in the near future. Pamela said she is enjoying socializing with the other contestants. A former contestant in the Mother and Daughter Pageant, Pamela was crowned Mashramani Queen on several occasions.

 

Althea Bristol, Delegate Number Six

A registered nurse at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Althea was always fashion conscious and had a love for modelling. In her teenage years, she was crowned Queen of the Fashion Elegance Pageant. Now the mother of two girls aged one and eight years old, she has decided to vie for the title of Ms Renaissance because she is confident of her ability to win. Like most of the other contestants she has found the training educational and at the same time she is able to “relax and have fun”.

The sessions in makeup application are what she finds most interesting as that is something new to her. Althea loves to read, cook, eat and make friends in her spare time. She told The Scene that she is excited but at the same time filled with nervousness as she is part of a competition. However she has the confidence that she has what it takes to be the next queen. “Everyone is on the same level.

We all have what it takes to be queen,” she said. This is a pageant that she would encourage mature professional women to enter because the training sessions are very educational and the pageant helps women build their confidence.

 

Nicola Waldron, Delegate Number Seven

Forty-two-year-old Nicola is a field coordinator at the Ethnic Relations Commission and Ms Renaissance is her first pageant. A former media practioner, Waldron was inspired to enter by a former contestant.

She told The Scene that she decided to enter because it was a pageant for the mature professional woman, a category she falls into. So far, Nicola is enjoying the dance and exercise routines as well at the walking perfection excercises. She described herself as having ‘a serious eating disorder’ since her diet is made up of lots of fruits and sometimes vegetables. Nicola has excellent relationships with the other contestants who have all been supportive of each other. “I am confident, but let’s see what will happen on pageant night,” a visibly excited Nicola said.

In her spare time she prefers to looks at educational television programmes such as CNN, BBC, National Geographic Explorer and the history channel. Nicola worked in the print and electronic media but left since she felt she needed to channel her energies elsewhere.

She holds a degree in Communications from the University of Guyana and is currently attending computer classes. She is a proud member of Women Across Differences, a non-governmental organization which focuses on the empowerment of women. On pageant night her talent piece will be a dramatic presentation.

 

Yoland Moore, Delegate Number Eight:
Yoland on pageant night will bring her modelling experience to the stage. She was a model at the Guyana Fashion Weekend and the Genesis Fashion Show last year and this was her inspiration to enter Ms Renaissance. A trained teacher and the holder of a degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana, Yoland had found the educational seminars very exciting. She said the sessions which included talks on healthy foods and HIV/AIDS brought some awareness to her. She is also a certified dancer and will be showing her skills on pageant night.  Yoland says all the contestants are helpful to each other, and she likes that.

 

 

 

Latoya Croker, Delegate Number Nine

At 32 years old, Latoya has found herself in a pageant for the first time. She had toyed with the idea of entering last year but did not follow through with it. However, this time around she was encouraged by friends to enter. Her friends are her biggest supporters right now and they will be at the NCC on October 24, to give her their full support. Latoya is a receptionist at the Eureka Medical Laboratory and Family Clinic and is currently a third year public management student at the University of Guyana. Duck curry, which she can expertly prepare, is her favorite dish and during her spare time she likes to watch movies and listen to music. For her the pre-pageant training has been hectic but at the same time very interesting. Latoya told The Scene that she is enjoying the make up sessions and the talks on a variety of topics including HIV/AIDS and how to manage money. She expressed the confidence that she has what it takes to be queen.

 

A freelance journalist, Claudette is excited about the pageant which she was asked to enter by a Ms Renaissance organizer and eventually persuaded by her daughter. She sees Ms Renaissance as a pageant that offers an opportunity to benefit from the enriching activities and the experience it affords. She told The Scene that it also adds “that extra finesse” to her total mature image. At 50, she describes herself as an “unassuming, assertive and humble” senior journalist. She believes it is never too late to realize or achieve your dreams as long as you keep your focus. Claudette has almost 20 years experience in the local print, radio and electronic media and was at one time working at the T&T Mirror and the Punch, an entertainment newspaper. She recently presented the First Look News on HBTV Channel 9. Claudette, as a single parent, guided her three children through to tertiary education ensuring that they became career persons. She is an executive member of the Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO), an advocacy NGO in the fight to stem global warming. This grandmother of three enjoys reading, dancing, singing and gardening in her spare time.

 

Deborah King, Delegate Number 11

Though the preparations have been exciting they have also been challenging, but Deborah has opted to stand firm and ensure she is on stage on pageant night. A trained teacher and owner of the Dominion House reading programme, she is also a member of the National School of Dance, Classique Dance Company and is an instructor at Dominion House. According to Deborah, a mother of four, it took a lot of persuasion from a former contestant for her to enter the pageant. For her despite the challenges, the pageant is a really interesting experience that will last for the rest of her life. She sees it as the platform not only to display the essence of womanhood but also cultural heritage and talent. Deborah has the confidence that she will perform well on pageant night but pointed out that it’s up to the judges. For her the walk routine is really exciting as it has brought out the lady in her, helping to improve her posture and how she wears an outfit. A specialist in phonics and reading and a trained teacher, Deborah like to spend time with her children whenever she gets the chance during her busy schedule. She loves food but jerk chicken and calaloo cook-up with okra and fried fish are at the top of the list. Her husband and children are her biggest supporters but she will be depending on God and “what I have” on pageant night.

Guyanese Rapper Don Gialiani with a hot new track called 'Hustle Over Here'. We gotta say this is tight! Keep it up Don Gialiani! We're looking forward to the video for this one!