It’s Guyana’s first shot at an international male model competition for a Guyanese, and Max Chung is ready, but nervous about it all.
Chung, 21, an engineer with British Telecoms, was born in Hunter Street, Albouystown in Georgetown, but also lived at Silver Hill, attending the Watooka Primary School in Linden.
He left Guyana for England in 2000 and pursued studies in the field of telecommunications. He joined British Telecoms.
So how did he end up being part of the Mr World competition? He saw an advertisement on the Miss Guyana World website asking for a competition called “Mr Internet Guyana” and he decided to send in his photo.
Sure enough, he received the most votes and was offered the opportunity to take part in the biggest male model showcase in the world and he jumped at the opportunity.
He had a few gigs in front of the camera before, and feels sure that he can live up to the demands of the competition, even if he is a bit nervous about it.
If you are one of those trying to figure out Chung’s ethnicity – forget about it! Let’s just say he is “mixed.”
The Mr World competition is slated for March 27 in Korea, and is celebrated as an exhibition of adventure, sport and style, is run by the Miss World organisation.
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Mondale Smith
During the period March 20 to March 27 Miss Guyana World Kaierouann, Imarah, Shaade, Kensha Radix will be competing in the Miss Caribbean World Pageant 2010 as Guyana’s beauty ambassador.
The 24-year-old who stands at 165 cm is fluent in English, Spanish and French and is a talented singer as well as a scuba diver.
The pageant is in its fifth year and delegates are expected to begin arriving in the British Virgin Islands on Saturday March 13 with a set departure date of Sunday March 21.
The pageant committee states that unlike the other pageants it’s a competition ‘not a vacation’ and delegates are expected to attend all functions on time. They say too that an invitation has been extended delegates to experience Nature’s Little Secret for an entire week.
As part of the activities the delegates will be travelling to other islands where they will display the unique culture and the warm atmosphere of the beautiful British Virgin Island.
The delegates will be competing in six segments that include Costume which will reflect some aspect of their country, Swimwear that could be one or two piece swimwear and Talent.
In the future, after the completion of her Masters Degree, Imarah hopes to work in the area of Human Rights either with the United Nations or an affiliated non-governmental Organization. She is very interested in the aspect of the treatment of children and their fundamental rights.
She describes herself as a passionate person in her values and morals and is totally committed to fulfilling her dreams while contributing and playing her part to make this world a better place for future generations to enjoy.
She feels strongly about issues of racial discrimination, world poverty, social injustice, climate change and conservation of wildlife and the environment.
She enjoys scuba diving, swimming and tap dancing. Her favourite food is duck curry with roti. Her motto is “When opportunity knocks, always be prepared”.
Imarah Radix graduated from CobhamHall Girls’ School, Kent, England with ten G.C.S.E's including French and Dance. She went on to do three ‘A’ Levels at the same institution in Russian History, English Literature and Classical Greek Civilization.
She recently graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Politics.
Imarah deferred her place on the Masters Degree course in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University College Kensington, London to take up the once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Guyana at the Miss World Pageant. She did not place but was the lone Guyanese to make it to the top twenty in the talent competition where she sang Etta James’s “At Last.”
Imarah has taken part in many fashion shows both in Guyana and Abroad including the inaugural Guyana Fashion Weekend. She has appeared as a model for London-based designer Anetha Daniels in GEM Magazine.
She has graced the cover of Extra and has done photo shoots for GT&T for use in their ad campaigns and billboards and modeled for some of the best Guyanese designers such as Michelle Cole and Olympia Small.
She has also appeared on television in US AIDS awareness commercials and in music videos for local Guyanese Artistes. Imarah also won a competition in the United Kingdom to be the face of a brand called Tigress Clothing.
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Mondale Smith
If one assesses the Mash KIK Tour it would best be dubbed a well planned and organized event which probably came from the proven event management abilities of the Wildfire productions group. They offered a good example of what should be done to please patrons as an example to other budding promoters.
Security seemed one of the group’s highest priorities, and the music systems, lights, and other things were well in place.
However, as agreed by group head, Jonathan Beeepat, the crowd support was not as they had hoped or anticipated for.
Patrons who attended the Linden show obviously had a blast but the crowd support was poor. However, the Berbice show was well attended to the point that Beepat confidently said “Berbice will definitely see more of Wildfire Productions events”.
Konshens, his young apprentice, Darrio, and the Konshens Movement were an amazing group to work with, Beepat said. He also noted that of the many artistes his group has brought to the local shores none have been more fun, professional, and easy to work with than them.
In Beepat’s assessment, “Konshens is on his way to being one of the biggest names in dancehall/reggae music industry and the amazing part of it is his humbleness.”
He said that from experience many artistes talk about being humble and down to earth, but Konshens lives the talk.
In Linden, there was some rumours that the show was cancelled. Konshens was notified and joined in doing all necessary to dispel the rumour through PA and TV programmes.
This happened even though he needed rest coming from a club show the night before. He threw on his white vest, cut jeans, sneakers, grabbed a Mackeson and was ready to go on the road.
On the road, Konshens was out walking alongside the PA truck, signing autographs, giving away promotional CD's, taking pictures, hugging the ladies, and just working the road all around Linden.
In Berbice, Konshens did not miss the opportunity to be part of the Mash celebrations as he also walked the road interacting with the crowd and stopping at each sound system to give the people a sample of his voice. The ladies were crazy for the artistes to talk to them.
Crowds continually flocked to the Wildfire team to the point that what started out as 12 of became an entourage of hundreds following the artistes while he walked throughout Main Street, Berbice.
Beepat said his team “had a great experience with Konshens, and we will be working with him again in the future”.
His team was privy to be behind the scenes and to get to know some of the plans of the Konshens movement and listen to tunes which aren't even released as yet and the collective sentiments are that his music is what dancehall needs.
It is safe to state that his gritty vocals, blended with some of the hottest dancehall beats, and covered with the message he puts in his music are among the ingredients that makes him truly the next big thing.
Konshens is always conscious of what he wants his youthful followers to hear, and he lets people feel the good vibes message in a style which that they all can relate to.
The Wildfire show was sponsored by Mackeson and Giftland Officemax with much gratitude to Miguel of the Konshens Movement.
Beepat cognisant that Georgetown was left out of the Konshens tour experience promises that “Georgetown can expect to see him, and when he comes again, Guyana will be mesmerized!”
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Mondale Smith
As she continues her quest to take her talent to the international music mainstream Timeka Marshall, age 21 is back home for a short spell from the Land of wood and reggae and is not wasting time.
After releasing the inspirational ‘One more day’ single late last year Marshall shot her first locally produced video to add to her four hot singles.
She has also done cameo performances in Peter Morgan’s Golden brown and Peter Ram’s tight videos.
Filming began today at one historical location in the capital city.
Persons who were desirous of being in the video were given the chance to visit her facebook page and message her addressing it as Timeka video for a chance to be included in the video.
Filming is being done by Artistic marketing company headed by Rahoul Couchman.
This video will be her fifth in addition to the hits ‘All night’, ‘Hush,’ Feel fah’ and ‘Separate.”
Timeka said, “This song is inspirational and goes beyond the regular communication with the creator where you move beyond asking for money and riches and goes into the very important ‘one more day.’
She said, “In life we often pray for success, money and riches and forget that you only need to ask for health and strength and spiritual direction”.
The song, she says, was written after her friend’s mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
I put myself in her shoes and from watching her battle for life I have even more appreciation for the things we take for granted.
She said, “Sometimes when people are going through tough times all they can ask God for is one more day”.
The wardrobe will be provided by designer Sonia Noel.
Marshal was among the many models at the Guyana Fashion Weekend of which Noel is the CEO for that event. Several of the popular artistes and Guyanese personalities will be making cameo appearances.
Be sure to check GtShowBiz.com tomorrow for exclusive behind the scenes photos of the Music Video shot on location at the Brickdam Cathedral, Georgetown.
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Mondale Smith
Jamaican Dancehall icon, Baby Cham, and Anthony B were the two major acts carded to perform at the Mash Explosion concert but that never materialized much to the disappointment of fans.
Much confusion followed as irate fans looted the bar and broke up a sound system.
Baby Cham has sent an apology to his Guyanese fan base for his non-performance at the National Park on Saturday February 27.
The artiste and his team left Guyana disappointed and said that this happened “after the promoter, Seven Star Entertainment, failed to meet obligations”.
Cham explained, “We always honour and respect our fans and unfortunately a number of requirements were not in place; certain obligations were not met by the promoter and we were not able to make it to the venue to perform for the fans.”
Apologizing for the unfortunate situation, Khorie Ann Robb, Public Relations Manager of Headline Entertainment, a booking agent, noted, “Our non-appearance was in no way due to our fault …we were present and ready to work. The promoter failed to handle the situation the way he should have and as such we had to leave the country without performing.”
The artiste is anticipating a return to the country to perform for the people as Guyana still remains one of his favourite markets.
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Mondale Smith
All the persons who were hoping to enjoy the first live local performance of Jamaican artistes Bushman on Saturday will have to wait a bit longer.
Promoter Justin Leigh called Roots man who is at the helm of the Roots Fest has confirmed to this publication that the concert has been postponed until March 20.
This comes on the heels of the Mash Explosion that proved disastrous and rubbed patrons the wrong way when the artistes did not show up.
Leigh said too that the artiste was ready to travel void of any glitches and was looking forward with anticipation to performing in Guyana for the first time but noted that "We were advised by senior Home Affairs officials to postpone the show until then."
For the persons who bought tickets the promoter seeking pardon for the inconvenience said tickets are still valid and are still on sale at the same locations.
He advised that some of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the less fortunate children at several children’s homes.
This is the group’s first show with plans for at least two others for 2010.
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Mondale Smith
Contrary to Promoter Nigel Harding’s report that an arrangement would be made for compensation of damaged equipment following the unfolding at the recently staged mash explosion, no monies have been paid as promised and the promoter has left the country. Reports are that he has also been blacklisted by local authorities.
However, if all does not go well soon, his brother, Kenneth Grant Stuart, a mason will be in the hot seat because he has signed a document with the police as the show’s co-promoter.
According to an agreement made in the presence of ranks at the Alberttown police station Harding will have to pay a total of almost $3m in damages for equipment and other cash related expenses starting with US$1000 followed by other payments.
The US$1,000 was to have been paid on Wednesday but that never materialised.
Danley Major, owner of Kingdom Friends Studios, whose sound equipment were used for the show said all told, his losses amount to almost $3M and that his studio is seriously hindered by the damage to his equipment.
Hoping that the promoter will honour his promise, yesterday he said, “I’ve not received any payments to date, only promises.” He said that his equipment was chartered at the last minute by Ian Johnson and Gail Vieira of Vision Sounds.
He reported that from communication with Ian Johnson and Gail Vieira for Vision Sounds they cannot undertake repairs or payment for the equipment. From the inception of the promotion Vieira said her company is not the promoter neither is it in charge of the promotion “we merely reached out to the promoter who sought our assistance”.
Yesterday Major said, “I saw disaster coming since earlier in the day but I did not expect it to be at such a degree”.
He said that on the night of the concert when he realised that something was not right because of the delay in the arrival of the artistes, he went home and returned to the national park at 2:00hrs when the show was to have been concluded.
He said, “People start pelting bottles and a DJ had to run for cover off the stage and left the music playing”. In his description he said “If you see bottles like rain… They break up everything on stage”.
But that was nothing compared to watching several men with broken bottles in hand heading to the area where his sound console was. He said, “I watched in horror as they walked to the console and throw it down and one start lashing it down”.
He had spent years accumulating the money for this vital piece of equipment.
While the promoter, Harding, reported that the artistes did arrive at the National Park Major is adamant that he did not see any of the artiste at the location.
He reported, too, that “I did hear one gunshot ring out and then I see everybody scatter”.
Reflecting further he said, “When the confusion started firemen, police and everybody bruck out, including some of the unarmed police ranks who couldn’t do anything.”
Major, while expressing worry at his losses, said the experience proved that there is need for a governing body to whom promoters must lodge a security deposit that covers any eventuality like this one. He also said there should be a serious screening process before permission is granted to promoters to stage shows locally. This is done in Suriname.
He said that what made things worse is the fact that while the unfolding was taking place at the National Park the promoter was nowhere around. Several persons who offered assistance to the promoter reported that they could not locate him after the show.
One said, “It was only after we reported the matter to the police station that they were able to invite him to the station where he said that he was fearful for his life”.
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Mondale Smith