9-day island wide party to boost small businesses

Elspeth Duncan

Many say that tourism in Tobago is dying—or dead—but Ambassador Nickocy Phillips, founder of the Trinidad & Tobago Youth Will Rise Foundation (TTYWR), believes otherwise:

“It’s not dead yet. Think outside of the box and do what you can. It’s not about depending on the Minister or Tourism. It’s about those of us who are leaders in our communities coming together to make things happen for the island.”

It is just as well that Ambassador Phillips and partners are not depending on the Ministry of Tourism nor the Division of Tourism as they have not yet received a response from the aforementioned concerning their participation in the nine-day event carded for 8-18 May 2018. This being a ‘dead time’ time for Tobago tourism and, with the added challenge of inter-island transport issues, Ambassador Phillips and partners are keen to give the island’s small businesses a significant boost through the initiative.

In partnership with Conscious Enterprises CIC, a London-based social enterprise and UK underground house initiative, TTYWR will be harnessing the powers of local small businesses to deliver a one-of-a-kind nine-day island wide party for British and local partygoers.

The event, “Conscious in the Caribbean”, is billed as “UK Underground House meets T&T Liming”. It brings at least 100 confirmed UK nationals to Tobago’s shores to party with soulful and Afro house music and experience the island’s tourist attractions.

“This fundraising tourism package is something we are developing on our own before approaching the Government,” says Ambassador Phillips, a firm believer in pro-action and teamwork. The event is the first package of a proposed series aimed at raising funds to construct TTYWR’s $14 million rehabilitation centre for Trinidad & Tobago’s youths, battered men and women and single parents. Proceeds will also support development of the Yahweh Foundation (http://yahwehtobago.org/about-us/), an NGO developed to offer professional, spiritual, educational and social support to youths and elders of Tobago’s communities.

UK native Jackie Sear, founder of Conscious (http://conscious.org.uk), who has worked with youth and people with disabilities since 1989, actively supports the development of small businesses and is a catalyst for creating powerful partnerships with great intentions for personal and social change. This, in addition to her deep love for Tobago and desire to share its beauty with the world, is one of the main motivations for her partnership with TTYWR (FB @TTYWR2015)

From the May 8-18, 2018, partygoers from Britain and Trinidad & Tobago can enjoy fully loaded liming weekends and party packages inclusive of accommodation and transport.

Sear promises that party patrons will be “well taken care of” and extends this ‘care’ beyond the liming circuit to the wider community, with offers of training in computer use and event management for NGOs. UK nationals attending the event will also be involved in supporting and spreading conscious initiatives such as the plastic collection/recycling project spearheaded by the Yahweh Foundation.

Not just partying and fundraising, but the development of the island—its people, communities and tourism potential—are the focus of this powerful partnership.

Join them to be a part of the revolution.

Tobago, May 9-17 2018

UK UNDERGROUND HOUSE MEETS T&T

HANLEI (live PA) • RHEMI • NEIL PIERCE • ZIGGY FUNK • SY SEZ • ALUKU REBELS • DAVE LAW • MC CKP • ANNA CEE •MR KJ SOUL FUSION • JEREMY SYLVESTER • GAVIN PETERS • ANTONIO PASCAL • BROTHER JAMES • WEZ WHYNT • RCA • MARK ANTHONY • SKY TRINI • CHRISSIE MILLARD • CHRIS SAUNDERS • YABULANY • RAJ AQUILLA

INCLUDING DJ ANGEL JOURNEY, DJ FLEX, DJ HYPER, JNR BANNER and many other homegrown Tobago and Trinidad DJs and local performing artistes

Parties include:

Wednesday 9th May 1pm Breddy's Bar & The Boathouse

CASTARA BEACH PARTY followed by CASTARA DRUMMERS with Afro House DJ Aluku Rebels joining in with the Drumming in the evening.

Thursday 10th May 10pm (venue to be announced)

On the Edge with Soul Fusion & Conscious - Conscious Sounds DJs join forces with Soul Fusion to provide a night of deep and sexy soulful house.

10pm Venue to be announced

RAGGEDY FRIDAY - J’OUVERT PARTY in conjunction with MUDDERN MUD - bringing the J'ouvert/Carnival/ Grande Fete experience to overseas guests

Saturday 12th May 2018 - at Turtle Beach Hotel

TAURUS AND GEMINI POOL PARTY - celebrate birthdays and Mother’s Day over two days of partying! 1-6pm

LIVE MUSIC EVENT WITH UK ARTISTES HAN LEI (www.Hanleimusic.com)

This powerhouse duo aren't new to the island. Having toured with Grace Jones for the last ten years they performed at Jazz Fest in 2017 and fell in love with the Tobago. This will be a night of great live music and jokes and will provide a showcase for local artistes too. Supported by Ziggy Funk on guitar and followed by Rhemi DJ set. Show starts 8.30pm

Sunday 13th May Bon Accord Lagoon 4.30pm -7pm

SUNSET CRUISE cruising into the sunset to the amazing vibes that the people have experienced in the Vortex bar in Croatia with Sy Sez and Aluku rebels showing what they do best.

FOLLOWED BY Night Goat Racing, Tobago Cultural Displays and Sunday School - a perfect Mother's Day treat!

Monday 14th May 1-6pm Pigeon Point

BEACH PARTY with Soulfusion (www.facebook.com/Soul-Fusion-House-Events-366508445057) With the beautiful backdrop of Pigeon Point enjoy the soulful sounds and the cocktails at Renmars

OLD SCHOOL HOUSE & GARAGE NIGHT - from 10pm venue tba

Let Aphrodisiax (www.facebook.com/AphroDisiax) give you a little history lesson and take you on a journey back in time to the eighties and nineties.

TUESDAY 15th May 1-6pm at Turtle Beach

BEACH PARTY with Prophecy of House Antonio Pascal blend soca, afrohouse and deep house beats to create a great party for everyone (www.facebook.com/groups/942613385858016)

TEMPO 10pm at REVS

Enjoy the distinctive sound of Dave Law and his select crew from Manchester. A real range of influences from over twenty years in the scene.

Wednesday 16th May 12-6pm from Bon Accord Lagoon

SUNSHINE CRUISE - with a house music twist! Sail with us and enjoy sights, sun, lunch and bar.

Thursday 1 – 7 p.m. Turtle Beach Hotel

FINALE SPARKLES POOL PARTY

Come and shine with us and bid farewell but not goodbye to your new friends we will have a taste of every type of music and as many Djs as we can squeeze in too!

LIMING THE LOCAL WAY 9pm onwards Pleasant Prospect

show the guests how we lime the local way at Moon Over Water. Pretty much anything goes and can go on until sun is up too! Food is available at Edge of the Reef, Fish Pot, Geraldo's, Leggers, and smaller outlets too.

For prices on party packages/more information and to book your ticket to fun, please contact: www.eventbrite.co.uk/edit?eid=44479563572

Lyndon De Leon (868) 713-1171 or Sky Trini (868) 460-0712