S P E C I A L     M E S S A G  E

Todd Mangatal - todd@ariousmusic.us

Greetings On Line Family

First of all and most importantly, I would like to thank all of you who came out and celebrated my 45th Birthday, AEG's E-Newsletter 7th Anniversary and the 1st Anniversary of www.mycaribbean.us (the premier Caribbean Social Network).  Additionally, a special thanks to Alton Gayle and the Staff of The Crossroads Restaurant for helping make this a very special evening.  

It was nice to see so many friends (old and new), many who I haven't seen for many years; and some who I always see.  Thanks very much for the gifts, and just for taking the time out of your busy schedules to share these special milestones with us 

Big up DJ Ghost for providing the musical vibes and giving me the opportunity to "Palance" on my birthday.  I don't know how you knew the exact music to play (exactly like I would have played it, if I were playing it myself).  You are great! 

Also, special thanks to Crown Bakery for the 2 beautiful and tasty cakes - Thanks Jennifer and Trevor Sellman, the rum cake was a big hit. The smell made me tipsy all the way to the venue.  

This is a personal recommendation to you our On-line family: If you need cakes or any baked goods, as well as Caribbean food; and in the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area Crown Bakery is the spot. They are currently located at: 5329 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington DC - 202-291-3009.  (This is an authentic Trinidad Style Bakery - so this is the place to pick up all of your favorite Trini delights, just like being in your home in Trinidad).

This past weekend was very nice because we had an opportunity to celebrate a few more birthdays with two old friends. First we headed out to Laurel Maryland to the Side Pocket Sports Bar to have a few birthday drinks with our good friend Mark Humphrey who we haven't seen for a few years.  We used to hang out all the time, but somehow when you get busy you lose touch.  It was nice to reconnect and share Mark's special day with him.  (The picture to the right is from a birthday party we did together in 2003, since our birthdays are so close together, and the one on the left is from a New Year's Eve celebration in 2002).  Wow...what memories and what we had, we really do go way back!  After we left the Side Pocket Sports Bar we headed to another old friend's birthday party all the way in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  Mrs. Pam's birthday party was really cool, it was truly a "Trini" party (I felt I was back in Trinidad.)  Pam was looking beautiful as ever, the queen of the ball and the life of the party!  It seemed like everyone was there, and was truly a soca fete from days gone by.  I felt like it was yesterday when we celebrated Pam's 22nd Birthday...Wow, that has been quite a few years ago. Now she is a wife, a mommy and has a beautiful home and family.  Good going Pam, we are very proud and happy for you!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIENDS MARK AND PAM.  Also, happy birthday to Karen DeSouza, Abosade, and Gloria Smith who are celebrating birthdays this weekend.  I have so many other friends celebration birthdays (too many to list), but ladies and gentlemen please know that we wish you all the best on your special B-days.

Now that the weather is warming up, we are coming out of hibernation.  This weekend it's time to do some "hunting"!  Saturday night, March 13th, our friends from ICE Carnival Brian and Germaine Jordan are launching their Carnival band "A Bouquet of Love" at their annual event "Emerge".  This year I hear they have been working extra hard on the costume presentation, so it is something you don't want to miss.  They are very particular about the quality of their costumes so I think this is something you are going to enjoy.  For the 3rd straight year LIVE in the place will be "BLAXX" directly from Trinidad doing his soca hits "Hunting (2010)", "Tusty (2009)" and many, many more.  This special event will be taking place at The Library, 3514 12 Street, N.E. Washington DC.  For all the details check out www.icecarnival.net or e-mail icecarniva@yahoo.com.  In support of the DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti, Ice will be accepting donations at this exciting event, which they will match up to $500.00

Check out the exciting ICE's Video commercial by clicking the following picture.

& 

Click the picture below to view the video of Blaxx's 2010 Soca hit "Hunting" (Courtesy of YouTube)

As we all know by now, Haiti was devastated by a major earthquake, and although the world came out strong to support the people of Haiti in their time of need, the rebuilding process and the humanitarian needs for the people continues.  THEY STILL NEED YOUR HELP!  Out of this tragedy a great thing happened in the DC area, something unheard of!!!  The Caribbean promoters from DC decided to get together and work together as a team - - a collective to raise funds for Haiti.  "The DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti" is a great idea which is lead by Cindy Alexis of "The Garage Boyz" (DC's Mud Mas Band).  We really commend and admire Cindy for initiating such a noble task.  We all know it's not going to be easy because we know it's very difficult for us as a people to work together, but we are hopeful.  This is truly a start in the right direction toward unity in the Community.  We at Arious are a part of this group and fully support the group effort.  We would like to invite you to support the "DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti" as we continue to raise funds to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are suffering tremendously right now.

DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti is an alliance of Caribbean promoters in the Washington DC area. DCPH was formed to maximize individual contributions to the Haiti recovery and reconstruction effort. The advantages of jointly working together are to: (i) reach a wider audience; (ii) capitalize on resources; and (iii) ultimately raise more money for this worthy cause. Learn more or donate.

     

There are some exciting things happening in the Caribbean community locally (DC/MD/VA), and we will talk about that very soon.  So stay tuned for more information.   Additionally, if you haven't join www.mycaribbean.us, go ahead and do so...Remember it is FREE, and it is a place to connect, share, discuss, and unify.  THIS YEAR'S THEME IS UNITY!!!  I hope you get out and enjoy this lovely weekend and enjoy whatever you do.  If you are in DC, hope to see you at "Emerge."    

Arious Entertainment Group 

QUICK LINKS

Arious Advertising 

Arious TV

Arious Music

Arious Travel

Arious Fashions

                      Arious Gifts & Shopping