As part of its celebratory activities for Trinidad and Tobago’s 42nd Anniversary of Independence, the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington, D.C., wishes to invite nationals and friends, to the performance of two highly-acclaimed Trinidad and Tobago based cultural groups, Jeunes Agape Youth Choir and the band, Mungal Patasar and Pantar. The free performances will be held on Tuesday,  August 31, at 6:00p.m.,  at the Kennedy Center – Millennium Stage.

Jeunes Agape a musical drama group based in Point Fortin, Trinidad, is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Its founder and musical director is Lois Lewis. The group’s repertoire is wide and varied and includes Calypso, West Indian and African Folk, Gospel and Contemporary, as well as World Music and Semi-Classical Music.

Its many awards at the biennial National Music Festivals  include Best Calypso Chorale and Best Gospel Chorale (2004); Best Adult Folk Choir (over 20 members), 1997, 1999, 2002; Best Gospel Choir  (under 20 members), The Evening News Trophy, 1995; Best Calypso Chorale, Jocelyn Sealy Trophy, 1999; and Most Outstanding Folk Choir, Olive Walke Memorial Trophy, 1999, 2002. The choir also placed third in the Prime Minister’s Best Village Competition in 2003, in its first year entering that competition as a group.

Jeunes Agape has worked with recording artistes such as Machel Montano and the likes of Kenny Phillip, Gregory Ballantyne (GB) and the National Gas Company. In 2000, the group recorded its first Compact Disc (live recording) entitled “Musical Turbulence”.  In 2002, the choir recorded four songs which were included on Kenny Phillip’s Christmas Album, entitled “Trinbago Christmas Lime”.

The Group has performed in Venezuela and Barbados and their next major production, the South African musical “Sarafina”, is due to be staged in March 2005.

Mungal Patasar and Pantar has performed internationally at several major music festivals since its inception in 1994, and captivates its audience with a rich blend of Classical Indian Music, Calypso and Jazz – a unique fusion that reflects the musical landscape of the country.

After studying music in India under Music Masters such as Shree Kalyan Lahiri, Professor Gangrade, Pundit Ravi Shankar and Shree Manilal Naag, Mungal Patasar emerged with a Masters Degree in Prayag Sangeet Samithi, and recorded his first album “Nirvana” in France, in 1996. This was followed by “Dreadlocks”, recorded for Virgin Records, France. The band, which includes Prashant Patasra on Tabla and Harold Headley on Tenor Pan, is now working on its third album, which is scheduled to be released before the end of 2004.