Talk Tent at the Hall

Talk Tent, the post carnival favourite event opens at the Hall on Thursday 10th February through Sunday 13th February, 2005. Patrons of Queen’s Hall enjoy a discount on the opening night, Thursday 10th February, with tickets purchased at the Queen’s Hall Box Office.

Paul Keens Douglas, producer/director, arguably the Caribbean’s most persuasive raconteur, will be on stage with Singing MC - David Bereaux, Miguel Browne, Felix Edinborough - the Pierrot Granade, Wendy Brewster, Farida Chapman, Short Pants - the Talkcalypso Champ, and the TV team of Roy and Gloria.

The guest artist of the 2005 Talk Tent is international performer Itah Sadu, a community activist in Toronto who is the author of several best selling children’s books. Itah captures the imagination of children and adults alike.

The Talk Tent has been a feature for many years as Keens Douglas continues to promote the oral traditions of the Caribbean. His material is relevant, humorous and committed to respecting the roots and customs of the culture. Although hysterically funny at times the substance is suitable for general and family audiences.

Tickets are $70 and available at Cleves, Rhyners, Crosby’s, token (West Mall) Kams (Long Circular Mall) Discotrak (Curepe), Off the Wall (Gulf City) and Queen’s Hall.

Patrons of Queen’s Hall discounted price is $60 for the opening night for tickets purchased at the Queen’s Hall Box Office.

Opening Night Discount for Patrons

The Steinway's New Clothes

The most valuable piece of equipment in Queen’s Hall is strangely enough The Steinway Concert Grand Piano, manufactured in Hamburg, West Germany, and purchased in June 1978. Like good wine Steinways appreciate and the Queen’s Hall Grand is now valued at over one million T&T dollars.

Care of the Steinway is one of the top priorities of The Patrons of Queen’s Hall. From 1998 they have contracted Michael Lipnicki a Steinway specialist annually to work on the piano, he did marvels but always warned that a total redo would be necessary in the not too distant future.

In January the skilful, adaptable, and understanding Lipnicki and his assistant Daniel were able to do a complete job in the interior (the exterior is another story) installing:

New strings, bass and treble, Damper felt, hammer heads, shanks, knuckles, hammershank flanges, tuning pins, complete regulations lubricated entire action, tunings, clean all fitting and install new felt under strings repack/lube pedal assembly and regulate.

The redo of the exterior is a story of improvisation in the face of unrelenting airline inefficiency. Hold on folks! Not our BWIA but Air Canada and American Airlines. A small packet posted in December 6th, 2004 with essential materials did not reach Piarco until January 18th, 2005. The result is that 80% of the work has been completed but the most visible area, the body, is not.

The cost of the undertaking to date is $80,000 and funded by the annual contributions of our 3 Benefactors, 14 Donors, 35 Corporate Members and 502 ordinary members of the Patrons of Queen’s Hall

The beneficiaries are the musicians and music lovers of T&T. the value is unquantifiable!

The New Chairman of the Board

Spotlight welcomes the ASTRA DA COSTA the new Chairman of the Queen’s Hall Board of Management. She is the Managing Director of All Media Projects Limited (AMPLE). She has an impressive record not only in the field of media, - radio, press and TV, but in management and marketing, serving as consultant to the CEO’S of major conglomerates on the one hand and to special groups – youth, women etc on the other.

As the new Queen’s Hall seeks to establish a management environment that is in sync with its international technical capabilities, Ms Da Costa’s ability and experience will be invaluable. She has not confined her activities and expertise to the corporate world but is active in the development of communities through Rotary organizations, she holds the position of Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 7030, The Girl Guides Association, and The Self Esteem Foundation.

The new Chairman sees her major accomplishments as the innovation and establishment of standards for major productions in Radio and Television; key member of the team that designed and implemented strategies for the People’s National Movement’s campaign in 1991 and 2002 and the initiator of special development plans as President of the Advertising Agencies Association. No stranger to Queen’s Hall, from 1989 to the present she has been a member of the Management Committee of the Marionettes Chorale. She is a familiar face, front of House, quietly ensuring that protocol is followed for audience and VIPs alike, be it for a Marionettes Production or other special events. The other members of the Board of Management are Clarence Moe, Lisa Marie Alexander, Norvan Fullerton, Kerwin Garcia, Helmer Hedwig, Zaida Rajnath, Simon Sandiford, and Thornhill.

Two Must See Operas for Lent

Jesus Christ Superstar

(February 18th thru February 27th)
Jesus Christ Superstar, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber acclaimed as one of the best musicals of all time, will open at Queen’s Hall on February 18, 2005 and run until February 27.

Produced by The Baggasse Company in association with The Entertainment Factory, JCS will be the full length musical production, featuring outstanding local vocalists and a live band largely comprised of the local rock sensation Orange Sky. This timeless rock opera has a score of amazing songs including favourites “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” “Hosanna” Everything’s Alright” and the title song “Superstar”.

Superstar is directed by Helmer Hilwig who has a wealth of experience in directing musical productions and Christine Johnston, who has worked on several local musicals (A Brighter Day, J’Ouvert, Road March) and who is also co-producer of this epic musical, with newcomer Aaron Schneider.

Vocal Direction is being handled by Glenda McSween, who successfully trained local singers for the Lion King Caribbean auditions.

Choreographer Dave Williams is a multiple Cacique award winner whose work is hailed as being on the cutting edge of contemporary dance. Set and Costumes are being handled by Gary King and Sean Edwards respectively and Benny Gomes, and lighting designer comes in from the USA where he has been working and teaching for the past eight years.

Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar go on sale right after Carnival at the Queen’s Hall Box Office.

Patrons of Queen’s Hall enjoy a 10% discount on tickets.
For more information and advanced bookings call 624-1134 or 794-0925.

Porgy and Bess

(Friday 11th March thru Sunday 13th March)
The much anticipated production of this American Opera comes to Queen’s Hall presented by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs. Porgy and Bess written by George Gershwin which premiered in New York 1935, took many years to gain recognition as a major piece of work but today it is immensely popular with its best tunes, “Summertime””, It Aint Necessarily So”, “Oh Bess Where’s My Bess” in the repertoire of the best voices of the day.

This production of Porgy and Bess is being brought to the Queen’s Hall stage by Living Arts International who holds the world rights to the opera. The leading roles of Porgy and Bess will be played by Samuel Stevenson and Dr. Elizabeth Graham respectively, Ezerett Suttle plays Sporting Life and Trinidadian soprano Anne Fridal plays Serena. Ms Fridal is also the Chorus Master of the cast of twenty two local singers who provide the chorus and play semi principal roles, including Marlon de Bique as Robbins, Candace Alcantara as Clara, Nigel Floyd as Mingo and Raymond Edwards sings the role of Crab Man.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY

1,2,3
Calypso Spektakula
Featuring Duke, Chalkdust, Crazy, Blackie, Soca Elvis, Explainer, Poser, Bally, Rikki Jai with MCs Tommy Joseph and the outrageous Donna Hadad
Tickets on sale at Queen’s Hall Box Office
Producer : Spektakula Promotions

6
It’s Just a Fete
All Inclusive Fete
Producer: TASA (The Arts Support Alliance)
1p.m. to 8 p.m.
Contribution $295

*10 – 13
Talk Tent
Featuring Paul Keens Douglas, Miguel Browne, Felix Edinborough, Wendy Brewser, Farida Chapman, Short Pants, and the singing MC David Bereaux
Guest Artist Itah Sadu
Produced by Paul Keens Douglas
Admission $70

*18th – 27th
Jesus Christ Superstar
Legendary Rock Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
Directed by Christine Johnston & Helmer Hilwig
Vocal Direction Glenda McSween
Producers: Baggasse Company & The Entertainment Factory
Tickets on sale at Queen’s Hall after Carnival

MARCH

11 – 13
Porgy and Bess
Producers Living Arts International
Samuel Stevenson and Dr. Elizabeth Graham as Porgy and Bess respectively,
Ezerett Suttle plays Sporting Life and Trinidadian soprano Anne Fridal plays Serena.
Presented by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs

14
Annual General Meeting
Patrons of Queen’s Hall
5.00 p.m.
Queen’s Hall Lobby

25, 26, 27, 28
Robin Hood
Producers : DC Shell Theatre

DISCOUNTS FOR PATRONS

TALK TENT - 10th February opening night only - $60
Jesus Christ Superstar 10% Discount for all shows

“It’s Just a Fete”
Organizers say, but we say it’s the most painless way to assist up and coming artists in the Performing Arts and have a good time. The dedicated Board of TASA – Maxine Attong, Jennifer Hudson Phillips, Lennox Toussaint, Virginia Wood Allison Seepaul and Steve Seepaul invite you to come bring family and friends to party in Queen’s Hall at one of the safest most enjoyable and meaningful all inclusive fetes this season. The best artists will be there to fete with you - how about Shurwayne Winchester, Saucy Wow Belfon, 3 Canal, Malick Tassa Group, Trinidad Pan Nostalgic and DJ John Gill and the price $295 is right too.

Not Only BWIA!
The Patrons of Queen’s Hall were victims of the Airline Christmas cargo build up when 5 small packages shipped from Calgary, Canada with the special material to repair the interior and the exterior of the Steinway piano took approximately 6 weeks to make the trip. In the first instance the packages were sent via Air Canada on December 6th giving ample time (we thought) for the material to arrive before the Steinway specialists on December 30th, this was not to be, but three days after their arrival 2 of the parcels arrived containing the new strings, hammers etc but the other 3 packages kept being bumped from flight after flight. Finally on January 7th a decision was made to transfer the 3 essential packages to American Airlines. American definitely gave a speedier service and on Tuesday 18th January the 3 packages arrived at Piarco after a 4 day stopover in Miami airport. Thanks to the adaptability and commitment of our specialist Michael Lipnicki and his assistant Daniel Lipnicki who were willing to move from the Hotel to a private home, to search tirelessly for material locally and to improvise ways to approach the repair job, the priceless Steinway has a new inside and an almost complete exterior.

Thank you to the Crazy Catholic
who not only gave a generous discount to Patrons for his production Kuch Kuch Hota Hai but also made a contribution of $1500 to the Patron’s funds. A little bird has told Spotlight that CC is co producer of Robin Hood which is being presented on 25th, 26th 27th, 28th March by DC Shell Theatre.

Our Sympathy
to a past president of the Patrons of Queen’s Hall Colvin Chen, and the principal architect of the Redeveloped Queen’s Hall whose brother died recently. We wish him the strength to accept this painful loss.

Pencil in this Date
Monday 14th March, 2005. the date of The Annual General Meeting. It will take place at Queen’s Hall Lobby at 5.00 p.m.

Welcome New Members