What's Happening by Todd Mangatal

todd@ariousentertainment.com 

Greetings: 

First I would like to start by wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!  

I'm sure with all that's going on in the world we all have many things to be thankful for.  It's a shame that during this holiday season some of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and friends aren't with us, but in a far away land fighting an enemy that's not ours in the name of freedom  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the soldiers serving abroad and their families!  

On a lighter note last week I closed on the subject of what's happening with Michael Jackson stating that I was confused and wanted to see how things "panned out" before I commented.  Actually, the confusion came because I couldn't believe the accusations that had been placed upon the entertainer.  For many years Michael Jackson has been a part of my life and my family's life.  So let me take a minute to tell you a little story about what Michael Jackson has meant to me throughout the years, and how dreams come true.

It all starter in 1971, I was at home with my mother and sister (Shana), and my father was away at work.  We received a call from my father who urgently instructed us to turn on the TV to see an amazing new group.  The show was American Band Stand, and the group was The Jackson Five.  From that moment I felt a bond (probably like most people at that time), but this bond was a little different for me and my family, and as time went by the meaning of this "bond" came to light.  As we go on you will see what I mean.  Shortly after that I got my first record album which was the Jackson Five album, which featured a song that I loved "Never Can Say Goodbye".  If you've heard the saying "I've played the record until grooves were worn into  it", this is what actually happened,  I played it out, because it brought joy to my youth.  In 1973, a new arena had just opened in the Washington DC area "The Capitol Center", and at such a young age I attended my first concert with my mother and sister, of course it was the Jackson Five.  This was the first concert at the Capitol Center, the place was barely finished; the sound was terrible; and the stage seemed very far away; but that didn't matter to me, I was seeing my favorite group live.   After the concert, I clearly remember my sister and I listening to the album and we would pretend to be the Jackson's, where we would dance and sing with make shift microphones.  Me being Michael and her being Marlon.  I think somehow this is where her love for Michael Jackson and the Jackson's began.  Keep in mind she was only 3 years old at the time, but it seemed as if she loved them as much then as she does now.  As the years progressed we continued to follow the Jackson Five, we had the opportunity to attend their last concert together in the late 70's (I don't recall the name of the tour).  This was an amazing concert because by this time they were into amazing light shows, pyrotechnics, and of course Michael Jackson had grown up and was becoming a star in his own right.  At this time my musical taste was expanding and I was started to get into P-Funk, but my sister's love for Michael Jackson began to blossom.  I recall the many appearances he made in DC (such as the Jackson's Reunion Tour and others) she would literally bother us to take her to the hotel to join the many fans who were camped outside showing their support to the Jackson's.  What was so amazing and what makes me believe this was a bond, Jermaine Jackson was walking into the hotel and somehow he saw my sister and brought her inside to receive an autograph from Michael Jackson and the Jackson's.  On many of Michael's other visits to DC, it always seemed she would get the opportunity to meet them, and she even made the news a few times.  At this point I thought it was just a teenage crush on your favorite pop star, but as it turned out it was more than that.  She had a dream and she followed it!

Upon graduating high school an honor roll student, my sister (Shana) surprised us by announcing her intentions to move to California to pursue her dreams of acting, singing, and of course meeting Michael Jackson.  I even remember her saying she was going to marry Michael, yes to me this sound like an obsessed fan, but again, I think it was more than that, it was destiny for her to have the opportunity to meet and know the star she adored.  Even though we were all very concerned about her going off 3000 miles away at such a young age, we felt she was level headed enough to handle herself, especially if this is what she believed was right for her.  So she was off driving to "Hollywood".  I "felt" her need to experience what she believed in, because when I got married, my wife and I decided to move to California also.  I guess this entertainment business was in our blood.  Actually, that's where Arious Entertainment was born, so we were able to guide her in the right direction as far as finding a place to stay and telling her where and where not to go.

This was the beginning of her dreams coming true.  From the time she arrived it seemed things started to click, first she worked at Universal Studios and got the opportunity to meet many people in the business and made friends.  She even got a few great parts on many sitcoms such as "Different World", "Fresh Prince", "Dougie Houser",  "Family Matters" and even had a few movies "House Party I and II," "Shazam" with Shaq, and several others.  What makes this story so amazing and goes to show if you believe in something strong enough, you can get it.  About a year after arriving in LA she got a great job with a major talent management company, and who their biggest client turned out to be was Michael Jackson, so she had the opportunity to get to know the star she idolized from childhood.  She had the opportunity to be in Michael's "Ghost" video which was done for the Adams Family movie, and most importantly she had the opportunity to travel along with him on his tours to Japan and Hawaii.  She's had many trips to "Never Land", and one of her best friends is his personal assistant.  She even attended his most recent birthday party (2 months ago).    As you can see, her dream came true.  She has told me she is very disappointed that these accusations continue to hunt him since he's only trying to do good and follow his heart, and give back to the children.  So, she plans on doing something about the accusations by telling the truth of what she knows about her good friend.  It's not for money, nor is she writing a book, but it's what one friend does for another friend.  Look out for her interviews (Shana Mangatal)  in the following week on Entertainment Tonight (Wednesday night 11/26/03), Good Morning America, MTV, US Weekly Magazine (and more to be added soon.)  Myself and my family are very proud of her and her accomplishments, and most importantly for her taking such an important stand on this issue for her friend Michael Jackson.

Society is so twisted now a days, everything has to have a negative motive.  We are not saying he's a saint, nor are we saying he's bad, (because he only knows that) but I really think the parents are to blame.  As long as the parents are receiving the fruits of his kindness, everything is fine, but it's when the fruits stop falling their way a problem arises.  NO PARENT should send their child off to spend the night or an extensive amount of time with a 45 year old man whether it's Michael Jackson or even the President.  We must stop looking at the worst and look deeper.  One thing that I believe because of the way the world is today, if Jesus Christ should come back tomorrow, he would be crucified just like he was 2000 years ago, because no one looks for goodness.  Please check out this interesting comment from one of my on-line community members.  Her thoughts are really "deep", and I share her sentiments.  Since I really "felt" her, I had to add it to this week's e-mail.  After reading, hit me back and let me know your thoughts at todd@ariousentertainment.com

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL WHO ARE TALKING ON WWW.ISLANDMIX.COM

It would be nice if you would hit me back with your great comments and insight.  Let's not have me hear it through the grapevine, because I don't make comments to hurt anyone or put anyone down, it's only to help the culture, artists and music grow.  I'm in a position to help Caribbean artist go to another level, and the first step in doing this is to make my observations, because not only do we write these articles and keep you informed on the latest events, we are also entertainment consultants.  A lot of times I'm writing things for the benefit of the artist from a business standpoint and not from a fan point-of-view.  That's why it's important for me to get your insight!!! Respect Always!!! todd@ariousentertainment.com.  We also have a message board that we check regularly, if you log on to www.ariousentertainment.com and go into our Message Board we can begin to chat, and you will be helping your culture grow.

Check out this Holiday Week Events

This is an appropriate week for giving thanks to one of the top Soca DJ's in Washington DC.  Sprang International will be celebrating 15+ years in the DJ business.  He's been spreading Caribbean music to all the massive in the DC area, as well as Trinidad, Miami, Atlanta, New York, St. Lucia, etc.  Sprang has consistently worked over the last 15 years and his fans have enjoyed and appreciated his unique style of presenting Caribbean music.  

The celebration begins tonight (Wednesday, November 26th) at "Soca in De City" at the Ascot Nightclub.  Sprang will be the special guest along with DJ "Two Face".  This is a special holiday edition of the regular IslandSession Thursday Night "Soca Therapy".  It's no excuse, because there is no work on Thursday, and most importantly you must come out and celebrate Sprang International pre-anniversary party.  The doors open at 8:00 pm, $5.00 gets you in before 10pm, $7.00 after, and proper attire is a must.

Thanksgiving Night - Thursday the Party continues with giving thanks to Sprang International for his big Anniversary Bash at the Crossroads.  Live on stage from Barbados is Krossfyah and Rupee, with music from the man himself Sprang Int'l and New Generation.  

Come out and join Sprang for his Anniversary celebration and thank him for spreading the Soca music around the world.

Saturday night is all about my favorite DJ all the way from Miami Florida... "Waggy T", let me rephrase this "King Waggy T".  I've enjoyed Waggy T for many years.  I haven't had the opportunity to hear him live for quite sometime, so this is truly going to be a treat for me, because Waggy T basically was part of my introduction to the dancehall.  I first had the opportunity to hear Waggy T back in the late 80's at a small dancehall "The Rotary Club" in Orlando Florida.  I couldn't believe how smooth he mixed the music from track to track, every song flowing back to back flawlessly.  Unlike most of the sound systems who would stop the song and talk in-between the mix.  Waggy T never talked at that time, but he had a guy on the mic by the name of "Kool G" who was great.  He really set the vibes for the dance.  From that point on my wife and I would take weekend trips to Miami just to see Waggy T when he played at the "Limekey" (which was a little club in Kendal).  This was truly a great way to experience dancehall music, maybe that's why I'm so critical now, because at the time Waggy T was killing sounds daily.  So I'm looking forward to seeing if he still has it, and I'm looking forward to seeing all the dancehall massive, and sound men from DC, Maryland and Virginia at the this show at the Crossroads.

Sunday Parang comes to DC at Zanizbar on the Waterfront.  You must join Front Line Productions, who has a major line up coming through to put you in the holiday mood.  If you haven't experienced Parang music (originally from Trinidad), this is a Trinidadian holiday tradition and is very festive.  Let me tell you, the best Christmas I ever spent as an adult was the one I spent in Trinidad a few years ago with my wife and her family (who lives in T'dad).  It was truly festive, they dragged me from house to house, paranging, drinking and eating (I think that's why I enjoy drinking so much now), because that trip was truly a joy.  It was like unconditional fun.  Can you imagine waking up in the morning to a drink of rum and eating food in between the drinks, so you really don't have a chance to get drunk, because you are constantly eating and drinking...it seems like this never stops.  Well, lets see if we can recreate this kind of fun Sunday evening at Zanzibar on the Waterfront.  Oh, I got all caught up with the drinking and fun I forgot to tell you what artist will be performing at this show, they are: Scrunter, Baron, Preacher and Trinidad's Parang Band "Sabor".  We'll see you there for all the fun!   

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

Until Next week...Peace to all of you!!!