5.13.04.e-mail

WHAT'S HAPPENING By: Todd Mangatal

Greetings To All:

CONCERT OF THE YEAR!

This weekend the Concert we've been waiting for will be taking place!!! Come celebrate with The Entertainment Group Inc. as they pay tribute to the West Indian Record Mart (WIRM) which has been serving the Washington Metropolitan area for the last 35 years. This week I got to chance to "vibe" with the founder of WIRM Rickie Hillocks, and it was nice to hear some of the stories on the development of the Caribbean Community in Washington DC. Mr. Hillocks has played a vital part in the growth of the Caribbean Community and the music in DC. What was intriguing to me and my wife was that he assisted the founding committee of the Carnival in DC better many years ago known as "Caribbean Summer In The Park", which took place at Michael X Park in the early days and at the Monument Grounds in DC in later years. He played a vital part in supplying the music and sound to this event and many others, as well as the Radio DJ's and Club/Party DJs. Mr. Hillocks also organized a successful reggae festival that took place first at Banneker Park (across from Howard University), and then eventually due to it's major success and growth moved to RFK Stadium. He and his sons have done a lot to expose and uplift the Caribbean Culture. From listening to Mr. Hillocks I feel along with his sons that he must write a book on his life and experiences in the music business here in DC. Hopefully, Arious can get the movie rights, because I'm sure it will be a blockbuster.

Again, come out and celebrate with Rickie and his sons Barry and Mike and enjoy this great line-up of artist from the "Love Of It Tour" Bares Hammond, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffiths, Monte Morris, in addition to Soca Artist Baron, Calypso Great Mighty Sparrow and DC's own International Star Carl Malcolm. The concert is taking place at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. This will be a new experience for concert going in the DC Area because of this venue. This venue is set up like a mini MCI center or major sports arena. Don't worry, areas are allotted for you to "shake your leg", plus you'll have your reserved seat. There will be Caribbean foods on sale as well as drinks. The show is open to all ages so you can bring the whole family out to experience the music of the Caribbean, by these talented artists. If you are a fan of Caribbean music you must agree that these are some of the best and well respected artists in the business. If you are not a fan, this is a great opportunity for you to experience the music of the Caribbean. By the way, the gates opens at 2:00 pm so make sure you come out on time, because you don't want to miss a moment of this great line up. Scroll below for more details or log on to www.theentertainmentgroupinc.com. While you are there please sign their guest book and sign up for WIRM's mailing list in order to receive all the info. on their upcoming events and specials. Don't forget to check the after party at the Settings!!!!

On behalf of Arious we would like to Congratulate the West Indian Record Mart and the Hillocks Family on 35 years of music business success.

Happy Anniversary!!!!

When you see Rickie, Barry or Mike be sure to congratulate them on their success and contributions!

Clement "Sir Coxson" Dodd - Reggae Pioneer

Talking about Reggae Music we must mention the passing of a great pioneer in Reggae Music and the Reggae Industry. Clement "Sir Coxson" Dodd suddenly died last week at the age of 72. Ironically this happened 4 days after the city of Kingston Jamaica honored him by naming a street after his famous recording label "Studio One". Sir Coxson was the founder of this famous recording studio and label ("Studio One") which is responsible for many of the great reggae rhythms that we know and love today. In the early 1950s Sir Coxson set up his first sound system playing boogie, woogie, jazz and R&B records imported from the US. In the height of the sound system crazes Sir Coxson had as many as five different sounds operating each night, run by reggae greats such as Prince Buster, King Stitt, U Roy and Lee Scratch Perry. Eventually the supply of new R&B records diminished so the sound systems were forced to begin recording Jamaican artists to satisfy local fans. In October 1963, on the site of a former nightclub in Jamaica called "The End" Studio One was born, around this time Sir Coxson signed Bob Marley and the Wailers and nurtured them with guidance, he also worked with such greats as the Heptones, the Abyssinians, Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths (who will be at the WIRM's 35th Anniversary Concert on Sunday, May 16th). Much of the sounds that we listen to today in the dancehall are remixed Studio One Tracks. Sir Coxson will be surely missed, and it's a great loss to the entire reggae community, but we will do what we can at Arious Entertainment to expose and produce great reggae music.

Again, Tragedy strikes in Washington DC

Last week a beautiful little girl's life was senselessly taken here in the Nation's Capital. No, it wasn't done by terrorist, the KKK, a child molester or serial killer, it was done by 2 young brothers from her neighborhood. Not only was her life ended, so is theirs, because they will go to jail for the rest of their lives. All this was over a minor dispute which could have been settled without violence and the unnecessary use of a gun. 8 year old Chelsea Cromartie was in the safety of her aunt's home watching TV in DC and a stray bullet came through the window and hit her in the head killing her instantly and ending her short life. Her family will never have the opportunity to see her grow up, because of the actions of 2 idiots who didn't think before they tried to settle a problem. This could have been done in a civilized manner and not with a gun!

In a way, it starts to become difficult for me to really blame our youths for settling disputes with guns and violence, when the so called leaders of the country are constantly making statements like "we are going to hunt them down and kill them". The TV is filled with images of America settling their scores and disputes with violence, bombs, guns and intimidation. This has always been the way America settled their disputes. So what do we expect our youths to do when it's ok for the country. Don't get me wrong, I'm really upset that Chelsea's life was taken, and of course we all must know right from wrong. But, maybe I'm wrong, maybe those values were never instilled in these youths. There's got to be something we can do to stop this wave of senseless violence and create positive outlets for our young people, because they are our future. Too many people have put their lives on the line for the freedom that we have, and the way things are going in America now, we could loose our freedom just like that....

Our good friend Dr. Edna Gorham Bey has started a scholarship program in the name of Chelsea and she needs your support. Read her message below. This is one way we can help!

FOR THE LOVE OF OUR

FALLEN ANGEL

CHELSEA CROMARTIE
July 25, 1995 - May 3, 2004

So that the life of young Chelsea Cromartie, the 8 year old homicide victim will never be forgotten, we have started a memorial scholarship fund in her honor. It is most unfortunate that this awful tragedy has hit our community and taken from us, a bright and shining star whose brilliance touched the lives of so many people. As we look for answers, and seek to bring closure to this modern day catastrophe that is happening all too often, we must all ask ourselves, "what can we do to make life safer for our children?" We have to get to the root of this problem and eradicate violence as a part of the culture of our society!

Please support the memorial scholarship fund for Chelsea. Your donations will be used to purchase new clothing, books, and school supplies for homeless children living in shelters. Your tax deductible contributions should be mailed to:

Childrens Hospitality House, Inc.
c/o Dr. E. Gorham Bey
1612 K Street, N.W.
Suite 1200
Washington, D.C. 20006

North America Carnivals 2004

Atlanta Carnival will take place (as it normally does) during the Memorial Day Weekend!

Orlando Carnival will also take place (as it normally does) during the Memorial Day Weekend!

Philadelphia Carnival will take place on Saturday June 19th.

Our big DC Carnival takes place on June 26th and 27th

Wash. DC Carnival Back on Georgia Avenue - June 26 and 27

www.dccaribbeancarnival.com

“Countdown to DC Carnival 2004”

If you need a hotel Please Click the "hotel" word above

Important Messages/Announcements

To all DC Caribbean Carnival Potential Vendors: May 15^th is the second deadline for acquiring a space to vend at this years’ Carnival, so don’t forget to send your registration forms in immediately. For detailed information on vending at DC Carnival, please click the following link. http://www.dccaribbeancarnival.com/MAIN_PAGES/composite/frame_vending.htm

Also, DCCC is now able to accept payment for your booth space via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or e-check. Email smangatal_dcccinc@hotmail.com for more details

Bill in Congress to make June Caribbean-American Heritage Month in the United States

Please support the Campaign to Recognize June as Caribbean American Heritage Month throughout the United States!

Support Bill H.Res.570 - to be passed in this election year!

Click Here for Draft Letter

For anyone in our community or those who are out of town, who wishes to submit a commentary about an event you attended, or just want to tell us about an interesting experience, please feel free to submit it to us at ariousentertainment@earthlink.net, we would be glad to include it in our weekly commentary.

WEBSITE PICK OF THE WEEK

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A magazine for and about New York City

Let Arious Entertainment's "Arious Creative Concepts" assist you with your marketing needs. Let us promote your next event or business via our e-mail advertising to over 35,000 people

To Be removed simply click remove@ariousentertainment.com Please make sure you list/send the correct address you want removed!

North America Carnivals 2004

Important Messages/Announcements

CARIBE

“Natives of the Americas”

Admission: 10.00

Costumes on display Food on sale