What a month to look forward to! We have athletic events, social events, business event . . . wowww . . . just things to do all the time!

Kes The Band and Tessanne Chin

Missed out on Carnival 2k12? Here your chance to get a little taste! On May 4th, Woodford Cafe will be hosting International recording artiste Tessanne Chin with Kes The Band for a full length, exclusive concert performance. This sounds like it’ll be good! Tickets cost TT$140. For more details visit Facebook page. 

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Best Villages’ Food and Folk Fair

The Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition will host its annual Food and Folk Fair at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on May 6. The theme for this year’s festival is One Family, One Nation, Preserving Our Heritage, Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary of Independence. There would also be special performances from National Calypso Monarch 2012, Duane O’Connor; Junior Soca/Calypso Monarch, Aaron Duncan; National Humorous Calypso Monarch, Myron B; National Chutney Soca Monarch, KI Persad; Benjai and Black Stalin, among others.

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Every Woman – Chaka Khan in Concert

On Saturday 12th May 2012, Chaka Khan will perform in Trinidad at the Grand Stand, Queens Park Savannah along with David Rudder. Hosted by Ebony 104.1 FM & Nu Wave Entertainment. Stage front seating will include a dancing area, complimentary wine bar and waiter service. Limited Advance Tickets cost: $400 Stagefront & $250 General Admission.  Available at: Cleve’s – Frederick Street; Crosby’s; All Cache outlets; Bobby’s Bar – Curepe; Indulge Clothing store – Tragarete Road; Woodford Cafe – Movie Towne – Port of Spain & Chaguanas; Inxs – Arima.

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COSTAATT 5K

The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) will be hosting a 5K on May13th. Come out and support COSTAATT. Registration is TTD$30.00.

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Trade and Investment Convention 2012

Hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, the Trade & Investment Convention (TIC) will celebrate its Thirteenth Anniversary from May 16th – 19th, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain, Trinidad. TIC is the largest tradeshow of its kind in the Caribbean region, and will bring together hundreds of manufacturers, service providers, buyers and distributors, financial institutions and investors, and regulatory agencies responsible for trade. 16th May, 2012 – 19th May, 2012.

Inside Scoop – Business trevellers, visit our specials page to learn about our Trade & Investment Convention (TIC) Special Package.

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Lions’ Club Multiple District 60 Convention

The Lions of Trinidad and Tobago will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on May 22nd, 2012 and are looking forward to hosting all Lions and Leos at the 2012 Convention.

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8th Annual Rainbow Cup Triathlon (May 26th)

The Rainbow Cup is an International Triathlon held in Tobago with competitors from different islands. The race includes Olympic triathlon, 2000m open water swim, 5k run, tag team triathlon and kids triathlon all spread out over two days. Thinking of tryin a thing? You can visit their website to find out more information or register.

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Women’s Business Conference and Expo 2012

Its that time once again!!!! On May 26th – 27th W.O.M.E.N Club will be hosting the Women’s Business Conference & Expo 2012!!! If ur a woman or a woman in business come and network with other women in business, learn new strategies, insurance, business loans, websites, meet great life and business coaches, hear about other women and their accomplishments…its gonna b awesome!!! Ticket cost: TTD$700 and TTD$800 by the door.

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Indian Arrival Day (May 30th)

On May 30th 1845, the Fath Al Razak docked in the Port of Spain harbour in Trinidad and Tobago with 225 adult passengers on board. The passengers were immigrants from India who had come to the British colony to work in the sugarcane plantations after the abolition of African slavery. Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845.

Inside Information – Look out for our Indian Arrival Special Package.

There is so much always happening in this country! Does anyone ever sleep?

For starters we have The NGC Bocas Literary Festival from Thursday 26^th to Sunday 29^th, 2012. It’s an annual literary festival with a Caribbean focus and international scope, bringing together writers, readers, performers, and publishers for a four-day celebration of books and writing. There is a extra special event taking place this year. The opening event of the NGC Bocas Lit Fest will directly address 50 years of independence with readings from the works some of the biggest T&T literary names—VS Naipaul, Sam Selvon, Derek Walcott, Eric Williams and the one-time newspaper columnist, “Macaw”! Great opportunity to learn about Trinidad’s history and culture.

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Next up? Trinidad  and Tobago Hair and Beauty Trade Show! It’s the ONLY event of its kind held in the Caribbean, so you’ll want to check this one out! It attracts hairdressing professionals and students of cosmetology, aestheticians, nail technicians and extension specialists. Persons visit Trinidad from as far as United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and USA. Maybe you’ll be one of the fortunate ones to win a free haircut! The tradeshow starts April 28^th – 30^th.

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Ever heard of the ballet, Giselle? It’s a story of love and betrayal. What’s that? You’ve seen it?

Not this version! This is a Trini style version and you can expect appearances by some of Trinidad’s own folk lore characters and more! Look out for the ballet, Giselle, hosted by The Metamorphosis Dance Company from April 26^th – 29^th.

Amidst the recent resignation of the long standing captain Daren Ganga , the Trinidad and Tobago National Cricket Team defeated Jamaica to win their second Caribbean Twenty20 title on Sunday 22^nd, 2012. Not only did they win but they did it with class and force, with Man of the Match Dwayne Bravo smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes to make the top score of 49 from 43 balls. Our very own Man of the Series Keiron Pollard did his share of damage with 39 runs (not out). At the end of day Trinidad finished with 168 runs for 5, demolishing Jamaica by a 63-run deficit. This T20 victory ensures T&T’s entrance to the World T20 Champions League later this year in India.

The Twenty20 form of cricket was originally introduced in England in 2003. It involves two teams having a single innings of 20 overs. Because of this short duration it promises much excitement and suspense as each team races to make the most number of runs! Trinidad cricket has always had a reputation for exhilarating action mixed in with a bit of controversy. The Trinidad team first competed in a major tournament in 1869. Ever since , we have been graced by the likes of Ian Bishop, Brian Lara, Larry Gomes and Learie Constantine to name a few.

Thanna’s Place, Bed and Breakfast is following all the action. The upcoming West Indies vs Australia tour promises to be action packed! We hope all you cricket fans out there join us in April. We can’t wait to have you stay with us!

Oh, and by the way, don’t say I told you but visit our ‘Special’s’ page to learn of special offers for the cricket season!

The word “I-tal”  is derived from the English word “vital”, with the initial syllable replaced by i. I-Tal Food is most popular in the Rastafari Movement but has become a favourite of many Trinis. The main goal being to avoid foods which contain additives, preservatives or genetically modified ingredients. I-tal Food also involves strict adherence to a vegetarian diet. Because of this many vegetarians enjoy eating at I-tal restaurants.

What’s the best part? Trinidad is a Vegetarians’ Paradise! Because of the rich agricultural soils and relatively stable seasons, at any given point in the year a very large variety of vegetables, fruits, provision (starches), herbs, seasonings and spices are available.

Quick Tip: Ask for local fruits and vegetables that are in season and TRY THEM!

We recommend: Chinkies (St. James)

Trinidad and Tobago featured on US Television series Bizarre Foods

Official Launch: Just a stone’s throw away from Thanna’s Place, Bed and Breakfast is the Home of Carnival – Queen’s Park Savannah and on Saturday 10th December, 2011 with excitement and anticipation, the Official Launch of Carnival 2K12 took place.

Thinking about coming for your First ‘Trini’ Carnival Experience? Or maybe you’re a seasoned veteran who can’t stay away from the “Greatest Show on the Earth”. Nevertheless we’ve put together some information to make your trip more enjoyable.

Party Hard

Wondering where the Carnival Fetes are? What about the All Inclusive Parties? Or the Cooler Fetes? Check out this cool Calendar of Events! When you’re finished making your choices then you’re all set to purchase your Carnival Tickets.

Panorama 2k12 Finals

The Steelpan: For over 50 years the world has been captivated by the unique sounds of these oil drums. The Steelpan goes far back but has recently gained much respect as the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Get ready
to be captivated by the rich sounds of the steelpan. The Panorama Finals is an annual event that takes place around Carnival time. Various bands battle in the Queen’s Park Savannah for the top spot. Get ready to move your waist to “Pan” music.

Test Your Fitness

So you think you’re ready for a “Trini” Carnival experience? You may have been hitting the gym or doing some extra walking or jogging to get yourself in shape. But are you REALLY prepared for Carnival 2012? Here are a few VIDEO CLIPS to give you an idea of what you should be getting ready for .

Do’s and Dont’s

Don’t burn out before the end: Want to know how to survive one week of partying? Check out some Carnival Tips.

Sweet Soca Music

Practice makes perfect: Check out some of the new Soca songs for 2012. Turn up the volume and practice your ‘wining’ skills before you hit the streets of Port of Spain!

Carnival Cool Down!

What to do when the fete is over: So you’ve jumped and waved and misbehaved. Now you’re tired and ready to relax. Wondering where to go?

Check out the famous Ash Wednesday Cooldown Fete at Maracas Beach. Or take a cruise on the Treasure Queen. Looking to venture further. How about a Coast to Coast Tour?

What is a pastelle?

It is a cornmeal roll stuffed with meat, fish or vegetables seasoned with fresh herbs and flavoured with raisins, olives and capers wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf.

Christmas, Parang and Pastelles are synonymous.

Born into a Venezuelan family, my earliest recollection of pastelles is the boiling and grinding of the corn. I remember my mother buying crocus bags of corn and putting the corn into oil drums to boil in an open fire in the back yard. Then there came the hours of grinding the corn and of course the ‘singeing’ (a process where the leaves are passed over a fire) of the banana leaves. Pastelle-making back then was a long, tedious and back breaking task.

Nowadays, with everything ready-made and readily available, even though it is still a complex, time consuming task, with a few hands on deck one can make 100 pastelles quickly.

In Trinidad and Tobago, pastelle making has become another excuse to lime [ get together]. Friends or family gather, possibly bringing their own ingredients and with parang music blasting and some beers chilling, everyone puts their hands to the wheel and like an assembly line pastelles are mass produced. At the end of the day, thousands are made and each person or family goes home with their share for the season and probably swaying a bit . . . and that’s not from the music.

Pastelle has its origins in the Spanish colonisers who came from South America in the 16th/17th century.

Thinking of trying your hand at making Pastelles? Here is a recipe.

More of a visual person? Check this video out.

“Parang, Parang;  Parang, Parang; Parang, Parang”  by  Singing Francine

The words of this song would permeate the airwaves into many homes, cars and offices for the next two months. This is the Christmas season and it is parang time!

There will be the traditional parang, sung in Spanish where the Paranderos with guitar, cuatro, bandolin, cello, box bass, toc-toc, scratcher and maracas will sing the aguinaldos, anunciaciones and  nacimientos. However SocaParang, a fusion of Soca, Calypso and Parang, will capture the bigger audience.

This festive season which runs from mid-October to 6^th January will be officially launched on the 20^th November at the Arima Tennis Club from 3pm to 8 pm. The National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPATT) organizes competitions which will culminate with the finals at the same venue on the 17^th December 2011. Arima is the home of Parang and the birth place of the late Daisy Voisin who was considered the Queen of Parang.

Whether Parang came from the Spanish, Venezuelans or Cubans won’t matter to many Trinis and visitors alike.  The season and all it brings;  the merrymaking – the Parang competitions, the house to house serenades, the visit to the Lopinot and the Paramin Parang festivals and the numerous office parties; the food – pastelles, ham and turkey, fruit cake and ponche de crème would consume many. And when it is all over, Trinis would have something else to look forward to -  CARNIVAL 2K12.

So as we all prepare for this season, listen out for songs by Daisy Voisin, Sharlene Flores, Los Alumnos de San Juan, San Jose Serenaders, Marcia Miranda, Scrunter, Baron and Machel Montano just to name a few.

This short clip gives you a taste of Trini Parang.

Soca-Parang 

A quick drive through the streets of Port of Spain reveals Roti Shops at almost every corner! Usually, a variety of vegetables, meats and sauces are curried or stewed and served hot. You have a choice of eating ‘Paratha roti’ – typical flat roti or ‘Buss up Shut‘- as the name suggests just before the roti is finished cooking it is beaten on a Tawa (round, flat piece of metal used in Indian cooking) allowing it to crumble or ‘buss up’. Now you have your side dishes and your roti, all you need is some pepper and ‘ah red Solo sweetdrink’!

Quick Tip: For added fun choose ‘Buss up Shut’ roti and eat it the traditional way— with your hands! Not sure how to? Ask any Trini person nearby.

We recommend: Patraj (Port of Spain, Ali’s (San Juan), Dopson’s (Port of Spain)

Hey everyone! We have been working on the new website for some time and are all very excited to share this moment with YOU! Over the years we have had the opportunity to meet many persons who have visited Thanna’s Place Bed & Breakfast.

It is our hope that this website will allow persons to catch a glimpse into our “Trini Home Away from Home”. We have also incorporated this blog so that we can have more interaction with our guests. Please free to have a look around and e-mail us if you would like to share any thoughts or comments. We can’t wait to hear from you!