CAISO Steel Drum Band

Create an Unforgettable Event with Steeldrums

Caiso which stands for the Caribbean American International Steel Orchestra, is one of the most popular steel drum bands in The Dc and Baltimore area. Their music derives from Soca, Reggae, Calypso, and Latin Jazz influences and are an instrumental group but include vocals in their presentations. Caiso has been in the music industry for more than 30 years and has featured in many concert and community events as well as introduced national distinguished bands such as the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet. They infuse steel band music is inspired by artists such as Len Sharp, Leon Edwards, Andy Narelle and legends like Bob Marley Jimmy Buffet and Mighty sparrow.

Enjoy Caiso Steelband Songs here!

They are a very popular and well-known band that provides live Caribbean Steel drum music for any occasion such as weddings, birthday parties, social events, and performs for many charity and fund raising events.  The Caiso Band was formed when the members entered DC from Trinidad where they sustained their music culture. There are three members that form The Caiso Steel Band and include Mike George, who plays the Cello, double seconds, David who plays the Tenor, double seconds, Cello and bass, and Michael King who plays the Cello. What makes Caiso Steel Band distinct from other bands is the unique and distinctive sound that gives a sense of joy and happiness. When you hear their music, you can literally envision yourself in relaxing on the beach.  

Caiso is a band that likes to stay active in their community and frequently performs for schools, Veteran’s homes, and fundraising events. They were also part of the US Military Troop Good Will tour and took a trip to Kosovo where they performed. Caiso Steel Band takes pride in being part of your special event and enjoys setting the mood and lifting your spirits with their music to make it an unforgettable day.

Enjoy Caiso Steelband Songs here!

 

Remembering on Memorial Day and Recapturing Its True Purpose

Memorial Day is a National Holiday and one that marks the transition into summer for many.  Unfortunately much of the holiday has been lost and replaced with the celebrations that go hand in hand with a long weekend.  It is time to once again capture the meaning of the holiday and the purpose of the day which is reflection and gratitude for the lives of those lost while serving in the U.S. armed services.  It is not to be confused with Veterans Day which celebrates the service of all military personnel both living and dead.

Many are unaware that there was an official “National Moment of Remembrance Act” passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 2000 to form the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.  There is encouragement for all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3PM local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to honor and remember all military service men and women that died in service to their nation. 

By sharing the knowledge of this Memorial Day Remembrance Event you can help encourage others to honor our fallen heroes. 

A great place to spend Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 is in the DC area.  On the Thursday before Memorial Day soldiers will be placing American flags in the front of every gravestone in Arlington National Cemetery.  Monday will mark an especially touching wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The U.S. Army Band will conduct a grand parade at Arlington after the wreath-laying ceremony.

The eve before Memorial Day, Sunday, May 27th, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm ET on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol there is a free Memorial Day Concert with special guest artists sponsored by PBS with broadcast on the PBS network.  The concert includes the National Symphony Orchestra as well as other groups and singing artists such as Chris Mann and Katherine Jenkins.  Colin Powell is slated to speak about the meaning of Memorial Day and there will be other appearances including Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. 

 

A very special Virtual Wall of Remembrance can be visited online and you can also leave a note of remembrance.  Your remembrance can also be delivered directly to the DC Memorial that relates to the war conflict that involved your friend or family member.  For more information click here: Virtual Wall of Remembrance.

The history, venues and slated special events make DC a very special place to spend Memorial Day which is observed on Monday, May 28.  There are hundreds of thousands of celebratory events being held across the nation.  Most will occur on Monday, May 28 but some events will be held prior to official and traditional Memorial Day.  Support those organizations that will honor Memorial Day prior to the official holiday as well by attending traditional Memorial Day observances. 

 

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The Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Merkel

The Royal Windsor wedding between Prince Harry, 33 and Meghan Markle 38, slated for May 19, 2018 is probably going to be the wedding for 2018. It promises to be a grand affair and everyone is increasingly looking forward to the big day. The news making rounds is that Harry and Meghan are inviting almost 3,000 people to celebrate with them in Windsor. The invited guests who are to watch the procession are people from a variety of backgrounds and ages.

According to the statement released by Kensington Palace regarding the royal nuptials, the wedding will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters of the Bride and Groom. So many performers have indicated their interest and preparedness to perform if called upon by the royal couple. On February 27, Mel B. a.k.a. Scary Spice all but confirmed that she and the rest of the Spice Girls would be performing at the royal wedding.

One of the highlights of the last British royal wedding in 2011 was the soundtrack provided by English singer Ellie Goulding. Whether she gets to perform again or not, there are other potential singers to look forward to in May. Some entertainers who have indicated interest include Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, British grime artist Stormzy amongst others who have volunteered and revealed how fulfilled they would be if they are allowed to perform.

Prince Harry is reported to have many A-list musician friends like Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and Coldplay have performed in events associated with him in the past. This means getting the best of the best performers will be no problem at all. Markle is also known to have an impressive musical taste that includes favorites like Maggie Rogers, the Crystal Fighters, and Janelle Monae among other artists.

Let's Celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month

On June 5, 2006, President George W. Bush passed a bill by congress issued a proclamation and declared June, National Caribbean American Heritage month for the impacts and support that the people of Caribbean Heritage have made to The United States. When I think of Caribbean Americans, people such as Alexander Hamilton, Marcus Garvey and General Colin Powell are just a few names that come to mind. Another important individual that helped with the recognition of The National Caribbean American Heritage month, is Elizabeth Burns, President and CEO of Unique Creations by Liz, which is an event planning company. Ms. Burns, seeing that people were not acknowledging The Caribbean American Heritage month, founded the Expressions Caribbean-American Exhibition in 2010. This exhibition is a group of Caribbean and American businesses that promote their services to communities. The Expressions Caribbean American Magazine is also part of the effort to recognize the Caribbean heritage month. This magazine features information of the Caribbean region, its people, and the culture.

Over the years The Caribbean American Heritage month has included festivals, themed celebrations and exhibits as an effort to maintain and keep it alive and strong. These festivals also include live entertainment provided by several local artists such as the Steel drum bands, of Caribbean and American culture. These festivals and exhibits include health, arts, wellness, crafts, island music, reggae artists, fun and interactive activities for families and children to enjoy and learn more about the Caribbean culture.

Experience the culture, music and food of the Caribbean heritage. Some of the music genres you will get to listen to live include Soca, Zouk, Bachata. From the islands of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Cuba, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, any many more. These events also include various cultured foods from the Caribbean Islands, Guyanese, Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Haitian foods. You can enjoy and experience the diverse cultures, foods, music, and arts.

Click links for more info about local events celebrating Caribbean Heritage month:

Official website for Caribbean American Heritage month

We're #4!

The US News report, recently announced that Washington, DC is ranked #4 on the list of best cities to live in the United States. Research was based on quality of life, job marketplace, public transportation and cost of living. 

Washington, DC area statistics

• The number of residents – 5,949,403
• Standard annual earnings - $65,910
• Average age – 36.3
• Average Cost of residence - $371,772
• Average monthly rent - $1,498
• Average commute time – 34.3 minutes

Washington, DC area cost of living

Washington has benefits of a public transportation system and is home of many restaurants, recreational sites and cultural locations. The cost of housing is determined by what area in DC you decide to live. The average rate of a home is much higher than the general average and the costs are anticipated to continue growing. Residents can look forward to writing monthly checks that are nearly $400 higher than the national average. 

Washington, DC employment options

Unemployment percentage in Washington, DC is higher than the state average but if you consider the data from the entire region including Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs of DC (the DMV), the DMV unemployment percentage lies below the national average. In addition, the average earnings in the DC area is greater than the national average.

A considerable number of DMV residents are employed by the Federal and State governments.  The DMV is a major employment hub in the field of education and health services.  Local district Public and Private schools, Universities and Hospitals provide employment for many residents. The arrival of private sector service providers and government officials bodes well for individuals seeking employment in Technology Information and Defense. The DMV also grabs the attention of people in the Hospitality and Travel industry because of venues like MGM National Harbor and Trump hotel as well as tourist attractions like the National Monuments and Parks.  

See our blog for tourist: 

The Best Photo Opportunities in Washington DC

Washington DC hosts Restaurant week

Washington DC Restaurant Week 

It’s Restaurant week in DC, January 30- February 5th, participating fine restaurants offer great deals on fabulous meals. The prices can be a fraction of the usual cost at some of the most expensive restaurants. 

In Washington DC, more than 250 restaurants participate in this incredible experience of DC’s wining and dining culture. Some of the best restaurants will offer their meals at amazing prices and the cuisines range from French, Indian, American Cuisine and many more.

Book you table today

People who would not typically get the chance to go to a very exclusive restaurant, now get a chance to try their menu at a discounted rate.

Here are a few tips you could follow:

1. Research the menus and check out which restaurants offer promotional menus.
2. When making the reservation at a restaurant, make sure you call them to ensure they are participating in restaurant week.
3. Check with the restaurant on the promotional dates and see if they offer any extension to restaurant week. Not all of them offer the same deals for the same amount of time.
4. Get to your restaurant on time. People would kill for tables, so if you are late, your table will definitely get taken up by the person next in line.
5. You can find the whole range of restaurants that are participating in restaurant week, together with their addresses on this website here.

It’s a must-do event. In DC, you get the freshest produce and some of the best meats and fish. Couple that with an International flare from five star chefs preparing your meal at a fraction of the price – it honestly doesn’t get any better.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

We blog about music and events in the DMV.

Sample our Steelband sounds of the Caribbean. 

Music can cure your Holiday Blues

photo courtesy of pippalou via mourgefile.com

Caribbean American International Steel Orchestra (CAISO) is a trailblazing band in the Washington and Baltimore area, we live to play music and lift people's spirits. Our music features a variety of Calyspo, Reggae and Latin Jazz that will surely inspire during this holiday season. Caiso SteelBand has performed for more than 30 years from opening concerts for international touring bands to community events, also marketing, branding and performing for charities. We enjoy being part of joyous celebrations that bring people together.

Why holidays bring in the blues?

The Holiday season is intended to celebrate faith and family. The Holiday season refers to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah as well as Kwanzaa. Most people enjoy celebrating these traditions. They enjoy having family reunions and reuniting with old friends they may only get to see once a year. This is also a season where people are caring, loving and giving.

Did you know that music can help people who suffer from holiday season blues? During this time of year some tend to feel sad, lonely and depressed. When people fall into depression they tend to isolate themselves from family and friends. They avoid reunions and gatherings and end up falling into a deeper depression. For some people, as the weather changes so does their behavior, attitude and even the outlook of life.

Finding balance during the holidays might be overwhelming for many. The shopping, the buying gifts, reunions, get-togethers, greeting guests, cooking and baking, the list goes on and on. Then there are people who become depressed after the holiday season has passed. This is due to disappointments, expectations, fatigue, and credit card debt.

Get rid of the Holiday Blues.

Lift your spirits with fun and music. We are ready to bring some of our Steel Band joy and join the celebrations. Hear the Caribbean sounds of Caiso SteelBand in a carefree atmosphere surrounded by the people closest to you. Create fun stories, listen or sing along with us. Season’s greetings.

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Remembering 9/11 on the 15th Anniversary

Remember the moments when the events of an unspeakable tragedy unfolded in both New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, PA.  It is now 15 years later, and still the memory is haunting, painful, and still too fresh. 

The National September 11 Memorial Museum & World Trade Center Memorial is in New York City.  It has been estimated that this memorial that will hopefully stand for centuries, will become the most visited site in New York City, and possibly the United States.  This is a Memorial that will serve as a place for parents to share with children not only the history and tragedy of that day but also the resolve of the people to remain strong, united, and protectors of this great Country. 

The names are being read aloud to drift through the air and remind those walking through the memorials in the three cities that were impacted on 9/11.  Others hear the names read aloud at memorial services across the US or through their televisions at home.  Bells are being rung as specific times are recounted on the clock at the moments planes impacted, towers fell, and heroes both chose to sacrifice their lives to save others and ran to help those who needed aid.  

Fifteen years have passed.  We are stronger, firmer in our resolve to protect this land that has stood as a symbol of freedom and has been the destination of those seeking greater opportunities for their family… and we will ALWAYS remember.

September 11 Memorial Events in Washington DC

Restaurant Week a Gourmet Treat

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) was founded in 1920 as a trade association that promotes development in the food service industry and restaurants in Washington DC. The association supports its members and helps them grow in business by offering education, training and brand promotions.  In the coming Washington DC Restaurant Week 2016, participants will have the honor to taste some of the finest food and wines from all over the world right here in the DMV.  Make your appointment early because deals for meals at the most exclusive restaurants are filling fast.

A new an exciting promotion from the organization is set from August 15-21st. Winners of the Fan of Lamb promotion will walk away with a massive Summer Lamb Pack. These will include among others: racks, loin chops and many others that will make your summer cookout worth it.

Here is the procedure:

1. Take a picture while eating an American Lamb dish in a participating eatery during the Summer Restaurant Week

2. With the hash tags #FANOFLAMB and #RWDMV, Tweet the photo and tag the food joint.

As simple as that and you can be the winner. Selection of the winner will be random from all the entries at the close of the promotion.

What more? Fine European Wines from Bulgaria is one of the sponsors and you will not only see but taste the best of Bulgaria’s fine wine. According to historians, Thracians started the wine culture long before Italy, France, and Spain. They were the inhabitants of the now Bulgaria.

Bulgaria today has some of the most distinct varieties of vine like Red Muscat, Gamza, Mavrud, Broadleafed Melnik and Pamid. Some sources suggest that Winston Churchill would order up to 500 liters of wine annually from Bulgaria.

How about sipping organic wine? Yes, you heard me right! Organic wine is one of the products Fine European Wines cannot wait to share. The wine production adheres to the European regulations. The crucial points being:

•    Farming ingredients used are purely organic such as sugar, RMC  (Rectified Must Concentrate), grapes and the likes.

•    Limited use of wine making supplements and additives

•    In the wines for sale, no SO2 levels allowed

•    Electro-dialysis, over 70 degrees heat and de-alcoholism not allowed in the processing.

You will also get tips on how different wines are paired. Did you know that a meaty diet accompanied by the red 2013 Early Melnik is the real package? For every occasion and meal, there is a perfect wine to savor. Visit DC Restaurant Week for list of participating restaurants.

Rio Olympics: the Opening Ceremony, a Tryst with History

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Introduction:

The Olympic fever is on. Everywhere you see people talking about the Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. When we speak of Brazil, two things stand out. One is football and the other is the great history of Brazilian music. Now, football is part of the Olympic Games and so is the music.

The opening ceremony:

The highlights of the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games was the scintillating performance by three great musical ambassadors of Brazil, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and the pop superstar Anitta.

The tryst with history:

Veteran music stars Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, despite being the greatest musicians produced by Brazil have not played together in Brazil for the last five decades. They had last performed in Brazil in the year 1968 before their exile to London.

Brazil was at that time under the military rule. These two musicians were the innovators of the Rio’s influential tropicalia movement. The army feared that their music could spark a revolution. Hence, they decided to banish them from the country.

Brazil is famous for its music and dance. Every move of a Brazilian would be in tune with the music. That is the reason they play such exotic football as well. Nimble footedness is a natural trait with the Brazilians. That, the Brazilian pop superstar Anitta would team up with the legendary musical duo at the opening ceremony is no surprise at all. She would prove the perfect foil to these great musicians.

Brazil could not have chosen a better occasion to celebrate. You should expect a country with as rich a musical heritage as Brazil to have some of the best musical performances to illuminate the stage on the occasion. The choice of musicians could never have been better. It is a tryst with history, that these two musicians are again part of the same stage on Brazilian soil. It is a different story that they have performed together on innumerable occasions outside Brazil since the fateful day of exile in 1974. 

Anitta is the heartthrob of Brazil today with her performances. She is famous all over the world for her beautiful vocal skills. The Olympic opening ceremony performance catapulted her among the legends of music. Performing live with both Veloso and Gil on the same stage, a moment to cherish for all.   

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