CAISO Steel Drum Band

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. 

 

Related articles

When The Best Laid Plans for a Wedding, Birthday, or Other Event Go Wrong...

Remembering Those that Should Never be Forgotten: Memorial Day, May 30

Memorial Day Events in Washington D.C. and Baltimore Areas

220,000 American flags posted at Arlington National for Memorial Day

DC National Cherry Blossom Festival Kicks Off Spring

Finally, spring is coming and the anticipation is building!  Cherry Blossom time in Washington, DC is referred to by many as the Capital City in Bloom.  The annual Cherry Blossom celebration is underway in our nation’s Capital.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival has more than 1.5 million visitors make their way to see the beauty of thousands of fluffy pink blooms.  This is an annual celebration marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival honors the long friendship and lasting relationship between the United States and Japan.  In 1912 the mayor of Tokyo presented the United States with a gift of over 3,000 cherry blossom trees.  Since then, millions have visited Washington DC to take in the beauty of the blooming trees and celebrate the special ties between the US and Japan.  The first two trees from Japan were planted on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.  Plantings of the cherry blossoms spread from there.

Events during the National Cherry Blossom Festival include a diverse program of daily activities and exhibitions for every member of the family.  A large number of them are geared toward learning and understanding more about the Japanese culture and the history behind the beautiful cherry blossom trees.  Most events are free and open to the public.

The most popular time to visit the Festival is a few days before peak bloom.  Visitors claim this is time to see the most vibrant colors of the blooms.  The National Park service predicts peak bloom date.

There are many transportation options to get to the Festival.  Metrorail is popular, but many other public options are available.

Related articles

Musicians make moves at South by Southwest Music and Media Conference

Wedding Planning: It's Time to Get Serious

Tiki Bar Solomons Island Season Opener

National Cherry Blossom Festival : The Nation's Greatest Springtime Celebration! - The Fairfax at Embassy Row

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

Love to Learn. Tour the Folklife Festival

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an annual event treasured by the people underwritten by the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The festival honors cultural customs all around the globe. The Folklife Festival involves music and dance activities, crafting and preparing food presentations, storytelling and tackling issues of culture.

The 2016 programs are Basque, the Sounds of California and On the Move: Migration and Immigration today. There will be shows, demonstrations, sharing cultural customs and educational experience for all that attend. The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Event has the following dates as well as hours starting June 29th to 4th July and July 7th to 10th, the day programs will be Open daily from 11 o'clock a.m to 5 o'clock p.m. Evening session are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Entry is totally free.

 

SPECIFICALLY FOR VISITORS

• This occasion is held in the warmest period of the season in Washington, DC. Prepare ahead, dress properly and take in plenty of water. Allow yourself moment to check out the Smithsonian Museums to cool off.

 

• Enjoy lunch or maybe supper at the event. The meals are excellent and demonstrate the themes of the event. If kids are picky, you can easily get a hotdog from a street seller.

 

• Search for activities to keep kids included.

 

• Be certain to search the Marketplace where you can find products made by festival artisans as well as associated books and Compact disks.

The year 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival Program

Basque:  This talks about one of the earliest areas in Europe, as well as currently around 1,000,000 men and women globally speaks Basque, or Euskara, a dialect that was on the edge of extinction and currently and a prominent example of useful dialect revitalization.

In addition to its dialect, the Basque Nation is well recognized for its meals, handmade designs, songs and poems. The 2016 Event will host music artists, chefs, language specialists as well as more coming from the location to discover themes of cultural sustainability, identification as well as migration.

The program will additionally contain meaningful involvement of people of Basque descent residing all over the U .S.

Sounds of California - Appearing from a historically significant exchange with Latin America, California proceeds to be molded by the conflict, creativity, and power of individuals building a residence in an area whose social and cultural ground is as ever changing as its geology.

At the 2016 Folklife Event, take pleasure in a collection of night shows and also daytime shows and routines, providing a glance into how musical tradition mirrors the movements restructuring the state and the country currently.

On the Move (Migration and Immigration) - Be a part of a discussion regarding the past and recent immigration encounters and problems. Enroll in a class on gathering family reputations.

Take part in a poetry slam or a sing-along which carries the immigrant experience through verse and music. Tell and listen to stories as visitors share their personal narratives. Discover where you can take part in your community’s tales.  For a schedule of activities for the 2016 Folklife Fest check here

June marks 10th Annual Caribbean-American Heritage month

The positive and long-lasting effects Caribbean immigrants have had on American politics, the arts, science and music dates back to revolutionary times. Just a few of these noteworthy people include Alexander Hamilton, who served as our country’s first Secretary of the Treasury, Sidney Poitier, the very first Black actor to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field, the international singer and actress Beyonce, and Professor Louis Grant, who’s findings led to the creation of vaccinations and the isolation of diseases such as tuberculosis, leptospirosis, and the dengue virus.

The region of the Caribbean lies between the United States and South America, with Central America to its West, and is comprised of the Caribbean Sea and the islands and coast-lands within that region. It’s an enchanting area of diverse countries, cultures and languages.

California Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s legislation to (among other things) recognize the importance of Caribbean-Americans’ contributions, was signed by both the House and the Senate by 2005, and every President since then has signed an annual proclamation marking June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, including President Barack Obama.

Festivals and events are held every June across the country celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Below are just a few of the festivals and celebrations of the Caribbean-American Heritage Month events being held in and around our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

Caribbean Heritage Festival, “Taste of the Caribbean”  

June 4

Weekend Factory Tours of Chocolate from Cocoa single-sourced in the Caribbean

Weekends, June

CAHM – Caribbean Street Foods Lunch Club  Starts  2nd week  and continues to the end of June

Starting 2^nd week of June

Grilling with Caribbean Spices & Jerk Seasonings, Thursday, June 23rd , 6-7:00 pm

June 12

AllSPICE

Caribbean American Festival of the Arts and Humanities

June 14-18

History of Jerk

June 20

Caribbean Heritage Month Red Carpet Friday

June 24

Introduction to Ital Cooking

June 21

Introduction to Traditional Trinidadian Breakfast & folklore

June 23

4^th Annual  Caribbean Cuisine and restaurant week

June 19-25

Freedom of Expression By: Lesole's Dance Project

June 26

Caribbean Night - Le Best Of Caribbean Music

June 24

 

Annual DC Caribbean Film Festival

June 10-16

DC Jerk Festival

June 19

LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE WEEK

JUNE 20-24     

Annual Anancy! Anansi! Folklore and Storytelling Festival

June 26

Bookish- A Panel Discussion on Caribbean Literature

June 27

LIVE GARRA CARIBBEAN THEATRE FESTIVAL

June 28- July 3

Related articles

A Quick Lesson in Jazz Music and an Invitation to Experience It Further at the 2015 DC Jazz Festival

Black History Month, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Civil Rights Commemorative Stamps

What to Wear to a Beach Wedding

Worried about how to look great for your beach wedding? It’s quite a dilemma to find the perfect balance between a wedding look and a look that’s true to the casual beach vibe. For instance, wearing a big dress and a pair of heels might make you look overdressed for your own wedding. Instead, you’d want to go for lightweight dresses that won’t inhibit movement around the beach. Take a look at some of these style tips so you can get a good idea about how you should dress up for your beach wedding.

Bridal wear tips

 

Regardless of where you’re having your wedding, choosing the perfect dress is all about being true to your personal style and knowing your body shape. What looks great on one bride may not be such a good idea for another. You’re lucky if you have an hourglass figure because almost everything would look great on you. Maybe you’d want to go for a tight-fitting skirt that will hug your body in all the right places. Low-cut necklines, halter necks, and strapless gowns are ideal for highlighting your curves.

While halter necks and strapless dresses are also flattering for those with a pear-shaped body, sheath gowns and pleats are a big no-no. For women with this body type, a dress with a detailed bodice is great for drawing attention towards the upper body. On the other hand, full-figured and V-shaped women would want to go for empire waistlines and deep V-necks to create a balance.

Groom’s styling tips

 

Your groom could rock the tailored white shirt for a beach wedding and pair it with linen trousers. Throw on a well-fitted summer blazer and a pair of boat shoes for a classy look. You could even ditch the trousers for a pair of tailored shorts for a more fun and chic look. To add a funky touch to this look, you could add a bowtie and a pair of derby shoes with beach-inspired boutonnieres and cufflinks.

There are endless ways to try on different styles and add a personal touch to your wedding attire. You can find more beach wedding look ideas from the below beach wedding infographic.

 

9 very useful websites for family fun, holiday spirits and charitable giving

The all-knowing web has treasure to share.  After surfing through the internet ooze, I discovered amusing games, traveling tips and sites to identify new drink mixess. These helpful resources are free to divvy up among your friends, a gift from us (no charge).

1.Easier traveling: Traffic conditions- highway traffic info

2. Airport delays- Flight Delay Information  

3. Holiday spirits: Recipes for apple martinis, Butterscotch Eggnog, Tarzan’s juicy cooler and thousand of other alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks at DrinksMixer.com 

4. Super simple way to give: Sponsors donate when you click the icon for Hunger, Breast Cancer, Animals, Veterans, or another cause at GreaterGood.com 

5. Get with the lingo: New words and slang- Open dictionary

6. Smileys/emoticons/emojis- Net lingo

7. Free online family games: Enjoy action, arcade, math, word and thousands of other types of games at Free family games 

Money from Uncle Sam: learn about more than 1,000 federal assistance programs relating to disabilities, diasters, education, energy conservation and more at Benefits.gov

Internet librarian: Gigantic resource gives quick, easy access to tens of thousands of websites on everything from health to sports news to prescription drugs to product reviews to free internet ad blocker at Refdesk.com 

Tis the season of sharing, whether it’s a recipe, game, or donating to a worthy cause. Giving back is an important part of our steelband’s history:

5 very useful websites to Energize Organize and Strategize

Giving back and the ripple goes on

CAISO Steelband Striving to Be Our Best for You and Our Community 

CAISO SteelBand Volunteers for Charlotte Hall Military Veterans Home 

Do you have any others to add? Let us know in the comments.

Caiso Steelband wishes everybody in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia a happy holidays. 

Related articles

Health for the Holidays: Ways to Reduce Stress

Make the Moment Count - Inspiration to Help You Do That and More

Maryland leaps 8 spots, Virginia moves up 5 in healthiest state rankings

Budgeting: Save Money on Practically Everything

The Best Photo Opportunities in Washington DC

One amazing statistic would be to consider the number of camera shutter buttons pushed on cameras in the Washington, DC area on an annual basis.  There is probably nowhere in the USA where more pictures are snapped in the same square mile area.  A camera likely makes the top 5 on any packing list for someone going to DC and it should be with so much to do and so many things to see.  Of course there are the historically significant spots, buildings, and treasures but there are also just as many picturesque spots that shouldn’t be missed by those that define themselves as shutterbugs. 

For those that want to make the most of their shutter time in the Washington, DC area, here is a short list of places that need to be on your photo op list.  Be sure to visit each link for further information on how best to arrive to avoid parking problems and to be prepared for any entry fees that you might encounter.

• The Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorial: No one that visits the DC area should go home without pictures of these historical treasures.  Far away or close up the opportunities abound for subject centered photos or artistic shots that would be worthy of matting, framing and hanging on the wall.  Everyone should consider the tried and true shots of Lincoln sitting boldly and proud in the chair as well as the opposite reflection upon which Lincoln gazes.  For some really astounding photo ops consider taking a night tour to these spots and get shots overlooking the city from the top of the Washington Monument or the light reflecting upon Lincoln’s likeness in the deep of the night with fewer visitors around.  Of course nothing compares to the spring photo ops of the Jefferson Memorial surrounded by the famous cherry blossoms.
• The War Memorials: Pictures are worth a thousand words and the different war memorials are worth more than their share of shutter snaps.  For one photo opportunity that should make your list if the day you visit is overcast or slightly drizzling be sure to snap some incredible shots of the Korean War Memorial in that weather condition.  The Vietnam Memorial is of course the one that can offer some of the most touching photo shots that will require no words and will prompt much personal thought.  The recently finished World War II Memorial can draw you into the vastness and history and is one of those artistic shot opportunities with much to inspire your photography skills into overdrive. Fort Washington is over 200 years old, it was built to defend the river approach to Washington DC.
• After you have had your lens focused on the history in this area it is time to consider some candid study shots of the locals by doing a walk around The National Mall.  People are eating their lunches, taking in a picnic, participating in sports with friends, vendors are peddling their tourist treasures and local food favorites, and you can see live musicians sharing their talents.  Not only are the people perfect subjects for your photos but birds and fluttering insects among the cherry trees make for perfect photos and can be lost among the other activity drawing away the photographer’s eye.
• The Arlington Cemetery is a must spot for photos that invoke all that is a part of the fight for freedom in this Country.  From picturesque spots of the green grass interspersed with the white burial markers against the background of the Potomac to the respectful and not to be missed changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Plan to spend hours here despite what you might think you should budget for your visit, for once you begin walking around you will wish you had brought more than a few memory cards for your camera and had more time to spare.
• The Smithsonian National Zoological Park will offer learning experiences and more than a SD card full of photo ops.  With impressive exhibits and hundreds of species of animals there is not another opportunity like it in the area.  This is the perfect place for children to try their photographic talents for even those new at their camera skills will leave with some impressive shots.
• Washington, DC is a city full of architectural history and detailed photos centered on the architectural aspects of the buildings can offer up gallery worthy shots by both the professional photographer as well as the amateur photographer.
• For the perfect backdrop for a professionally polished family posed photo don’t miss the Georgetown Waterfront.  You’ll have more than enough to inspire and bring out the shutterbug in you as you consider the Potomac flowing and shimmering in the background.  As the sun begins to sit nothing can compare to the lights of Arlington, VA twinkling upon the water’s surface for a landscape shot and of course it is quite romantic if that is your photographic intention.

A visit to Washington, DC can offer plenty of history lessons, fantastic memories, as well as millions of photo ops that will have you planning your next visit soon.  Of course, check back with our Web site often for opportunities to come out and see one of CAISO’s public performances.  We often perform at festivals, neighborhood celebrations, and large public venues and events.  We welcome you to our beloved city and area and know you will find your time here to be one you will fondly remember – don’t forget your camera!

Did your fav photo spot make our list? If not add your spot in the comment section below. For more info about us check out our booking info page

Related articles

Wedding Day Venue for DMV Brides Deserves Special Attention

Make It a More Elegant and Celebratory Event by Considering a Live Band

Marking 34 Years: Up Close and Personal with the Archives and Memories of CAISO

Springtime: Fun Family events in Washington DC

Remembering on Memorial Day and Recapturing Its True Purpose

Steel Drum Music Industry is a Woman's World Too

Baby You're a Firework: Where to Watch the 4th of July Fireworks in D.C., 2015 Edition

NEW YEAR IN HAITI

via www.youtube.com

"Sometimes you got to get out of the box, to see inside the box". Ezekiel Phillips

Panmen embrace SoE, Steel Pan Jazz challenges | The Trinidad Guardian

Born of adversity…The steelband movement looks to Jazz and the Youth of Trinidad and Tobago to advance the Steelpan art form to the next level.  In the article you will learn about the Tenth annual Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Jazz festival... Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival

Tropical Angel Harps performs on Sunday evening at the inaugural First Citizens International Steelpan Jazz Challenge, staged by the Queen’s Royal College Foundation, at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Photo: Andy Hypolite

Published:via www.guardian.co.tt