Caribbean music, Caribbean news and wholesome family entertainment are what Ebony and Ivory Radio on WVIP (93.5-FM) is all about.
“It’s ‘The Best of All Worlds’ and everyone is invited,” executive producer Gary Lewis, aka “Gary Ivory,” said enthusiastically about the theme of the show, which speaks to the station’s predominately Caribbean listenership and other audiences.
The 3-year-old variety show, which stars Lewis, broadcast veteran Trevor Forde of Trinidad and Tobago and radio newcomer Jamaican Lustie Jackson, airs every weekday. The program’s staff, or “cast,” pumps out healthy doses of news, entertainment, education and small business information, and heaps of tasteful comedy to keep the atmosphere lighthearted.
“Comedy makes the world go ’round. It relieves the stress,” Lewis said.
Fun-filled on-air game shows - such as “The Soon-to-Be Wed Game” and “Can You Interpret” - are becoming signature programming for the show. In the entertainment arena, there is also Friday’s Party Patrol, which features performances by established stars and up-and-coming talent.
On-air giveaways ranging from air conditioners to free 60-second ads to help new businesses get off the ground have added to the positive grassroots response to the show.
Nevertheless, there also are some serious and thought-provoking segments.
Every Wednesday, motivational speaker Devon Harris, three-time Winter Olympics team member for Jamaica and former captain of the island nation’s famous bobsled team, brings affirmations and positive messages to listeners.
Up-to-date Caribbean news and information is provided regularly by veteran broadcast journalist Don Bob, who works for United Nations Radio. In addition to the live online broadcast, the Web site has news from throughout the Caribbean Diaspora via links to selected Internet sites.
Ebony and Ivory Radio airs live Monday from 2 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m.; and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. In addition, the broadcast is available online at their Web site: www.ebonyandivoryradio.com.
Listeners of Caribbean radio in New York know WVIP (formerly WRTN) as a popular source for music, news and information. The new call letters were instituted in late 2006, but the deluge of Caribbean programming from the New Rochelle-based station has not eased with Ebony and Ivory Radio shows and other shows in their lineup.
For information about the WVIP programs or advertising opportunities, call 212-222-5463.
Charity gets cookin’
Healthy portions of fun food and entertainment are being prepared for the Mavis and Ephraim Hawthorne Golden Krust Foundation Gala, scheduled for Friday at the Eastwood Manor, 3371 Eastchester Road in the Bronx.
The philanthropic branch of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, the foundation has aided college students with scholarship money and is now seeking to assist community-based educational programs.
Tickets are $85 per person. Call foundation coordinator Novelet Clarke at 718-234-3487.
Little League from the Caribbean
While much of America is focused on the respective pennant races in professional baseball, not all the action is in the majors. Little League Baseball has reached its finals and teams from the Caribbean are in the mix.
The Pabao Little League from Curacao will be representing the Caribbean Region at the Little League Baseball World Series for the fifth consecutive year. The series will be held now through Sunday, August 26 in Williamsport, PA. Visit www.littleleague.org/worldseries_2007/index.html for information.
Meanwhile, Taylor, MI hosted the Junior League World Series last week and a team from the Virgin Islands made it to the finals. The Virgin Islands youngsters clinched their spot by previously winning the league’s Latin America tournament, played in Panama. The results of last week’s championship can be seen at www.littleleague.org/series/2007divisions/jlbb/series.htm.
Hot off the presses
There is a new Caribbean music publication out - 411 Caribbean Music Magazine - and you can get a sample online. The Trinidad and Tobago-based magazine features news, articles, interviews, song and album listings and other information for readers in the region, the U.S., Canada and Europe. Visit their Web site at www.myspace.com/411muscimag for information.
Reprinted from The New York Daily News
EDITOR’S NOTE: Brooklyn-born Jared McCallister has written the “Caribbeat” column since 1983. The only feature of its kind in a major New York newspaper, the column appears on Sundays in The New York Daily News editions in the five boroughs and on Long Island.
