Reigning International Groovy Soca Monarch, Shurwayne Winchester, has resigned as a permanent member of the soca band Traffik. His publicist yesterday issued a press release stating that Winchester will officially exit the band on October 16 in what is an "amicable" separation.

Machel Montano, the Trinidad and Tobago soca superstar, has copped top honours at the International Reggae and World Music Awards held recently at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. The awards included Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer, Most Outstanding Stage Personality of the Year and the much-coveted, Bob Marley Entertainer of the Year Award.

Scotiabank has announced a multiyear sponsorship deal with Caribana, one of the most popular and largest Caribbean Carnivals in North America. This comes as excellent news for the Caribana management since the last couple years have been hit and miss when it comes to funding of the annual event.

The affectionately called "first couple" of soca, Faye-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin were top performers at the International Power Soca Monarch Finals 2008 held at the Queen's Park Oval. Bunji placed first, Iwer George second, with fan favourite Faye-Ann Lyons third.

Popular DJ and businessman Kewal "DJ Lalo" Ragbir has died in vehicular accident on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in Trinidad days away from his 50th birthday celebrations. His loss will put a damper on Carnival 2008 celebrations as Lalo played an integral part in the annual festival.

Machel Montano laid stake to the Road March 2008 title at the annual Eyes Wide Shut fete held at Queen's Park Oval on Tuesday night. Machel had words for Blaxx in another spell binding performance, while Blaxx had words for Bunji Garlin in the Soca Monarch chase.

Destra Garcia has recreated herself for Carnival 2008. So much so, that she has gone back to the roots of what made her the soca diva that she is. With a new look, old mantra and same good looks, Destra is poised for success for Carnival 2008.

Here is a list of all the fetes and parties in Trinidad and Tobago for the Carnival 2008 season. This year is witnessing some big fete casualties due to the early dates of Carnival 2008. One Carnival's biggest and well known fetes, Amnesia, has been cancelled due to the short time available to ensure a quality party experience.

In what is appearing to be very comical, police attempted to halt a show at Zen Nightclub on Friday featuring Machel Montano, Benjai, Patrice Roberts and Zan. The police told Machel, "Stop allowing the women to touch your (testicles)." Frustrated Montano said, "If all yuh want to lock meh up, lock meh up."

Joel Zan Fezeck, jointly charged with Machel Montano, Rodney Benjai Le Blanc and songwriter Kernel Roberts in the assault of Brandis Browne outside Zen nightclub on Keate Street, Port Of Spain, missed a court date yesterday, with his lawyer informing Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor that "I do not know if he took a nap while there. He is unable to be reached via his phone".