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Keen Competition at La Reine Rive Preliminaries


Jonelle Manwaring of the Reminiscence Cultural Group performs “The Bell” at the La Reine Rive preliminaries at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando on Sunday 22nd May, 2016

Over 40 young women, from districts across the country, showcased their skills in the categories of Talent and Self-Expression in the La Reine Rive preliminaries of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition, which was held on Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22, 2016.

There was keen competition among the delegates, who each represented their community groups in the categories of Self-Expression and Talent, as they vie for a place among the 20 finalists, who will compete for the crown at the La Reine Rive Finals at Naparima Bowl in June.

At the La Reine Rive Preliminaries (north) held at the St Augustine South Community Centre on Saturday May 21, 2016, 27 delegates appeared before judges in both categories, with performances which included African and East Indian-styled dances, songs and dramatic theatre pieces.   

In the Talent category, Benita-Karla Wilson of Soul Oasis Cultural Ambassadors from St George West was the show stopper, with her dramatic presentation of “Phantom of the Operanda” performed on stilts, much to the fascination of all those in attendance.


[LEFT]Benita-Karla Wilson of Soul Oasis Ambassadors during her dynamic performance in the Talent category at the La Reine Rive preliminaries at the St Augustine South Community Centre
[RIGHT] Another one of the delegates during her performance in the Self-Expression category at the La Reine Rive preliminaries at the St Augustine South Community Centre


[LEFT]Nicollette Brathwaite, the reigning Ms La Reine Rive at the Preliminaries of La Reine Rive 2016
[RIGHT] Valerie Balgobin, Nirvana Dance Company performs at the La Reine Rive Preliminaries
at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando

At the preliminary round in south held at Naparima Bowl, 19 contestants showcased their talents to gain entry to the final round.  Competition was stiff between Valeria Balgobin of the Nirvana Dance Company, Magan Ramroop of the Swastika Dancers and Donnelly Villafana of the Artistic Dance Theatre.

Jonelle Manwaring of the Reminiscent Cultural Group moved the audience with her powerful voice and stage presence as she performed “The Bell.”  There were a number of monologists who made an impact including Shanique Stewart of La Dramatique Expression School of Theatre and Gennisha Graham of the St Mary’s Police Youth Club.

In attendance on both days, was Nicollette Brathwaite, the reigning Ms La Reine Rive who expressed her thoughts on this year’s competition. “The performances were really good. I think choosing finalists for this competition would be extremely difficult and whoever gets the crown this year would have truly worked hard for it.”

The top 20 finalists will be announced later this week.

The Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition falls under the purview of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.