Destra Garcia – Jamaica Gleaner

Davina Henry, Staff Writer

Bacchanal J’ouvert got off to a slow start. At about 10:45 p.m., the venue was practically empty.

However, not long after, patrons began filing in, dressed for the paint in their tee shirts and shorts, most of them with their heads wrapped.

People lymed and danced while others scampered to the Bacchanal booth to get some of the giveaways.

An hour later, the emcee, ZJ Bambino, took to the stage to kick off the night’s proceedings. DJ Ryan from Trinidad got the crowd amped up with songs such as Palance by JW and Blase, Miss Behave by Fay Ann Lyons and Throw Wine by Prophet Banjamin.

The patrons were ready to party as was evidenced by their gyrating, wining and waving of flags in the air.

It was just minutes after midnight when Bambino and DJ Ryan kicked the show into high gear. Bambino invited the Appleton girls onstage with the Jamaican flag to provide entertainment for the patrons. There was also brief laughter when Bambino remarked, “thank God, you have green in the flag.”

The ‘Bacchanalists’ were then ready to ‘get on bad’ when songs like Pon The Floor by Vybz Kartel, Wotless by Kes The Band, 6:30 by Skinny Fabulous and Go Dung by Lil Rick and Machel Montano were played.

One of the night’s biggest response came when DJ Ryan dropped Bruk It Down by Mr Vegas. Patrons were on the ground wining, gyrating to prove who could ‘bruk it down’ the best.

Bambino then called onstage a fluffy young lady, who thoroughly entertained the crowd with her antics.

Hit after hit

The feature performer for the night, Destra Garcia, took to the stage at 1 a.m., dressed in a white and sequin form-fitting romper and sporting blonde hair. At this point, patrons started to move closer to the stage area. She reeled off hits such as Cool It Down, I Dare You, Wine It and Max It Up.

Destra also remarked that she heard that “some people were saying that this year’s Beach J’Ouvert was the best, but I thought last year’s J’Ouvert was the best,” she said jokingly. READ MORE

Soca artist Destra Garcia takes hardship, controversy in stride

For the most part, entertainers have erratic schedules that can prevent them from pursuing interests and, though in good spirits and engaging, Trinidad & Tobago’s high-energy soca artist, Destra Garcia, was understandably subdued when she arrived in Toronto last Good Friday for a series of events that included a photo shoot, a CD signing and an appearance at the Polson Pier’s Fire Fete.

She had fasted 40 days and was looking forward to her first big meal.

Raised in a spiritual family, this was the first Lent that Garcia did not perform on stage. Her last appearance prior to Saturday night was the Champs of Steel Plus event on February 25 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

“My parents are churchgoers and they observe Lent,” she told Share. “As a member of a band you have to think about the other members. I, however, took control this year and opted not to perform. I am blessed and grateful for many of the things I have achieved in life and I don’t think it’s asking too much to give up some of the things you are accustomed to for 40 of the 365 days in a year.” READ MORE

CHILDREN joined soca singer Destra Garcia on stage to help her dispel any negativity associated with her song “Baddest”. She was the main performer on Wednesday evening at Digicel’s “D City Pumpin” event which has been taking place every afternoon for the past week. Crowds of school children, employees heading home and other by standers gathered on the Brian Lara Promenade between Broadway and Henry Street to witness the action which began at 4 pm.

Destra took to the stage and gave a performance tailored to the crowd which included young children. Before performing “Baddest” which was the last song in her set, she asked children to come on stage to help her sing. She explained the meaning of the song which paints the picture of pan battles long ago when flag women of each band vied to be called the “baddest” or the best flag woman. She called on the crowd to support her in this Friday’s Groovy Soca Monarch competition where she would be singing the song which is a duet with fellow competitor, Kerwyn Dubois. The performer will also be competing in the Power category.  Read More…

SATURDAY January 28 could possibly go down as one of the best days in Destra Garcia’s career as an entertainer. On that morning she hopped on a plane and by night she was performing at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. Most people thought she was crazy for leaving Trinidad — how could she leave at a time when the Carnival frenzy back home was escalating to fever pitch? Then again, how could she miss out on the huge, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the stage with people the likes of Celine Dion? Boarding that flight to Kingston turned out to be one of the best decisions she’s made, that evening she won rave reviews for her cover of some Whitney Houston classics. She would leave Jamaica on a high.

The feelings of exuberance she experienced that evening differed greatly from the negative emotions that threatened to consume her on the night of the 2011 International Soca Monarch Finals. She remembers that night almost as if it were yesterday.

The temperatures and emotions ran high then, yet despite the electrifying atmosphere and the high energy performances, the evening would end on a particularly low note for the “Cool it Down” singer. Truth be told, as she walked out of the stadium, Destra felt defeated. Almost one year later, in the peace and comfort of her living room — the only sound being the laughter of her daughter resonating through the hallways, Destra opened up briefly about that night. READ MORE…

Soca diva Destra, wearing a sizzling outfit, had patrons eating out of her hands. Joining her on stage for their hit collaboration, Baddist, was TC. “Mr Bacchanalist” Kerwin Du Bois followed, with reigning Chutney Soca Monarch King Rikki Jai just behind. Dishing out a variety of music to the crowd’s pleasure was chutney soca crossover band Karma. When the party ended just after 3 pm patrons were still milling around enjoying the remainder of the food and drinks. Read More…

Destra Garcia transformed a jazz audience in Jamaica on Saturday night, into a soca sea. That’s according to reports from Jamtown where the soca diva performed, without missing a gig in her packed weekend in Trinidad, as well.

Not only did she give Jamaica the usual dose of high quality soca … Read More…

Destra gave another great performance at the Jamaica Jazz Festival yesterday.  The feedback on the performance, from media outlets has been AMAZING.  We’ve added  the article written by Sheena Gayle, from the Jamaica Gleaner below to give you an idea of how Destra’s performance at the festival was received.  You can also read the full article here.

DESTRA ROCKS AT JAZZ

Whitney Houston was not at the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival but Destra Garcia represented well when she dedicated a part of her set to the international artiste.

The carnival princess evoked the presence of Whitney Houston, following the Heads of State performance of which Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown is a member.

With songs like Almost Had It All and Always Love You, patrons enjoyed every moment of the entertainer’s renditions.

Destra surprised many with her singing talent when she covered Whitney’s songs with little difficulty in the middle of her carnival season.

Destra Garcia, born in Trinidad, has grown from strength to strength since her 1999 debut and the entertainer is showing no signs of slowing down – challenging herself every year, taking her music and her fans along for the exciting journey.

Her music has already proved its staying power and its ability to captivate multiple markets. Destra has won fans the world over and has set the mark for high-energy live sets that leave audiences wanting more.

She firmly believes that you learn more as you grow and that you have to do what you have to do to make yourself happy. She barely has time for herself, completing gigs with her band as well as handling solo performances. To add to the mix, Destra has to make time for her pride and joy, baby girl Xaiya. Read more…