By STACY MOORE Tuesday, January 22 2013

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READY TO REBOUND: Machel Montano, at right, performing on stage during the Presentation College San Fernando Carnival All-inclusive fete on Sunday nig...

SOCA Superstar, Machel Montano, has pledged that he would not remain down, but instead rebound, following what he was “going through.”

Machel made no reference to the fact that he is currently awaiting sentencing on February 25, for assault charges, arising out of an incident six years ago outside the Zen nightclub in Port-of- Spain , but on Sunday night during his performance at the PREStige All Inclusive ‘Fêteology 101”at Presentation College, San Fernando grounds, he assured fans that he would not stay down.

The Soca Monarch and Road March King was found guilty of the assault charges by a Port- of - Spain magistrate on December 10 last.

“If anybody could relate to what I am going through, put your hand up...” Montano beckoned screaming patrons as he signalled for the music to be lowered. Hundreds of supporters raised their flags in the air. Montano continued, “In life you go down, but when you fall you don’t stay down. Say.....say we not staying down.”

The artiste said when someone falls the next option is for that person to “pick themselves up.”

Montano belted out, “Say we not staying down” a line from one of his popular hit “Float” .

The crowd echoed, “We not staying down.” Montano was the last to perform for the fete. He went on stage at approximately 10pm and performed for one hour. As he appeared, the crowd went into a frenzy, many screaming his name. Dressed all in black he said, “This one going and fog up the place” from his song “The Fog”. Patrons scampered to the front of the stage, many of them throwing powder into the air. There was jumping and dancing as women edged closer to touch the singer. One young woman from Williamsville was given the opportunity to display her wining skills with the artiste. Other songs performed included, “She Ready”, “Pump yuh flag”, “Bottle of rum” and more.

Montano was joined by Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts who did not disappoint the crowd .

Montano announced that Roberts and Nappy had just returned from performing at the Semi-Finals of the Soca Monarch.

During Montano’s performance he was given a sheet of paper and he announced that Trinidad had won the Caribbean T20 cricket finals by nine wickets against Guyana. The crowd roared in satisfaction . The venue was packed to capacity as thousands continued to crowd the grounds late into the night. Montano, a former student of the Presentation College, San Fernando, recapped his childhood days and some of the fond memories he shared at the school.

Artiste, Kes Dieffentaller also a past student, said the college was special to him. Dieffentaller advised students among the crowd to make the best use of their school days. He said Carnival was a time when people came together, but it should not stop there. “We must always be like that, even after Carnival,” he said.

As the artiste took off his shirt there were screams as he performed the popular “Wotless” and other hits.

Other acts for the night included, David Rudder, Ronnie Mc Intosh, Black Stalin and others. Models from Kallicharan Mas Band displayed sections from the band. Patrons were also treated to renditions from the Laventille Rythm Section and exhibitions of fire blowing by fire eaters. There was an area designated for food where patrons were served with various cuisines including Arabian, Chinese, Creole and Indian choices, bake and shark, doubles and more. The bars were well stocked with different premium drinks.

The fete was hosted by the Presentation College San Fernando Past Student’s Association. Ninety percent of the profits will go towards the Presentation College, and the remaining ten percent is distributed to various charities in the community.