|
Calypso Rising (National Academy for the Performing Arts would be named after Lord Kitchener) Sean Nero, Trinidad Guardian, Published: 31 October 2010 http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2010/10/31/calypso-rising |
|
Gregory Ballantyne’s ditty titled Calypso Rising best described the quality musical tributes delivered at Thursday’s gala ceremony held at the Lord Kitchener Auditorium, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa) in Port-of-Spain. Yes, folks! That’s now the name of the main hall at Napa as declared by Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters at the cultural affair titled Soca...the soul of CalypsoPart 1, staged by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (Tuco). The news had to be the crowning salute on the occasion judging from the expressions of fulfilment on the faces of calypso stalwarts and aficionados in attendance. Performing in the hall now christened after this calypso legend seemed to ignite new passion into the performances of young entertainers who took the spotlight to render music beyond their years, but in comfort and style, to the entertainment pleasure of the gathering. Honorees and guests danced in their seats before engaging in a waving frenzy. There was laughter, too, which communicated the joy and love the music evokes. Kernal Roberts delivered another uncanny performance of his father’s music, in tribute to musician Ed Watson. The selection of choice was Sugar Bum Bum. Wearing dark shades during his performance was the only difference between Roberts and his late father. Had the Mighty Shadow opted not to take the stage after Erphan Alves’ performance of Children Ting, no one could have faulted him. Alves’ depiction of Shadow was on point and injected new life into the evening’s presentation. Isaac Blackman’s honeycombed treatment of Sweet Music from his father Ras Shorty I Short I (Garfield Blackman) earned him major kudos, while Roderick “Chucky” Gordon, caused sports enthusiasts to reminisce this country’s Olympic glory with his colourfully athletic performance of Gold. The composition was originally a tribute to Hasely Crawford who copped the top athletic honours at the Olympic games in Montreal, Canada, in 1977. But these first-class music offerings weren’t at the behest of the artistes alone. They had qualified help from the charmed musicians that constitute Divine Echoes. Minister Peters said: “Soca music has definitely carried the flame of calypso to new generations of Trinbagonians at home and throughout the Caribbean diaspora. The legacy of calypso lives through the current crop of soca bards who must pay homage to greats like Shorty I, Maestro. Rose, Shadow and SuperBlue to name a few. We owe these pioneers a debt of gratitude for their contribution to calypso and soca.” He added: “I challenge Tuco, therefore, as the organisation which seeks the interest of calypsonians to create more initiatives for the development of young people in the art form of calypso so that this industry can make an even greater contribution to the development of creative entities. “It is an acknowledged fact that many members of the cultural fraternity live in poverty at the end of their careers. This unfortunate trend cannot continue. If we are serious about developing the cultural sector in T&T, we must ensure that persons directly involved in this sector can not only generate a sustainable livelihood, but are able to enter their retirement phase on a financial footing which can sustain life.” The Honorees Ed Watson Pelham Goddard Art De Coteau Carl “Beaver” Henderson Shadow (Winston Bailey) Maestro (Cecil Hume) Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman) Roy Cape Pal Joey Lewis Lenard Cummings Errol Ince Vialva “Sarge” Phillips Holly Betaudier Frankie Francis |