It’s the first weekend of a new year and if the last weekend of 2017 is any indication of what to expect entertainment wise, we are in for an exciting and busy year. Despite wet weather, 2018 opened with a bang as Tuco launched its Carnival programme on Monday with its annual Start de Carnival Cooler Fete at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Soka in Moka XIX was also held on New Year’s Day at Trinity College, Moka, Maraval and Gerald Yorke, head of Yorke Inc, held his annual New Year’s Day Backyard Dutch in Diego Martin.
Reports indicate that folks attending Soka in Moka XIX had themselves a blast, entertained by D’All Starz, Dil-e Nadan, with guest appearances by pan players Dane Gulston and Johan Chuckaree, Brass 2 the World and guests Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts and Nadia Batson.
Front-lining with Raymond Ramnarine for Dil-e Nadan are Derrick Seales, Renuka Mahabir and former Young Kings Monarch Stephen Marcelle.
Doing similar chores for D’All Starz is Blaxx, Tizzy, Ricardo Drue and Teddyson John.
Dil-e Nadan reportedly gave its usual well-polished performance, especially for including the national instrument in its repertoire. People also commented favourably on the performance of Brass 2 the World, featuring lead vocalist Heaven “Snakey” Charles, with guest Nailah Blackman in tow.
Past Soca Monarch Ronnie Mc Intosh also made a guest appearance.
The C2K18 action doesn’t stop or relent as competition in this year’s National Panorama competition commenced last evening. Single pan steelbands of Pan Trinbago’s Northern Region are being judged in their panyards and qualifying performances continue tonight and tomorrow, at the same time. Qualifying competition for Eastern Region bands will also be held on Sunday.
The calypso season also opens this evening with the premiere of the Missioneers calypso tent at the Community Centre on Yolande Pompey Ground, Princes Town, at 8 pm. Tomorrow evening the Tribe ICE Fete will be held at the Queen’s Park Oval, Elizabeth Street, St Clair, and Vintage Vibes is also having its Frigid Cooler Fete at Rafa Club, Queen’s Park East, Port-of-Spain.
The first C2K18 mega production is scheduled for Sunday at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s and it will be SocaLypso Chronicles, staged by the Signal Hill Alumni Show Choir from 5.30 pm. Joining Signal Hill for this event is Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.
As my old year ended, my new year began in sadness. Saddened last week Thursday when I attended the funeral of culture icon MacDonald Ward at Trinity Cathedral and in a similar mood this week with the news of one of my all time favourite calypsonians, Mighty Swallow, who has been in dire need of financial assistance for medical care in the US.
This week, I was informed that the family of legendary Antiguan calypsonian Rupert “Mighty Swallow” Philo are reaching out to the public to assist with the cost of his medical care. Philo was hospitalised in New York in August for what has been described as several “serious health issues.”
I have fond memories of Swallow and his performances both at the now defunct Calypso Spektakula calypso tent on Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, and in Brooklyn, New York, through the 80s. Who can forget soca’s golden years of the 70s and 80s when Swallow burst onto the scene with mega hits like Dont Stop the Party (1979); Subway Jam (1981); Party in Space (1983); and, Fire in the Backseat (1988)? I also remember the epic Antigua calypso monarch clashes between Swallow and the late King Obstinate.
Other calypso classics by Swallow include Dawn of a New Day; One Hope, One Love, One Destiny; Rise Antigua Rise; and, Man to Man.
In New York last year for Labour Day performances, Swallow fell ill and was admitted to King’s County Hospital in Brooklyn on September 1.
In an effort to generate funds for Swallow’s recovery, Franklyn T Grant Jr has set up an online donation account on the popular GoFundMe website with a goal to raise US$111,700.
Grant Jr is reported to have stated: “I am appealing to you guys and gals, friends, family and strangers as well, for your financial assistance. The medical bill is accumulating and the day-to-day finances have been depleted. I am forced to seek your help so he can survive in this foreign city. None of us expected his health to deteriorate so quickly.
“At the present time, he (Swallow) is under extensive doctor’s care. It will take an extended period for him to recuperate. Although he is discharged, he’s still not out of the woods.”
Philo is reportedly living in an apartment on Fulton Street, rent-free, courtesy of Rawlston Charles, the NY-domiciled producer and philanthropist who produced Swallow’s earliest works and that of scores of other calypsonians.
“Due to the amount of time, he has to stay for medical attention through the winter days, the living accommodations need to be altered and/or updated,” Grant Jr said.
To date, also dubbed “the Hitman of Calypso,” King Swallow is the recipient of three Sunshine Awards. He has also received national honours in T&T and Grenada. In Antigua, he has been awarded Grand Cross of the Most Princely Heritage.
King Swallow still holds the distinction of being the first calypsonian to grace the stage at Radio City Music Hall and also also established and managed the oldest calypso tent, the Calypso Pepper Pot dubbed the University of Calypso.
Swallow will turn 76 on Valentine’s Day (February 14).