Yesterday, the Mighty Sparrow marked a most important milestone. Born in the fishing village of Grand Roy, Grenada, on July 9, 1935, the undisputed Calypso King of World celebrated his 80th birthday.
With achievements and accolades too many to itemise, including being the holder of an honorary doctorate, conferred on him by the University of the West Indies in 1987, Sparrow has won the National Calypso Monarch more than anyone else, doing so eight times since 1956, and has won the Road March on seven occasions. In 1977, during Festac, in Nigeria, Sparrow received the honorary title of Chief of the Yorubas, (which is Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi).
Sparrow has, over his six decades as a performer, received many honours and accolades. Some of the most significant of these have been awards or certificates of appreciation from the governments of Nassau (1980), the Virgin Islands (1980), Barbados (1981), Jamaica (1993), T&T (1969, 1974 and 1993, when he was awarded the second highest honour in the land, the Chaconia Gold Medal for long and meritorious service). Last year he was also given the highest award in the land—the Order of T&T.
Sparrow has been honoured in various cities: Detroit (1962); New York (1984); Austin (1985) where he was made an Honorary Citizen of the City of Austin; Newark (1986); Winnipeg (1987) whose Mayor proclaimed June 3, 1987, Sparrow Day; Brooklyn (1990); Tallahassee (1994).
To celebrate his birthday, his wife Margaret hosted a reception yesterday evening at his home. Among Sparrow’s friends and guests invited were Arts & Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas and Minister of Community Development Winston “Gypsy” Peters.
Cuttin’ Style Caribbean flavours Panamania celebrations
Two Trinidadian fashion icons will flavour the Panamania celebrations this month in Canada. Cuttin’ Style Caribbean, with Joan Pierre & Associates, in collaboration with fashion impresario Richard Young, will be the toast of the celebrations with a fashion showcase and gala dinner. The event will take place on July 18, at the Westin Harbour Castle, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, Canada.
More than a dozen designers, along with their artistic clothing from across the Caribbean, will be highlighted in an event unlike any before seen in Toronto. The goal of Cuttin’ Style Caribbean is to showcase the sophistication and experience of island splendour while celebrating the spirit of Panamania.
Pierre, who is founder and executive producer, said last weekend: “Cuttin’ Style Caribbean is the platform from which Toronto and the world will see the elegance and beauty that is Caribbean fashion.” Young, creative director, calls the extravaganza the Caribbean “region’s chance to come together and show the world what we have to offer.”
Commissioned by the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games arts and culture festival, Cuttin’ Style Caribbean will showcase a high-end feature, presented during a gala dinner at Westin Harbour Castle’s Hotel Ballroom. This delightful evening is designed to display a wide range of Caribbean fashion, from Resort to Haute Caribe. Patrons can expect a celebration of different Caribbean aesthetic elements that will excite the palette, the aural and visual senses.
Panamania, presented by CIBC, is the 35-day arts and culture festival to enrich the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games experience, showcasing the diverse cultures and artistic excellence of Ontario, Canada, and the Americas through music, theatre, dance, visual arts and fashion.
Governments and governmental agencies have played an integral role in sponsoring designers, allowing the opportunity to share their talents during Panamania, which will also feature 40 national and international performances and exhibitions, including 28 commissioned world premieres at more than 20 locations across Toronto. Celebrity models will help celebrate Caribbean flair when the elegance and sophistication of island chic comes alive on the runway in this cultural celebration.
Sugar Aloes sings one for Jesus
No! He has not changed his religion but Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna) has just released a gospel CD. There are eight tracks on This One for Jesus, including four medleys. Produced by Aloes with music by Nicholas Phillips in New York studio, the release is on sale at Cleve’s, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain; Wack Radio, Coffee Street, San Fernando; and in New York at Charlie’s Records on Fulton Street.
A confident Sugar Aloes said this week: “I expect positive sales from this one. I’ve always wanted to do some thing in that genre. To whom much is given, much is expected, and God has blessed me abundantly, and my family as well with gifts; and, I would simply like to return something and praises to him.”
Sugar Aloes refuted any notion that, like fellow calypsonians the late Mystic Prowler, Delamo and more recently Denyse Plummer, that he has rededicated his life to Christianity. A devout adherent of the Orisa traditional ancestral belief system, Aloes was asked then why a gospel (Christian) album and not an Orisa release. He said: “The Orisa faith and market is more limited and restricted. Gospel music is more international and has a much wider market. It’s that simply.”
About the July 18 National Political Calypso Monarch semi-final, Sugar Aloes said he decided to sit this one out as his busy performing itinerary doesn’t afford time to participate.
The Longest Wait
Production on the newest upcoming feature film production The Longest Wait has just begun. produced by FIXERfilm Limited, The Longest Wait is a dramatic feature-length film, which is being shot in Trinidad up to July 26 comprising of crew members from both Canada and T&T. The film project is a mentorship collaboration between student filmmakers from the Vancouver Film School (VFS), film students of UWI and T&T film professionals for the duration of the film production period.