Calypso king, the Mighty Sparrow is slated for a guest appearance at a one-night, Brooklyn, concert event titled “Ancestral Chant – The Celebration Continues.”
Presented by Brooklyn-based dance company Something Positive, the event will be held June 9 at Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts on the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University.
Billed to commemorate Caribbean Heritage Month and the company’s 2012 performance season the annual event will honor the company’s founder Cheryl Byron, Dr. Pearl Primus and Nina Simone.
A pre-event reception will be co-hosted by James Briggs Murray and author Akoshia Yoba and will be highlighted by the presence of the calypso king of The World, The Mighty Sparrow.
State senator Kevin Parker and actor Justin A. Davis of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” will also attend.
The gala will also introduce the Cheryl Byron Spirit Award honoring socialite Hazra Ali, business executive, Gail Yvette Davis and restaurateur Charmaine Gumbs for their contributions to the cultural community in New York.
Previous guests have included actors Danny Glover and Hazelle Goodman and recording T&T recording artist David Rudder.
Entertainment will be provided by the Nyasha Rhoden Steel Pan Quartet and DJ Keith.
Reportedly, “Ancestral Chant” celebrates the artistic legacies of three icons of African American and Caribbean Culture – Byron, rapso music pioneer, dancer and company founder, Dr. Primus, acclaimed grandmother of African American dance and Simone, jazz legend Simone.
The company will perform three stellar selections to honor the achieving women.
“Sweet Nina Suite,” a five section piece created — by artistic director Michael Manswell — and set to the music of Nina Simone will laud the singer’s iconic contribution to music.
“The Wedding” which was first mounted on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1961 will hail Dr. Primus.
And Byron’s riveting “Ancestral Chant” which was choreographed in honor of her friend and mentor, Dr. Primus will pay tribute to the legacy of the talented Trinidad & Tobago national.
For more info. Log on to www.kumbletheater.org.
Everybody’s Ask To Choose Top 10 T&T,
Jamaica Nationals
The editor of Everybody’s Magazine is challenging Caribbean nationals to submit nominations for the top 10 personalities to distinguish themselves during Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica’s 50 years of self governance. Herman Hall, publisher of the Caribbean, lifestyle magazine issued the challenge to readers willing to cast votes for personalities “in public service, entertainment, sports and other professions”
His suggestion asks: “Can you name a person of Jamaica or Trinidad & Tobago heritage who became an international household name during the last 50 years, 1962-2012?”
He also wants to hear from readers versed in measuring the most popular songs in Jamaica or the most popular calypsos in Trinidad & Tobago during the same period.
For more information log on to www.everybodysmag.com.
Catch You On The Inside!
