The Mighty Sparrow, internationally recognized as the Calypso King of the World and credited for popularizing the annual Mother’s Day Saturday Caribbean Concert in New York City, is performing at this year’s spectacular concert. “The Mother We Love You Concert” will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014, 8:00 p.m., at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College.
Joining Sparrow on stage is a stellar cast of Caribbean artistes including Singing Sandra, the dynamic Jamaican Braata Jamaica Singers, Guyana’s sensation Tony Ricardo, Antigua’s indomitable King Short Shirt, and Chucky Gordon, the 2014 National Calypso Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago.
“It’s a pleasure to be back on the big Mother’s Day Saturday Concert stage,” says Sparrow. “I want fans to know that The Sparrow appreciates your prayers during my illness and recovery. Moms can expect a dynamic performance from me at Brooklyn Center.”
Other icons serenading moms at the gala concert include the Shadow and Calypso Rose.
Young artists, in addition to Chucky Gordon, include Lyrikal, a 2014 International Soca Monarch finalists and Young Devyn.
The concert is presented by Everybody’s “Caribbean” Magazine and co-sponsored by Municipal Credit Union (MCU), Western Union, Grace Foods, Tower Isles and Dennis Shipping.
The Sunshine Orchestra is providing the music for the nine veterans and emerging superstars on the star-studded bill. They are:
The Mighty Sparrow, the Calypso King of the World, is about to be presented with Trinidad & Tobago’s highest award, The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Roderick “Chucky” Gordon: In 2012, Chucky won the Lord Brynner Independence Calypso Monarch commemorating Trinidad & Tobago’s 50th Anniversary of Independence and in 2014, the National Calypso Monarch. “Chucky” Gordon continues to display prowess and dynamism in Soca and Calypso. Only 26 years, yet during the last seven years, Chucky appeared four times in the National Calypso Monarch and five times in the International Groovy Soca Monarch.
Braata Jamaica Folk Singers is one of the Caribbean’s leading performing arts ensembles. Fans at the Mother’s Day Saturday concert and those who are bringing their mom, grandma, wife and sweetheart can expect the group to take them back in time to hear the songs of Lord Kitchener, the Roaring Lion as well as the songs of Bob Marley and Harry Belafonte.
Shadow: There’s a photo of Shadow, Sparrow and the late Lord Kitchener holding nine-year old Machel Montano at the Mother’s Day Concert. “It is a concert I love very much and love singing to moms. I am looking forward to the May 10, Mother’s Day Saturday Spectacular,” explains Shadow, a Road March, International Soca and National Calypso Monarch.
Tony Ricardo: Though one of Guyana’s most thrilling entertainers many calypso fans associate Tony Ricardo with Trinidad where, for many years, he performed with the famed Trinidad Troubadours. Expect Tony Ricardo to make every mother happy when he sings for them, “Mother, We Love You” and he may even collaborate with Sparrow on one of his classics.
Lyrikal: “What an honor to entertain my mother and other mothers at the concert and what a joy to be billed with such Caribbean icons, as Tony Ricardo, Shadow and Sparrow,” Lyrical proudly states. Mother’s Day Concert of 2014 is very special for Lyrikal. His Mother usually patronizes the annual Mother’s Day Saturday Concert at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. This year her son is one of the concert’s star attractions. What a thrill for mother and son!
Singing Sandra: “It’s always exciting to perform at the traditional Mother’s Day Saturday Concert at Brooklyn College,” explains the two-time National Calypso Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago.
King Short Shirt is one of the Caribbean’s best entertainers. King Short Shirt whose real name is McLean Emanuel is now Sir McLean Emanuel. This knighthood was bestowed upon him by the nation of Antigua and Barbuda for his vast contributions to the promotion of calypso and his native Antigua.
Calypso Rose: The first woman to win the two highest titles in calypso, the Road March and National Calypso Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago, is one of hardest working artists on the Caribbean scene. Her latest tour included performances in China, Japan and Poland.
Young Devyn: The 12-year-old child star has been performing since five. She has already graced the same stage with Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, Beenie Man and Movado. Born in Brooklyn, NY of Trinidadian parentage, Young Devyn says, “If this music thing doesn’t work out for me I’m going to be the first African American Woman President of the U.S.”
The Whitman Theater at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn College is located at Avenue H and Campus Road near the Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues junction. It is the last stop on the 2 and 5 trains to Flatbush.
Tickets are available at Brooklyn Center Box Office, (718) 951-4500; tickets.brooklyncenter.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=35
Everybody’s Magazine, (718) 941-1879 – www.everybodysmag.com
Bronx at Dennis Shipping and Cholo Bakery; Queens at VP Records and Conrad’s, Allan’s, JW Records, Charlie’s Records and Tropical Paradise in Brooklyn.
