“I call this year’s Revue-Tent a colossal celebration of both Trinidad & Tobago’s and Jamaica’s independence jubilee,” Count Robin, tent manager and calypsonian, said of the seven-night Brooklyn fete which begins Aug. 26.
“For non-calypso and non-soca fans, the revue-tent is not a physical tent.”
It is a term for the location of nightly concerts featuring top calypso artistes from the Caribbean.
The first tent to open in Brooklyn is “the air conditioned and luxurious Tropical Paradise Ballroom,”
Robin explained.
Located at 1367 Utica Ave., the venue will be the hallmark headquarters for celebration of the two nations in the English-speaking Caribbean to first achieve self-rule from Great Britain.
The weeklong musical fete which features calypso/soca is part of Brooklyn’s Carnival and continues thru Sept. 1.
Artists slated to perform include: Sugar Aloes, Singing Sandra, Sexy Suzie, Count Robin, The Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, Shadow, Brown Boy, Becket of St. Vincent, King Swallow of Antigua, Duane O’Conner, Dance Master of Jamaica, Lord Nelson, Poser, Susan Kennedy, Fatman George from Grenada, Edwin Yearwood and Statement from Barbados, Pick and Daddy Chess from Dominica.
Opening night will honor Trinbagonian-Americans with a VIP reception.
Following the meet and greet, the tent will open to music ending at 11:00 p.m.
Performing artistes on Sunday include Tobago’s Rose, Brown Boy, Aloes, Fatman from Grenada, Kennedy and the Count.
On Aug. 27 — Suzy, Rose, Kennedy, Brown Boy, Dance Master and Aloes.
On this night, a bonus offer marks ladies’ night with a two-for-one ticket entrance fee.
Aug. – 28 — The Everybody’s World Soca Monarch semifinal is scheduled with soca artists from across the Caribbean and North America vying for the title.
The competition — a new feature – enables 10 artists to participate and win the coveted title.
Aug. 29 — Artists such as King Swallow, Becket, Fatman George will join Jamaica’s Dance Master, Lord Nelson, Singing Sandra, Duane O’Conner and others in a royal independence salute to T&T and JA.
Aug. 30 — Ten soca artists will battle for the international crown and $3,000-$5,000 in prize monies.
Aug. 31 — Headliners include Sparrow, Shadow, Nelson, Duane O’Conner, Dance Master, Rose, King Swallow and Becket.
Sept. 1 – The 50th anniversary fete concludes with performances by icons of calypso and soca.
In addition, some of the best soca and calypso deejays will add to the merriment.
Backing the artistes all week will be Sunshine Calypso Orchestra.
