One of the leading Vincentian cultural groups in the United States has joined in the celebration of Grenada’s 40th anniversary of political independence in Brooklyn, greatly impressing the audience with its performance.
The United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB) last Friday night added its masterpieces to “Caribbean Solidarity Night” at the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church’s auditorium on Church Avenue in Brooklyn.
“Caribbean Solidarity Night” was among a two-week host of events, planned by the Brooklyn-based Grenada Independence Anniversary Committee of New York.
UVCGB was the penultimate group, among others from the Caribbean and Grenada, to perform at the three-hour event. Grenada’s Quake, U.S.A. brought the curtains down on the proceedings.
UVCGB received the loudest applause and commendation after rendering the nostalgic “Yo Eat It Once”; “Fish Fo So”; “Brown Skin Girl”; “I’m a Better Woman Than You”; “Dance, Dance”; “Sammy Plant Piece Ah Yam”; “Mr. Anansi, O”; “Nah Eat Da Fish;” among others.
“Participating in the solidarity event was a great one for the UVCGB,” Dr. Roxie Irish, the group’s president told Caribbean Life afterwards. “It proved that we are one people after all.
“Our cultures are very similar, and there was such a friendly atmosphere,” added the former national netball star. “Being able to celebrate with our Grenadian brothers and sisters was a great experience for us.”
Besides UVCGB and Quake, U.S.A., other performers included Belize’s Garifuna Spiritual Society of Brooklyn; the St. Lucia Folkloric Association; Barbadian poet Aja; Jamaica’s Braata Productions; Antigua and Barbuda’s City South Steel Orchestra of the Bronx; Dominica’s New Jersey-based “Know Your Culture”; and a Carriacou drummer.
Grenadians are celebrating their 40th anniversary under the theme, “Unifying Our People, Restoring Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow”.
In addition to “Caribbean Solidarity Night”, other events included a “Social Evening”; “Youth Festival”; calypso competition at which veteran calypsonian Val Adams, a former New York Independence Calypso Monarch, was adjudged the new Independence Calypso King; a “Youth Fete”; Annual Anniversary Church Service; “Senior Tea Party”; and a flag-raising ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The celebrations climax on Saturday night, Feb. 8, with the grand Independence Ball and Awards Ceremony at Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn, at which Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell will be the featured speaker.
Photo by Nelson A. King
