31 Kaiso’s for Haiti

The newly established St Lucia Calypso Association 2009 in collaboration with the 2010 Independence Committee will stage a special Calypso Show in aid of the Haiti Relief Effort. The event called “31 Kaiso’s For Haiti” takes place at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday February 27 from 8pm. It will feature 31 local calypsoes from some of St Lucia’s best including the likes of Pep, Pelay, De Ashanti, Herb Black and Papa Vader. The feature act for the night is former Minister of Culture and Calypsonian “Short Pants” who will fly in to deliver his popular hit “Haiti.”
While the main objectives are to celebrate 31 years of independence and raise $20,000.00 to assist the Haitian Community, the Calypso Association 2009 is also using this opportunity to show the public that local Calypso is alive and well. PRO for the organizing committee, Caron Tobierre, insists that the 2010 Calypso Season will be one of the best organized and expects this upcoming event to set the stage for great improvements in all aspects of the artform.
“Since December 2009 members of the new association have been meeting regularly to ensure that errors of the past are not repeated. We are currently on a drive to get members to register and a major registration activity coupled with T-Shirt and ticket sales for the Kaisos for Haiti Show will take place on Saturday the 20th of February at the Derek Walcott Square. Our new constitution is complete and so far the level of anticipation and interest suggests that members and potential members feel that positive change is taking place. For us this Independence and fund raising activity provides opportunity to evaluate member cohesiveness and the capacity of the organization to plan and execute projects. As soon as you arrive at the cultural Centre on the night you will see and feel the difference.”
The show will be broad cast live on the internet thanks to Scruffy TV and Lime and attempts are also being made to get NTN to provide television coverage. Another added feature to the event is the erection of a shrine in recognition of all members of the Calypso fraternity who have passed away during the last 31 years. These include Bristo, The Mighty Tinker, Tony Martino, Jany, T G Fury, Ratchie, Egbert Mathurin and others. Membership forms for the new association are available from all Tent leaders, the Cultural Development Foundation and Y De Lima in the William Peter Boulevard.