Calypso lovers are in for a treat tomorrow when the 2022 Crop Over Festival officially opens at Portvale Sugar Factor, after a two-year pandemic break.
The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has pulled out the stops, bringing together among the big names within the local calypso arena for a large Vintage Calypso Tent. It can be a marquee component of the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes.
The Vintage Calypso Tent will serve up performances from an inventory of legendary hitmakers. They include Pic-o-de-Crop kings and finalists, road march winners, and a former Junior Calypso Monarch.
The road-up of performers on the Vintage Calypso Tent will feature Mr. Blood, Kid Site, Gabby, Pompey, Destroyer, Keisha, Ishaka, Bumba, Colin Spencer, Serenada, Ian Webster, Pooka and Quon, while the hilarious Eric “Queen” Lewis is the Master of Ceremony.
All this takes place after the splendour of the parade from the Rock Hall Freedom Park, St Thomas all the way down to Portvale Sugar Factory at Blowers, St James, culminating within the official ceremony and festive fair.
One performer who is filled with anticipation for Saturday night is the multitalented percussionist, tuk band exponent, educator, businessman and calypsonian, Wayne Poonka Willock.
He expressed gratitude to the NCF for expanding the Crop Over Festival opening and providing a special place for veteran calypsonians like himself.
He intends to take patrons down memory lane with two selections that can move them.
Known for hits corresponding to Tuk Band Rhythm and Poonka All Over de Place, the artiste, who has been performing for the reason that Seventies with the Barbados Dance Theatre and Yoruba travelling within the region including Cuba, said this new outlet for veteran calypsonians was an ideal move.
Poonka is a staple within the Festival Band as a percussionist and has been pushing tuk band music in schools across the island. Nevertheless, on Saturday night at Portvale, he guarantees to woo the group together with his infectious music.
“I feel it is a superb decision by the NCF to incorporate the Vintage Calypso Tent because the kids have to know where calypso got here from, the individuals who produced the work, and their contribution to the event of the Crop Over Festival.
“I’m happy with the role I even have played in introducing tuk to calypso in 1983. It has change into an integral a part of many tracks, whether in bashment or soca,” he noted.
(PR)
Read our ePaper. Fast. Factual. Free.
Join and not sleep so far with Barbados’ FREE latest news.
