St. George’s, July 11, 2011 – Minister of State Sen. Arley Gill has welcomed the designation of Tuesday, July 12, as “International Calypso and Soca Day.’’
Tuesday is also the launch of International Calypso/Soca Week (ICSW) which is backed by various musical stakeholders including the calypsonian Winston “Gypsy’’ Peters, the Arts and Multiculturalism Minister in the Trinidad & Tobago government; as well as promoters, artistes, DJs, radio stations and record stores in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
“International Calypso and Soca Day and International Calypso/Soca Week are a brilliant initiative that should be embraced by all Caribbean music lovers, including artistes in Grenada,’’ said Sen. Gill, Minister responsible for Culture, Information and Information and Communication Technology.
Trinidadian journalist Rolph Warner, who is supporting ICSW, said the concept of the week of activities, which culminates on July 19, is simple. It is to bring “international attention to what is arguably the world’s happiest music and get the Caribbean Diaspora to all be on the same page,’’ he explained.
According to Warner, “all the islands of the Caribbean are being engaged in this exercise and broadcasters and other media practitioners around the world are being encouraged to play Calypso and Soca music on their individual stations and generate discussions on a wide variety of topics during the week of activities.’’
ICSW also coincides with milestones relating to Grenada-born Mighty Sparrow, Antiguan Mighty Swallow and the late Trinidadian Artiste, Ras Shorty I.
Seventy-six-year-old Sparrow, known as the Calypso King of the World, was born July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, St. John.
Swallow, whose real name is Rupert Philo, is marking 50 years as an entertainer. His hit songs have included “Subway Jam,’’ Fire In De Backseat,’’ and “Don’t Stop the Party.’’
International Calypso and Soca Day also commemorate the anniversary of the death of Ras Shorty I, who is widely credited with inventing Soca music. Ras Shorty I – Garfield Blackman – died July 12, 2000.
ICSW organisers say they intend to use this year as a platform for a larger celebration in 2012. Next year is the 100th anniversary of the first known calypso recording, “Mango Vert.’’
It was recorded in June 1912 in New York City by Lovey’s String Band.
