Ray Funk in Calypso Craze: 1956-57 and Beyond
On Sunday 25th January, 2015, the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival featured retired judge and Carnival researcher, Ray Funk in Calypso Craze: 1956-57 and Beyond at NALIS. His presentation featured a lengthy discussion about the history of the Calypso Craze interspersed with several video clips of calypsonians, American actors and other musicians who were part of this trend.
Funk, who hails from Alaska, developed a fondness for Trinidad Carnival culture and has special interest in how it affected American culture and society. Featured in some of the movie clips on display were Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte and Mighty Sparrow.
Additionally, Funk offered those in attendance an opportunity to purchase his Calypso Craze box set which included a large, hardcover book, a DVD and CDs, compiled by himself and Michael Eldridge.