![\"Globe](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010158995.jpg\")
Globe Cinema at Green Corner Port of Spain<\/p><\/div>
\nOn Thursday 29th October, 2015, the Globe cinema, located on the corner of Park and St. Vincent streets, Port of Spain, was teeming with calypsonians both young and old, musicians, their guests and lovers of the calypso art-form for the TUCO Calypso Gala 2015. This event was held under the patronage of Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Its theme\u2014Kaiso\u2026the Global Experience\u2014celebrated calypso from its roots in Trinidad and Tobago to its journey to the rest of the world.<\/p>\n
![\"Fancy](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159081.jpg\")
Fancy Indian Masman<\/p><\/div>
\nThe scene at the Globe cinema was ostensibly an early start to the 2016 carnival season with popular J\u2019ouvert characters such as Baby Doll, Midnight Robber, Pierrot Grenade and Fancy Sailor greeting guests upon arrival and a myriad of calypsonians and other persons involved in the business sharply dressed mingling with their comrades as though backstage at a prestigious calypso competition.<\/p>\n
![\"Calypsonian](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159258.jpg\")
Calypsonian Neil ‘Abebele’ Baptiste entertains guests<\/p><\/div>
\nBefore the formal start of the ceremony guests filled the entrance room of the old cinema and were treated with wines and other fermented beverages as well as a medley of old-school calypsos by Neil ‘Abebele’ Baptiste who warmed up the thick gathering in anticipation of things to come.<\/p>\n
![\"TUCO](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159350.jpg\")
TUCO president Mr. Lutalo Masimba<\/p><\/div>
\nThe official phase of the gala was initiated with a prayer by Reverent Deacon Lennox Toussaint followed by welcome remarks by TUCO president Mr. Lutalo Masimba who called for greater recognition of the calypso art-form by the powers that be and for educators and other informed elders to be more vociferous in promoting the culture to young ones. The event was co-hosted by well-known rapso artiste Omari Ashby and Dr. Jo-anne Tull.<\/p>\n
![\"Minister](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159364.jpg\")
Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly<\/p><\/div>
\nFollowing Mr. Masimba\u2019s speech was the feature address presented by Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly who praised TUCO for its work in keeping Trinidad and Tobago culture alive and pledging the government\u2019s support in the future initiatives of the organisation. In keeping with the vibe of celebration, Abebele sang Happy Birthday extempo-style to the minister who was also bequeathed with a bouquet of flowers by TUCO Public Relations Officer Mr. Karega Mandela.<\/p>\n
![\"Dr.](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159417.jpg\")
Dr. Rudolph Ottley presents the history of calypso<\/p><\/div>
\nDr. Rudolph Ottley, who was recently awarded his doctoral degree then presented the history of calypso which, because of the volume of this history, was unavoidably extensive. He began the story of calypso with the music of the enslaved Africans who used it as a protest music or music to encapsulate day to day experiences on the plantations. Ottley then journeyed through the early twentieth century with the first recordings of calypso in 1912; the voyages of several calypsonians to the United States and later to England to spread calypso further; the birth of the Calypso Craze with Harry Belafonte at the head of the movement; and other important international contributions of calypso music, including Lord Kitchener\u2019s tribute to Ghanaian independence.<\/p>\n
![\"R:](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159805.jpg\")
R: Shirlane Hendrickson embraces sister Lady Wonder after presenting her with an award<\/p><\/div>
\nFollowing the history lesson, there was the presentation of awards interspersed with some calypso performances by Desle Julian who performed a tribute to the Mighty Sparrow; Henson Wright with \u201cPower of the Drums\u201d; Sean Daniel with \u201cCharacter\u201d; Anthony ‘All Rounder’ Hendrickson with \u201cBlacks Ability\u201d; reigning National Junior Calypso Monarch Aaron Duncan with \u201cGrammy Awards\u201d; Ginelle Bharat with \u201cChords\u201d; performances marking the international decade for people of African descent by Selwyn ‘Brother J’ James with ‘The Lion Roar’, Carey ‘Kinte’ Stephens with \u201cMandingo Man\u201d and Dr. Hollis \u201cChalkdust\u201d Liverpool with \u201cAin\u2019t See Africa At All\u201d; \u201cEvery Knee Shall Bow\u201d by Karene Ashe; \u201cEver-living Calypso by Allan ‘Brother Mudada’ Fortune; and \u201cStay Up Zimbabwe\u201d by Anthony Emrold ‘Brother Valentino’ Phillip.<\/p>\n
![\"Karene](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010150016.jpg\")
Karene Asche performs “Every Knee Shall Bow”<\/p><\/div>
\nProviding musical accompaniment for these calypsonians was the band Temperature led by Oral Rodriguez and chorus by The Pips.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/tcgL3010159305.jpg\")
The band “Temperature” led by Oral Rodriguez<\/p><\/div>
\nThe awards and awardees:<\/b><\/p>\n
Outstanding Contribution to the Calypso Organisation \/ Mr. Hammidulah Wahid<\/p>\n
Employee Long Service Award \u2013 Ms. Bernice Carr; Ms. Cheryl \u2013 Ann Joseph<\/p>\n
Contribution to the Design and Promotion of Calypso History Month \u2013 Mr. Elton Scantlebury<\/p>\n
Long and Distinguished Contribution to Calypso Music \u2013 Mr. Fitzroy Coleman<\/p>\n
Supporting Vocalist \u2013 Long and Distinguished Contribution to Calypso Music \u2013 Ms. Marilyn Williams; Ms. Ramona Moraldes Pompie<\/p>\n
Long and Distinguished Contribution to the Calypso Artform \u2013 Ms. Abbi Blackman; Mr. Reginald ‘Companero’ Best; Mr. Sylvester ‘Poser’ Lockhart; Ms. Marvah ‘Marvelous Marva’ Joseph; Mr. Irwin ‘Scrunter’ Johnson; Mrs. Ann Marie ‘Twiggy’ Parks-Kojo; Mr. Winston ‘The Original De Fosto Himself’ Scarborough; Ms. Dianne ‘Lady Wonder’ Hendrickson; Mr. Yafeu ‘Rootsma’ Osei (collected by his brother Keith Smart)<\/p>\n
Lifetime Achievement Awards \u2013 Mr. Edwin ‘Crazy’ Ayoung; Mr. Willard ‘Relator’ Harris; Mr. Austin ‘Suberblue’ Lyons; Mr. Kenroy ‘Black Prince’ Smith; Mr. Orthnel ‘Tobago Crusoe’ Bachus.<\/p>\n
Sound Engineer \/ Producer \u2013 Mr. Martin ‘Rice’ Raymond
\nSpecial Appreciation – Media for their Contribution in the Promotion of the Calypso Artform \u2013 Mr. Winston Maynard; Mr. Ian Lee Sing<\/p>\n
Special Appreciation-Research\/Archivist \u2013 Professor Gordon Rohlehr<\/p>\n
Calypso Tent Managers\/Promoters \u2013 Mr. Clive Maingot (YMG Promotions) (collected by his son Sheldon Maingot); Mr. Rawle ‘Roachie’ Roachford (Docksite Tobago) (collected by his son); Mr. Aiegoro Ome (NACC)<\/p>\n
Promotion of the Community Based Calypso Tent \u2013 Ms. Vandaly ‘Lady Tiny’ Wares<\/p>\n
Outstanding Calypsonian Achiever \u2013 Mr. Neil ‘Iwer’ George<\/p>\n
Special Award for Film Production \u2013 Mr. Andrew ‘Bother Superior’ Marcano and Mr. Geoffrey Down for the film production of Calypso Dreams.<\/p>\n
The evening closed with a vote of thanks by calypsonian Devon Seales ending an auspicious evening celebrating calypso in fine style.<\/p>\n