ENTERTAINMENT
,CARIBBEANLIFENEW
Carlos “Rejector” Providence, newly-elected president of the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent,
signs “Gonzitist” in June 2018 for the tent, at Cafe Omar in Brooklyn, in the Preliminary Judging for Vincy
Mas 2018. Photo by Nelson A. King
Caribbean Life, Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 2019 41
By Nelson A. King
Carlos “Rejector” Providence, the
newly-elected president of the Brooklyn
based Dynamite Calypso Tent,
the lone Vincentian-owned calypso
tent in New York, says his goal is to
foster a closer bond with nationals at
home and in the Diaspora.
“As president, it is my plan that
the tent will be engaged in efforts
to foster a closer bond and enhance
the general well-being of Vincentians
at home and abroad, through
community outreach, via radio programs,
town halls, get-togethers and
personal visits,” said Providence,
a co-founder of the tent, who was
elected president on Nov. 10, in a
Caribbean Life interview over the
weekend. The other co-founder was
veteran calypsonian Vincent “Groovie
D” Kennedy.
Providence, another veteran Vincentian
calypsonian, said he also
plans to groom and urge the youths
“to get involved in the calypso art
form, and have the tent travel and do
performances throughout the USA,
Canada and the UK.
“Other plans for the tent are to
hold early auditions, so we would
be much better prepared and would
produce shows of much higher quality;
hosting of bingo games, bus rides
and other fund-raising ventures,” he
said.
“The Dynamites Calypso Tent,
being the only foreign-based Caribbean
organization of its kind, is in
a very enviable situation,” he added.
“Though far away from home, we
Continued on Page 42
Evangelist LaFleur Durrant electrifi
es patrons at Fundraising Prayer
Breakfast. Photo by Nelson A. King
By Nelson A. King
A popular Vincentian-born singing
evangelist two Saturdays ago mesmerized
enthusiastic patrons at a fundraising
Prayer Breakfast, at the Friends of
Crown Heights Educational Center in
Brooklyn, aimed at assisting nationals
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
LaFleur Durrant, the lone featured
artist, set the house on fire and brought
it down with heart-wrenching gospel
songs during the 8th Annual Fund-
Continued on Page 42
VP Records on Nov. 22, 2019 celebrated
the 60th edition of one of the
label’s staple compilation brands, with
the release of “Strictly the Best Vol. 60.”
The set includes current and breaking
hits from some of the top artists in
roots reggae and dancehall.
As a kick-off to the label’s 40th Anniversary
celebrations, a first ever live
show “Strictly The Best - Live Montego
Bay” was broadcast in January from
Usain Bolt’s Tracks and records in Montego
Bay.
For this latest release, the label produced
another live show, which was
Continued on Page 42
FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT, GO TO CARIBBEANLIFENEWS.COM/ENTERTAINMENT
Singing for
a cause
‘Strictly The
Best 60’
released
MUSICAL
BOND
Vincy calypsonian seeks closer link with community
/ENTERTAINMENT