Advent Christmas
Concert a stellar event
the direction of choral director
Priscilla Baskerville.
“Their voices were complemented
by a robust orchestra
of strings, percussion and
keys, including the talents of
organist Elmer Hammond,
pianist Leon Reid and cellist
Khari Joyner,” she added.
“The night’s powerhouse
soloists for Handel’s Messiah
included soprano Jeryl Cunningham,
baritone Antonio
Watts, tenor Omar Bowey
and mezzo-soprano Lucia
Bradford,” Ellis continued.
By concert’s end, she said
relished the cultural appreciation
of the Akan Ghana
tradition. However, with spirited
association to devils,
demons and tarred performers
nationals of Carriacou will
relate to the festive tradition
some refer to as John Canoe,
Junkanoo and Jonkanoo.
Garifuna people too will
find the novelty worthy of
nostalgia.
Yet the concert treat will
headline the reputed Jamaican
entertainer acclaimed for
delivering politically correct,
humorous, old-school reggae.
Again billed to engage children
of all ages with relatable
Caribbean melodies Pluto
guarantees an infusion of
island-style Christmas vibe.
Slated to perform on the
weekend of Dec. 14, his “Ram
Goat,” “Screwface” and “I
Man Born Ya” are reminiscent
of the music Caribbean
revelers relished during the
season.
That along with costumed
dancers prancing past children
to the beat of drums and
perhaps a fife or two to deliver
authenticity to the tradition,
the essence of Ole Time
Grand Market will manifest
cultural pride as well as stir
the spirit of the holiday.
Needless to say, folk singers,
craft vendors, parades and
alluring treats for the children
will be in abundance at
Harry Truman High School,
750 Baychester Ave. at Co-op
City on Dec. 14 from 5 p.m.
The following day, the Park
Church Co-op at 129 Russell
St. in Brooklyn will be the
place to be from 3:30. p.m.
Showtime is 7 pm and 5
pm respectively.
For more information, log
onto www.braataproductions.
org.
Caribbean L 46 ife, December 13-19, 2019
Calypso Tent, the lone Vincentian
calypso tent in North
America, is an ardent NDP supporter
and constant antagonist
of the incumbent Unity Labor
Party (ULP) of Prime Minister
Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves.
As expected, his controversial
lyrics and commentaries
often take digs at Gonsalves
and the ULP.
“Our leader is an honorable
and decent man, who’ll
take the country forward,” said
Scrubb about Dr. Friday before
singing, in calypso, “I Want My
Country to Win.”
“The NDP will take our
country forward,” he added.
“Right now, we’re sitting in
quicksand. St. Vincent and the
Grenadines is going nowhere.
“But, this time, we’re going
to get rid of that regime down
there (the ULP administration
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,”
Scrubb continued.
“Tell them (to) call (general)
elections, and they’ll find out.”
Friday’s theme song, the legendary
Bob Marley’s universal
“One Love”, was played prior to
and after the opposition leader’s
hour-long address.
The program was broadcast
live on radio in St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, and streamed
on the Internet.
Continued from Page 45
Continued from Page 45
the church’s congregation,
led by the Rev. David T. Ball,
the African-American pastor,
“was not the only beneficiary
of these melodic delights,”
but the concert “also proved
to be a night of illumination
for the surrounding community,
a small example of the
church’s desire to keep their
arms, hearts and sanctuary
wide open.”
Stating that the Latin
word, Adventus, means
coming or arrival, Ellis said
Advent marks the four weeks
of spiritual preparation for
the birth of Jesus on Christmas.
Continued from Page 45
Ole Time Grand Market
SINGING FOR THEIR HOMELAND
St John’s United Methodist Combined Chorus.
I-Madd, whose real name is Paul Scrubb, sings ‘I Want My Country to Win.’
Photo by Nelson A. King
/www.braataproductions
/www.braataproductions