Concert
Kobo Town / The Mighty Sparrow
19:00 h
Kobo Town (Trinidad/Canada)
Black CNN of the Antilles
They named themselves after the vibrant and turbulent neighborhood in old Port-of-Spain where Calypso was born. Because slaves weren’t allowed to meet in groups, they spread the news or opinions by singing it. A black news network, Kobo Town explores Calypsonian music of the 20s, the defiant Roaring Lion and Lord Invader, and demonstrates the contemporary relevance of their art. They connect them to the world of West Indian Music: with Dub poetry, Roots Reggae, Zouk, the Son Montuno with its virtuosic solos. What emerges is "addictive calypso with a reggae backbone" (IndependentsOnly).
20.30 h
The Mighty Sparrow (Trinidad and Tobago)
Royal Calypsonian
The man called "King of the Calypso World" has earned his rightful title by consistently defeating every other younger competitor to his throne. Having sung Gregorian chants in the church choir as a youth, Slinger Francisco aka Mighty Sparrow is also a highly talented text writer. His songs became popular in the streets of Port of Spain with such titles as "Capitalism Gone Mad" or "Put on Your Dancing Shoes." He has won nine Calypsonian duels, the "Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival Road March Competition", and was "Calypso Monarch" eleven times in a row. Mighty Sparrow got his nickname because he was the first to not simply stand still while performing: he danced, "fluttered." And he’s as energetic as ever after a career lasting over four decades and around a 100 albums to boot.
Homepage of The Mighty Sparrow
"Barack the magnificent" by The Mighty Sparrow on Youtube
See also:
Calypso @ Dirty Jim's (film, 22:00 h)