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Generation Next: 'Kaiso in good hands'
Terri Lyons sings "Ah Feel It"
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 26, 2007
Posted: January 31, 2007
"Kaiso in good hands", a phrase repeated often throughout the evening, was indeed a fitting theme of the formal opening of the Generation Next Calypso Tent in the St. James Amphitheatre on Friday 26th January, 2007. In its second year of existence, the Generation Next Tent, conceptualized by the NACC, showcases the talent of young Calypsonians and seeks to point a way to the future of local music. With a refreshing mix of traditional Calypso, Ragga-Soca, Reggae and Chutney, Generation Next is an entertaining must see tent for the Carnival season.
The St. James Amphitheatre provides a refreshing change from the traditional indoor tent venues, allowing patrons to partake of refreshments and breathe in the open night air while they enjoy the entertainment. Gospel-Calypso artiste Jadee opened the evening with a prayer and Servant President of the NACC, Kwasi Mutema, welcomed the audience and invited them to experience the true future of the art form. Dwayne O'Connor played a double role for the evening, both as MC and performer and thoroughly entertained the crowd with his engaging sense of humour.
Generation Next featured several artists who have already distinguished themselves in the Calypso arena, winning titles in both the 2006 and 2007 Carnival competitions. Outstanding performances included Jervae Caesar, third place winner in Stars of Tomorrow and competitor in the Young Kings Calypso Competition performing "Carry Me" to an appreciative audience. Princess Monique, former Calypso Monarch of St. Vincent, second place winner in the Stars of Tomorrow Calypso Competition and scheduled to compete in the National Calypso Queens Competition gave an incisive analysis of the plight facing young Calypsonians who receive little support from some of the elders in the industry. Her performance of "Why We Lost" paid tribute to the Young Destroyer of Antigua, the 2006 Carifesta Calypso Monarch who later called upon the young artistes to 'take back Calypso' and carry it into the future.
Other artists at the Generation Next were Cindy Alleyne, a newcomer to the stage who gave a rousing performance of "Caribbean", Anthony Lincoln, a confident performer whose song "Work to Do" implored the nation to take the right steps in its development and Andrew Prescott whose moving tribute to integrity and honesty, the reggae inspired "Beauty" were well received by the audience. A performance by Dwayne O' Connor the evening's MC, called "Holding Hands", continued the theme of Caribbean unity and nation-building solidarity that was present for a number of songs, while the Chutney inspired "Pepperpot" by Alicia Massey, "Wedding" by Carlene Wells and the humorous "Bungay the Lawa" by Moses Charles greatly entertained the audience.
Gospel-Calypso artistes Ancil Valley, Jaydee and Sean Daniel who sang "Father", "Keep Your Head Up" and "No Ring" respectively, received rousing encores from the audience. "Who Feels It" by Steven Marcelle, "Blessed are the Elders" by Sheldon Blackman, and the Groovy-Soca hit "Turn Around" by Roderick 'Chucky' Gordon also got the crowd to its feet. A particularly moving performance by Terri Lyons, whose powerful voice bemoaned the plight of abused women, victims of crime and other social ills was one of the clear highlights of the evening.
Dynamic performer Olatunji Yearwood ended the night with an energetic performance of his Carnival hit "Get Wild" where he danced in the crowd and interacted with a thrilled audience. The Generation Next cast joined him on the stage to close the evening, much to the delight of an audience that had been treated to encore performances all night by some of the most promising young Calypsonians in the country. The Generation Next Tent continues on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Generation Next Calypso Tent in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=52042
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