Rudder gets keys to the city

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THE cultural fraternity continued to experience mixed fortunes in 2018 and yet another steelband being evicted. David Rudder got the keys to the city, Winston "Gypsy" Peters was appointed new National Carnival Commission(NCC) chairman and Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart apologised for his outburst during a performance.

April

Old Tech steelband was kicked out of its home in San Fernando.

Bandleaders Michael “Big Mike” Antoine and Ian Mc Kenzie decided to settle their legal battle and sell their Legends bandroom in Woodbrook.

A new Queen’s Hall board of directors was named. Dr Wilhemus Hilwig chairs the new board while Nisa Suepaul will serve as the deputy chairman alongside directors Zaida Rajnauth, Raymond Choo Kong, Victor Prescod, Brian Wood, Charlene Griffith, Karla Gonzales and general manager Yvonne Roberts-White.

Gypsy was named new National NCC boss, replacing Colin Lucas who was made CEO.

May

David Rudder got the keys to the city of Port of Spain, and was made an honorary San Fernandian ahead of his 6.5 concert in July marking his 65th birthday.

Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart apologised to patrons, the police and his fans for the expletives he unleashed during a performance at the Mawning Neighbour event in Chatham village, saying that outburst stemmed from something that bothered him for quite a while. He said during Jamaica Carnival, Machel Montano said that their Carnival event was better than TT Carnival, and that highly annoyed him. At the local event when told Montano was not going to be there, it was at that time Blaxx lost it for a moment.

The Little Carib Theatre celebrated its 70th anniversary.

June

NGC Bocas Lit Fest/Newsday's People Choice TT Book of the year was won by radio personality Michelle Borel

Erphaan Alves accepted an apology from Royal St Kitts Hotel after being a victim of what he thought was racial profiling. The soca artiste said it was water off his back.

Several well-known members of TT’s music fraternity came together to pay tribute to Ralph Davies who turned 90.

Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc was compensated by the State after he won his case of assault by the police.

An agreement between TUCO and Roytec resulted in a new TUCO/Roytec business entertainment course on offer.

The original Harts band split from Tribe Harts and will be back on its own for Carnival 2019.

July

Saxophonist Pedro Lezama, who has been ailing, performed at some events to raises fund for his medical bills.

Four TT dance acts, the Academy, solo dancer Thema Williams, salsa dance duo Stefan Maynard and Karline Brathwaite left for the USA to compete for a place in the popular NBC hit series, World of Dance (WoD).

Williams, was ranked sixth out of 25 competitors in the Upper category with a dance entitled Wakanda. Judge one gave her 96/100, judge two: 90/100 and judge three: 77/100, for a final score: 87.70. Fans were upset and vented on social media. But Maynard/Brathwaite, the TT salsa dance duo who stayed back in LA for the workshops, won a judge's pick to a TV casting. Their competition takes place in January.

* Pan Trinbago signed an MOU with NCC, that gives the latter a certain amount of control of the group’s finances. It is expected that similar MOU’s will be signed with TUCO and NCBA.

August

Having signed a 99-year lease with NP for the property situated in Success Village, Laventille at the corner of Williams Street and Eastern Main Road, Highlanders Steel Orchestra (HSO) has approved plans to develop a pan theatre that will house a homework centre and a school to teach music to members of the community.

Gypsy spoke of initiatives to attract more Carnival visitors including exhibiting it internationally as a safe place to be, and to distinguish TT Carnival apart from the other carnivals around the world.

He also said the stakeholders have to look at Carnival as a diversification tool, and not just talk about it. He said he wanted to hear fewer complaints and see Carnival running smoothly.

Once again Pan on D Avenue was a huge success. The biggest pan event outside of Carnival attracted thousands of people.

September

National awards in the sphere of culture were bestowed on Neville Jules, pan player, tuner, arranger – Chaconia Medal (Silver), Winston "Explainer" Henry, calypsonian – Hummingbird Medal (Gold),

Arnold Alpheus Ramsone, lead baritone – Hummingbird Medal (Silver); Narrie Aproo, masquerader, Hummingbird Medal (Silver); Ella Andall, singer, Hummingbird Medal (Silver); and calypsonians Willard "Relator" Harris, Donric "Runny" Williamson, and Fred "Composer" Mitchell – Hummingbird Medal (Silver).

TT-born, New York-based producer, writer and actor Paul Pryce won two major awards for his original television series Serpent's Mouth –from the Caribbean Tales Incubator Film Lab, The Big Pitch– at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Another Invaders’ J’Ouvert was a delight to thousands of persons.

Tobago Fest returned in a small way but is expected to grow next year.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello caused a furore about the name of Sapa au

ditorium, saying he thinks it should have been after Stalin and not Sundar Popo, as was originally proposed. There were no changes to the name.

UTT honoured Brother Valentino (Anthony Emrold Phillip), Lord Smiley (Gaston Nunes) and Brigo (Samuel Abraham) via its Saving The Calypso series that pays tribute to the work of calypsonians and musicians.

Continues tomorrow