A virtual Calypso History Month

Calypso History Month will be observed virtually. Its organiser, Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO), like many others, has had to shift spaces because of the covid19 pandemic.

This is the 19th year of Calypso History Month. It began in 2002 and it celebrates and educates the public about the art form and its practitioners.

TUCO president Lutalo “Brother Resistance” Masimba said in a phone interview with Newsday, “For the month of October the events that would have been live, live performance events with audiences, as you are aware, we cannot have them like that again because of the Public Health Ordinance.

“So the events that are going to have a virtual presentation include the Calypso History Month Gala and the live concert performances."

Usual events such as the lectures, workshops and information updates will be done throughout the month.

Masimba said the organisation continues to prepare as normal for 2021. “We are ready for the virtual presentation of the calypso product where Carnival is concerned so therefore if Carnival is a virtual situation and we have to do the competition, we are prepared to do that.”

Masimba added, however, that the organisation felt that a postponement of Carnival to a later date was something more practical to all of the stakeholders involved. He said he saw some difficulty for the steelband and mas fraternity in hosting a virtual Carnival.

“We look at all these things and we are prepared to move with what is in the best interest of all concerned. The priority remains the health and safety of our citizens and Carnival lovers,” Masimba said.

He said TUCO was awaiting word from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts through the National Carnival Commission (NCC) as to what will happen.

Masimba said the organisation’s consideration was made to the minister through NCC. He added if there even is a postponement, there should be a virtual Carnival presentation at its usual time as a marketing tool to bring a digital presentation of Carnival to the world. He said digitising Carnival could open a new revenue stream for TT.

The hosting of Calypso History Month virtually has opened up a wider market for the organisation and the art form, he said.

Calypso History month begins on October 1.