SOCANEWS F REE
i136/OCT 2020 ISSN 1464-7087
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CONTENTS OCTOBER 2020 | ISSUE 136
REGULAR
SOCA PEOPLE
FEATURES
07 NEWS
20 SOCA DIVETTES
42 MUSIC
22 KES THE BAND
18 MODERN DAY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS?
FOOD
34 WINDRUSH CARIBBEAN FILM FESTIVAL
Kerwin Du Bois nurtures new talent
Make Yuh Put up Yuh Hand
46 ACCRA (Fish Cakes)
DRINK
48 New Gin from Grenada
28 CARNIVAL FEVER IS REAL
36 STEVE MCQUEEN'S
Mangrove opens the 64th BFI London Film Festival
38 PERE ET FILS GET LISTED: If you’re a carnival organiser, promoter, mas band, steelband, soca sound, community group or other participant who’s feeling left out because we didn’t mention your event, or if you’d like to advertise in the magazine or online, the remedy is in your hands. Get in touch! Give us a call on 0333 012 4643.
Featuring Boscoe Holder
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EDITORS
LETTER Dear Readers
W
e hope you have all been keeping well. The horizon may look bleak right now, as we face more months of this Coronavirus pandemic, but it will all get better. 2021 is a new year, and we truly hope that we are able to resume attending events, meeting friends, visiting other countries and taking part in one of the things we love the most: Carnival. But, for now: there are virtual events being held throughout this month of October to celebrate Black History and Brest Cancer Awareness month. Please find them on our website socanews.com/events. COVER IMAGE -
KES THE BAND
KEES DIEFFENTHALLER
As always, if you would like to contribute to Soca News or have a story to share with us, email news@socanews.com. Until the next issue... YOURS IN SOCA Joseph Charles EDITOR
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Joseph Charles jc@socanews.com CREATIVE Joseph Charles SUB EDITOR Katie Segal katie@socanews.com CONSULTING EDITOR Stephen Spark stephen@socanews.com
SALES & MARKETING sales@socanews.com WORDS Dunstan Creavalle, Katie Segal, Mia Cadette, Robert Deschamps, Stephanie Hinds & Stephen Spark PICTURES Albert St Clair, Leeandro Noray, Shutter In Motion, Stuart Ensor, & Trinis In London.
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PUBLISHED BY Soca News Ltd 86-90 Paul Street London, EC2A 4ND TELEPHONE + 44 (0) 333 012 4643 EMAIL info@socanews.com WEBSITE www.socanews.com
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The views expressed in Soca News are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. All material contained within this publication is the copyright of Soca News. No material, written or photographic may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the publisher. No liability will be accepted for any errors which may occur within the magazine. © 2020 Soca News. All rights reserved.
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NEWS
TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2021 CANCELLED
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rinidad Carnival was spared at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, but it doesn’t look like it will escape the shutdown next year. Speaking at the 'Spotlight on the Economy Forum', on Monday 28 September at the Hyatt Regency, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said, “Today I can put everybody on notice, unless there is some dramatic wind that will blow across us where by Christmas pandemic would have been a thing of the past, Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago in 2021 is not on.” Carnival was scheduled to take place on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2021. It is just one of the Pre-Lenten carnivals that we expect will be cancelled. SN OCT 2020 7
NEWS
BARBADOS TO BECOME A REPUBLIC
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he government in Barbados has announced its plan for the country to become a republic before reaching its 55th year of independence in November 2021. During the Throne Speech on 15 September, 2020, Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason announced that in becoming a republic they aim to leave their “colonial past behind,” and take full sovereignty. Barbados first gained its independence from Britain in 1966. However, it is not fully self-governing, with Queen Elizabeth II holding the official position as Head of State. Talk of becoming a republic originated with Errol Barrow, the country's prime minister, who warned that Barbados should not, "loiter on colonial premises". The narrative resurfaced in a constitutional review commissioned in 1998, where the change was recommended - but at that time, nothing was done. Administrative steps have already been taken towards the status change, as the island has removed the UK-based Privy Council as its final court of appeal. Moving forward, Barbados will have a President, as well as a Prime Minister. It was also affirmed during the Throne Speech that Barbados can be, “In no doubt about its capacity for self-governance”. Becoming a republic was further regarded as, “The ultimate statement of confidence about who we are, and what we are capable of achieving”. MC 8 SN OCT 2020
NEW CARNIVAL GUILD
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lobal Carnivalz, founded by carnival veteran and Hackney Carnival organiser Pax Nindi, is inviting carnival organisers to become members of the National Carnival Organisers’ Guild. The guild was formed for mutual aid, protection, sector development, support and furtherance of carnival arts in the UK. Nindi said, “We are pleased to invite organisers to be part of this. It was set up in the Coronavirus crisis, after we witnessed the carnival sector being left behind on some relevant funding, and also a lack of networking with each other.” If you are a Carnival organiser and would like to join the guild, please register at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W62KFC5. JC
SOCANEWS.COM/NEWS
NEWS
JAMAICA CARNIVAL CANCELLED
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amaican Tourism Minister, the Honorable Edmund Bartlett, has announced that Jamaica Carnival 2020 will be cancelled. The festival, which had previously been moved from its original April date to Sunday 25 October because of COVID-19, will now be held on Sunday 11 April, 2021. In an announcement on 18 September, the minister said, “As the country enters the community transmission phase of the COVID-19 virus, we strongly believe it is in the best interest of our people to forgo hosting our annual carnival celebrations for this year. “We are mindful of the significant economic loss this will have for our country, as this event generates billions annually, with many small and medium sized enterprises benefitting from the celebrations. However, the Government of Jamaica must continue to put strong measures in place to prevent unnecessary exposure of our people and visitors to the deadly disease.” Kamal Bankay, Chairman of the Carnival in Jamaica stakeholders committee, said, “We have no choice but to reschedule the staging of our 'Carnival in Jamaica' Road Parade. This will allow us the time to do what we need to do to have a safe and enjoyable Carnival in 2021.” He also noted that bands and fetes would honour all tickets and costumes purchased in 2020.
FUTURE MAS LAUNCHES FOR NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2021
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aturday 5 September saw the launch of a new children’s mas band, Future Mas, a collaboration between UCOM and Caribbean Sessions. For the launch event they were joined by Gemz Mas, who also have a section in the band; their theme is Ashanti Safari. Future Mas’ theme for 2021 is ‘Moonlight over the Serengeti’, and you can view their costumes at www.futuremas.co.uk. There are three sections: ‘Serengeti’, produced and managed by UCOM, ‘Moonlight’, produced by UCOM and managed by Caribbean Sessions, and ‘The Peacock’, produced and managed by Gemz Mas. Notting Hill Carnival 2021 is scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend of Sunday 29 and Monday 30 August. JC SN OCT 2020 9
NEWS
MEET THE WINNER OF MISS GUYANA UK ONLINE 2020 CINDY GEETANGALI SINGH
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espite the pandemic causing disruption all across the world, the organisers of the Miss Guyana UK Contest 2020 managed to host the contest online. They began on 27 July, with five participants; online voting lasted for two weeks, and the winner was announced on 9 August. All of the participants displayed extraordinary beauty and elegance, making the decision a tough one for many. The eventual winner, crowned Miss Guyana UK Online, was Cindy Singh; the four runners up were Ablavi Efunshile, Rihanna Levi, Siobhan Watson-Griffith, and Nadine Nichols. Born in Georgetown Guyana, Cindy Geetangali Singh moved to London at the age of nine. She currently works as a care home manager and is the proud mother of two young boys. As beautiful inside as out, Cindy is passionate about her work. She is also a community organiser, currently working as an ambassador for her local Tottenham Community Press Newspaper and Community Cook-up, and volunteers with the Community Cook-Up Centre and Food Bank. Cindy says that she has been waiting for this opportunity for eight years. She considers herself a 10 SN OCT 2020
proud Guyanese woman, and will stop at nothing to help her family and friends whenever they're in need. She managed to dazzle the audience and win their hearts, finally winning the crown of the Miss Guyana UK 2020. Since its formation in 1994, the Miss Guyana UK Beauty Pageant has aimed to provide a platform to showcase the wealth of Guyanese culture alongside its rich heritage. Guyanese culture has been generated by an eclectic mix of six different peoples: African, Indian, Portuguese, Chinese, European, and Amerindian. The pageant is one of a kind, as it celebrates these diverse and unique ethnic groups in traditional and fashionable Guyanese wear. To stay up to date with all of the Miss Guyana UK Beauty Pageant news, including an imminent call for 2021 contestants, be sure to visit their website at www.missguyanauk.com. You can also follow Miss Guyana UK on Instagram or Facebook using the handle: MGUK2019. They have numerous corporate sponsorship opportunities, so do get in touch if that is of interest.
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NEWS
MARTIN'S THIRTY YEAR AFFAIR
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t 8pm on Sunday 30 September, 1990, a 19-year-old Martin Jay broadcast his first Caribbean Affair. The show continued until 2013 when Choice FM, the host station folded; the last broadcast was on 29 September of that year. However, by then Martin Jay and his Caribbean Affair were embedded in the hearts of the UK’s Caribbean community. Martin’s duty and determination saw him relaunch later that same year and, in December 2013, www.bakahnalradio.co.uk garnered the honour of hosting this iconic show. You can still hear Martin on Bakahnal Radio every week. His 30 year journey has seen him grow from a teenage enthusiast to a world renowned and respected soca DJ. When Soca News caught up with him, and asked about his most important moments on the Caribbean Affair, he responded: "Every Sunday was an important moment in my 30 year journey. The Caribbean Affair is the vehicle that takes me on an amazing journey, experiencing various carnivals and countries throughout the world. The biggest reward ever is the enjoyment that the show brings to people's lives." Soca News salutes Martin Jay, the Black British pioneer of Caribbean music. DC 12 SN OCT 2020
THE ART OF MAS
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f you missed The Art of Mas, the Carnival Arts and Mas Foundation’s (CAMF) documentary that premiered on Notting Hill Carnival Friday, 28 August, then fear not. Well worth a view for anyone interested in the history of Notting Hill Carnival, the film includes insights into some of the early pioneers of this event. The documentary, which runs for just over two and a half hours, was created by CAMF and features archive video footage alongside stories of its members’ personal mas exploits and experiences. The Art of Mas may be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/1cAcSaurQyM. JC
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NEWS
ANTIGUAN CALYPSONIAN KING SWALLOW PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 78
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ne of Antigua and Barbuda’s bestknown and esteemed calypsonians, King Swallow (Sir Rupert Philo), has died at the age of 78. Swallow had been ill for some time, and passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Friday 11 September. Born in Willikies on 14 February, 1942, Swallow gained his soubriquet at school when he used to sing in class. He first competed in 1961, with his song Raphael Trujillo, credited by former Prime Minister the Hon. Lester Bryant Bird as marking, “The birth of the political calypso in Antigua”. Some of Swallow's many hits over his long career include Fire In The Back Seat, I Want To Wine On Something and Subway Jam. Rupert Philo was awarded the Order of Merit (Gold) and the Grand Cross of Princely Heritage, and in 2011 Prime Minister Bird recognised his 50 years of artistry and excellence by nominating him for a knighthood. The funeral will be held at 10am (EST) on Monday 19 October, at Sir Vivian Richard's Cricket Stadium. Soca News sends its condolences to the family and friends of King Swallow, also known as Sir Rupert Philo; we have lost another great one. JC 14 SN OCT 2020
A LEGACY IN CHOCOLATE
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espite his humble beginnings, Duane Dove, founder and owner of Tobago Cocoa Estate, has created a tremendous foundation for a legacy in cocoa and the production of chocolate in Trinidad and Tobago. Dove grew up on a farm in Tobago, learning hands-on the origins of the trade. He went on to study culinary arts in Canada, and wine and beverages in Europe, before finding his passion in matching artisan chocolates with fine wine and aged spirits. Years later, at the age of 50, Dove can look with some satisfaction on a well-established and awardwinning luxury chocolate brand and business. Most recently, he gained a silver award in the plain/ origin milk chocolate bar category at the European Bean-to-Bar International Chocolate Awards. This was a massive achievement for Dove, who told Newsday that this competition was “The big fish”. That success qualifies Dove’s product for the World Final of the International Chocolate Awards to be held later this year. More information may be found at www.tobagococoa.com. MC
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NEWS
MS DESIRE’S SOCA RAISED ME WINS VIRTUAL GROOVY MONARCH
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nother first for Notting Hill Carnival was the ACASA virtual Groovy Monarch competition, which saw nine contestants vie for the crown. The groovy competition, which would usually take place around the third week in August, was filmed and pre-recorded at Abbey Road Studios and then streamed online via the Notting Hill Carnival YouTube channel as part of their 2020 Access All Areas presentation. Singing Soca Raised Me, it was Ms Desire who most impressed the audience and won the firstever virtual groovy competition. Soca News asked her how she feels about winning, and about her experience of performing for a virtual experience. Ms Desire said, “I’m in shock. I honestly wasn’t expecting to win at all! I always take part in the tent because I love the culture and everything it represents. This year taking part virtually was amazing! We got to record in the legendary Abbey Road Studios, a place I’ve always dreamed of recording. This experience has been fantastic, and coming first is like the icing on the cake!”. JC 16 SN OCT 2020
JAMAICA NATIONAL BANK UK LAUNCH
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he launch of Jamaica National Bank (JN Bank), on Thursday 8 October made history as it was the first Caribbean bank to be awarded a full banking licence by UK regulators. Based in Brixton, JN Bank will initially offer retail savings and personal loan products. The bank is wholly owned by the Jamaica National Group (JN Group), which has provided financial services for Caribbean communities in the UK, USA and Canada for more than 30 years. Through its UK representative office, JN Group has been providing financial services support to many Caribbean nationals. It also owns a remittance company, JN Money Services, and The Voice, Britain’s national Black newspaper. Although the bank will take a digital-first approach, its strong community focus means that groups will be able to run activities, workshops and seminars from the flagship community branch. The bank can be accessed at portal.jnbank.co.uk or contact Customer Services on 0808 196 1945. DC
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FEATURE
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (PRISMA ARCHIVO_ALAMY)
Modern Day Christopher Columbus? J WORDS | STEPHANIE HINDS
osh Butler skyrocketed to popularity when videos of his dancing were shared across multiple Caribbean social media accounts. But recently, those same accounts have named and shamed him, with users flooding the comment sections with jokes and tagging him in memes, sarcastically likening him to Christopher Columbus after he claimed he paved the way for Caribbean dancers to turn wining into a profession. In 2017, Butler was featured in an article in The Voice SLU. The article praised him for being, “Good looking and physically fit,” called him, “The highlight of local fetes” and touted his wit and charm. 18 SN OCT 2020
Butler is quoted as saying that he, “Likes the attention” he has received from being a white winer. In his apology, he suggested that the clip was edited in a way that invited misconstruction of his words. However, many who saw the original video agree that the editing had nothing to do with the received perception; it was the actual sentence that exited his mouth that was problematic. He also claimed that he noticed influencers are not as popular in the Caribbean as they are in the U.S. and the U.K. - categorically untrue - and that he wanted to show both companies and social media users that using real people to promote their brands and products could be a lucrative business
JOSH BUTLER (WHITE CHOCOLATE)
for both parties. He goes on to say, “Anywhere I go or anyone that I speak to, I always give credit where credit is due.” This last is especially interesting, given that Fiona Compton has highlighted an instance where Butler stole a shirt design from St. Lucian designer Kimberly Solana Mathurin. Butler began wearing Mathurin’s design, a shirt that read, “I’m only here for the Dennery Segment”, and passing it off as his own. Mathurin says that she spoke to Butler directly, and her concerns were ignored; when she began speaking to Butler’s St. Lucian friends, they did nothing; most worryingly, when she went public with her concerns, even providing a timestamped photograph of her design, the St. Lucian community criticised her, suggesting that she was jealous and should be grateful he was wearing the shirt in the first place. This is one of the clearest cut instances of cultural appropriation I’ve ever seen. You’ve got a white guy from England who went to St. Lucia, fell in love with the culture, reportedly began telling people he was from St. Lucia – which was later proven to be untrue - and included the use of the area code in his social media handle, carrying on like a St. Lucian and reaping the benefits – not of being from the Caribbean, but being a white person associated with the culture. White people can add some tanning lotion and change the texture of their hair and commit the act of ‘blackfishing’, a term coined by Wanna Thompson. And then they can go on to take up spaces in places that rightfully belong to Black people. Fiona
Compton made an important point about the role of white validation in the Caribbean. She touched on the idea that when a white person does or approves of something we’ve been doing for years, decades, it’s seen as a golden stamp of approval. But why do we need that, when it’s always been good enough for us? She talked about the unpaid work being done by Black people, against the backdrop of Butler’s travels to several different carnivals and his paid sponsorships and brand partnerships with companies like Digicel. But have Black dancers, Black influencers and Black people who do what Butler does (often better) been afforded these same luxuries? The answer is no. Since the incident between Butler and Mathurin, the latter has stopped designing and creating art. This makes it much more difficult to accept the comments suggesting that, “He meant well,” “He was set up,” or, “Backed into a corner,” or, “Obviously didn’t mean that”. The fact that Mathurin no longer pursues her passion is the cost of white interference on the level we saw with Butler. We have lost genuine, innovative Caribbean art and design, and not only in this instance. We’re not telling you not to come. We’re not telling you not to dance. We’re not telling you not to enjoy yourself. Our culture and our music have always been invitational - as have we. But what we are asking is that when you show up in our spaces, you show some respect. Because while you guys get to enjoy the calm after the storm of fighting for emancipation, it was our ancestors that had to get us – and you – there in the first place. SN OCT 2020 19
SOCA
PEOPLE
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SOCA DIVETTES WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK
he Soca Divettes – otherwise simply known as The Divettes – are a London-based singing trio: Michelle Cross-Glasgow, Geraldine Reid and Carlene McLean. They have long provided backup vocals, individually and collaboratively, for an impressive range of musicians in multiple genres, and covering the spectrum of soul, reggae, soca and mainstream pop. For an idea of their versatility: they have worked with Sparrow, David Rudder, Calypso Rose and Black Stalin in the soca corner, Aswad, John Holt, Carol Thompson and Dennis Bovell in the reggae domain, through to Incognito, Jazzie B and Soul II Soul in the soul section. They have added their sweet blend of vocals on recordings with musicians such as Joe Cocker, Alison Moyer and Loose Ends. The Divettes have also recorded four singles of their own: Soul Fire in 2011, Fete Tonight 20 SN OCT 2020
in 2012 and the popular and memorable Soca Jumbie in 2013. Their most recent release, a collaboration with One the Band in 2017, was the catchy Me Healer. As well as being regulars on the UK carnival circuit and at reggae festivals nationwide, the Soca Divettes have worked at Carnival Village in West London for over a decade. They provide the backing vocals and more for the London Calypso Tent on the Tabernacle stage each year, which (in a non-pandemic year) sees calypsonians and soca artists battling it out for the Groovy Soca and Calypso Monarch titles each Friday evening in August. The Divettes are treating us to a special live performance for Black History Month at 20:20 (8.20pm) on Saturday 31 October. You can access the show via their social media platforms: www.facebook.com/socadivettes or Instagram www.instagram.com/socadivettes Don’t be late!
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SOCA
PEOPLE
KES
MAKE YUH PUT UP YUH HAND BY | ROBERT DESCHAMPS
After months of teasing, Kes the Band’s latest album, We Home, is finally here. The band, which consists of Kees, his brothers Hans and Jon, and bandmate Riad Boochoon, had not released an album in five years.
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n a statement prior to the release, the band said, “We Home was created to fill a void for soca music, at a time when COVID-19 had put the communal Carnival celebrations and fetes that are the genre’s raison d’etre on pause for the foreseeable future.”
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What is the inspiration behind the album? The album came about because we wanted to do something live that we could broadcast - but we realised that we have never recorded the band live, with respect to capturing our live arrangements. We felt that it was a great time to explore that. We had the time, and we had the resource of people, to really bring forward something special. So we decided to go on that journey of recording a live collectors’ album for a snapshot of Kes The Band in 2020, and of soca and calypso in 2020. Why did the band choose to release new material this year, when a lot of acts are holding back their music? I think it’s just that everybody is on their own timing. It’s a big world issue, a big world event; the first event that all of us are experiencing together. We felt that it was time to release a body of work for music and for us; you know, music and art is a reflection of life, so to me that continues. I think which forms and what comes out will be different to what came before, but that’s the beauty of art. The fact is, it always find a way to come out. I think a lot of people want to be inspired truly and wholly, and they really want to bring out something that reflects not only what’s happening but themselves as well. So, some people decided to hold back stuff, some people decided to leave stuff; art is that way, it’s your choice. What’s your favourite song on the album? There is no particular favourite song. I think each song has a history and a story; like a child, each song is very particular. I really appreciate Beautiful Life, which is the only new track, simply because it’s a track I really wanted to have a home, and We Home was the album. It’s a song that really reflects a strong voice in my life, which tells everyone that things will work out in the end. So, I appreciate a Beautiful Life; I listen to it quite a lot.
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What the meaning behind the name We Home? Well, We Home really just reflects a time. The fact that we are all home, have been grounded for some time, and what happens when you’re home is something special. You have time at home, time for rest, time for relaxation, but also time for refocusing. We Home just really represents the entire project, and represents us at this time and what came out of that. How did the collabs with Jimmy October and Etienne come about? You know, it’s really and truly that I think all of us were on the same alignment, with respect to how we felt about calypso and our local vibes. Jimmy has always been on this new calypso tip, and he is a great and upcoming artist. We worked on Shenseea’s Close To Me - that’s how we really started to link, through Tano, the producer of that song - and we continued just being in touch. When this body of music came I felt a feature from Jimmy would be great, I thought it would suit his style and his vibe, and I presented it to him and it was a perfect fit. I think he totally understood and took it further. Etienne Charles was somebody that we grew up with together in music. Over the years we knew each other in school, and I have seen his progress, the way that he combines calypso and kaiso with jazz. I felt it was just great to include him in what we were doing, and he loved the vibes and gave us an amazing solo and vibe on the track, so it was just an honour to work with both Etienne and Jimmy in bringing this to life. The band recently signed on with international management duo Damon DeGraff and Evan Vogel. What has it been like working with the team? I think it has been amazing thus far. There’s nothing like bringing new, fresh energy into a project, into your life. And they have really been on top of their game, and on the ball, pushing us for greatness. It has been a journey, and I look forward to what’s to come with, you know, the pressures of the pandemic and everything being separate and stopped. Nothing stopped them from continuing to inspire us, and showing us new ways to really bring the music, and what we already have
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working for us but enhancing the way that we bring it forward. That has been an amazing learning process and an amazing experience. So I’m looking forward to what’s next with us, because we are working hard as a team and there is an appreciation of what was already there, but also excitement to really unfold all that we have in the future. What’s next for the Kes the Band? We’re actually working on a new album for 2020 into 2021, and we are going to continue to chip away at this new world and understand the best ways to put forward this expression. As soca and calypso, we really want to improve the pathways that people use to consume the music, for instance getting those categories onto the platforms and creating new spaces. We are working on a new platform as well, one that provides a market place for consumers of the artform for artists; for people who would want to sponsor experiences; all these things. We’re creating this space through an app called Tego, an environment for artists to have a home online, and for everyone to have a great meeting point. And we’re going to continue to work towards making the world a smaller place, and making it easier for people across the world to receive soca and calypso music. Not just in these times but also for the future, because I think everything has changed permanently in a lot of ways. So it’s about adaptation at this point in time, and I think it’s about being observant and being aware of the new ways, and an opportunity to look for new fresh ways; to really look at the genre itself and see how we can improve our foundation, and thus give us a proper foundation to build on for the future. Connect on • instagram.com/kesthebandofficial • facebook.com/Kestheband
We Home
is available now to stream or download at https://ffm.to/keslink
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FEATURE
CARNIVAL FEVER IS REAL
TRINIDAD CARNIVAL, ‘THE GREATEST FROLIC ON EARTH’
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WORDS | ARLENE ROSS
do not need to live on campus, my character does not need building, it is definitely already formed thank you, I said to my friend. This was the night I made my grand entrance on the Sir Frank Worrell Halls of Residence at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. I was no spring chicken, I was over the hill, and any other played out cliché you could think of. I can vividly remember when one young man on campus found out that I was over twenty; with a mixture of pity and fascination he exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, and you don’t even have lines on your neck!” 28 SN OCT 2020
“I EXPECTED A CRUISE SHIP AND A CABIN"
I was on a mission, I was financing my own education therefore I could not be concerned with frivolities. Yes, I went to a few campus fetes and beer limes, but when fellow Trinidadians asked if I had already booked my flight home for Carnival, I brushed them off. After all, I had years of mas playing under my belt. Sacrifices had to be made. I am a well-disciplined and very responsible person, and there would still be Carnival after I obtained my law degree, I told myself. Then, the exodus began. People were saying their loud goodbyes as taxis collected them to head off to the airport. From my dorm room, which was perched on the hill overlooking the driveway, I watched as they left one by one. “I am so glad that I came to university when I am mature and not easily swayed,” I thought, as I flipped through books at the law library. Over the next few days I began to experience some very strange symptoms that I had never felt before. They’re not easy to explain, because it’s difficult to even say if they were physical or psychological, or both. My stomach started to feel like it was turning upside down, my head felt light, I was feeling very morose, irritable, lonely, and homesick, all wrapped up into one. Eventually I was able to put
it into words: “I want to go home.” “I have to go home.” “I cannot miss Carnival!” I began frantically calling up travel agencies and just about everyone. It was just days before Carnival, and there were no flights available. I remember someone mentioning something about a boat, and I heard myself saying, “That’s great, I’ll take it!” I made a few calls, and the next day I was at the harbour. I had packed a few pieces of clothes in a bag, and I had my fanny pack and my camera. It would be an adventure, I told myself. THE BOAT... turned out to be an inter-island cargo boat! Me, the market traders, the bananas, the yams, the mangoes and the rows of cars and vans were all on deck. I think that we stopped at every island along the archipelago, plus Venezuela, and with each stop we packed on more produce and more people. We may have spent just one night at sea, I’m not sure, but it felt like at least one week to me. The overpowering smells of diesel, of other people’s vomit...then mine. The rain came down and people huddled on makeshift benches and covered themselves. They were prepared, because they had made this trip before, maybe many times. As for me, maybe I expected a cruise ship and a cabin. SN OCT 2020 29
LOST TRIBE MASQUERADER TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2020
Whatever my expectations were, this was not it. My head pounded; my stomach kept trying to empty itself but there was nothing left in there. I was sleepy, hungry, and badly in need of a shower. I regretted this stupid decision with every fibre of my being. What was I thinking? This could not be the same mature, intelligent, law student in the dark night, on the high seas, out on the deck of a cargo boat fighting back her tears. The boat meandered through the rough waters of ‘the Bocas del Dragon’, where the Gulf of Paria and the Caribbean Sea have their contentious meeting, and I felt like my entire body would just explode. I was weak, sleep deprived and, really, just angry with myself. Then, in the distance, like a mirage, I caught a fuzzy glimpse of the twin towers of the Central Bank, which were then the tallest buildings in downtown Port of Spain. I took a deep breath and inhaled a nice lung full of diesel. Yes! This is it, what could be better, I was home for Carnival! Now, the world has been turned upside down. Certainty no longer has meaning. Everything is uncertain. The effects of the Coronavirus 30 SN OCT 2020
pandemic are far reaching, and will be long lasting. Even large economies are crashing, the spread of the virus is continuing while many countries are reopening their borders and struggling to adapt to what is being termed ‘the new normal’. Trinidad carnival 2019 was said to be the only carnival for the year; all other Caribbean and Caribbean -style carnivals were cancelled due to the pandemic. This pandemic is devastating, and we need to follow the guidelines handed down by the experts and try to stay safe. The rules appear to be changing overnight, but unless a viable vaccine is developed, tested, and administered to the world by January of 2021, Trinidad Carnival, ‘the greatest frolic on earth’, may not take place. If you have been to Trinidad Carnival before, If you belong to the Caribbean diaspora, if you are a real-life explorer or wanderer, and you are experiencing indescribable ‘feelings’, I might be able to tell you what ails you. I am no longer an adventurous little law student, but now I’m even more familiar with the symptoms. You my friend, have Carnival Fever.
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FEATURE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WINDRUSH CARIBBEAN FILM FESTIVAL WILL SEE THE LAUNCH OF THE PAULETTE WILSON WINDRUSH AWARD
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WORDS | DUNSTAN CREAVALLE
he UK’s first Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (WCFF) will run from 17 October to 8 November, 2020. The six day digital festival of screenings, discussions and master classes aims to celebrate the contributions and impact of the Windrush generation on life in the UK today. It is the brainchild of Frances-Anne Solomon, inspired by her award-winning film HERO, a biopic of WW2 and Windrush hero Ulric Cross that toured the UK to critical acclaim in 2019. Awards and prizes at the festival will include: Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film and Best Short Documentary. “As a child of the Windrush generation, I am passionate about sharing the stories and struggles 34 SN OCT 2020
of the men and women who paved the way for me and for all of us who are Black in Britain,” said festival co-founder, Garry Stewart of ‘Recognize - Black Heritage and Culture’. “Our partners from across the UK have worked tirelessly to turn a planned physical festival into a dynamic virtual event.“ The festival will also see the launch of the first ‘Paulette Wilson Windrush Award’, to be given in memory of the prominent Windrush campaigner who was wrongly detained by the Home Office, and who went on to become the face of the Windrush Scandal campaign. The award will be presented to an individual who has been instrumental in advancing the narrative to achieve justice for the Windrush generation. “We’re thrilled, and I know
my mother would be too, to have this prestigious award named after her,” said Natalie Barnes, Paulette’s daughter. “My mother was a humble woman, but she was passionate about seeking justice for everyone caught up in the Windrush scandal. To see her honoured in this way is truly a wonderful legacy for her to have left.” Over the six days of the festival, audiences will have the opportunity to watch films, engage in discussions and participate in master classes, all from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Each screening will be coupled with Q&A with major filmmakers, activists and actors. Patrick Vernon OBE, Windrush campaigner and co-author of 100 Great Black Britons, said, “The timing of this festival in the context of the official recognition of Windrush Day and the ongoing plight of the victims of the Windrush Scandal is important to record, share and celebrate this history. The festival has the potential to promote this legacy.” The full festival schedule and trailers is available at www.windrushfilmfestival.com SN OCT 2020 35
FEATURE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
STEVE MCQUEEN'S MANGROVE OPENED BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL
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WORDS | DUNSTAN CREAVALLE
teve McQueen’s Mangrove had its European premiere on Wednesday 7 October, when it opened the BFI London Film Festival. Co-written by Steve McQueen and Alastair Siddons, starring Letitia Wright, Shaun Parkes and Malachi Kirby, the film tells the true story of the Mangrove 9, the group of Black activists who clashed with London police during a protest march in 1970, and their highly publicised trial that followed. That trial became the first judicial acknowledgment of institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police. Mangrove is one of five films in the Small Axe series, a drama anthology comprising five original films created and directed by Steve McQueen for BBC One. Prior to the event, McQueen said, 36 SN OCT 2020
“I couldn’t be happier that Mangrove will open this year's BFI London Film Festival. Although the themes are universal, Mangrove is a London story. It may have happened fifty years ago, but it’s as relevant today as it was then.” The festival’s innovative 12day offering takes the festival to cities around the UK, with many films across the programme available for virtual premieres at home. For full details of the BFI London Film Festival go to https://www.bfi.org.uk/londonfilm-festival The five original films that make up the Small Axe collection by Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker, Steve McQueen, will air weekly on BBC One and iPlayer in November and December.
SMALL AXE SCHEDULE MANGROVE
EDUCATION
ALEX WHEATLE
This historical film centres on Frank Crichlow (Shaun Parkes), the owner of Notting Hill's Caribbean restaurant Mangrove, which was a lively community base for locals, intellectuals and activists. Police raided Mangrove time after time, and after arrests when Frank and the local community took to the streets in peaceful protest in 1970, a very publicised trial ensued.
This is the coming of age story of 12 year old Kingsley (Kenyah Sandy), who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled into the headmaster's office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he’s being sent to a school for those with special needs. This was the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from having the education they deserved - until a group of Caribbean women took matters into their own hands.
A biopic of award-winning writer Alex Wheatle (Sheyi Cole), this film tells his story from a young boy and through his early adult years. Having spent his childhood in a mostly white institutional care home with no love or family, Wheatle finally found for the first time, in Brixton, not only a sense of community, but his identity and an ability to grow his passion.
SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER
LOVERS ROCK
SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER
A story of young love at a Blues party in 1980, this film is an ode to the romantic reggae genre ‘Lovers Rock’, and to the Black youth who found freedom and love in its sound at London house parties.
SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER
SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER
RED, WHITE AND BLUE SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER
Leroy Logan was a young forensic scientist with a yearning to do more than his solitary laboratory work. When he saw his father assaulted by two policemen, he found himself driven to revisit his childhood ambition of becoming a police officer. This film tells Logan’s story. SN OCT 2020 37
FEATURE
Père et Fils Featuring Boscoe Holder
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ampbells of London is currently hosting an exhibition entitled ‘Père et Fils’, created to showcase some of Boscoe Holder’s final, unseen pieces, and his son Christian Holder’s most recent, heartfelt work. Boscoe Holder was Trinidad and Tobago's leading contemporary painter, with simultaneous celebrated international careers as a designer, dancer, choreographer and musician. This joint exhibition by Boscoe and his son is an opportunity to delve into the minds of both. Some of Boscoe’s final, unseen works are featured, including a selection of unique drawings never exhibited during the artist's lifetime. His style beautifully captures the physical appearance of his subject, whilst simultaneously telling the story of their character. Boscoe’s drawings, created whenever inspiration came, not only capture the moment but also give us insight into his vision. A wide selection of Christian’s latest works, which comprise memorable scenes from his time in Trinidad, are also on display. His use of colour and ability to play with light create scenes full of intensity and drama. Father and son collaborated both musically and artistically over the years, and showcasing this work provides the chance to explore the creativity and style of the talented duo. Christian said, “So often, on visits to Trinidad, dad would say, ‘Christian! Let’s go paint!’ and off we’d go; sometimes only as far as his verdant garden. Then there were also excursions to Maracas and Blanchisseuse. Wonderful memories! My Trinidad paintings began mostly as sketches and acrylic renderings on paper, when Dad was alive. Their canvas manifestation began after my relocation to London eleven years ago.” The artwork may be viewed on our Campbell’s of London website, www.campbellsoflondon.co.uk, or sent directly to you upon request. The exclusivity of this exhibition means that many pieces are already reserved; it would be advisable to act quickly if you would like the opportunity to purchase the work of one of the Caribbean’s best known artists. Contact Campbell’s of London on +44 20 7584 9268 or at info@campbellsoflondon.co.uk. 38 SN OCT 2020
RED DRESS
BY BOSCOE HOLDER
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FEATURE
Roger Robinson WORDS | DUNSTAN CREAVALLE
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n January of this year, Roger Robinson was announced as the 2019 winner of the prestigious T.S. Eliot prize for Poetry with his first nomination, a collection entitled A Portable Paradise, published by Peepal Tree Press. In May, the book won the Royal Society of Literature (RSL), Ondaatje Prize. Robinson is a writer and educator who has taught and performed worldwide, as well as an experienced workshop leader and lecturer on poetry. He was chosen by arts organisation Decibel as one of the 50 writers who have most influenced the Black British writing canon. Soca News caught up with Robinson recently, and asked him a few questions: In what ways has the success of A Portable Paradise impacted you? Recognition from the poetry industry is always good, in that it can open doors where you can get on with making effective change socially and emotionally for people with less privilege. I’d been writing for 25 year without any major prizes, and trust me I still have to clean dishes, take out the rubbish and play with my son. I think what’s changed is that I’m taken more seriously, not just in literature but in other fields too that require poetic narrative, like talks and TV. What plans do you have for Black History Month? None; no one ever books me for anything for Black History Month. I know, I think it’s weird too. Black History Month is a con if all that’s talked about is American Black History. Name five Black British people who fought for Black rights. It’s ok I’ll wait. Trust me, they are there, but they’re not taught to us as a tactic of eras. What are your feelings about the impact of COVID-19 on Black people? COVID will always kill the least protected, and Black people are always the least protected. The bigger question is: why are we always the least protected? Then you’d have to get into the devaluation of black bodies.
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A PORTABLE PARADISE And if I speak of Paradise, then I’m speaking of my grandmother who told me to carry it always on my person, concealed, so no one else would know but me. That way they can’t steal it, she’d say. And if life puts you under pressure, trace its ridges in your pocket, smell its piney scent on your handkerchief, hum its anthem under your breath. And if your stresses are sustained and daily, get yourself to an empty room – be it hotel, hostel or hovel – find a lamp and empty your paradise onto a desk: your white sands, green hills and fresh fish. Shine the lamp on it like the fresh hope of morning, and keep staring at it till you sleep.
© Roger Robinson, from A Portable Paradise (Peepal Tree Press, £9.99) For more information about Roger Robinson, visit https://rogerrobinsononline.com
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MUSIC KERWIN DU BOIS NURTURES NEW TALENT
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WORDS | JOSEPH CHARLES
ulti-talented artist, producer and International Groovy Soca Monarch, Kerwin Du Bois has found plenty to keep him busy during the lockdown. With the market for live performances drying up, artists have had to look for other ways to occupy themselves. One project that has come out of lockdown, the brainchild and passion of Kerwin Du Bois, is SPUT - which stands for Sing, Produce, Unleash Talent. The project came about through Kerwin's desire to mentor young and upcoming talent. Over a period of two months, Du Bois roamed social media searching for voices, stories, talent and passion. But SPUT is not a competition. So far, Kerwin has selected more than 30 creatives
singers, songwriters, producers and musicians' the journey has started. By 1 October, the SPUT family had grown to 25 members. It’s a family that has already shared plenty of sleepless nights, multiple zoom calls, differences of opinion, laughter and excitement. And it’s certainly diverse; SPUT members hail from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe and the USA (New York, Connecticut and Atlanta). The first SPUT project, the Kembler Riddim, is produced by Synthdicate Music and features 10 voices and 17 writers, including Kerwin himself.
KEMBLER RIDDIM ONE IN A MILLION
Daunte and Jennelle
MIND YUH BUSINESS Eko and DJ Dareon
GINGA
Star Martin and Boots
NEW VIBES
Mia and Kiko Dan
LOVE BUTTONS
Boots
WE HA TING
Kerwin Du Bois
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MUSIC
RADIO SHOWS + STREAMS
FRIDAY
12PM-2PM
8-11PM GMT
DJ Martin Jay Bakahnal Radio tun.in/seOA4
DJ Lokdwn I Chunes Radio tun.in/se22k
THE CARIBBEAN AFFAIR
SOCA AND COCKTAILS
5PM-7PM
8-11PM GMT
Presents by ChéInTheMIXX Robbo Ranx Radio robboranx.com/listenlive
DJ CJay http://tun.in/SfoKP
LUSH SOCA SUNDAYS
6-9PM EST
SOCA THERAPY
DJ Soca Prince instagram.com/socaprince
WEDNESDAY 8PM-10PM
BABWAH
Babwah Entertainments Foam Radio foamradio.com
THURSDAY 8-11PM BST SOCA 2D WORLD DJ Rockshun I Chunes Radio tun.in/se22k
CARIBBEAN SESSIONS
SATURDAY 12PM-2PM
THE SUPER SOCA SHOW
DJs: AAA Badboy & Dub Boy, Atki2 (At Key Two) and Jonsey Wales Ujima 98FM ujimaradio.com 2PM-4PM
SOCA IS WE SHOW DJ Piper Flo Radio floradio.co.uk 5-7PM GMT
THE MIGHTY HITMAN SHOW DJ D’Mighty Hitman The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
COMING SOON
SUNDAY
STREAMSOCA.CO
LISTENING TO THE RADIO IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SOCA MUSIC. THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF STREAMS AVAILABLE; WE’VE LISTED JUST THE MORE PERMANENT SOCA SHOWS.
OTHER STREAMS CARIBBEAN SESSIONS CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK/RADIO TEAM SOCA TEAMSOCA.COM | BAKAHNAL RADIO BAKAHNALRADIO.CO.UK THE FRONTLINE RADIO FLRRADIO.COM 44 SN OCT 2020
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FOOD
ACCRA (FISH CAKES)
Method 1.
To remove excess salt from the saltfish, either a) place in water and heat; as it comes to the boil, drain and refresh fish in cold water OR b) pour boiling water over the fish, drain, and repeat.
2. Using fingers, shred the fish into small pieces into a mixing bowl.
Ingredients 500g boneless salt fish 500g onions, finely chopped 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper ½ bunch of fresh thyme, finely chopped (without stalks) 2 large Scotch Bonnet peppers, finely chopped 250g plain flour 250g self-raising flour 1 litre cooking oil
3. Add the chopped onions, thyme and peppers, and mix well. 4. Mix together the two types of flour. Gradually add the flour and water into the fish mixture until a batter is achieved. 5.
In a deep frying pan or Dutch Pot, heat the oil until it begins to sizzle; test the temperature by dropping in a little batter. Immerse a teaspoon into the hot oil, then use it to take some of the batter onto the tip and drop into the oil.
6.
Continue dropping batter into the oil in this way, until the pan is full. Fry until golden brown, then remove from pan with a slotted spoon and place on paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Enjoy!
7. Serve with a crisp green salad. 46 SN OCT 2020
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DRINK
NEW GIN FROM GRENADA
MADE WITH NO ARTIFICAL COLOURS OR FLAVOURS
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WORDS | DUNSTAN CREAVALLE
lue Light Distillery launched its Blue Light Caribbean Gin on 1 June, to celebrate World Oceans Day. The event was streamed live across social media channels from a ship in Caribbean waters. Le Phare Bleu beachfront resort in Grenada is the picturesque home to Blue Light’s world headquarters, established in 2018; a 500 square foot distillery. Here you’ll also find a floating bar in the form of a 120 year old blue lightship, which serves as the fitting inspiration for the Blue Light Caribbean brand. Blue Light now produces two gins. The Original Edition Gin is 100% natural, made with no artificial colours or flavours, so you know it’s clean. With hints of Caribbean spices such as nutmeg, cacao, cardamom and more, this gin captures the tropics perfectly. The Blue Ocean Edition Gin is naturally
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dyed with a locally grown flower, and changes colour to a pinkish hue when mixed with any kind of acidic liquid - such as tonic or citrus. Made with the ocean in mind, this gin references various ocean themed projects including artificial reefs, beach clean-ups and ocean education and awareness campaigns. The team behind the gin are co founders Aaron Salyer, Jim Jardine and the brand’s Sales & Party Specialist, Gold Edwards. Edwards said, “We make our incredibly smooth gin only a few steps away from the white sand beach. Does that influence the taste? Yes. Of course. That Caribbean dream everyone is talking about… we bottled it”. For more on Blue Light Gin visit, www.bluelightgin.com, Instagram @bluelightcaribbeangin, Facebook @bluelightdistillery.
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FEATURE
WE CARNIVAL
LAUNCH OF THE BANDS 2019
SEEKING THE TRUE MEANING OF CARNIVAL WORDS | ANTHONY OLDHAM
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his year saw Notting Hill Carnival take to the internet with the project Access All Areas. This offered a new type of audio-visual experience interspersed with historical information and interviews with carnival protagonists and pioneers, all of which added important background information and context for the Carnival Arts. The full impact will hopefully gain significance over the coming years, as new generations continue to access the online content. It has been generally accepted by both the Carnival community and carnival goers alike that the event has suffered from bad press over the years. Indeed, the mainstream media has done much to distort and corrupt the message of what Carnival truly represents, its values, and its cultural meaning. Filmmaker Tony Oldham’s two Carnival
documentaries, A People’s Art and Arts of Conflict, together form a project which seeks to document and find the true nature of Notting Hill Carnival in order to tackle the misconceptions conveyed through the media. A People’s Art follows Ayesha, a young British woman, in her first experience of mas as she discovers the history and significance of the event. It identifies the media’s negative portrayal of Carnival whilst highlighting the spiritual freedom that it represents. Arts of Conflict is a more sombre film, slower in tone, that focuses on Notting Hill Carnival’s history and its arts. Both films originally formed part of a feature, but were eventually separated into two films with sequences that in part overlap. Notably, A People’s Art was screened at Trinidad
& Tobago’s Film Festival, run by Filmco, on 9 September. It then went on to close the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Toronto on 2 October after winning that festival's top accolade, their Caribbean Spirit Award. These 15 year old festivals, the two most important events in Caribbean cinema’s calendar, both almost exclusively screen Caribbean films and have for the first time in their history moved online. 150 free passes to view A People’s Art on the film’s online platform, Vimeo (see link below), have been made available to Soca News on a first come, first served basis. Just enter the code ‘SocaNews’ to access the film. To get your free access visit vimeo.com/ondemand/apeoplesart.
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