“Cross after cross, shot after shot, beat after beat; “They’re all rendered helpless as the Shiva fever stifles them with heat…” Spoken word artist and Shiva Boys Hindu College staff member, Romero Gowrie, pens a word of defiance on behalf of the defending Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) champions. Gowrie …
Read More »Daly Bread: Drops to clean the wounds; T&T can find inspiration in cultural ambassadors
The ill winds of deep-seated race and class divisions have blown continuously for more than a decade. Beware of them. Their velocity is increasing. This warning is not new. I wrote it in October last year. At that time I reminded readers that, for more than a decade, I have …
Read More »Daly Bread: Not pointing fingers; the problem with Amcham’s crime-fighting tips to Dr Rowley
The major business groups last week reportedly temporarily arose from their customary indifference, alarmed by the prolonged and unrestricted crime spree. In passing, it should be noted that it is apparently the rising cost of doing business in a crime-ridden environment that has set off the alarm from slumber this …
Read More »Panmen’s Plight: Gov’t treatment of steelpan mirrors broader disrespect for local potential
“They don’t want the people who made the sacrifice to control the commanding heights of our industry. They claim we can’t handle money. We don’t know how to do business. They say we don’t possess administrative skills. “But when we look at all the other businesses, especially those fortunate to …
Read More »MASTER’S VOICE: We lost Uncle Roy; tribute to late activist, Hal Greaves
“Uncle Roy […] did what he could to change the narrative and attempt to inject that feeling of self-worth that was taken out of the equation long before we even changed flags in 1962. He knew not everyone would be rescued but never did he give up. And he did …
Read More »When good people win: To T’dad All Stars, Bishop Anstey choir and late Allan Alexander
I was unable to attend the funeral of my colleague Allan Alexander SC, whom I held in the highest regard, owing to my commitment on that day to attend a meeting of a regional organisation—one on which he had also served. However, I was privileged to attend the gathering at …
Read More »Play the devil: Daly plugs new local film on sexuality, morality and socio economic power
Abigail Hadeed, the photographer and filmmaker, is my cousin. To be more precise, as her beloved grandfather and my uncle constantly reminded us, Abigail is my first cousin once removed. That is because her mother, who was born Daly, is my first cousin. I mention these relationships as a form …
Read More »How does steelpan fit in violent, troubled T&T?
Preparing a column for publication today was a difficult task because of the paradox of the visible joy when citizens congregate for a street lime but under which lies the deep grief of a murderous, contact driven and unjust society. Why are we having such a good time in celebration …
Read More »Our other oil: How the T&T economy can benefit from arts and culture
The proceeds of our oil and gas production are no longer sustaining the high life. As they say in Grenada, “the money can’t reach.” For decades there has much talk about diversification of the economy, but no action. This is a pity because we have other oil. I refer to the …
Read More »Remembering Raf: Funeral and remembrance activities planned
Rafael “Raf” Robertson, a Trinidadian pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and producer, with over 40 years of international experience, passed away on Friday 4 December 2015. His funeral will take place on Friday 11 December 2015 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 30A Abercromby Street, Port of Spain from 1.30 pm. The proceeding is …
Read More »Laughter over the tears: Remembering Raf’s struggle for pan and culture
We laughed a lot that last night. Mostly about the absurdity that Trinidad can be. On that cool night, with the air floating in and out of the open door of the Lloyd Best Institute, Raf Robertson was choosing to laugh instead of cry, to grin instead of grumble, his …
Read More »Is Imbert working with gas or full of it? Live Wire looks at the Budget in brief
The good news is that Trinidad and Tobago citizens are about to have their country open up more than ever before as traffic lights come down, highways continue to expand and sea ports go up. The bad news is we may not be able to afford to drive to see …
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