As previewed last Sunday, Pantopia is a steelband musical inspired by the music of Ray Holman, scheduled for performance in April next year. I describe this week the strong historical context that should impel support for Pantopia. The historical context includes the insertion into the Trinidad Music Festival of competitive …
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2023
Noble: Sojourner’s truth: Ain’t I a Woman?
At the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, a former enslaved woman, Sojourner Truth, delivered a famous speech. The contents of the actual speech have been contested, with mainly two versions still reported. The more popular version is called “Ain’t I a Woman”. That one has the narrative written …
Read More »Vaneisa: Pork, Daisy, and country vibes—how Scrunter conquered Christmas
I’ve been on a Scrunter loop, studying lyrics, music, the melodies, the distinctive raspiness of his voice—and it made me want to pay tribute to this one of our outstanding West Indians. I’d interviewed him way back in 1998, and the article said much of what I wanted to say …
Read More »Venezuela and Guyana presidents choose peace, in Argyle declaration
“[…] Guyana and Venezuela declared as follows: 1. Agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States. “[…] And that any controversies between the two States will be …
Read More »Dear Editor: SSFL failed Moruga and Miracle Ministries; ruling “lazy and heavy-handed”
“[…] What real advantage has a team possibly gained by registering their players minus the school stamp and principal’s signature? None that I can see. “What real advantage has a coach gained by sending messages asking the governing body to check the player registration list and let him know if …
Read More »Orin: Caricom’s stance on Guyana-Venezuela dispute is a study in spinelessness
The following guest column on the relationship between the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana was submitted to Wired868 by Orin Gordon, a Guyana-born, T&T-based media consultant who publishes at oringordon.com: The much bigger, stronger brother has the smaller one in a painful choke hold. Little brother can’t breathe. He’s wriggling …
Read More »South champs Moruga face relegation without losing a match, in fresh SSFL registration row
The 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Boys Big Five competition, which will determine the three promoted schools for the 2024 Premier Division competition, looks set to be held three months late in January 2024. And that is merely the tip of the iceberg, as a catalogue of alleged administrative …
Read More »Dear Editor: Has anyone examined Exxon’s role in Essequibo conflict?
The once-dormant border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela can potentially destabilise the entire region if not hemisphere—most definitely this country—and yet I don’t think our media is analysing this with nearly the depth it deserves Listening to the more mature radio talk shows and going through certain articles and news reports, one …
Read More »Noble: No way to escape; how poverty handicaps domestic abuse victims
Poverty—insufficient income to live a basic decent life—does not cause domestic violence. However, poverty can lead to domestic violence or spousal abuse. Domestic violence is not unique to women, although more women are victims. Spousal abuse, also known as intimate partner violence, is intended to result in physical, sexual or …
Read More »Dear editor: Desmond Haynes had last laugh; Carty and Athanaze have great potential
“[…] (West Indies lead selector) Desmond Haynes has silenced the critics with this series victory in emphatic fashion. “Keacy Carty has the potential, I now understand why there is that focus on him, same with Alick Athanaze. Their techniques are ideal for top order batters—in this format that is…” The …
Read More »Pooran, Holder and Mayers decline WI contracts; CWI announces 2023-24 list
Cricket West Indies (CWI) today confirmed their list of centrally contracted men’s and women’s players for the 2023-24 season, based on “recommendations from the selection panels and approval by the board of directors”. There are 14 men and 15 women on the list, which is drawn up “based on player …
Read More »Daly Bread: Preceding Pantopia
Last week was an encouraging week in the evolution of the panyard model and pan music, unfortunately clouded by news of the death of Earl Rodney. My pan historian friends emphasise that Earl Rodney was “not from tong”. He was from “Point”, meaning Point Fortin, and not from Port-of-Spain (“tong”). …
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