When our politicians fail us, rather than responding on the issues, they commonly pursue attacks on critics and angry dismissals of so-called negativity. They are however so blinded by their own rhetoric and the flattery of their satellites that they do not know where to look for—let alone properly to …
Read More »The truth about our debt; birdsong fires back at Guardian editorial
Gerry Kangalee and the birdsong Steel Academy attempt to clear the air on the debt that led to their controversial eviction, in response to a Trinidad Guardian editorial on Saturday 3 September 2016: birdsong acknowledges with the deepest gratitude the widespread outpourings of support for our cause that have been …
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 »Pan in danger: Why birdsong and steelpan deserve same protection as Chaguaramas water park
“The Chaguaramas development where the Five Islands Water and Fun Park and the Chaguaramas Safari Adventure were in the process of some infrastructural development in an area, where according to law, it should not be. “But, based on the amount of money spent, there was no way, they claimed that …
Read More »A swansong for Birdsong? Best laments for evicted pan side and national instrument
“Oh gorm,” David Rudder bawl out like Sprangalang. “Shot call!” The feckless, gutless, witless lot who are not “in charge” waited, it seemed, for an edict from the top. It never came. True to form, Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly passed the buck. She had heard, said one report, that …
Read More »Birdsong plucked, CNC3 puts Alleyne in a tighter pants and Alexander dances with Braveboy
Yesterday, renowned 28-year-old steelband academy, birdsong, had its equipment tossed on to the streets of Tunapuna like a jilted lover with nary a word from Prime Minister and carnival aficionado Dr Keith Rowley, Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Tunapuna MP and Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde. Maybe, as a matter …
Read More »The birdsong eviction: Ignoring the performing arts leaves room for dark arts
Makandal Daaga’s funeral took place yesterday. The 1970 Black Power movement may have frightened many but it was a necessary part of our evolution and a shake up of those values that still make us think less of ourselves and keep us indifferent to our indigenous movements, like the pan …
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 …
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