Barbados Cultural Ambassador His Excellency Dr The Most Honorable Anthony ‘The Mighty Gabby’ Carter is due to arrive on island tomorrow to participate in the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA) 3rd Calypso Day celebration.
According to DCA Secretary Daryl Bobb, the calypso legend will be on the island on July 4, 2023, and will be hailed by members of the media and public who will have the opportunity to engage with him.
The main feature of Mighty Gabby’s visit, however, will be his lecture on July 5 at 7 pm at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
According to Dr. Barry Casimir, head of the UWI Open Campus Dominica, who has collaborated with the association to conduct the lecture; Might Gabby, who is best known for hits such as Doctor Cassandra, Jack and Boots, to name a few, will deliver on the theme: “The role of Calypso in Caribbean society.”
“Wednesday’s lecture will explore the historical and contemporary role that Calypso has played in West Indian civilization,” Dr Casimir explained.
“There is no doubt that Calypso is one of the most politically charged musical traditions in the world, and its deep roots in the struggle of Caribbean people have built a legacy of wit, and imaginative lyrics that deal with a variety of topics and themes of West Indian life.”
The week-long celebration of the third edition of Calypso Day began on Sunday, July 2, with a church service in Grand Bay led by former Calypsonian Father Brancker John. This evening, the festivities continue with a live conversation on DBS radio about the impact of Calypso.
Mighty Gabby, as previously announced, will arrive on July 4, and hold his talk on July 5, accompanied by his son, the junior ruler of Barbados, Mighty Bit Bit.
On July 6, the official Calypso Day, activities will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a youth dialogue among students throughout the island on the theme: “Does the inclusion of political issues within the lyrical content of Calypso music strengthen or weaken the art form?” and “Is the lyrical content of other genres of music, such as dancehall and bouyon, more attractive to the youth than that of Calypso?”
To cap off the week of celebrations, DCA will host a social gathering–location to be determined–with live performances from Gabby and other local talents, as well as complimentary food and drinks.
According to Bobb, the brain behind Calypso Day, this year’s theme is more focused on the education of the art form. He stated that the event has begun to acquire public notice and that the DCA hopes that in the near future, this day will become a national day in which everyone on the island participates.
DNO it would be nice to have an updated photo of this man