President of Stardom Calypso Tent, Norman Letang has described the event as a “highly successful” one which has contributed tremendously to the calypso art form on the island.
He was delivering remarks at the official launching ceremony of the 50th Anniversary of Stardom Calypso Tent on Monday.
“Stardom started in 1972 and this year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary to what I will call a highly successful activity which has contributed tremendously to the calypso art form in Dominica,” Letang said. “I feel proud to have been associated with Stardom Calypso Tent from its inception in 1972 up to this day.”
In fact, he mentioned that Stardom has also contributed to the development of many musicians, more so their ability to read music which resulted in the saving of many hours during practice.
Letang pointed out that this year Stardom Tent comprises of a blend of calypsonians, old and young, “experienced and not-so-experienced but on a whole, this tent is loaded with talent.”
Furthermore, Letang said from the calypsos he heard so far coupled with the quality of the music and the classiness of the venue plus other related factors, “I see Stardom Tent 2023 being a super mashup.”
Some of the calypsonians who form part of Stardom Calypso tent are Daddy Chess, Comforter, Third Eye, Might D, Chris B, Black Diamond, Shanice, Trilla G, Danyan, Royette, Mighty Omee, Luchious, Son of the Saint, Tasha P, Jay Dee, Healer, Trendsetter, Observer, Checker, Karessah and Bingo.
Letang said he looks forward to Wednesday and Saturday night, and beyond.
It’s time to leave that sir. That could mash you up. You need a rest to reflect on more spiritual things. Thanks to you.
Roll, you are right. There comes a time when we have to give our younger ones a chance. If that man was in the Calypso busines for 50 years, this means he is in his 70’s or older.
Holding on to an organization, which is not actually our making, until we are near death is the reason so many young women and men are wandering the environment with no sense of living.
The young women are having babies, while the young men are getting themselves in trouble, which could cause them to serve a jail-term, that destroys them completely.
When I was in Dominica, we had youth groups from almost every village in Dominica. I know because I was very active in my youth group of Giraudel. And so often we would assemble with other groups on the Island for various youth functions.
I worked as a teacher, which is not a piece of cake job. So I always looked forward to a function of my youth group, for enlightenment. Our youth need Love just as we do
What would you know…? You just feel that urge to broadcast your nonsense and bore us all to death in the process. Get out. Mash!
Let me start by saying kudos to you Mr. Letang on your contribution to music and calypso in Dominica. Your efforts and contributions are priceless and should not go un noticed. However i must point out too many organizations in Dominica have too many individuals who have stayed at helm tooo long. It is a idea in our country that success is how long i hold a position. There is a law of diminishing returns for one and secondly a successful organization depends on continuity. If after 50 years you cannot motivate or inspire a next generation to be leaders in an organization to be just as good as you or better then you have failed. It is more a Letang tent and is not good for change and growth. What if you could no longer be there. I think in DA we vet to comfortably and when that happens growth and development become stagnant. Leaders are there to make those around them better so when you gone the tent, institutions, country will move on bigger, better, stronger.
“If after 50 years you cannot motivate or inspire a next generation to be leaders in an organization to be just as good as you or better then you have failed”.
Mathew, I am sorry that I clicked on negative thumbs rating right after I read your introduction–maybe you did not have to write it based on the rest of your thesis.
You have spoken my thoughts all through after that introduction, especially that quote above.
If that man is still the president of the Dominica Calypso, since 50 years ago, then not only has he failed, bur we are also failing our young people who are coming after us. That is not good for our society.
I want to congratulate the Swing Stars for keeping it alive for 50 years. Hope Norman will pass it onto guys who will have to same vitality to keep it going for another 50 years.
Modernize the band.
Hey! It’s not “Swing Stars.” It’s Swinging Stars. I remember Norman very well with his Trumpet practicing with those calypsonians at this place which had a grafted mango tree in the yard. That’s a True Dominican. Many musicians did come and go from the Swinging Stars, such as Walter Cooke, Roy Shillingford (both were Keyboardists) as well as some Guitarists etc.. But Norman Letang stayed put. I have great respect for him. Roseau Man.
Norman Letang mastered/played the Saxophone. I Jam with him/Swinging Stars-Explosions in the days on the road and report to the Customs department where we worked together.