London’s calypso-lovers were fearing they would have to resign themselves to a barren season in 2024. By mid-July, no word had come from troubled calypsonians’ association, ACASA, which normally organises the London Calypso Tent and there was no mention of the artform at the official Notting Hill Carnival launch on 11 July.
The recent appearance of a flyer announcing ‘Calypso at the Tab’ has come as a welcome surprise, therefore. Carnival Village Trust (CVT) and something called the UK Calypso & Soca Collective have ridden to the rescue to present three nights of kaiso.
The shows take place at The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY on Saturday 3 August, Saturday 10 August and Thursday 22 August; doors open at 6pm for the 7pm shows. And although the flyer doesn’t mention this, all the shows are (we understand) free!
The initiative was not entirely unexpected, because a couple of months ago CVT CEO Matthew Phillip told Soca News that he wanted to do something for calypso, as it is such an important part of Carnival culture.
The shows are not a competition, which means that Calypso at the Tab is not a conventional tent. Nevertheless, with Martin Jay acting as MC, the six-piece band of Lix Ruiz and friends providing the music, and 17 UK-based calypsonians and soca artists entertaining us, it’s certainly going to look and sound a lot like the London Calypso Tent at its best.
Performers on the bill range from old masters like Alexander D Great, D’Alberto, De Admiral and Tobago Crusoe to popular performers such as G-String, Music Man, Rev B and John Blood. The female presence on stage will include DeeVine, Ms Desire and Giselle Carter. And there are still more…
So, mark the dates in your diary and be sure to show your support for the UK’s calypso talent.
