The vibrant sounds of calypso filled the air on Cipero Street, San Fernando, on October 3, as the South-Central Community Calypso Tents and the Trinbago Calypso Museum Committee launched the southern leg of Calypso History Month. The event, held at Toast and Roast Bar, combined a day of curry duck lime with a night of calypso performances, serving as a fundraiser for the proposed Calypso Museum. This initiative aims to preserve Trinidad and Tobago’s rich musical and cultural heritage for future generations.
The Calypso Museum is a collaborative effort by four cultural organizations: Bisnath School of Art, Birds Calypso Tent, Central Rainbow Stars, and Missionaire’s Calypso Tent. Despite their passion, the project remains without a permanent home. Carey “Kinte” Stephens, the committee’s chairman, emphasized the urgent need for a proper location to house cultural artifacts donated by supporters worldwide, including George Maharaj, a renowned collector of calypso history, and Ray Funk, a retired Alaskan judge and calypso researcher.
Mc Morris Edwards, president of the Calypso Museum Committee, outlined the group’s vision for a cultural center that would not only house the museum but also host concerts, lectures, and tours. While the Carnegie Library in San Fernando has been considered as a potential site, the committee remains open to any accessible and pride-reflecting location.
The event also celebrated the contributions of media personalities like Errol Fabien, Ivan Toolsie, and Yvonne Webb, who have consistently promoted calypso and culture. The evening was dedicated to honoring calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow, with performances paying tribute to his iconic works. As the night concluded, attendees signed a banner commemorating calypso’s milestones, a symbolic gesture for the future museum.
For now, the rhythms of calypso continue to resonate, a testament to the enduring spirit of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural legacy.