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imagine walking into New York’s City Hall and hearing the engaging sound
of steel pan wafting down from the main Council Chamber. Well, that’s
just what took place on a recent evening as the Steel Sensations
Orchestra set the festive mood while a standing-room-only crowd poured
in to celebrate the 42nd Anniversary of the Independence of
Trinidad and Tobago. Council Members Kendall Stewart, who grew up on the
twin islands, and Charles Barron were on hand to welcome the guests as
they arrived.
With
radio and TV personality Eric St. Bernard emceeing the evening, the
event got off to a great start as Alvin Pierre delivered the invocation
and sang, very movingly, the Trinidad and Tobago National Anthem.
Angella Cooper sang the United States National Anthem.
What followed was a wonderful treat for everyone, as well as a cause
for great national pride, because the entire evening showcased
magnificently the diverse artistic talents, the beauty and the sizable
contributions of Trinidad and Tobago nationals to this country and their
own.
In
the artistic field, it was evident that Trinidad and Tobago has produced
more than world-class pan players - which would have been enough to
secure its place in cultural history. No, it has also given the world
the likes of award winning gospel singer Gerard Placide, who brought the
house down with his rendition of "How Great Thou Art" and classical
music singer Marilyn Oliver, who thrilled the audience with her
performance of "Quando Men Vo" from Puccini’s opera La Boheme.
She was accompanied by Tom Siklos who then played a solo of his own. At
the end of the program there was a surprise serenade of Council Member
Stewart by Placide, Cooper and Pierre of "He’ll Do it Again."
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Ah,
but that’s not all. Classical Indian Dancer Rosanne Seumarine took the
stage, as did the 2003 reigning Miss Trinidad and Tobago New York,
Catherine Sui, along with the gorgeous young ladies competing for the
2004 crown.
Dr. Harold Robertson, the newly appointed Consul General of Trinidad
and Tobago in New York, delivered a very warm and gracious address. Roy
Hastick, Sr, founder of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce,
State Senator Kevin Parker, community leader Horace Morancie, and George
Chan, President of TATIC also took part in the celebration.
As Council Member Stewart prepared to give out the awards of the
evening, he declared that when he looks at the enormous talents and
accomplishments of Trinidad and Tobago nationals, he feels certain that
whatever difficulties their country faces, everything will work out fine
with such a deep and broad base of talent and abilities to draw from.
He was then joined by his colleague Council Member Yvette Clarke as
they awarded City Council proclamations to the following honorees:
Joycelyn Allenyne, Director of Nursing and Administration for
Dialysis and Transplant Services at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
The brilliant journalist and media consultant, Glenda Cadogan, who
has served New York’s diverse Caribbean American community for the past
14 years.
Dr. Gloria Gordon, founder and Executive Director of the educational
and cultural arts organization, Arts Caribbean.
The noted Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Suffolk
Community College, Dr. Mahim Gosine.
Activist and entrepreneur Julia Lystra Collis, who has made
tremendous contributions to her fellow residents of Brooklyn and her
homeland.
Gloria Waldron, President of ACORN, an organization that fights for
the rights of low- and middle-income people.
Robert "Lord" Nelson, the pioneer, architect and soca ambassador to
the world who is considered the soul of calypso music.
Michael Simmonds, recruitment coordinator for admissions at Medgar
Evers College.
Awards were also presented in absentia to Emmanuel Donald Boyd, who
established the Martin De Porres Youth Hospitality and Enrichment Center
and posthumously to Rudy King, who introduced steel pan to America in
1949.
Following this very rich and entertaining evening, the guests enjoyed
a magnificent Caribbean repast in the City Hall Rotunda.
Read Donna's Last
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