Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  FOR TWO DAYS THE DOWNTOWN DUNDAS SQ WAS TRINI TO THE BONE David Rudder by Anthony Berot The roar from Dundas Square Park on Sunday was so loud that one could hear the noise from a block away. A live soccer game on the big screen? Nope. It was the king. King David, to be specific. Calypso great David Rudder was on the park's outdoor stage, singing many of his songs that have made Trinidad and Tobago the motherlode of Calypso music for almost a century. King David was just one of the headliners of the past weekend's Trinbago Festival. The free outdoor fete was a celebration of the culture, history, and impact of the Trinidad & Tobago diaspora in Canada. The event was staged under the auspices of the Trinidad & Tobago Consulate in Toronto and in support of the Caribbean Scholarship Foundation. Joel Davis Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1962. Last year marked the 60th anniversary, and it was the first time Trinbago was cel...

  Calypso Returns with a Song And a Laugh Or Two: Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch of Canada Competition Thrills Audience           Macromere Fifi, the new queen After a seven-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch of Canada Competition made a triumphant comeback last Sunday at the Latvian Canadian Center in North York, Ontario. Organized by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), the event drew an electrified crowd that packed the venue to its full capacity. The evening began with a heartfelt tribute, as OCPA honored eight individuals who played pivotal roles in the development of Calypso music in Canada. Among the honourees were Lennox Borel, Glenda Bostic, Ken Bruzual, Dr. Rita Cox, Elsworth James, George Maharaj, Jai Ojah Maharaj, and Selwyn Woods. Their contributions to the genre were acknowledged with deep gratitude, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. The competition itself featured an impressive li...