Nostalgia -Third time’s the charm
by Dayle DaSilva 30.OCT.09
It took some time in coming, but eventually a decent sized crowd turned out at the Arnos Vale playing field Sunday, October 25, for the third show of the Vincy Homecoming weekend, âNostalgia’.{{more}}
Whether it was witnessing the band X-A-Dus, or the reunion of Winston Soso with Climax, patrons at the Arnos Vale Playing Field were taken back in time, going as far back as the 1960âs.
From the first performer, âImitatorâ, backed by one of the countryâs most favoured bands, X-A-Dus, the seeming frenzy began. Next was Granville âMighty Sunblazeâ Findlay performing two numbers including his 1970âs hit, âThe result of rumâ.
There was a break from the local music as the band X-A-Dus, fronted by Ricky Bowman, took persons back to the days of the Aquatic Club Saturday night fete, doing a number of covers from Billy Oceanâs âCaribbean Queenâ to William Bellâs âEveryday will be like a Holidayâ, to Arrowâs âLong time we ainât fete like thisâ.
By this time, the crowd was aroused enough to welcome long time Calypso veteran, and a true Vincentian Icon, Alston âBecketâ Cyrus. Becketâs performance warranted an encore performance as he rendered some of his top songs, including âSmall Pinâ.
The crowd showed little or no sign of fatigue by the time the man from the Valley, Gerald âRasumâ Shallow, took to the stage. Shallow and companyâs set went on for some time, but could have easily lasted longer, particularly at the end, with the performance of his biggest hit to date, âPerseveranceâ.
And as if the showâs organizers saved the best for last, Winston Soso and Climax came out of hibernation.
The team had persons doing the âSwivel Danceâ and not minding (âI donât mind) anything at all.
Whatever the reaction, the original objective of the event was achieved, this according to Ellsworth John, head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU).
âWe were able to accomplish what we anticipated,â John told SEARCHLIGHT.
âWe wanted Vincentians to look back at the music and see what makes it unique,â he added, noting that this was the ultimate objective of the Homecoming exercise.
But now, the project takes on a new twist, that of implementation.
John explained that between now and October 2010, there is going to be serious dialogue with community groups to chart the way forward for St Vincent and the Grenadines.
He also said that based on the discussions from the business forums held, his unit will be looking at gathering relevant information for a plan of action.