By Lincoln DePradine
Kolin Alexander, in a quick pause finally Sunday’s “Soca Parang Lime” that featured former Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Monarch, Scrunter, reminded patrons that amidst the enjoyable, there was additionally a critical objective to the occasion.
Among the proceeds from the occasion will help two scholarships established within the title of Alexander’s mom, who died February fifth final 12 months.
“Thanks for all of the help. You, being right here tonight, have supported a few college students who’re learning nursing and cultural arts,’’ Alexander stated.
His mother Joan Alexander, at her passing, was 83. She spearheaded the organizing of the “Soca Parang Lime’’.
The occasion is hosted by “Joan Alexander’s Household & Pals’’, and this 12 months was the twenty first annual version of the present.
Trinidad-born Alexander, a nurse by occupation, was additionally thought of a “cultural icon’’ for her ardour for carnival arts, together with masquerading, mas-making and carnival judging.
For 19 years, she was the primary driving power behind the “Soca Parang Lime’’, constantly bringing Scrunter to Toronto because the headline act.
“This was her favorite artiste,’’ Kolin Alexander stated, including that “we love him, we admire him’’, referring to Scrunter.
Joan Alexander was “a very good good friend’’, stated Scrunter, the 1982 Trinidad Calypso Monarch, whose actual title is Irwin Reyes Johnson.
Sunday’s present, on the Metropolitan Centre on Finch Avenue East, included performances from Los Amigos, La Petite Musicale, keyboardist Richard Luces, calypsonian Connector, and Joan’s niece, the proficient pannist Rachel Walcott. Conventional Trinidad Christmas goodies similar to pastelle and ponche-a-crème had been an indispensble a part of the festivities.
Most of the attendees gathered on the entrance of the corridor to get near Scrunter, generally known as a “dwelling legend’’ and the “King of Parang Soca’’, when he took to the stage.
He opened with a few of his calypso hits similar to “Sing In She Get together’’ and “Oil In De Coil’’.
Scrunter later switched to his repertoire of traditional Parang Soca similar to “Leroy’’; “That Eh Working Right here Tonight’’; “Selfmade Wine’’; “Anita’’; “Eat One thing’’; and, “Piece Ah Pork’’.
He closed along with his “Merry Christmas’’, singing: “We celebrating Christmas as soon as extra….I’ve nothing a lot to supply however to ship love and greetings to you’’.
Though he would have appreciated to see a bigger gathering of patrons, Kolin Alexander expressed satisfaction with the result of the 2023 “Soca Parang Lime’’.
“I’m proud of the present. However, I perceive after the COVID pandemic, persons are popping out slowly. On the finish of the day, it’s nonetheless one of many primary reveals within the metropolis,’’ Alexander instructed The Caribbean Digital camera.
In reminiscence of his mom, two college students had been awarded scholarships of $1,000 every in Could to review at Toronto Metropolitan College. One acquired the “Joan Alexander Cultural Ambassador Scholarship’’; and, the opposite was introduced with the “Joan Alexander Nursing Scholarship’’.
Two extra scholarships, stated Alexander, can be introduced subsequent 12 months.
