Nationals and supporters of St. Lucia are preparing to celebrate the nation’s birthday this month, beginning with a free gospel concert in Brooklyn on Feb. 7, according to a spokesman for the St. Lucia Consulate in New York.
The New York commemoration of St. Lucia 36th anniversary of independence will begin with the “Independence 36 Gospel Fest -featuring St. Lucian gospel entertainers, such as Billy Poyotte, the Tappin Sisters, PJ Stanislas, Kamaala Emmanuel, Kayanna Lumpkin, and Keran (Fimber) Deterville – at the Mt. Zion Church of God Seventh Day, 203 E. 37th St. Admission is free.
“This wonderful event, now in its second year, was introduced as an avenue for emerging gospel artistes, entertainers and others in the Diaspora to showcase their talents and be thankful for the countless blessings that have been bestowed upon our beautiful Fair Helen,” said the Julian Du Bois, St. Lucia’s consul general in New York of the concert and the island nation.
The next scheduled event is a free lecture featuring St. Lucian actor-director- and writer Professor Alvin Hippolyte on Feb. 11 at St. Lucia House, 438 E. 49th St. in Brooklyn.
For information, contact the consulate by calling (212) 697-9360 or sending email to sluconsulateny@govt.lc.
SNOW POSTPONES UWI BENEFIT
Mother Nature has caused the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies’ annual Legacy Awards gala to be rescheduled to Feb. 11.
The recent monstrous East Coast winter storm on Jan. 26 and 27 – which cancelled thousands of airline flights and other transportation – moved event organizers to postpone the annual gala, originally planned for Jan. 28. The location, at The Pierre hotel in Manhattan, remains the same.
Proceeds from the annual event will provide scholarships for deserving students at the University of the West Indies.
The AFUWI’s award will be presented to George Gresham, president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East; Debra Sandler, chief health and well-being officer for Mars, Inc.; Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International and George Willie, managing partner of Bert Smith & Co. and Paxton Baker, executive vice president and general manager of CENTRIC (formerly BETJ).
Call the AFUWI at (212) 759-9345. To make contributions to the Foundation, visit www.afuwi.org online.
BIG EVENT FOR MIGHTY SPARROW
Calypso king Mighty Sparrow will be honored in a big way this month on Trinidad and Tobago.
The star-studded “Under The Stars With The Mighty Sparrow,” presented by Soca Wear Calypso Beat International, will take place on Feb. 12 in the Calypso Arena, at the Lumiere Restaurant, Lounge & Grill in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, recognizing Sparrow’s successful 60 years in the calypso music world.
Pelham Goddard & Roots of Charlie’s Roots; veteran panist Dane Gulston, award-winning calypsonian, The Mighty Poser; Road March contender Colin (The Transformer) Jackman, popular performer Ronnie The Mac) McIntosh and a number of special guests will be performing.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/mightysparrowday and call (868) 222-5610, (868) 341-9799 or (347) 674-9547