STRAY CATS, the St Philip-based calypso tent with a community outreach, is heading to the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex for their judging night where they will also honour two Crop Over icons in former comedian/tent emcee Trevor Eastmond and calypsonian Malik.
Guest acts for the July 16 show will include The Most Honourable Anthony Mighty Gabby Carter, The Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire, the Mighty Grynner and Lil Rick, among others.
That was the message from manager Jerry Roberts as the tent launched its 32nd year in the calypso arena at Emerald City, Six Roads, St Philip, last Saturday.
Stray Cats opening night, however, is June 30 at the Crane Beach Resort at 7 p.m. with the Mighty Gabby, Black Eagle, Queen A, Hammer, Bit Bit, Chorus, Todd and Crick and De Doctor.
Gabby, who was at Saturday’s launch, said he was quite happy to be part of the Stray Cats and praised them for always producing good entertainment.
Volunteerism
“They surprise people with the quality and standard that they have and the last few years since the pandemic struck, I have been helping out writing songs for the artistes,” he said, adding that he liked working with Roberts because he was a humorous and wonderful person.
Gabby also highlighted a number of young calypsonians such as Bit Bit who is also with the Big Show, Slay and Queen A who are semi-finalists in the Scotiabank Junior Monarch.
“I wrote for five of them – one made the reserve and the other four got through,” he said of the Junior Monarch
competitors.
St Philip St Parish Ambassadors Michael Elliot and Jennifer Burrows were also present, underscoring Roberts’ commitment to community involvement.
“I chose to become an ambassador because I am an advocate for youth development and wanted to be a voice for the youth all across St Philip and [members of the parish generally]. I always wanted to give to the community and foster service, and be involved in volunteerism in the parish,” Burrows said.
Elliot described the Parish Ambassadors contest as developmental and though a resident of St Philip for just five years, is impressed by the rich heritage the parish possesses.
He added that being a parish ambassador also presented an opportunity to be the voice of the youth for St Philip.
Elliot said they visit primary schools to speak to Class 4 pupils about “embracing change with courage” as well as to focus on their community projects – rum, sports, manufacturing and music – to get them the necessary points for the title.
The Parish Ambassadors programme is an initiative of the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat, under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment. It aims to empower young Barbadians (ages 18-30) to represent and serve their respective parishes. (JS)
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