Lord Kitchener
All Things Kitchener: Year Long Commemoration To Begin On His 100th Birthday
Written by: Nekisha Neicy Cyrus
The 100th birthday of Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Robert), the Grand Master of Calypso will mark the beginning of a year-long celebration commemorating the life, music, and legacy of the great calypso and cultural icon.
With just a few weeks away from April 18th, the date Lord Kitchener would have celebrated his 100th birthday, a team of entrepreneurs and cultural community activists will be rolling out a one-year commemoration from this year’s birthdate until April 17, 2023.
A young Lord Kitchener
The team who is mainly from Arima, Trinidad, known as the Arima Rebranding Team (ART) is a group headed by former education curriculum coordinator, and community activist, Henry Saunders, and includes Donald Baldeosingh, Thomas Isaac, and James Toussaint.
The theme for the year-long commemoration ‘All Things Kitchener’ will officially commence with a prelaunch concert produced by SAO Soca Awards Ltd on Saturday 16th April, 2022 at SAPA, Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, and will feature local and international artistes. This will be followed by a celebration on Easter Monday (his birthday, April 17th), with an interfaith service at the Arima Angel Harps Panyard from 4pm featuring a performance from his son Kernal Roberts. Other activities not yet disclosed will take place during the year to highlight his enduring impact on the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.
One of the most decorated calypsonians of this era, Kitchener’s legacy includes musical compositions that have birthed a new era of calypso and soca music. He was one of the first to ever marry calypso with the sweet sound of the national instrument, the steelpan. His first Road march title was in 1946 entitled “Jump in line”. He went on to win 10 more Road March titles, and one Calypso Monarch with ‘A tribute to Spree Simon” and “Fever”.
The legacy of Lord Kitchener continues to be a pillar of strength when it comes to calypso and soca music. Unfortunately Aldwyn Roberts left us on February 11, 2000 at the age of 77 years.
As his 100th birthday marks approaches, we look forward to his year-round commemoration ‘All Things Kitchener’.
Be sure to follow CEH for more updates on this.
Sources include: https://tt.loopnews.com
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