By Nelson A. King
Vincentian calypsonians in
Brooklyn two Saturdays ago
gave their ailing colleague an
early Christmas gift by visiting
him in the hospital.
Carlos “Rejector” Providence,
the newly-elected president and
co-founder of the Brooklyn-based
Dynamite Calypso Tent, the lone
Vincentian-owned calypso tent
in New York, told Caribbean Life
on Sunday that members of the
tent paid a surprise visit to Vincent
“Groovy D” Kennedy, who is
hospitalized at Kingsbrook Jewish
Medical Center in East Flatbush,
Brooklyn.
Providence said Kennedy, also
a co-founder of the Dynamite
Calypso Tent, recently suffered a
stroke “and is now doing physical
rehabilitation.”
“The visit started with a prayer
by Mr. Randolph Kennedy, brother
of Groovy D, then the presentation
of a Dynamite-designed
get-well-soon card, which was
signed by members of the Dynamite
Calypso Tent,” Providence
said.
“We also brought him some of
his favorite Irish moss drink,” he
added. “This visit surely brought
him some hope, joy and great
memories, as we saw him laugh,
cry and chat few times, as we
spoke of numerous issues.
“Generally, he was in good
spirit and was pleasantly surprised
by our presence,” Providence
continued, stating that
Kennedy’s family was grateful
for the unexpected visit.
“It was much appreciated,”
he said. “Words cannot explain
how we made their day. They
look forward to seeing us for his
birthday, which is in January.”
Providence said Kennedy’s
first “big year” in the calypso
arena was in 1976, when he sang
“Frustration,” “which took him
to the calypso monarch finals”
in the national Calypso Competition
in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines.
Soon after, Providence said
Kennedy migrated to the US and
served in the Armed Forces.
From 2001 to 2006, Providence
said he and Kennedy
Caribbean Life, D 14 ec. 27, 2019-Jan. 2, 2020
competed in Caribbean calypso
shows in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore,
MD; and Miami, Fl.
“I remember him placing
third twice in Washington, D.C.
and once in Baltimore,” Providence
said.
“In the year 2001, we both
founded the Dynamite Calypso
Tent, and he made it to the
national (calypso) semi-finals on
three occasions,” he added.
Providence, who last month
was elected president of the
Dynamite Calypso Tent, said his
goal is to foster a closer bond
with nationals at home and in
the Diaspora.
“As president, it is my plan
that the tent will be engaged in
efforts to foster a closer bond
and enhance the general wellbeing
of Vincentians at home
and abroad, through community
outreach, via radio programs,
town halls, get-togethers and
personal visits,” he said.
The veteran Vincentian calypsonian
said he also plans, among
other things, to groom and urge
the youths “to get involved in
Front row, from left: Dynamite Calypso Tent Secretary, Garnes
Byron; John “D Truth” Dougan; Vincent “Groovy D” Kennedy;
Dennis Bowman; and Oscar James. Back row” Earl
“Exposer” Isles; Ramon “Jose Juan” Diaz; President Carlos
“Rejector” Providence; Errol “D Man Age” Rose; Vice President
Atiba Williams; and Franklin “Super Dex” Richards. Dynamite
Calypso Tent
the calypso art form, and have
the tent travel and do performances
throughout the USA, Canada
and the UK (United Kingdom).”
Besides Providence, others
elected to the Dynamite Calypso
Tent executive for a two-year
term were: Atiba Williams (vice
president); Garnes Byron (secretary);
Dougan (treasurer); Dennis
Bowman (public relations
officer); and Errol “D man Age”
Rose, Jose Juan, Hilford Hurst
and Delahanty Isles (committee
members).
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