Yes, we would like to enquire who here saw the Cultural presentation on the opening night of the 5th Summit of the Americas and what did you think of it?
Below is an article summarising what was planned!
I for one followed it live on C-TV and found the presentation very inspiring!
Made me feel so proud to be from Trinbago!!
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Culture takes centre stage
Wayne Bowman wbowman@trinidadexpress.com
Friday, April 17th 2009
This nation takes centre stage globally this evening when the opening ceremony of the Fifth Summit of the Americas takes place at the Hyatt Regency from 5p.m. Newsfeeds the world over will broadcast the official arrival of the leaders of nations here to discuss ways through which we can weather the storms ahead, while continuing to develop and accomplish the unified greatness the Americas aspire towards.
Enjoying prime coverage during the opening ceremony will be the culture of Trinidad and Tobago through a presentation conceptualised by masman Brian Mac- Farlane who was commissioned by the Government to produce a series of cultural presentations as well as create the Summit Village and a number of sculptures and effigies erected at specific locations.
MacFarlane told the Express the cultural presentation is 45 minutes long and will trace the development of the Caribbean peoples from the indigenous inhabitants to the multiethnic citizenry of the region today.
MacFarlane said the music and dance being presented will reflect all the ethnicities and cultures of the region all interwoven into a continuous flow that will exhibit the oneness of the region in the midst of its diversity.
"The 45-minute production will explore the many journeys of the Caribbean peoples from the Caribs and Arawaks, through the arrival of the Europeans, the coming of the African slaves and the Indian and Chinese indentured."
"The show will also visit the camboulay and other aspects of our cultural diversity while also addressing modern-day issues such as the environment and the state of our energy sector, oil and gas as well as natural and human resources."
"This all runs as a continuous show with all the music having been composed and chosen specifically for it. This will climax with a grand Carnival finale. Initially we had incorporated several artistes from across the Caribbean to be a part of the presentation, but budget cuts forced us to cancel much of these. The show will still be a grand affair we can all as a nation be proud of though," MacFarlane said.
The production will feature hundreds of dancers, singers and musicians from across the country including Tobago. Several dance troupes including the Marcia Charles Dance Company, Carol La Chapelle Dancers, Malick Folk Performers and Shiv Shakti Dancers have combined efforts for the production.
Machel Montano who is these days working on his music in Los Angeles has taken time off to come in for the show as well as David Rudder who was scheduled to arrive from Canada yesterday. Veteran soca artiste Arrow from Montserrat has also been invited to be a part of the ceremony and local soca artiste, Tony Prescott is performing "All Aboard" at a special point during the ceremony.
MacFarlane said that reggae music is also incorporated in the presentation and Stephen Marley, son of Bob Marley, had been invited to perform, but he had to cancel at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts. The opening will also feature the National Steel Symphony as well as the Divine Echoes Orchestra and the Laventille Rhythm Section.
