BarackHARD is the name of the alternative hybrid Carnival-theatre-meets-
Beginning January 27, a lively troupe of actors and dancers will lend colorful support to a talented cast of 24 calypsonians — among them the marquee debutantes reigning National Calypso Monarch (2020) and recently crowned Regional Queen of Queens Terri Lyons and former International Soca Monarch ( ISM) groovy soca winner (2015) Olatunji Yearwood.
Veterans Brother Valentino (Anthony Emrold Phillip), Brother Mudada (Alan Fortune), Poser (Sylvester Lockhart), Calypso Kerr (Carlston Kerr), Bunny B (Neville Brown), Brown Boy (Knolly Brown), Twiggy (Ann Marie Parks – Kojo), Black Sage (Phillip Murray), Lady Aeisha (Elizabeth George) and Marvelous Marva (Marva Joseph) all return to the tent after a two-year hiatus forced by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, former Monarch National Calypso winners Karene Asche (2011), Duane O’Connor (2012) and Chuck Gordon (Roderick Gordon) (2014 and 2015) will lead an exciting new lineup of performers that includes 2022 Diamond Independence Jubilee. (Heaven Charles), Rondell Donawa, Aaron Duncan and Tazyah O’Connor, among others.
Together they will bring to life a completely immersive, moving, powerful and funny audience experience, promises creative director Abeo Jackson.
Jackson says that BarackHARD, an amalgamation of Barack’s calypso yard birthplace, is another manifestation of the space that gave birth to the ritual. It represents, she says, “a collective challenge to the systems that have bound us as market crabs.”
“In the midst of all that is difficult and painful and seemingly irreparable, here still toils the warrior, the griot, the neighbor, the friend, the creators of ancestral magic, the instigators and architects of the creative and cultural revolution, the weavers of joy. ”, explained Jackson.
An evolution of tent culture
It is a renewed mentality that is fully supported by the new hierarchy of Kaiso House.
Newly installed marquee manager Gordon and assistant manager Donawa have engaged Jackson’s creative mind to help chart a meaningful direction forward.
Twiggy and Calypso Kerr complete the marquee board while talented young songwriter/musician Kern Summerville serves as the new marquee band leader
Notably, Kaiso House lost three of its supporters in cultural icons Brother Resistance (Lutalo Masimba), Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington) and Explainer (Winston Henry) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We knew we had the opportunity to bring significant change to the calypso tent landscape and that’s why we asked Abeo to write, connect and direct the show while adding various theatrical elements,” revealed Gordon.
Jackson congruently claims that the role of the creator is even more important in this new post-pandemic era.
“Citizens are looking for a new direction in the face of the irreconcilable and still entrenched colonial and capitalist legacy,” she added.
“This is a time that requires us to try to find new ways to talk about our lived experiences and rethink our reparations. We artists, makers and artisans must take a STRONG stand against the perpetuation of self-deprecating narratives,” Jackson said.
“Joy is our weapon. Positive affirmations of our strength and beauty our new Obeah. Our griots and storytellers, seasoned and young, our first and last line of leadership and defense against tyranny. The re-imagining of the revolution has begun. We have wuk to do. And we come HARD on the new BarackHARD!”
Kaiso BarackHARD House! 2023 Cast
1. Brother Valentino (Anthony Emrold Phillip)
2. Brother Mudada (Alan Fortune)
3. Wonderful Marva (Marva Joseph)
4. Poser (Sylvester Lockhart)
5. Brown Boy (Knolly Brown)
6. Rabbit B (Neville Brown)
7. Calypso Kerr (Carlston Kerr)
8. Twiggy (Ann Marie Parks-Kojo)
9. Karen Asche
10. Snakey (Heaven Charles)
11. Sister Ava (Ruth Ava Shallow)
12. Black Sage (Phillip Murray)
13. Young Poser (Vivian Lockhart)
14. Chuck Gordon (Roderick Gordon)
15. Rondell Donawa
16. Duane O’Connor
17. Lady Aeisha (Elizabeth George)
18. Aaron Duncan
19. Olatunji Yearwood
20. Terry Lyons
21. Tazyah O’Connor
22. Netfa Kojo
23. Kevin Dodds
24. Wendell Goodridge
