Features
Corey Connelly
For the first time in the history of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy competition, the Tobago final will be held at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex on August 17 and 18.
About 11 groups are expected to perform in the folklore presentation segment of the competition on August 17. Categories include folk medley (13 and under); calypso medley; creative freestyle dancing; local performance dance; solo folk songs, among others. The show takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Tobago Drama Guild is the only finalist in the folk theater presentation on August 18 at 6pm.
Jesse Taylor, cultural officer II, THA Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transport, said the two-day event marks a historic moment for Tobago.
“It is the first opportunity that Tobago will have in the 61 years of the Premier’s Best Village Trophy Competition to host the final, which is in direct line with the national competition,” he told Newsday.
“This is about bringing all the talent of Tobago into a Tobago space and that is unprecedented.”
In addition to creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, Taylor said the show will also promote a greater appreciation for off-island performing arts.
Taylor said the use of the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, which he considers a state-of-the-art facility, also adds to the competition.
He believes the facility is on par with the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain and the Southern Academy of Performing Arts (SAPA), San Fernando, both of which have featured the crème de la crème of local culture. .
He said the artists in the finals were already “ready and willing” to showcase their talents at the upcoming Tobago Blue Food Festival and other cultural events during the cruise ship season.
“Performers will be better equipped to deal with our tourism prospects and thrust.”
Jared Prima, interim CEO, Tobago Performing Arts Company, said he is happy to see the island getting its chance to compete.
“While these circumstances are unique, this festival represents one of the few opportunities for the principles of inclusion and nationalism to be practiced through performance and the arts, the foundation of the festival in the first place,” he said.
Prima said he hopes “proper investment” will be given to the next iteration of the festival.
“Looking forward to a best village final involving Trinidad and Tobago.”
Culture Secretary Tashia Burris said hosting a final in Tobago of the Best Village in Tobago competition “signals that our creative talents are thriving on the island”.
She added, “With a record number of participants in the preliminaries and an equally impressive number of those who qualified for the final, the final is testament to the dedication and hard work of our cultural and community groups, culture department and subjects. such as the Tobago Performing Arts Company.”
Burris said the island continues to create avenues for talented Tobagonians to fully participate in all aspects of its culture and heritage.
“They can become standard bearers of excellence in the fields of drama, dance and music.”
Saying she is excited to see the bands perform, Burris urged Tobagonians to come out and show their support for the performers.
Categories and participants
Spiritual song
Rhythmic Vibrations
Popular Mix (13 and under)
The earthquake of youth
Babe’s rhythm
HOW
Roxborough Gems Folk Performing Company
Calypso mix
Rhythmic Vibrations
The earthquake of youth
People sang solos
Crystal Sergeant Carter
Rhythmic Vibrations
The earthquake of youth
The best original calypso
Sisters in Culture
Pan Solo
Rhythmic Vibrations
East Indian influenced dance
The earthquake of youth
Spiritual dance
Zante Unique Touch
Creative freestyle dance
The earthquake of youth
Encore Dance Theatre
National Patriotic Dance (13 and under)
Babe’s rhythm
Alpha Tobago Dance Academy
Local interpretive dance
Delicia’s Dance Agency
Rhythmic Vibrations
The earthquake of youth
African influenced dance
Encore Dance Theatre
Zante Unique Touch
Delecia’s Dance Agency
Rhythmic Vibrations
The earthquake of youth
African devotional dance
Encore Dance Theatre
Drummology
Charlotteville Police Youth Club
Presentation of folk theater
Tobago Drama Guild
