Short Shirt Feted in Double Celebration

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Music

Wednesday, 29 February 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - Scores of people bridged the political divide on Tuesday night in a rare show of unity as the nation joined in a double celebration - the 70th birthday of the Antigua & Barbuda’s most revered exponent of the calypso art-form, Sir McClean "King Short Shirt" Emanuel, and the official launch of year-long celebrations to mark his 50th year in calypso.

The event took place on the grounds of the House of Culture on Parliament Drive, and brought together members of Parliament from both sides of the aisles, a number of dignitaries, as well as ordinary men and women who wanted to share this special moment with the man who crowed calypso monarch a record 15 times.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer noted that while a calypso monarch is crowned each year, whenever the term "The Monarch" is used, everyone automatically knows that King Short Shirt is being referred to.

“This is a reflection of Short Shirt’s unparalleled body of work, and his accomplishments over these many years,” Spencer told the gathering.

He added that Short Shirt’s accomplishments are, however, best reflected in the lyrics of his hundreds of songs that spoke to ordinary people in profound ways.

“His songs transcend time in that they are as relevant 20 years ago as much as they are relevant today," the PM said, "and I am of the view that they will remain relevant for years to come."

Spencer singled out the song Lamentation, from which he read a verse and noted that it spoke of issues that have relevance globally, regionally, and locally. He described the song as a classic that is "one of the greatest renditions in calypso".

Spencer, an ardent lover of calypso and steel band, noted that Short Shirt had created quite a stir when he travelled to Trinidad to perform songs like Tourist Leggo and Raycon.

He drew attention to the fact that the celebration is taking place as the nation begins planning in earnest for the 55th Carnival celebrations. He called on people to come together in a spirit of oneness to work in the interest of the artform and the festival.

Meanwhile, Treasurer of the Commemorative Committee Bernard Percival announced a series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary.


They begin on Sunday with a service at the Spring Gardens Moravian Church, and include two TV panel discussion programmes on March 5 and 12; a free concert at Dredge Bay on April 8; a second free concert in Barbuda on May 25 during Caribana; a black-tie roast at Sandals Resort on June 16; the launch of a publication on the life of Short Shirt by Dorbrene O’Mard; the premiere of a television documentary in July; and a concert during the Carnival celebrations with Short Shirt as the special artiste.

A number of calypsonians performed during Tuesday's launch, including several from neighbouring islands. But the person who stole the show was Short Shirt’s grandson, Prince Short Shirt, with his rendition of the national anthem.

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