RapsoFest

Date: April/May

Rapso is "the power of the word in the rhythm of the word". It is a unique style of street poetry that emerged in Trinidad & Tobago during the period of the 1970s, that came to be known as the Black Power era.

It is a natural progression in Trinidad from the traditions of the African Griot that flowed through the Chantwell to Calypso, Pierrot Grenade and Midnight Robber. Lancelot Layne created the first Rapso recordings with his conscious lyrics, Blow Away and Get off the Radio, in the early 1970s. Cheryl Byron was the first to take Rapso to the Calypso tent, in 1976, and is recognised as the "mother of Rapso."

The conscious effort to popularise Rapso as a community festival began with the first Rapsofest in 1991. It takes place during April and May. Month long of workshops address the need to orient young people to the art form which is “world music and poetry” according to Brother Resistance, indefatigable advocate of Rapso. Workshops take place throughout Trinidad & Tobago and have the support of the National Library system, with schools and community centres as venues. These sessions culminate in the first of four performance events in May.

Breaking New Ground allows the recent initiates of Rapso to present new works to the public. Children’s Story Time introduces the art in a familiar form, to children by children. Women of the Oral Tradition in tribute to Cheryl Byron, features strong voices like Sista Ava, Samantha Pierre, Shakilah and Eintou Pearl Springer.

The big climax, Rapso Night Concert, brings artistes from all over the Caribbean: Adissa from Barbados; Ras Mo from Dominica; Ras I from St Lucia; Muta Baruka from Jamaica; Papa Loko from Haiti. In T&T, Brother Resistance and Karega Mandela with the Network Riddum Band have long carried the torch for Rapso, and are happy to have such good company as 3 Canal, Ataklan, Kindred, Blak Lyrics, Ozzie Magic, Andre Tanker, SuperBlue, Black Stalin and David Rudder.

Where and when

The amphitheatre of the National Library in Port of Spain and Little Carib theatre are main venues. All workshops and seminars take place in April; performances in May. For more information, visit websites, www.gotrinidadandtobago.com, www.rapsofest.com, www.brotherresistance.com or contact Brother Resistance (telephone 868-620-2966; 868-622-4161).