Brooklyn’s Dynamite Cultural Organization unveils seminal Cultural Hall of Fame

The Brooklyn-based Dynamite Cultural Organization, home of the Dynamite Calypso Tent of New York, the lone Vincentian calypso tent in North America, has unveiled what it considers to be its most ambitious initiative to date, the seminal St. Vincent & the Grenadines Cultural Hall of Fame.

“We’ve been having discussions on this for three years now,” Calypsonian Carlos “Rejector” Providence, president of both the Dynamite Cultural Organization and the Dynamite Calypso Tent, told Caribbean Life on Tuesday.

“We even had discussions/consultations with people at home, including former MP (Member of Parliament) Rene Baptiste, Cyp Neehall, Hugh Ragguette, and Stephen Huggins (cultural figures), because we felt they would be quite knowledgeable about people in the categories we’re looking at,” he added.

“Our intention is to do it every year,” continued Providence, disclosing that the maiden induction ceremony is planned for April this year in Brooklyn, with the deadline for the public to submit nominations on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

“We think there are persons who have contributed to the country and its culture, and we should not wait until a person dies before we recognize them,” Providence said. “We should show appreciation before they die. We’re trying to keep the culture alive. And, we, being the premier Vincentian cultural organization in the Diaspora, should recognize people who have made tremendous contributions through culture.”

The calypsonian emphasized that the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Cultural Hall of Fame is “dedicated to taking a monumental step to memorialize those who have made remarkable contributions and left an indelible mark on Vincentian culture.”

He said one person will be selected from nominations to be inducted in five categories:  Culinary Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Legacy and Heritage.

Providence said Culinary Arts recognizes “exceptional talent in food and beverage preparation, presentation and marketing”; Literary Arts celebrates “the power of the written word across various forms – poetry, prose and songs”; Performing Arts praises “the brilliant talents in singing, dance, drama and music”; Visual Arts honors “the creative brilliance in mas creation, painting, sculpture, photography and crafts”; and Legacy & Heritage reveres “historians, educators and cultural advocates who preserve and promote our cultural treasures.”

“Join us in this remarkable venture to honor our past, celebrate our present, and inspire our future,” urged Providence, stating that the Dynamite Calypso Tent of New York, established in 2001, has emerged as “a vital cultural institution, uniquely positioned as the only calypso tent outside the homeland of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“This remarkable organization operates not only as a platform for calypso and soca music but also as a beacon for the rich traditions and artistic expressions of Vincentian culture,” Providence added.

Since its inception, he said the tent has been dedicated to fostering a “deep appreciation for calypso and soca, providing a space for both performers and audiences to celebrate their heritage.”

As the tent flourished, Providence said the Dynamite Cultural Organization “became its natural evolution, allowing it to expand its mission beyond calypso and soca to encompass a broader range of cultural activities and events.

“This transformation signifies a dedication to preserving and promoting all aspects of Vincentian culture, from visual arts and dance to culinary traditions and community engagement,” he added. “Through various initiatives and programs, the organization honors the legacy of its roots while continuously seeking innovative ways to unite and uplift the Vincentian community in New York and beyond.

“Consistent with our commitment to honor excellence and in furtherance of our mission to inspire, we are proud to inaugurate the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Cultural Hall of Fame,” Providence continued.

He said Hall of Fame nomination forms are currently available on YouTube and will soon be placed on all other social media platforms, including Dynamite Calypso Tent Facebook pages.

For more information about the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Cultural Hall of Fame, call Providence at (929) 364-2313 or rejector2009@hotmail.com.

The public can also reach Rudolph John at (631)-578-7226 or via email at lecroix23@gmail.com; call Glenroy Phillips at (718) 316-3777 or via email at ottley11212@gmail.com.