World
T&T poet adds calypso to U.S. national cultural calendar
National Poetry Month began on April 1 with the usual April Fools’ pranks that try to outwit naive individuals.
And for every rhyme and reason, the entire month is regarded as a distinctive period in which literary creatives test their ambitions of relating via the use of poetry.
On April 18, Trinidad-born spoken-word emissary Dawad Philip intends to prove his mettle and represent the word-smiths of the genre during a dialogue with veteran music writer Patricia Meschino.
And for every rhyme and reason, the entire month is regarded as a distinctive period in which literary creatives test their ambitions of relating via the use of poetry.
On April 18, Trinidad-born spoken-word emissary Dawad Philip intends to prove his mettle and represent the word-smiths of the genre during a dialogue with veteran music writer Patricia Meschino.
In a lively discourse, the Rhode Island native is booked to glean information about the San Fernando native whose latest publication packages “The Painted Bulls.”
The dualed format promises queries from the 28-year veteran, Billboard Magazine’s cultural archivist, who will provide a retrospective canvas of the poet’s latest masterpiece.
Already established is the fact that Philip authored “Ayedemah: History and Profiles of the San Fernando Valley,” “Mural by the Sea (2017),” “Invocations (1980),” and “City Twilight: Poems (2022).
The dualed format promises queries from the 28-year veteran, Billboard Magazine’s cultural archivist, who will provide a retrospective canvas of the poet’s latest masterpiece.
Already established is the fact that Philip authored “Ayedemah: History and Profiles of the San Fernando Valley,” “Mural by the Sea (2017),” “Invocations (1980),” and “City Twilight: Poems (2022).
Niche circuit loyalists are also aware of the reverence bestowed on his collaboration with Yolanda Lezama in 2019.
The publication “Jayden and the King of the Brooklyn Carnival” paid homage to her father, Carlos, who founded the Brooklyn Carnival.
It also won accolades for documenting the genesis of the century-old spectacle in Harlem, which is now the main Brooklyn attraction on the last day of summer.
The publication “Jayden and the King of the Brooklyn Carnival” paid homage to her father, Carlos, who founded the Brooklyn Carnival.
It also won accolades for documenting the genesis of the century-old spectacle in Harlem, which is now the main Brooklyn attraction on the last day of summer.
Published in the year an emerging pandemic stilled the world, the enlightening tome offered valuable reading for reflection.
Philip later relocated to the southwestern shores of his birthplace for a change of climate after a long absence.
He chose the southwestern shores of his birthplace as a respite for relief.
Now, the former Bedford-Stuyvesant resident shuttles between north and south to pursue his life’s work.
Philip later relocated to the southwestern shores of his birthplace for a change of climate after a long absence.
He chose the southwestern shores of his birthplace as a respite for relief.
Now, the former Bedford-Stuyvesant resident shuttles between north and south to pursue his life’s work.
Philip considers himself a full-fledged son of the second city in his Caribbean homeland.
However, he also claims a familial relationship with the urban location here, where Caribbean diasporans migrate.
And while his journey may be rich in interactive details about his accomplished experiences, guests will soothe the senses just enough to satiate curiosity about his storied existence.
However, he also claims a familial relationship with the urban location here, where Caribbean diasporans migrate.
And while his journey may be rich in interactive details about his accomplished experiences, guests will soothe the senses just enough to satiate curiosity about his storied existence.
For starters, while living in the borough, neighbors witnessed his association with the carnival royalty.
Calypso kings and queens visited his sphere —
Black Stalin, Brother Valentino, and Sylvester, among them.
Calypso kings and queens visited his sphere —
Black Stalin, Brother Valentino, and Sylvester, among them.
More than a few might even reflect on his two-decade tenure as managing editor of the city’s only daily Black newspaper when monarchs ambered onto his desk.
Their conversations were usually ear-popping.
With B’s West Indian Restaurant blocks away, it was not unusual to find shark, mauby, peanut punch, doubles, roti, or shandy in the mix.
Throughout those periods, twin island chatter competed for attention with United Press International (UPI) transmissions to the Daily Challenge.
More than anything, Philip and his associates injected calypso into the workplace.
Their conversations were usually ear-popping.
With B’s West Indian Restaurant blocks away, it was not unusual to find shark, mauby, peanut punch, doubles, roti, or shandy in the mix.
Throughout those periods, twin island chatter competed for attention with United Press International (UPI) transmissions to the Daily Challenge.
More than anything, Philip and his associates injected calypso into the workplace.
In addition to enhancing the platform that preserved the underexplored legacy of a people, he helped further the politics espoused by Prime Minister Eric Williams, historian Cyril LR James, student activist Stokely Carmichael, the Mighty Sparrow, and a plethora of prominent influencers from his twin island.
Undeniably, though, few of his former colleagues could deny his passion for carnival.
A revealing, fun fact recalls the non-negotiable hiatus Philip annually demanded.
His absence from the decision-making headlines took priority over pre-Easter visits to Trinidad.
Undeniably, though, few of his former colleagues could deny his passion for carnival.
A revealing, fun fact recalls the non-negotiable hiatus Philip annually demanded.
His absence from the decision-making headlines took priority over pre-Easter visits to Trinidad.
It was as if a compulsive calling to calypso tents, jouvert, and the Savannahs beckoned his presence, or perhaps forced him to distract himself from deadlines, texts, photos, copies, and pasted formats.
The summons was no different from the one preceding Labor Day, when masqueraders, mas’ camps, pan players, costumiers, calypsonians, and socaphiles converged on Crown Heights for the annual West Indian American Carnival Association’s version.
With Blue Boy (aka Superblue), Lord Nelson, Crazy, and others booked into a Brooklyn roller dome and other spaces, Philip seemed to readily respond to carnival-related events.
The summons was no different from the one preceding Labor Day, when masqueraders, mas’ camps, pan players, costumiers, calypsonians, and socaphiles converged on Crown Heights for the annual West Indian American Carnival Association’s version.
With Blue Boy (aka Superblue), Lord Nelson, Crazy, and others booked into a Brooklyn roller dome and other spaces, Philip seemed to readily respond to carnival-related events.
On an occasion when Philip faced a medical setback, days before Labor Day, specialists prescribed bed rest. However, on Monday, September that year, Philip was spotted along Eastern Parkway in the barest, self-made attire that rivaled most masqueraders.
“If I have to go, this is the best place I want to be.”
His unapologetic response to concerns from family and friends obviously caused consternation, but it was the expected reaction from the die-hard reveler.
Then and there, confirmation of his devotion proved evident.
“If I have to go, this is the best place I want to be.”
His unapologetic response to concerns from family and friends obviously caused consternation, but it was the expected reaction from the die-hard reveler.
Then and there, confirmation of his devotion proved evident.
Needless to say, simultaneous to the spectacle, chaos surrounding a U. S. invasion of Grenada, the Iran hostage crisis, police brutality incidents, and stories of boatloads of rejected Haitians vied for attention. Philips’ cultural connection was unrivaled.
Coupled with dutiful obligations of a full-time job, his headlines formidably anchored bylines and reportage from staff and freelance reporters to the most reliable daily source of information.
Throughout, his poetic recitations also resonated with inspiration to a global audience.
Coupled with dutiful obligations of a full-time job, his headlines formidably anchored bylines and reportage from staff and freelance reporters to the most reliable daily source of information.
Throughout, his poetic recitations also resonated with inspiration to a global audience.
Across America and the Caribbean, Canada, Latvia, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, Russia, Philip’s opinionated verses provided peeks into his privacy.
The fact is, his “Invocations” was translated for Russian interpretation.
Since then, in the comfort of his repatriated haven, Philip has been penning prolific compositions.
The fact is, his “Invocations” was translated for Russian interpretation.
Since then, in the comfort of his repatriated haven, Philip has been penning prolific compositions.
He combines poetry about Trinidad & Tobago and Brooklyn, New York, to merge the histories that separate nationals from immigrants.
His poems have issued passports for escape. They have also approved visas for visitations to both destinations.
Most of all, his annual sojourns to and from the territories also reignite spirited reunions with associates, colleagues, and collaborators who share a purpose.
Dialogue, a book launch, and storytelling begin at Tropicalfete at 6:30 p.m.
“Our Power, Our Planet” – Earth Day 2026
The recent splashdown of Artemis 2 in the Pacific Ocean seems to be altering the conversation about the Earth crisis, climate change, and reversing the planet’s decline.
It seems that after the safe and successful landing in San Diego, California, of four astronauts on April 10, the 10-day moon mission they embarked on might have renewed hopes of an enduring planet.
At least optimism is abounding for a cheerful Earth Day celebration on April 22.
“Our Power, Our Planet” is the theme.
Numerous activities are planned to honor the big, blue marble.
Although global action, biodiversity, pollution, extreme climate change, catastrophic cosmic events, and other degradations are still of concern, for now, the focus is on the Earth and the fact that in one billion years, a solar evolution will cause the sun’s luminosity to end life, a glimmer remains millions of miles outside the atmosphere.
Plant a tree.
Don’t pollute.Catch you on the Inside!
Plant a tree.
Don’t pollute.Catch you on the Inside!
