After 41 years of staging this after Carnival production the Village Drums of Freedom has taken this extravaganza to new heights. Sunday the final day of this three day fest clearly established itself in the chronicles of history. There are many ways that can be used to describe greatness but one had to be there to experience this year’s production of Drums Salute Dance - Dance Salutes Drums. Nyron Greenidge and Gerald Achee are to be complimented for their efforts not for this year but for all the years producing this masterpiece. Sunday’s presentation (day three) began with the elaborate preparations of the grounds which made way for the Children’s Treat and Fun activities. DJ music served as the fill in between the first segment and the start of the final presentations.
The M.C. opened the show to an eager crowd long in anticipation. The first act the NorthWest Laventille Drummers proved to be truly entertaining. This act was followed by a succession of performers Masters in their own right. Brother Valentino, Conqueror, Scrunters, Wafasi, PetroTrin Phase2 and the endearing Village Drums of Freedom. The crowd in attendance was truly enthralled by the high caliber of entertainment. The closing act, the Drums of Freedom, made their performance a memorable one. Their retrospective performance reminiscing of past greats in the personas of Julia Edwards, Carlton Francis, Henry White and Nyron Greenidge are a few of those whose contributions served to enlarge the perimeters of Dance and Drum Cultural adaptation. Echoes of 1970, the Cultural Revolution filled the air with this performance. Mansa, WilliBoBo and the Japanese Experience all underscored the importance of Drums Salute Dance-Dance Salutes Drums. St. James Times salutes Nyron and Gerry on this momentous occasion and extends their sincere wishes that their future presentations continue to enrich our Cultural Heritage and keep the spotlight shining on the jewel in Port of Spain’s Crown, ‘St. James’.
