ARTIST COALITION OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (A.C.T.T.) 5 Gulf View Drive, La Horquette Extension Road, Glencoe 1-868-797-0949 [email protected] www.artistcoalition.org Monday 27th June 2011 The Honourable Mr. Winston Peters Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism Frederick Street Port of Spain Dear Minister Peters, Re: The Festival del Caribe, Santiago Cuba 2011 This message has been elicited from us by a number of cultural representative groups who have been expressing serious concerns about events surrounding the Trinidad and Tobago participation for the Festival Del Caribe in Santiago, Cuba next month. The dedication of this year’s Festival to Trinidad and Tobago is a signal honour, respected all over the Latin American diaspora and amongst the arts cognoscenti of the world. As probably has been communicated to you by numerous people our national application towards fulfilling our end of the honour has been horrific and is now an international scandal amongst the same Latin American and Caribbean diasporas and arts watchers worldwide. This letter is not about ‘spilt milk’ as we understand that a last minute effort has been launched to ‘save face’. However even this selection process and the eventual contingent may lead to even further embarrassment- or can lead to not as great a return in terms of possibilities- if not chosen well and wisely. As the contingent for this ‘trip’ may already be chosen we would like to suggest a protocol for the future in terms of how such selections can be expedited. However we would like to make it clear that the correct course of action is that the best possible contingent must be chosen and funds should be advanced for such persons who have not already been selected to make the trip. The following protocols should be observed: 1. Contact the 40 official Representative organizations and ask them to suggest a short-list of contingents from within their sectors. The 40 representative groups in the country are: 2. THE 5 ELITE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS: TUCO; PANTRINBAGO; CHUTNEY FOUNDATION; NCBA and NCDF; THE TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL ARTISTS and THE DISTRICT CARNIVALS resolved into one representative body 3. THE 15 SENIOR GROUPS: NDATT (Drama); NDATT (Dance); THE ART SOCIETY; THE PARANG ASSOCIATION, THE RAPSO MOVEMENT OF T&T, RIATT; THE TASSA ASSOCIATION; THE RAMLEELA COUNCIL; THE WRITERS UNION; THE PHAGWA COUNCIL; T&T TEACHERS OF VISUAL ARTS; FASHION COUNCIL OF T&T; T&T ARTISANS; THE MUSIC FESTIVAL ; IMPATT (film and video) 4. THE 20 EMERGENT ORGANISATIONS: HIP HOP ASSOCIATION, JAZZ ALLIANCE OF T&T, FUSION AND ROCK MUSICIANS; ANIMATORS; REGGAE MUSICIANS; SOCA BAND ASSOCIATION; TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL ARTISTS ASSOCIATION; THE STICKFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION; PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION; CHUTNEY DANCERS ASSOCIATION; SCHOOLS DRAMA FESTIVAL; THE AFRICAN DRUMMERS ASSOCIATION; EAST INDIAN CLASSICAL DRUMMERS ASSOCIATION; GUITAR ASSOCIATION; GRAPHIC ARTIST; PAN PLAYERS; MUSICIANS UNION; TECHNICIANS; CIRCLE OF POETS; SCULPTORS ASSOCIATION 5. (contact information can be made available at a suitable meeting) 6. Contact the Artist Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT)- the representative body of the 40 representative bodies- who will be aware of the lay of the land and can suggest many other non-aligned artists. 7. Honour the Genius Elders and Icons of the nation by automatic selection 8. The winning Monarchs of the various National Competitions should be selected or in contention: Dimanche Gras; Soca Monarch; King and Queens of the Bands; Band of the Year; Panorama Champ; Extempo Champ; Chutney Monarch; Best Village Champ; Music Fest winner 9. Be aware of the genius level younger practitioners who can benefit from the event as well as with informal apprenticeship with Elders on the trip 10. Reports of contingents on previous trips and contingents should be consulted to note: behaviour, repetition of selection, etc ACTT has enclosed a sample list of Genius level practitioners in most sectors who should always be the first port of call for international events of this caliber. Although not exhaustive this list gives a very good gauge of the majority of global talents in their respective fields that we have- here and in our wider diaspora. Please take note of the names and we will be willing to meet with yourself and any of your representatives at a time of your convenience to discuss the matter further and to discuss the acquisition of the contact details for the artists named. We hope that this national expedition turns out well and that our various performances over the course of the week cancel out any ill feelings that may have been invoked by our previous lack of preparation. Here’s wishing for a powerful Trinbagonian display in Cuba and forever!!! Thank you again for your kindest attentions in this matter. Please read the following list carefully as it is very instructive. Yours with Respect, …………………………………………. RUBADIRI VICTOR President Artist Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago 1-868-797-0949 Cc: The Honourable Ambassador Makandal Daaga ARTIST COALITION OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (A.C.T.T.) 5 Gulf View Drive, La Horquette Extension Road, Glencoe 1-868-797-0949 [email protected] www.artistcoalition.org SUGGESTIONS FOR SELECTION OF CULTURAL CONTINGENTS BASED ON ELDERSHIP, GENIUS LEVEL PRACTICE, AND EARNING OF NATIONAL MONARCHIAL TITLES A special note. Food could be Trinidad and Tobago’s greatest weapon in cultural expos. We need to always remember our culinary culture is unique in the world and can be a brilliant social device to create memory and desire amongst new audiences. A sample of the foods that should make the trip include: · Pelau · Doubles · Roti/ Curry Duck · Bake and shark · Callaloo THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF GENIUS LEVEL PRACTITIONERS IN MOST OF OUR CULTURAL FIELDS. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY OMMISSIONS. THESE ARE PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE GLOBAL CLASS PRACTITIONERS WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING OF INTEREST TO ANY FORUM IN THE WORLD: THEY SHOULD BE THE AUTOMATIC FIRST CHOICES IN ANY SELECTION PROCESS IN TERMS OF REPRESENTING TRINIDAD & TOBAGO GENIUS TO THE WORLD: MAS Elders & Icons · Peter Minshall · Aldwyn Chow Leong · Stephen Derek · Aldwyn Bailey · The Kallicharan Family · Ralph Dayette · Bose and Mt Hope Connection Fancy Sailors · Geraldo Vierra · Brian Mac Farlane · Valentine Jerry Young Genius · Roger Hicks · Sheldon Clemendore VISUAL ARTS · Leroy Clarke · Carlsle Harris · The Singh Brothers · Stuart Hahn · Embah · Christopher Cozier · Irene Shaw · Eddie Bowen · Steve Ouditt · Shastri Maharaj · Wendy Nanan · Ken Crichlow · Dennis Seaton · Lisa O’Connor · Andy Jacob · Glen Roopchand · Norris Iton · Parker Nicholas · Jackie Hinkson · Francisco Cabral · Ken Reyes · Guy Beckles · Makemba Kunle Young Genius · Dean Arlen · Wendel Mc Shine · Che Lovelace · Nicholai Noel · Mario Lewis · Meryl Mahabiar FASHION Elders & Icons · Claudia Pegus · Meiling · Heather Jones · The Cloth · Greer Jones Woodham · Rosemarie Stone Young Genius · Akuzuru CRAFT · Akilah Jaramogi · Anna Serrao · Johnny Stollmyer · Leslie Ann Noel · Nyron Lekong Young Genius · Suzie Dyal MUSIC CALYPSO & ITS FAMILY Elders & Icons · Sparrow · Shadow · Black Stalin · Valentino · Super Blue · Ella Andell · Edwyn Ayoung ‘Crazy’ · Baron · Rose · Joey Lewis · Mungal Patessar · Clive Zanda · Michael Boothman · Roy Cape · Toby Tobias · Earl Rodney · Boogsie Sharpe · Ray Holman · Robert Greenidge · Professor Ken Filmore Young Genius · Machel Montano and Xtatic · Maximus Dan · Destra Garcia · Kes & Family · Dil-E-Nadan · Kurt Allen ETHNO-RELIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP · Ravi Ji · Olakeela Massetunji CLASSICAL EAST INDIAN MUSIC · Solo Gilharie · Sam Boodram · Devenand Sookram · Doobraj Persard CHUTNEY · Rafika Dindial · Rikki Jai · Rooplal Girdharie · Drupatie Ragoonai · Rakesh Yankaran · Boodram Holas · Ramraji Phraboo · Devanand Gatoo · Nishan Praboo TASSA GROUPS · TNT Sweet Tassa Academy · RBC Dragon Boys · Country Boys Tass · Malick Tassa · Central Boys · San Juan Young Stars RHYTHM SECTIONS · Laventille Rhythm Section · Point Fortin Rhythm Section · Siparia Rhythm Section TAMBOO BAMBOO · Moruga THEATRE Elders & Icons · Trinidad Theatre Workshop · Tony Hall · Geoffrey Holder · Keylemanjahro Moko Jumbies · Elen Camps · Bagasse Theatre · Malick Folk Performers · Felicity Ramleela · Raymond Choo Kong Theatre · Pearl Eitou Springer Young Genius · Michael Cherrie DANCE Elders & Icons · Sonja Dumas · Shiv Shakti · Linda Pollard Lake · Eugene Joseph · Carol Lachapelle · Astor Johnson Dance · Noble Douglas Dance · Julia Edwards Dance Company · Alan Balfor Dance · Durga Shakti Dance TroupesS Young Genius · Elle Dance Company · Dave Williams Dance Company FILM Elders & Icons · Horace Ove · Christopher Laird and Gayelle/Banyan Young Genius · Yao Ramesar · Walt Lovelace · Camille Selvon Abrahams · Stefan Jones LITERATURE & ORATURE Elders & Icons · Earl Lovelace · Derek Walcott · VS Naipaul · Tim Tim · Aunty Thea Ulerie · Miguel Brown · Michael Anthony · Merle Hodge · Lawrence Scott Young Genius · Oonya Kempadoo · Muhammad Muwakil · Elizabeth Nunez · Shani Mootoo · Kevin Baldeosingh PARANG · Lara Brothers · Carib Santa Rosa · Flores de San Jose · La Divina Pastora · San Jose Serenadors · Los paranderos de UWI PHOTOGRAPHY Elders & Icons · Jeffery Chock · Noel Norton · Abigail Hadeed · Alex Smailes · Sean Drakes · Andrea De Silva Young Genius · Rodell Warner SCHOLARSHIP Elders & Icons · Dr Keith Nurse · Joseann Leonard · Dr Gordon Rohlehr · Dr Rhoda Reddock · Dr Bridget Brereton · Pat Bishop · Fr Anthony De Vertieul Young Genius · Raymond Ramcharitar · Myself