Celebrated poet/artist LeRoy Clarke turns 75 on November 9 and has already begun his celebration. On April 6, the commencement of Clarke's celebration was held at LiveArt Bistro, Albion Street, Port-of-Spain when the living icon read at a literary evening.
Sharing the evening's spotlight were author Gemma Afiyah Ledgerwood and actress Camille Quamina. Bistro owner Ruby Boddie said this week: "Leroy Clarke was one of the people we invited to the opening last year, because of his contribution and his grand presence. He has stayed in contact with us and what we do there, since. Seeing that this is the year of his 75th birthday we thought it was fitting to invite him to read at the Bistro. He accepted, thankfully.
"The event was uplifting and rewarding. Afterwards, everyone spoke about how special it was," said Boddie.
In attendance was the French ambassador and his wife Mr and Mrs Jacques Sturm, people in the arts, as well as people who have admired Leroy and his work through the years...young people, middle-age people, elders."
Commenting on his intention for almost a year of birthday celebrations, Clarke said: "My life has been, in my own opinion, hardworking and significant. Therefore I am celebrating my life. I have passed three score and ten, and I am approaching the threshold of 75. I am an artist, a painter, writer, a community person and, with the help of friends, I intend celebrating my stewardship.
"People don't know this, but deep down inside I am a shy person. And, to paraphrase Langston Hughes, 'if nobody else would not say that you are in the world, then you should'. I think I am blessed. This lackadaisical way we treat heroes in this country, I need to say that 'I am here'."
Billed as Meanings Matters: A Journey Beyond Self, the literary evening commenced with Ledgerwood doing readings from her third publication, a spiritual memoir, The Empowerment of Humanity, Love Death and Reconnect on. A Reiki and Reflexology practitioner, the author's goal is for her writings to empower and to heal. Pieces from her previous publications–The Blue Notebook (2006) and Seven Emotive Passages (2009)–were also presented.
The audience was then treated to oration by Quamina, a National Drama Association's Cacique Award winner, 2000, for Most Outstanding Actress. A Salzburg Fellow, Quamina has devoted her career to stage performance as an actor, dancer and vocalist and is currently reading for her M. Phil in cultural studies at the University of the West Indies. She was accompanied at the Bistro by her husband, George, and two young women.
Boddie disclosed that the Bistro is collaborating with the Jazz Alliance of T&T (JATT) to host International Jazz Day 2013, between April�May 4, the highlight being the show on May 4.
International Jazz Day is celebrated on April 30.
The Bistro will continue its regular schedule of events, poetry sessions and art exhibitions featuring young local and regional artists, as well as continue music events. Prior to the literary evening, the last major music event at the Bistro was the Brownman Ali evening of jazz.
Clarke is not impressed in the manner T&T observes and celebrates icons and inportant days.
He said: "We in Trinidad treat things, like the nation's 50th anniversary, for instance, and important milestones, very slight. It stems from the fact that we seem not to be able to celebrate important milestones. We are just not an archival people."
Expanding on the country's indifference to icons who have contributed to the upliftment and enlightenment of society and the spirit of the nation, Clarke said: "We have a vie-ki-vie way to select our exemplars and so-called cultural ambassadors. I personally feel that I have been cheated out of the role of being one of the finest in my field in the world. We hate people who confront, who raise consciousness. We like plenty mamaguy, so the end result is we have created a mediocre society."
About his plans until his November 9 birthdate, Clarke said: "Between now and November I intend doing the things I normally do, with a little acceleration. Doing some readings, appearances at schools. I plan doing something with some very talented artistes, including Theron Shaw, Ruth Osmon, Eintou (Springer), Earl Lovelace and others, hopefully next month."
Otherwise, there are ongoing meetings at Legacy House (Clarke's residence) in, Well Springs, Cascade.