It appears that we are in a season of perpetual mourning for T&T's calypso community. Yesterday, even as final preparations were confirmed for the funeral of Lord Superior (Andrew Marcano), the fraternity suffered another blow with the death of another veteran, the Mighty Composer (Fred Mitchell).
In recent years, Composer, 83, was in demand in the vintage calypso arena for his much loved "oldies", including Workers' Lament, Supposing, True or Lie, Black Fallacy and Child Training.
Composer got his start in entertainment as a member of the Singing Mitchells family group, then launched out as a calypsonian at Sparrow’s Original Young Brigade tent in 1964. In keeping with his sobriquet, he was a prolific writer, as well as an accomplished entertainer.
Beyond that, he was also a cultural activist whose contributions to the development of the calypso art form included being a foundation member of the first Calypsonian's Association in T&T as well Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) where he served as an executive member for many years. He was also a committed masquerader known for portraying the Red Indian character in the traditional mas on Carnival Monday and Tuesday in San Fernando.
First Shadow, then DeFosto, Lord Superior and now the Mighty Composer—so many significant losses for calypso.
La Brea's second chance
La Brea's Trinidad Offshore Fabricators Company Limited (Tofco) lost out on a lucrative contract to build bpTT's Angelin platform due to the protests and work stoppages which delayed completion of another platform fabrication project, Juniper, also for bpTT.
Now the company and the community are getting a second chance to make a first impression. Although this new fabrication contract will generate only 50 additional jobs, the news that Tofco will build the jacket for bpTT's Cassia C project is an opportunity that should be grasped with both hands.
Tofco is only getting part of the project, however, since the topside for the platform will be constructed in Mexico. Still, this is welcome news for La Brea which is in need of jobs and more economic opportunities. But the pressure is on to deliver on time, without any kind of overruns, since there may not be a third chance if the workers drop the ball on this one.
A Naps triple
In addition to their latest academic successes, the students of Naparima College, San Fernando, are also celebrating major sporting achievements this term, having scored an impressive triple in football. The 2018 Coca-Cola Intercol title they won Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, adds to a finishing flourish to a season when they were also crowned champs of the Secondary School Football League (SSFL) Premier Division and South Intercol winners.