T&T gets early Republic Day gift

For T&T’s 45th Republic Day which will be celebrated on Friday, the T&T Association of Ottawa (TTAO), Canada, hosted a free virtual cultural event last Saturday at 7.30 pm. Cocktails preceded the celebrations at 7 pm and an after-party closed off the occasion.
Master of ceremony for the virtual event was actor, playwright and theatre director Rhoma Spencer who opened the formal segment with an Ottawa land acknowledgement: “Ottawa is built on the un-ceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation whose ancestors have lived on the land for millennia.”
The Canadian and T&T national anthems followed.
Guests were treated to a wide array of cultural performances starting with the Dynamic Damaru Tassa Crew. The national instrument was well represented by Pan Fantasy with renditions of Dancing Queen and Dingolay, and bp Renegades Steel Orchestra performing Jahaji Bhai.
Afro-Caribbean and Indian dances were performed by members of Cultural Arts Studio with Belé and Devil Dance, and a Footsteps Dance School classical by Bollywood dancer Baby KV.
Calypso and opera came from six-time Canada Calypso Monarch Macomere Fifi who did a tribute to the Calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow, followed by Lord Baker’s God Bless Our Nation and Ulyn Small.
The virtual gathering also heard greetings from TTAO president Ingrid John-Baptiste, who also read a message fromT&T’s High Commissioner to Canada Dennis Moses. Making toasts to T&T were Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson and Member of Parliament for Neapan, Ottawa, Chandrakanth “Chandra” Arya. Dr Alfredo Walker gave the keynote address.
The high point of the annual event is the award. This year’s awardees are from the University of Ottawa and will receive CDA$1,000.
TTAO vice president Dianna Pierre presented Jason Leach, part-time professor at the university, with the CLR. James Award. Zuwena Walters, who is studying speech science language pathology, got the Naz Award, while The Friends of Serviam’s Patricia Sylvester presented Alayna Horsham with the Serviam Award. Horsham is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Sciences.
The selection committee for the scholarships comprised Andrew Williams, Rose LeBlanc, Hazel Pompey and Joe Cabrera.
Door prizes of T&T mugs, a bottle of rum punch, gift certificates and dinner for four courtesy Bacchanal went to Brenda Walters, Eddy Alleyne, Errol, Hedda Simms, Joy Grainger, Pearline Williams, Simone Waithe and Myra Flash respectively.
Rosanna Lashley delivered the vote of thanks. House and after-party music was supplied by TTAO’s resident DJ David Supersound.
Part proceeds from the event will go towards the 2022 scholarship awards and the Haiti Relief Effort.
John-Baptiste says TTAO has been working with the mantra, Love from the Inside Out…Spirit, Mind and Body. She expressed her gratitude to TTAO teams, volunteers and supporters, as well as sponsors Ottawa’s Bacchanal, The Cultural Arts Studio, Aylmer Electronics, Carib Brewery and Angostura Limited.
The group can be reached at TTAO.ca, its Facebook page or by telephone at 613-834-1718.
Persons who want to support the group’s efforts can send cheques to PO Box 8401, Station T, Ottawa, K1G, 3H8 addressed to Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ottawa, or e-transfer for donations 2022: tantassociation@gmail.com.
Source: Trinidad&Tobago Guardian, Sept 20, 2021