Soca Parliament session starts soon

The organisers of the cultural effort, The Soca Parliament of which entertainer, Irvin “Blackie” Blackman is a part, has revealed plans to fill the void recently left behind when De Du Pub in Woodbrook, formerly The Mas Camp, was burnt down.

Blackie said the event, Kaiso and Comedy Wednesdays, is aimed at maintaining and building the audience of kaiso music lovers who’ve loyally supported the art form throughout the years.

It is a co-ordinated effort among people in the kaiso and comedy fraternity and the weekly staging will start at 8.30 pm and end at midnight every Wednesday. “Security is something we are aware people are most concerned about, so those coming out can rest assured that there is adequate parking on the compound of the club and we’re maintaining a time that’s considered safe, for most,” Blackie explained.

He said he had the idea for quite a while, having approached the club’s owner, Anthony John, since last August with a request for use of the facility. He said he understands the need for this entertainment outlet, especially for the mature kaiso music lovers. “There really isn’t much available for people who enjoy kaiso music and there definitely is a market. Mas Camp was that home for kaiso in the minds of many, so while I am personally saddened by the tragic situation that took place last month, this effort to bring Kaiso and Comedy Wednesdays to life is likely to encourage people to come out and enjoy the local music and entertainment again.” The entertainers will all be backed by Vincent Rivers and the Soca Unit, and patrons will be treated to a slate of comical local calypsonians, who Blackie feels have been denied a space to show off their talent for a very long time. “There are some really good humorous calypsonians out there. Fellas like Alpha and Kid Kalaloo and so many others.” This isn’t Blackie’s first promotional effort. He’s been a part of event promotions in the past, key among them, the staging of an event called Caribbean Soca Fest, which was held at the National Stadium in 2007. He understands the needs of the people and said he will work hard to ensure that patrons get exactly what they want when they come out to a show such as this one. “When I did Caribbean Soca Fest, I went through every artiste’s repertoire and I told them exactly what I wanted them to perform.

I’ll be doing the same thing this time around, so that the people get the hits they love - the hit songs they want to hear,” he explained.

Excited about the prospects that lie ahead for an event of this calibre, Blackie and his team anticipate the inclusion of acts from across the Caribbean, in the lineup, as time progresses. “It’s a central location for people from any direction