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Caribbean Performers
Celebrate Lady Guymine's Career
Colleagues give her a
rousing send-off
Lady Guymine trades ‘The Big Apple’
for Guyana
By Tangerine Clarke
Photos by Tangerine Clarke
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Arrival: Lady Guymine
getting down with Poser |
Receiving a bouquet of flowers
from Howard McLeod |
THE red carpet was rolled out for Calpyso diva of the
Caribbean, Monica Copperfield, best known to her fans as Lady Guymine,
who braved the downpour in Brooklyn two Fridays ago to attend a
celebration of her life and benefit concert in aid of her to return to
her beloved homeland of Guyana sometime later this year.
Afro-Caribbean Entertainment Incorporated's head honchos, Howard McLeod
and Les Slater, in collaboration with the Guyana Cultural Association,
tapped into the talent of some of the Caribbean's most acclaimed
artistes for this special cause.
Talented singer and stage performer, Trinidad-born MC
Wassy, showered the treasured performer with praise as he called on the
crowd to applaud Guymine for her tremendous contribution to calypso.
Fans came out in droves for the benefit and to honour the "Granny Fit"
calypsonian, who, after 40 years of thrilling thousands with her witty
lyrics and infectious body movements, will finally trade in her dazzling
array of costumes for a life of leisure in her birthplace.
Guymine's fellow artistes, who went all-out in a rousing presentation,
stunned the popular Mother's Day Concert performer, who herself had
wowed crowds at Madison Square Gardens and Brooklyn College for many
years.
Guyanese Hilton Hemmerding and African drummer, Menes de Groit opened
the show with a tribute in folk songs and poetry that reflected
Guymine's cultural heritage. Lady of Soul, Rita Forrester, then
surprised Guymine with a calypso, before the youngest performer, Yonette
Hooper, did "Passing Memories", a favorite 60s recording by her father,
the late Eddie Hooper.
The Trinidadians then took over the stage for an evening of hard-hitting
calypso music that kept the admired performer entertained.
Susan Kennedy spoofing Guymine |
Hilton Hemmerding |
Dancing with Lord Nelson |
Thank You, I Love You |
Sitting close to the stage, the aging singer was at
times moved to tears, but was later seen to be moving her body to the
infectious music of the Sunshine Band, which accompanied the artistes,
many of whom had had the privilege of performing with Guymine back in
the 60s under the calypso tent of The Mighty Sparrow in the twin-island
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The posse included Brown Boy; Winston So-So; Brother Mudada; Trinidadian
KC, reputedly the James Brown of Soca; Poser; and the visually impaired
Claude Clement, who taught the audience how to 'wine and dance' during
an incredible performance.
Lord Nelson, who flew in from the Caribbean especially
to salute Lady Guymine, lit up the stage. Wearing a stunning red costume
to match his fiery performance, Nelson got the calypso icon on her feet
for a memorable moment of revelry.
Susan Kennedy then donned a pair of black tights and thong bikini -- one
of the artiste's favourite stage costumes -- and proceeded to dance to
the Number One hit song, "Granny Fit", to spoof Lady Guymine.
Sesame Flyers later made a donation of money and a
plaque to the popular singer. A Guyana Cultural Association award was
also handed over to this outstanding daughter of the soil, who has
entertained so many over the years.
Lady Guymine, in turn, thanked everyone, saying: "I am touched by the
outpouring of love and support that I received from everyone." Noting
that she was overwhelmed with sadness, she joked that she may well
decide to stay in the US after all.
Each guest was given a programme titled, "A Tribute To
The Pride Of Guyana And The Caribbean - Lady Guymine" to take with them
as a keepsake of the memorable occasion. Comprising of tributes and
photos chronicling her superb life, the memento was designed by Claire
Goring.
Les Slater referred to Guymine as an exceptional
individual who has demonstrated a love for, and commitment to, calypso
that "we could only admire in sheer wonderment," adding that "she was,
without question, a great asset to the Mother's Day weekend festival and
other evens of our making, beyond which we have always found her to be a
model of absolute corporation, and forever willing, to give of herself
whenever the occasion arose."
Guymine, whose career began at the Olympic Cinema on Lombard Street in
the city, would go on to become one of the most sought-after female
calypsonians of the 20th Century, ranking Number 4 at the 1985 World
Calypso Competition.
This international star, who has performed alongside such famous names
as Lord Canary and Lord Inventor and sang at sold-out shows in Barbados,
Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil, will forever be ingrained in the
hall of Guyanese entertainment.
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