St. Lucians to host ‘A Night of the Stars’ in Toronto

By Cherisse M. Sutton-Jeffers
Reporter SKNVibes.com

CASTRIES, St. Lucia - THREE of St. Lucia’s top calypsonians were featured in a concert dubbed ‘A Night with the Kings’ at the La Villa Ballroom in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, April 4.

According to Project Manager Ross Cadasse, they decided to bring together three of St. Lucia’s calypso kings in an effort to raise funds for the St. Lucia Diabetic Association.

Papa Vader, Dennis James and Herb Black were all crowned during their careers. Vader has won almost every title in the business including Calypso Monarch, Road March, Soca Monarch, Extempo and even a King of Kings competition.

Herb Black is the current Calypso Monarch, Groovy Soca Monarch and the People’s Monarch and James is a former two-time Calypso Monarch of Toronto.

Cadasse said the event was held to commemorate St. Lucia’s 30th Independence Anniversary.

He also said that one of the reasons for organising the event was because of the country’s passion about diabetes, as it is an ailment that greatly affects St. Lucians.

A Night of Kings was hosted by Pringles, also known as Superman, a soca artiste and radio announcer, along with performances by the wave 94.5 in St. Lucia backed by the Moses Revolution Band.

The event also featured a dinner and after party as well as a mini expo of St. Lucian products ranging from fashion to condiments and beverages.

The organisers said although the main purpose of the event was to raise funds for a worthy cause, it is also seen as a way of exposing St. Lucian talent to the wider West Indian community in Toronto as well as to promote the island and its many products and events, including the annual Jazz Festival and Carnival in the summer.