BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HAD he been alive, Reginal ‘Calypso Reggie’ Thomas would have celebrated his 54thbirthday on Friday (Jan. 17) and, although he is gone, Minister of Culture the Hon. Shawn K. Richards is calling on those who were impacted by his contribution to the cultural fabric of the Federation to keep his memory alive.
Speaking exclusively with SKNVibes, Minister Richards noted that although Reggie is no longer with us physically, his legacy remains. He said as a means of honouring memory, the Federation should ensure that those art forms of which he was a part, continue to thrive and improved upon.
“…Reggie would have celebrated another year of life, but unfortunately he passed away during the course of last year. I think it is only fitting that on his birthday we can say that we remember Reggie and his contributions to different aspects of development here in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Of course, most notable is the fact that Reggie was a cultural icon. He was involved in calypso, he was a popular Master of Ceremonies for various shows and as the Minister with responsibility for Culture, I say may he continue to rest in peace. But more so, let us as a Federation continue to carry on the things that Reggie would have been involved in and would have certainly made his own contribution to and would want to see us improve on, such as the singing of calypso, the art of being a Master of Ceremonies and generally the cultural development of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
In late December 2015, both Richards and the Chairman of the Carnival Committee, Noah Mills, unveiled a painting of Reggie, done by Vaughan Anslyn of Nevis, and informed that it would be temporarily housed at the Carnival Secretariat on Victoria Road.
Minister Richards had also indicated that a permanent home for the painting would be found. SKNVibes asked him if that has already been done and he responded in the negative, noting that it is a work in progress.
“On Wednesday, members of the family passed by the office to take a picture along with myself and the Chairman of Carnival. We are yet to decide on a permanent home for it. The carnival committee along with myself are putting our thoughts together to determine where it may be best housed.”
Calypso Reggie departed this life on September 16, 2015 at the Joseph N. France General Hospital; an event which sent shockwaves through the Federation.
He was known as St. Kitts’ most-popular town crier and his distinct and catchy phrases such as “ah like dat” and “who talkin’ walkin’ wid money in dey pocket” were echoed throughout the halls of the Federation.
He is said to have been one of the best Master of Ceremonies of calypso shows the Federation has ever seen, as not only did he understand the art form but he was successful in incorporating comedy into his routine. This was especially pleasing to the audiences.
