bloodsandral@yahoo.com
Just in time for Calypso History Month, the second season of Conversations in Calypso (CIC) with Michelle Henry, opened on October 21 with music supplied by guitarist Samuel Rivas and bassist Krystle Bascombe, and Henry singing a verse and chorus of a Mighty Duke’s composition, What is Calypso.
Henry, the founder and host of CIC, welcomed viewers to Episode 1: The Truth, as she sat at a hospitality table, adorned with beverages and cupcakes by Bakeology by Kathy.
Her guest was a two-time calypso finalist and former secretary for TUCO’s south zone, Lady Adana (Marsha Clifton) who answered some ice-breaker questions then set the tone by performing her composition, Are You Ready for the Truth.
Later on in the show, she did My Music where on saxophone, Henry joined Bascombe and Rivers to provide musical accompaniment.
Lady Adana said artistes are missing the stage and direct contact with their audience and CIC offers a forum where they can perform, share stories and entertain calypso lovers. She made her calypso tent debut was around 1990, after the late Errol “Stork” St Hill invited her to join the Kaiso Showcase as a backup vocalist. She ventured fully into the calypso arena in 1994 and has worked closely with Lord Superior, Valentino and Luta to name a few.
An invitation in December 2011 from Lord Superior, led to her entry in the Vintage Brigade and she held her first solo concert around 2019 after being inspired to do so, by the late Torrence Mohammed.
As a performer, Lady Adana revealed the psychological transformation she makes before going on stage, becoming extremely silent and reserved backstage. The audience was reminded that she made it to the Big Yard twice—in 2016 with A Murder a Day and My Music, and 2017 with Social Media.
The mother of three, Kerlz and Whitney Joseph, and Kernisha Charles, Lady Adanna is also a writer, composer, and jazz and reggae artiste. CIC closed off with Lady Adana offering words of motivation: Own your truth, pick your fights and walk in your power. Her final song was Strong and Conscious.
She is currently pursuing her masters of arts degree in carnival studies at the UTT, and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with tuition costs at Realising A Dream, via a fundmetnt account.
CIC a live-recorded half-hour show is streamed every Thursday, via Facebook @conversationsincalypso.
This season runs until the first week of November and reigning National Extempore Monarch Brian London will be the guest this week.
• Lady Adana can be contacted at 1(868)787-1213. To contribute ladyadana.m4h@gmail.com or fundmetnt.com/campaign/realizing-a-dream