Leon Coldero shines at Wild Meat Fiesta

By Dave Douglas

The enthusiasm behind the small crowd at the second-annual Wild Meat Soca Parang Fiesta was: We are here to have a good time – ‘Tis the season to be jolly!

While fewer people showed up at the event last Sunday than expected, the energy from the artists on stage: Los Amigos, TO’s top parranderos, Fuki, New York Queen of Parang, Kenny J, Soca Prince of Parang and Leon Coldero, Topliner and the Rude Boy of Parang, was enough to keep those in attendance lively, engaged and up on their feet dancing and hopefully sufficient to encourage the organizers to plan better for next year.

Speaking with Coldero, a soca/parang artist from Cantaro, Trinidad, after his impressive performance, he said it felt great to again perform in Toronto, his old stomping grounds.

“Toronto has a vibe around Christmas that is different from New York and the reason being, Toronto Christmas period is longer than New York’s, and since Thanksgiving starts off the Christmas period for both countries, with Canada’s Thanksgiving being a month ahead of the U.S., that gives T.O. an advantage in the preparation that creates the spirit of the season.”

When Coldero heard that fellow calypso artist Lord Relator performed in the city a week prior – and gave props to the soca artists, parranderos and show promoters – he seized the chance to add to Relator’s comments.

“Groups like Los Pajaros, Los Parranderos, Los Amigos, Maestre and Friends, they are up to par, they all sound great!

“It’s strange, I guess the parranderos all moved to Canada and that’s all I could say, because New York don’t have anything over Toronto.

“The amount of shows in Toronto is amazing! There’re around eight shows happening from November to December!

“Whenever I come to Toronto, it’s like home; I used to live here! I see people I have not seen for a while and it’s a vibe, a warm, happy feeling.”

Photos by Peter Tang
TangCanada.com

Leon and sister, Myrtle
Leon and sister, Myrtle
Kenny J
Kenny J
Oh lovely ladies
Oh lovely ladies
Buddy diggin in
Buddy diggin in
Going wild at Wild Meat Fiesta
Going wild at Wild Meat Fiesta
Roll up de rim to wine
Roll up de rim to wine
Leon Coldero
Leon Coldero
Fuki
Fuki