A cadre of five women academics and artists will commemorate Calypso History Month in Toronto from October 16-17. Organized by The Roots of Calypso, an ad hoc forum headed by Calypso Collector, Researcher and Connoisseur, George Maharaj.

Now in its fourth year, the Forum engaged the expertise of Actor, Director and Playwright, Rhoma Spencer to organize this year’s symposium, aptly titled, Women on Calypso.

“I wanted to engage more women in the calypso discourse as I was the only woman in last year’s symposium. Prior to that, again only one woman among

the men. I threw down the gauntlet to George and he threw it back at me to organize it, so here we are in 2021”, Spencer disclosed.

Roots of Calypso spokesman George Maharaj stated, “I am very proud of this year’s manifestation of the Symposium. Rhoma did a good job and courted some brilliant women to be a part of our little symposium. Having done this for the past four years, this is now our second virtual symposium and we stand to reach a wider international audience than when it was in person in Toronto”.

Virtual Viewers can expect to hear from Dr Kai Barratt, Professor Ramabai Espinet, Dr Alison McLetchie, Rhoma Spencer and Bianca Jacob Stephenson. From Savannah Grass, Singing Sandra, Spoiler and Shadow to Jamette Power and a Calypso Composer, these five women will convene their own Calypso Discourse at a weekend calypso webinar.

Women on Calypso Symposium is scheduled for October 16 and 17 as a Zoom Webinar weekend at 2pm. The public can login using ID: 893 8558 7052. Passcode: CHMT21 on both days.

Headlining the Symposium’s live entertainment is none other than Canada’s six times Calypso Monarch, Macomere Fifi. Other guest performances will come from Panman Pat, Roger Gibbs, Lindy Burgess and King Cosmos.

For More information on Women on Calypso Symposium, visit our Facebook Page/Women on Calypso Symposium.