THE STORIES of St Philip and the excellence therein are legendary, especially when told by a “Philipine”.Members of the St Philip Independence Parish Committee celebrated the storytellers from the east in a multimedia presentation at the Heritage Park last Saturday, during a memorable Night Of The Griots.Proud citizens from the east thrive on creating firsts and setting records, and Saturday was another opportunity.Featured griot was calypsonian Adonijah, who presented his work in the spoken word form for the very first time.It did not take the little known fact that his navel string was buried under a tree in nearby St Martin’s for Adonijah to get people in his corner, but it always helps a “Philipine”.Because of another commitment, Adonijah did not finish the show as is the norm for a headline act, but the early birds caught the chosen worm.He started off with the classic Woman, followed by Princess, The Robot Song, Change De System, Who and Woman Rap, which was penned for Rupee. The sharing was not one-sided, as Adonijah opened the floor for people to make comments, suggestions or smart remarks. During this time patrons also got a better insight of his work.Poet Judy Babb, who is also chaperone for the 2010 ambassadors Andree Hunte and Sheldon Marshall, made her debut appearance in a public forum at Saturday’s show. She did a good job of Machete To Machine and Unsung Heroes, both of which were dedicated to her late grandfather.PJ seemed to be in his element when he performed three pieces for the crowd, including the old favourite Bajan Love Song.Another first of sorts was the appearance of Ronald Ronnie D Davis wearing his calypsonian’s hat. It was the first time in “many years” he was on stage for that purpose, and it was all because of St Philip, he said. He brought the curtain down on the evening’s proceedings with It’s a Paradise and a little piece of De Bus Stand Jam.Ronnie D was joined by other members of the cast, who contributed to the rousing climax. This session saw PJ doing a piece from Rice Gone Up and Addington Forde doing bits from his days as a calypsonian. Other griots performing on the evening were Shekala Maynard, I-Paul, Alff, Maria Walters and Forde. Forde read several of his short pieces, which related different incidents that reportedly took place in different parts of St Philip.Patrons also found out a lot more about the work of Praise Academy Of Dance, which is run by Dave and Marcia Weekes.by Yvette BEST
