Black Collar Gala
Black Collar Creative Foundation will hold its inaugural event, The Black Collar Gala: Classics and Calypsos, on October 4 at 7 pm at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.
In celebration of Calypso History Month, the event will feature the sounds of steel, piano, classical vocals, and calypso with some of the finest local talents. Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, a 12-time Panorama champion celebrated for their dynamic performances and pioneering excellence in the steelpan art form, will be in the line-up.
Joining them will popular vocalists Natalia Dopwell, Dr Edward Cumberbatch, Alicia Jaggasar, and Alan Cooper.
Dopwell is a soprano and alumna of the prestigious Manhattan School of Music and has performed on international stages. She gained rave reviews for her portrayal of the Queen of the Night in sold-out performances of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and is recognised for her compelling stage presence and versatility in both opera and contemporary genres.
Dr Cumberbatch is an award-winning tenor soloist, lecturer, and winner of the Over 25 Recital Class at the 1997 International South African Eisteddfod Festival and has gained widespread acclaim for his performances across the Caribbean. A multiple Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival champion, Dr Cumberbatch is also a noted academic in music, having performed at international festivals and with acclaimed choirs and orchestras.
Jaggasar, the First Lady of Parang and 11-time reigning Parang Queen, is known for her musical style and compositions that fuse T&T’s indigenous genres of calypso and soca with Latin, Spanish, and other musical influences.
Cooper is a classically trained pianist whose virtuosity and impressive repertoire span both traditional classical compositions and contemporary Caribbean-infused arrangements.
A Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival winner, Cooper has performed with leading orchestras and ensembles and is celebrated for his ability to bridge classical music with local calypsos, offering unique interpretations of both forms.
The event will be a tribute not only to T&T’s vibrant music history but also to the memory of Janine Charles-Farray, a trailblazer in the creative industry. As a marketing and PR expert, playwright, multiple award-winning TT Musical Festival winner, and Lydians contralto soloist, Charles-Farray’s legacy is interwoven with her unyielding dedication to the arts.
She supported initiatives like the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts’ pandemic relief funding. The Black Collar Creative Foundation, established in her memory, is committed to continuing her work of empowering the creative sector.
Incorporated in October 2023, the foundation’s patron is Ms Rhoma Spencer, who is a celebrated actor, director, playwright, comedian, docu-filmmaker, and cultural advocate.
Speaking on her role, Spencer said, “The sustainability of our creative artists cannot rest solely on government support. Foundations like ours, along with the corporate sector, play a crucial role in ensuring artists thrive. As patron of the Black Collar Creative Foundation, I am honoured to lend my influence both locally and abroad to help secure the financial support that will empower creatives in Trinidad and Tobago.”
The gala serves as a fundraiser to support the foundation’s mission of providing resources and opportunities for creative practitioners.
The funds raised will contribute to the launch of two grants:
• The Black Collar Grant—offering seed funding for artists or creative entities to support start-up initiatives or special projects.
• The JCF Creative Capacity Grant is aimed at schools, non-profits, and NGOs engaged in creative capacity-building projects across disciplines like music, dance, photography, art, and film.
Tickets for this exclusive event are available at Island eTickets (https://islandetickets.com/event/BlackCollarGALA), Queen’s Hall Box Office, or email bccreativefoundation@gmail.com
To support the foundation’s mission, contributions can be made to the following account: Black Collar Creative Foundation Bank: Republic Bank, Trincity A/C No: 870 803 124 501
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