Poetry show takes d’ stage online

NOT being able to meet physically did not stop the ROOTS Foundation from hosting its bi-monthly event Take D Stage on Friday.

ROOTS stands for Revival of Our Oral Traditions, and the group focuses on spoken word, extempo, calypso, and traditional, speech-oriented Carnival characters like the midnight robber and the pierrot grenade.

It is usually held once every two months at physical locations but event organiser and teaching artiste Emmanuel Villafana told Newsday the team decided to jump on the wave of continuing events virtually.

“The idea behind Take D’ Stage is giving people a place to express themselves. Any talent is welcome as long as it is clean and family-friendly, spreading that kind of positive energy ­­– that is what Take D’ Stage is about, just allowing individuals from any kinda background to share their craft or talent.”

The event was broadcast on Facebook and on the Gayelle Network and hosted by ROOTS foundation member Isaiah John. It featured over 20 performers, with some even singing and playing pan. One extempo singer sang his verses and played the hook of the melody on the instrument.

Performers were required to record themselves practising their craft and to submit it to the foundation by April 20.

Villafana said they were receiving submissions up to 12 pm on the day of the event, which began at 6 pm.

“Luckily, we were able to play most or all. I think people were attracted because they could share something in light of what is going on and that they can still have a say even though they’re in their home.

“It was a real blessing to have an opportunity like that and to have so many people grasp at it to the point where we’re almost telling people ‘No, slow down (with the submissions).’”

Some of the topics addressed by the performers included the covid19 pandemic, violence, broken relationships, depression, racism, classism, among other things. The show lasted approximately two hours.

Asked how the transition to having the event online was, Villafana said there are pros and cons to it but it ran “very smooth.

“Learning the technology was the most difficult part. But we were very blessed and lucky to get in contact with Errol Fabien, and making the right links with him, we were able to have his studio at our disposal to run the event so he was kinda like our manager. Most people who shared their videos were excited to have their things on TV.”

He said there will be a meeting on whether they will continue to utilise online platforms, but said it would be great if – post-covid-19 – the event could still be live-streamed.

He added that he and his family have been coping well amid the pandemic.

“I’m a UWI (University of the West Indies) student so work is taking up my time, ROOTS Foundation is taking up my time…I’m occupied. Like everybody else, I am ready to head back out there but me and my family are doing well.”