IF MIA MOTTLEY had her way, the Spring Garden Highway would have a name change.
For her, it would be the McDonald Blenman Highway, named after the 70-year-old calypsonian, Grynner.
The leader of the Barbados Labour Party, under whose patronage the annual Dis Gotta Be Mas fete was held last Saturday night, she spoke briefly when she took the stage with the “old dawg” himself as he sang a string of his hits, including this year’s Turn On De Speaker.
While paying tribute to Grynner, she said he was the only performer who had graced the stage at her annual fete from its inception in 2001.
With her hands thrown around him as she took the mic, Mottley turned to Grynner and recalled the tears he shed on stage while performing last year as he had recently lost his wife at that time.
Along with Grynner, other big names hit the stage last Saturday, including Sweet Soca winner Edwin Yearwood, the People’s Monarch Marvay, Mistah Dale, Ishiaka, Rupee, Biggie Irie, King Bubba, Red Plastic Bag and TC to name a few.
Artiste after artiste graced the stage at the party’s venue at Strathclyde, St Michael. The fete was heated with all the soca hits – old and new, keeping partygoers on the dance floor.
Not even the rains could dampen the mood of those who were jam-packed under the tent dancing to their favourites for the season as they sang along.
As usual, the Point Fortin band was also there to add to the music mix of the fete which went on past 3:30 a.m. Proceeds from the fete, held under the Lynden Grove Foundation, will go towards a day care centre being constructed for the young and the elderly in the community. (CM)
The crowd knew his name as well as his face: People’s Monarch for 2016 Marvay performing at Dis Gotta Be Mas.
