FLORETA Marquis, the late chantwelle from Canaries, will be honoured when the FRC and Alliance Francaise stage their annual Music, Story-telling and Kwéyòl Poetry Fiesta on Wednesday October 21 at Pyramid, Point Seraphine.
Marquis’ music will be presented by the James Brothers (led by Martin James and including violinist Yannick James) and her songs sung by local calypsonian, Ready.
The FRC and Alliance have been collaborating from 2009 on this programme. The event has presented local musicians, some well- known, others new; story tellers and Kwéyòl poetry. and has become a popular, standing-room only event during Creole Heritage Month in October.
From 2011 the Kwéyòl language committee of the FRC, led by Laurent JnPierre, produced a Kwéyòl poetry competition which was very successful. This ran for three years. In 2014, a Kwéyòl translation of Derek Walcott’s “Ti Jean and his brothers” by Allan Weekes, was produced by Travis Weekes, replacing the poetry competition.
This year, the Kwéyòl language committee is producing the poetry section of the evening’s programme under the theme of ‘Mango’. Poets and singers include Nintus and Ready, with writers Adrian Augier, George Goddard, Alcess Ismael and RasIsley.
Allan Weekes’ translation of the Greek play “Antigone” into Kwéyòl will be produced by Travis Weekes.
The popular Pin Jook will be the featured Kwéyòl story teller. As usual, there will be no entrance fee and the show is open to the public.