Graduates honour fallen comrade

The Graduates Calypso Tent is the oldest calypso tent around in SVG and over the years it has had a following of what calypsonian Lexie would term the ‘graduates faithfuls”.{{more}} Among these were some ladies who were always there in the early years and remained for many a calypso season, as the core of supporters who graced the Lyric Cinema in the days of ‘Professor”, Man CP, Tanny Peters, Lexie and others.

Among these were several females such as Clydette Du Pont, Anita, Patsy, the late ‘Laylee’, Norma Pollard, and Nola De Bique who was laid to rest a week ago.

Nola was always there at ‘ringside’ not only encouraging the calypsonians on stage, but being critical of those who did not “come up’ to certain levels. It is believed that it was Nola’s size which endeared her to the many fans in the tents and the group mentioned could be seen dancing and ‘jamming’ to the many jumpy calypsoes in those early days.

Nola did not just attend the calypso tent, but was a participant, as were most people at ‘ringside’ (pit). Such was her effect on the calypsonians, and in particular Lexie, that he penned the calypso ‘Jam Me’, in which significant reference was made to three of these ladies. In fact, according to Lexie, the inspiration for this song came while he was on stage and he saw how they were ‘jamming’ just below the stage.

In the calypso he made reference to Nola, Norma and Patsy, and how they ‘jam he’ in true calypso style. Nola has left the earthly stage and has gone to the great beyond. The Graduates Calypso tent pays tribute to her and extends our deepest sympathy to her family and the hundreds who turned out to pay their last respects, as evidence of the love that she had for people. May Nola rest in peace.