By Vinette K. Pryce
For the past 13 years, Ephraim Martin has not disappointed the African or Caribbean crowds who may want an alternative to the red, white and blue Independence Day celebration of the July 4 th weekend. Like clockwork, his Inter-Culture organization has been encouraging immigrants to come out in all the variety of colors to celebrate diversity. This year was no different. From Jul. 1 to Jul 4 thousands showed up at Washington Park with a rainbow of colors. Some brought and bought flags representing Belize, Jamaica, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, St. Kitts, Barbados, Guyana, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Virgin Islands.

Motivated by the promise of food, vendors, and an amalgam of entertainment spanning -- soca. calypso, reggae, gospel, spoken word, Latin, reggaeton, pop, r&b, punta, hip-hop, and jazz-- patrons show up early in the day in order to reap the most from the Festival of Life.

Vendors come as far away as Africa to sell shea butter, jewelry, clothing, musical instruments, art, and bags. Some even set up salons in order to braid or start the locking process to a new hair look.

Amaniyea Payne, artistic director of Muntu, a dance theatre company in Chicago said “I look forward to Festival of Life because it is a cultural celebration of life with people of color.”

ECLECTIC LINE-UP ATTRACTS DIVERSE CROWDS
From poet Mutabaruka, Inner Circle, r&b duo Ashford & Simpson, West Indies Folk Dance Company, to calypso’s premiere female singer Calypso Rose, Belize Vibes, Maurice Mahon and continuous entertainment on two stages at Washington Park, the eclectic billing represented the best of all genres. The poet met many of his fans during autograph sessions he entertained where his latest, double delivery of poems titled “The First Poems” and “The Next Poems” were sold. Although reggae super group Third World was billed to headline the Saturday night showcase, Ephraim Martin had to quickly call Inner Circle to replace the popular band. Apparently, the group’s lead singer Bunny Rugs committed to solo dates with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare leaving the group without the voice patrons know and regard as Third World. In a hasty effort to appeal to his patrons, Martin offered Inner Circle.

Ashford & Simpson brought a sampling from their Motown songbook of hits. Valerie Simpson brought along the bling earrings Oprah Winfrey gave her during the talk show host’s recent celebration of women. Simpson said she wore the diamonds in honor of her visit to Oprah’s city of Chicago. The couple recalled Luther Vandross as an icon in the music industry. They asked the crowd to say his name, a tradition many hail in African practice as honor to an ancestor.

CALYPSO QUEEN REIGNS SUPREME AT 65
It has been 50 years since Calypso Rose started singing the music she loves. Promoting Caribbean culture as a teenager living in Tobago, McCartha L. Lewis did not know that these many years later she would be reputed as royalty. Last week Chicago residents welcomed her return to the Festival of Life.
Dressed in red and gold, the icon of the industry walked onstage to a rousing greeting. “I have been coming here from the very beginning,” Calypso Rose told crowds. “I support (Ephraim) Martin and what he is doing in this area.” What the founder of the festival has done, is ensure that audience see Calypso Rose every year. This year, the Queen of Calypso treated the crowd to a song she penned especially about the festival. “Let’s Go…To Chicago,” is what she named it. The lyrics regale the festival, it’s ability to unite people and the fact Martin has consistently expanded on his promise to the community. Rose is known to promote positive ideals. She composed a song promoting the unity of the Garifunas and the Mayas in Belize. She penned “Pepper Soup” in tribute to a dish made by Liberians that she said she enjoyed. Since that time, Calypso Rose aka McCartha L. Lewis has served as ambassador-at-large by the ministry of foreign affairs in Monrovia, Liberia. Needless to say, “Let’s Go…” was a hit at the festival. The song will be included on her upcoming CD. New Yorkers can expect a sampling of her discography when she performs the Sunday night before Labor Day. She is booked for the Brooklyn Museum.

NO SUCKER MC’S ON THE MIC
On any given Independence Day weekend, Jamaica-based G.T. Promotions shares the hosting with Chicago-based emcee Field Marshall. In front, it has been G.T. Taylor to spin a mostly reggae repertoire though band set ups. Over the years, he has delivered the hottest tracks from his home base. This year he infused heavy doses of Damian Marley’s “Jam Rock” during down times. But he did not neglect patrons who wanted to hear some old-school Shabba Ranks, a few vintage Lady Saw or some cultural Buju Banton or Burning Spear. At times he demonstrated the latest dances on the Rock. This year he was generous with servings from Beenie Man. Perhaps, it was the fact, Beenie Man headlined the final night’s concert. Based in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Taylor has been a constant with annual festival. Field Marshall also provides familiarity to crowds who seek his cultural calendar, tid-bits and political injections.

GAMBIAN HOTELIER RUNS TRUMP CASINO
Enjoying the privilege of bedding two states, Ousman Conteh is the director of hotel operations and casino food and beverage at the Trump Casino Hotel in Gary, Indiana. A native Africa from The Gambia, Ousman greeted VIP guests associated with the Festival of Life, Taste of Chicago, and Gary’s Independence Day Weekend Celebration. With a personable and accommodating staff to greet all his guests, Ousman said the O’Jays were “the best” guests to spend the weekend. He said the members of the stellar r&b group “hung out in the restaurant joking with all the staff.” Beenie Man, he said took pictures with many of the staffers. “They love him, they just love Beenie Man.”

This Trump hotel is distinct from other Donald Trump establishes. For starters, the welcome mat is solidly laid by a predominant African-America staff. From the front desk, to housekeeping, African-Americans tend to every need. With a casino to keep guests betting, Trump recently sent a check for $2 million that will fully renovate the Gary landmark which has been friendly to guests of Ephraim Martin’s annual Festival of Life. Providing sponsorship and happy faces, the hotel has been temporary home to Mutabaruka, Third World, Inner Circle, Sister Carol, Judy Mowatt, Calypso Rose and many other Caribbean names. “I really love Luciano, he’s my personal favorite,” the father of an 11-year-old son said. “I just love his music, style and the fact he is familiar with my country,” Ousman said.

VENDORS GIVE ‘NUFF RESPECT” WITH “NO PROBLEM”
Terry Cox, the principal marketing ace of the Mast Group handed out bands of red, gold and green silicone that patrons embraced. Destined to be a hit with the festival crowd, the arm decoration caught on in Chicago with reggae music lovers wanting to band with the colors. “Nuff Respect” is what is written in muted lettering. The alternative is a black, green and gold band that promotes Jamaica with “No Problem.” Next destination for the attractive bands is Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay from Jul.17 to Jul. 23. More information on the casual wear bands is available at cox112@AOL.com

2 ND CITY CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE WITH FEASTS & FESTS
“Eyes to the Skies” billed a balloon festival where families gathered to watch the inflation of giant, hot air balloons. Designed in various shapes, some were taller than New York’s Empire State Building. One that promoted batteries spotlighted the Enegergizer Bunny standing at 167 feet tall. There were others in the shape of a house, a chimney, a can of dog food and other interesting designs. Ready to take flight, all were grounded reportedly because of the windy weather conditions that prevailed over the weekend. However, many families seemed content with the fact they could watch as the formless masses shaped into beautiful flying objects.

Food was the basis three million people packed into a single park. For the 25 th year, “Taste Of Chicago” attracted the largest crowds to Shaw Park. Restaurants from all over the mid-west set up kitchens to cook up various specialties sampled by hungry, holiday celebrants. The fact Carlos Santana performed on the great stage added to the allure of the feast fest. A third ingredient blazed fireworks on the Sunday evening prior to July. 4 th.

Just across the border to the birthplace of Michael Jackson, Gary, Indiana’s Mayor Scott L. King hosted a comedy show featuring Sinbad, Tommy Davidson, and Paul Rodriguez. Damon Williams kicked off the laughs on the “First Friday” showcase at U.S. Steel Yard Stadium. Inside Marquette Park, Slick Rick, Boyz II Men, 112, B5, Average White Band, Angela Winbush and the O’Jays took the Saturday night spotlight. A salute to the troops marked the Monday with a parade, fireworks and messages from the war-torn regions. All in all there was more than enough entertainment throughout the region to keep the mid-west in party mode for America’s birthday.

WINDY CITY MOURNS LUTHER VANDROSS
Soon after news of the passing of Luther Vandross’ saddened Jul. 4 celebrants, radio station V103 in Chicago offered listeners an opportunity to express their sentiments to the singer’s mother. “Light Up Luther’s Mother” was scheduled from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jul. 5 inside a park where anyone could sign what was billed as the “world’s biggest we love you forever Luther” card. Throughout the weekend the station reprised his music adding that the last Grammy award the r&b singer received was for his rendition of “Dance With My Father,” a song the radio personality was co-written by Mark Cohen, a Chicago native.
Catch You On The Inside!