“As I sat in my cell one day, my greatest teacher, experience, tell me: ‘Sistah Joyce, when you get out of jail, please stay far from the penitentiary,’” Joycelyn Searles sang during the Calypso Show at the Ira Oliver Skelton Festiville on Saturday.
The calypsonian was speaking from experience: Days earlier, she had completed a prison sentence for marijuana charges.
After hours of competition with 12 other performers, she would be crowned Calypso Monarch.
The show was held the night after the August Emancipation Festival officially opened with a ceremony at the village.
In his remarks, Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn urged residents to participate in various Festival activities, while keeping in mind that emancipation is the reason for the festivities.
Afterwards, the Virgin Islands’ Showtime Band serenaded revellers, as did Antigua’s El-A-Kru and Tizzy.
Celebrations continued on Saturday with the 20th annual Rotary Club of Road Town Kiddies Fiesta, which is held annually during the Festival season.
Other activities will be held at the Festival Village nightly throughout this week.
See the Aug. 1, 2013 edition for full coverage and a complete guide to upcoming Festival activities.
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