As the calypso season heats up, the Take Over Tent (TOT)/Soca Village tent remains a driving force in preserving and reinvigorating the genre’s cultural soul in Saint Lucia.
At the centre of this movement is Tent Manager Cecil Charles, a long-standing pillar of the community, whose passion for mentorship, artistic integrity and cultural sustainability continues to shape the tent’s unique identity.
Charles, speaking candidly about the tent’s vision, emphasised their commitment to nurturing the next generation:
“We are focusing on our young people in terms of the development programme… blending youth with experience,” he told St Lucia Times. This intergenerational approach has become the cornerstone of TOT/Soca Village’s ethos, creating a space where legends and newcomers coexist not just to compete but to learn and grow together.
Even retired artists, Charles noted, play a crucial role in shaping new talent. “We work along with them… and we realise the raw talent. By the time we have finished with them and they move into the quarters… it is a total transformation.”
This spirit of development extends beyond musical training. The tent has introduced initiatives aimed at holistic support for artists physically, emotionally and financially.
One such effort involves collaboration with a health insurance company to promote personal responsibility among performers. “We are trying to encourage them to look at their family, to look at themselves… because whatever comes out, they themselves have to make a part of the contribution to it. And that in itself is responsibility.”
Community engagement remains another cornerstone of their mission. The tent is expanding its outreach by hosting a new special show for children with disabilities, an initiative Charles proudly confirmed will return annually.
However, Charles did not shy away from expressing concern over the current state of calypso. When asked whether the genre is moving in the right direction, he offered a sobering critique:
“It has been watered down, even in terms of… the lyrical content….” He pointed to a broader societal shift where deeper messages are often overlooked in favour of lighter fare.
Yet, despite challenges in public interest, funding and creative development, TOT/Soca Village remains proactive. The tent is currently working with organisations to improve songwriting and production quality.
Charles also addressed the need for better financial support and recognition of calypso as a viable profession. Reflecting on past opportunities missed during the pandemic, he said, “COVID actually showed us that… music could have been out there… even during COVID, they could have been making money.” He emphasised the importance of monetising creative work and bringing professional skills into the tent’s operations.
Through all the hurdles, Charles continues to lead TOT/Soca Village with a vision rooted in tradition and always looking forward. “We are a special brand…I have a solid team behind me,” he said.
As the tent continues to bridge generations and redefine calypso’s future, its mission remains clear: to nurture talent, uphold artistic excellence and ensure the culture survives and thrives.
A well written article