Calypso Band Brings Guests to Spring Concert

With a talked-about group of grade school percussionists from southern California called “We Got the Beat” as well as the HSU World Percussion Group to start things off, the Humboldt State Calypso Band presents high-energy dance music in its annual spring concert in the Van Duzer Theatre on Saturday April 28.

Under the direction of percussionist Brenda Myers, “We Got the Beat” is a band of Fresno, California students from grades 2-7 who play throughout the state, including a national music merchants convention in Anaheim and the Oakland Day of Percussion. They will visit the North Coast for several days, and play for the public in the first half of the Calypso Band concert. Also in the first half, the World Percussion Group features a 30-piece samba band playing authentic music from Brazil.

  Then the Calypso Band takes over for the rest of the evening, this year emphasizing music of the Caribbean Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. Featured selections include Ray Holman’s island anthem, “Pan,” and two Boogsie Sharpe steelband classics: “Woman is Boss” and “Pan Army.”

Humboldt State Calypso Band with the World Percussion Group and We Got the Beat perform on Saturday April 28 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. $7/3 from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman, produced by the HSU Music Department.

Media: Lumberjack, Humboldt State Now,  Arcata Eye.