One of Guyana’s most accomplished sons, Vibert Cambridge, a Professor at the University of Ohio, is one of those Georgetown people with whom I go way back. Our relationship started when the Tradewinds had their We Place nightclub in Toronto and Vibert was one of our regulars; we became even closer in later years when Vibert was doing all his cultural development work in the homeland. On one of the Tradewinds’ visits here, he contacted me about doing a song for the upcoming Emancipation celebrations being staged by the Guyana Commemoration Commission, and to cut a long story short I suggested a full-fledged musical for such a topic. Vibert’s eyes opened wide, but he gave me an immediate “yes.” So was born the musical RAISE UP, which was staged here, almost a year later, directed by Ron Robinson, at the Cultural Centre.
The play went on to performances in the USA and in Grand Cayman, and firmed up the bond between us and which continued during the time I lived in Grand Cayman (Vibert visited once and wrote a lovely column about his trip) and continues to this day. I’ve mentioned before how SO IT GO columns come from a variety of sources and this one comes from a recent shout from Dr. Cambridge (I often refer to him as “Vibe” which is pertinent to the man) asking that I reflect on my time in Guyana in the 10 years since my return. I have great respect for this gentleman and the suggestion is in keeping with Vibert’s incisive way of finding an interesting angle to come at a subject.
