Star-studded cast to honour Sparrow in final farewell today

A star-studded cast of local artistes, including Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Superblue, Crazy and Shurwayne Winchester, will take the stage today to pay tribute to calypso legend Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco. The artistes are among 14 performers listed for the National Farewell and Celebration of Life for the late Francisco, who died in New York on September 27 at the age of 91.

The programme, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, will also feature Karen Francisco, Samuel Thomas Jr, Zachary Ransome, Aaron Duncan, Taz’yah O’Connor, Sheldon Reid, Chucky Gordon, Kurt Allen and Sean Daniel. The farewell will be held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain from 1.30 pm. 

The performers are expected to deliver musical tributes celebrating Sparrow’s life, his contribution to calypso and his enduring influence on Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity. Sparrow, whose career spanned decades, became one of the country’s most celebrated cultural figures, helping to take calypso to audiences across the world. Prior to this, members of the public will have an opportunity to pay their final respects to Sparrow during a public procession scheduled to begin at 10 am from the Treasury Building and move along Independence Square and Frederick Street, before arriving at NAPA.