Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

71 baritone, came for the ceremony. The Little Carib inspired many other little theatres to be formed throughout the Caribbean and it was here that Derek Walcott founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop in 1959. • 1958: Order of the British Empire (OBE) • 1969: Humming Bird Gold Medal • 1976: Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, University of the West Indies • 1978: Recognised by the Alvin Ailey Dance Group as one of the three Black women who had a “profound influence” on American dance • 1989: Trinity Cross Biography: Cradle of Caribbean Dance: Beryl McBurnie and the Little Carib Theatre, 1983 By Molly Ahye . IRVIN “MAC” MCWILLIAMS (1920-2007) D uring his band-producing years from 1956 to 1988, Irvin McWilliams provided T&T with some 32 spectacular presentations many of which were based on themes of Trinidad and Tobago, its history and its culture. The first of such local-themed bands was Hail La Trinite in 1961 and the last Stay up Trinbago in 1988. Such presentations were learning tools for Trinbagonians as our folklore and culture were depicted through the vivid imagination of another legendary mas man, adept at portraying things local. McWilliams was credited as being the first to present a totally local theme on the streets of T&T. In 1974, he ventured further afield regionally with his presentation Somewhere in the Caribbean, with costumes and sections including “Jamaican Ackee”, “Grenadian Nutmegs” and “Barbados Flying Fish”. 1979’s Our Famous Recipes was a band that showed the increasing nature of the challenge of maintaining artistic order as it was a popular band that year. His bands won the People’s Choice Award on five occasions (1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, and 1980) with an increasing number of female masqueraders. Buccoo Reef also captured the King of the Bands title (Albert Moore). His King Albert Moore also captured the ‘King’ title in 1965, 1968 and 1969. Band of the Year Titles: 1971 Wonders of Buccoo Reef; 1972 Anancy Story; 1978 Know Your Country. He received the 1971 Humming Bird Medal Silver.