Philipsburg: ---The Surinamese community is flying in two of its top performers next week, to mix up with St. Maarten's premier band for the Suriname independence celebrations on November 29. Powl Ameerali, a veteran crooner and Ernie Wolf, a culturally inclined konga drummer are set to perform with Control Band, during a Surinamese night in Surinamese restaurant/nightclub Déjà on Cannegieter Street in Philipsburg. "We're bringing in our country's favorites to perform with St. Maarten's favorite, because we want to commemorate our National Day with our fellow St. Maarten residents; I hope everyone comes to enjoy," said Dejavu owner Farah van de L'Isle, extending an "open invitation" to all to come and enjoy what she expects to be a wonderful night.
Van de L'Isle said the intention is to make the celebrations surrounding her country's 33rd anniversary about more than a party. "Powl and Ernie will not just come on stage and perform before Control starts swinging. We can do that sort of party every week. This will be a night during which our guests will get a taste of Suriname," she said. Careful not to spill the night's entire secret, she hinted at a story-telling segment accompanied by the performers.
Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America, became independent on November 25th 1975. The Surinamese community here has always tried to present their culture during their independence celebrations; past years saw performers like Max Nijman and an insightful constitutional lecture by the late dr. Fred Marte. This year's promise already has many Surinamers excited, due in a large part by the prospect of once again enjoying Powl Ameerali.
The veteran singer has remained a front runner in the country, from when he first won the Suriname Popular Song Festival (SuriPop) with a love ballad called "Gi Yu Wawan" (only for you) back in 1982. He has remained on the music scene throughout the decades, launching an instant classic every so often. The younger Ernie Wolf is a dreadlocked konga drummer who for the last years has been instrumental in keeping Suriname's Afro music culture alive. Ernie is known for his performance of the Apinti drum, which was used in the olden days to send messages; he plans to bring on a performance featuring a traditional segment in Kromanti, an ancient African language that slaves-to-be took with them to Suriname.
About Control Band much need not be said. The popular St. Maarten group will probably perform a few tracks together with the Surinamese artists during their show, but their role in the independence celebrations, is to -as good St. Maarten tradition demands- keep the party swinging till late. Tickets are already on sale for US$ 20.
