‘SLINGSHOT’ TOOK CHRISTMAS CHEER TO ORPHANS AT JOSHUA HOUSE & ST. ANN’S . . . !

Guyana Folk Festival 2005 Wordsworth McAndrew Award recipient and the Miami 2005 Soca Monarch John “Slingshot” DrePaul and his volunteers brought the joys of the Christmas spirit to the children of Joshua House & St. Ann’s Orphanages, on Friday, December 16, 2005, with a fun-filled afternoon of festive songs, Christmas Carols, The Nativity Play, and gifts for all the boys and girls present.  Then on Sunday, December 18, 2005, he was the special surprise “guest artiste”, bringing the spirit of Christmas to the “ Annual Christmas Party for Senior Citizens”, sponsored by The Rotary Club of Georgetown, and held at The Georgetown Club, Georgetown, Guyana.

Sister Mary Peter of St. Ann’s Orphanage and Sister Gladys Accra of Joshua House both mentioned “history” was made in Guyana that afternoon, as for the first time orphans from two different orphanages came together under one orphanage roof for such a concert.   Slingshot dedicated the afternoon’s event to the orphans as a rare display of talent was demonstrated by the St. Ann’s senior girls whose well-choreographed interpretation of “O Holy Night”received high praises from him, as well as from the specially invited guests.   As if in symbolic reply to St. Ann’s girls, Joshua House’s Arthur Smith and Dexter Alexander sang the heart-tugging “Lean on Me”.  The event concert closed with the orphans and Sisters of both orphanages joining Slingshot to sing “Feliz Navidad !”

At The Georgetown Club event for senior citizens, Slingshot was introduced by UK’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Stephen Hiscock.  After his rousing performance, Slingshot conferred “Guyanese Citizen-ship” on Ambassador Hiscock, by placing one of his signature Guyana-Flag neck-chains around the Ambassador’s neck…!   It was indeed an afternoon delight for the senior citizens from St. Thomas More Men’s Home, Gentle Women’s Home, Dharam Shala, Archer’s Home, Uncle Eddie’s Home, Chase Indigent Home, Holy Family, St. Joseph’s Home, Bond’s Haven Home, The Nazareth Home, and St. Vincent DePaul Home , as Guy-ana’s societal and professional “Who’s Who”, and members from the diplomat corps, served them some tasty and welcomed creolese cuisine.

Slingshot is presently preparing for his Mashramani Road March 2006 entry:  PIRATES.  We encourage one and all to join him and his band of swashbucklers on the road to Guyana ‘s National Park, on February 23, 2006, as he highlights and brings to the forefront of national – and international – consciousness, the piracy of intellectual property.

A Dublin, Ireland fan recently emailed us the following poem she penned after learning of Slingshot’s “Christmas for the Orphans Concert”. It is interesting the way she has captured the very essence of who Slingshot is and what he is all about.

Hi Slingshot, again,

I’m sorry to bother you like this but I’m more excited about people liking your music than probably you are. When people listen to your music, in fact, on some of the tracks they hear, they think they are listening to an Irish singer!!!

I have put together a poem for you to see. I hope you like it, or at least I hope it does not put you off emailing me. Here it goes: 

“The Guyanese people have certainly   given a gem to us all
He is the fabulous and sweet John  ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul
His outgoing friendly nature comes through as he sings. Much happiness and generosity of spirit is what he brings. 

´Beautiful Island Woman’ makes me believe he is singing for me
The words are so meaningful that sweet thoughts are what I can see
Another song ‘You’re Not alone’ just reminds me of my life
In times of these serene occasions I forget all trouble and strife

Why I spread the word about Slingshot is easy to tell
His joyous music ability somehow easily rings my bell
He is a preacher of goodness and kindness like no other
I can thank only one person for Slingshot and that is his mother 

I’ve now introduced many people to the music I call heaven
Why not play it every day like I do from early morning ‘til about eleven
I’ve known people to cheer up just after listening to his tunes
People are always happy and dancing when Slingshot ‘croons’

John and Ingrid wrote and composed many of his songs that make us sway
You’ll always be singing and jamming as your bad mood stays away
As the ‘Guyanian Ambassador’ of music that certainly makes us swing
Just play Slingshot in the background as you go about doing your thing 

‘Tropical Waves Production’ is a good name that fits his mood
For Slingshot always appears so happy he is certainly a ‘cool dude’
I’d love to meet my hero and someday I hope and pray I will
As his enchanting music so lifts me it’s what I call a musical pill
So thank you Slingshot, dear Slingshot, I thank you very much
Let us hope we meet someday or at least let’s keep in touch.”

‘Forever friends’

Maria, X (Clarke)
Nazim Hussain
Community Mobilization Coordinator

Ministry of Health
Tel: 623-7296
http://www.hiv.gov.gy