Another Jus Kool kreations production, In commemorating our twentieth anniversary at the DCCI special mention must be made of two of the original members of the Divas Calypso Cabaret International namely Karen Eccles Thomas and Stacey Sobers Abraham for their sterling contributions, continued support, dedication and administration of the Divas Calypso Cabaret International. During their leadership roles within the DCCI both Karen and Stacey copped national awards with Karen winning the 2004 NWAC Calypso Queen contest and Stacey won the 2018 NWAC Calypso Queen contest and the regional Calypso Queen competition also in 2018. Thanks Karen and Stacey for your dedication, unconditional support and guidance of the Divas Calypso Cabaret International from its inception. Also its KAFE BLUE opening night for the carnival season 2024, DIVAS Calypso Cabaret International EST. 2004, the DIVAS presents Runaway A musical tribute to Singing Francine, ( Francine Edwards ), Ms Francine Edwards migrated from Barbados in 1960 and commenced her professional Calypso singing career with the March of Dimes chorus group that originally included Peter Pitts, Laddie Prescot, Majorie Johnson and Nap Hepburn,, Singing Francine later became a frontline Calypso singer in the Calypso tent 1971. Very early in her Calypso career Singing Francine recognized the importance of addressing gender and socio-cultural issues through the medium of Calypso as she sang Calypsoes such as “A call to woman”, “Debbie”,, “dope is not the answer” and her seminal Calypso “Runaway”.
” Child does runaway
fowl does runaway
woman cat does runaway when you treating them bad
cow does runaway
dog does runaway
what happen to you
woman you could runaway too”
(Singing Francine 1978)
In the mid 1970’s Singing Francine was a regular finalist in the then Calypso King competition.
Singing Francine won the national Woman’s Calypso title in the Trinidad Carnival four occasions 1972, 1973, 1981 & 1983 in addition to winning the Calypso Queen of the World title in the Virgin Island.
Around Christmas time in Trinidad & Tobago Singing Francine 1981 “Christmas is love” album is on rotation in most households.
Thanks Singing Francine for the music love and entertainment. Video production was done by Jus Kool Kreations with Allan Sylvester and Edward Salandy on cameras one and two, Video editing done by Edward Salandy in colaboration with e video&photography.
source