Independence Day weekend in Chicago was a busy one. In addition to all of the stuff I've previously mentioned, there was another cultural celebration going on. This one went down in Union Park in the West Loop neighborhood. All sorts of people showed up, all in an effort to celebrate the heritage of the Afro-Caribbean peoples. And celebrate they did. With a multitude of booths, food, reggae music, and good vibes going around, this was the place to be. One of the headlining music acts was Calypso Rose, an acclaimed calypsonian.
For those who don't know, Calypso music is a type of music that originated in Trinidad in the 17th Century. Based in part on the traditions of African culture and their penchant for passing things down via word of mouth from one generation to the next, Calypso was used as a form of communication. This especially came into play amongst African slaves in the New World who were forbidden from speaking to each other. The slaves would then use calypso to both mock their masters and pass along messages.
In addition to honoring a time-tested form of music, the fest also featured numerous vendors and booths selling jewelry, food, and t-shirts. Going strong for over 20 years, the festival made yet another strong showing in 2014, with much more to come in the years ahead.
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