Tradition Centre Stage at The UWI Old Yard
February 18th, 2026 | Related To: The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
The inaugural Extempo clash at The Department of Creative and Festival Arts’ (DCFA) of The UWI at The Old Yard 2026 celebrations delivered an electrifying performance of true calypso craft, as two masters of wordplay Winston “Gypsy” Peters and Myron Bruce went head-to-head in a lyrical showdown that held the audience in rapt attention. In a display of razor-sharp wit and commanding stage presence, both calypsonians delivered rapid-fire verses infused with humour, pointed social commentary and verbal agility.
The battle unfolded at the Department’s Gordon Street grounds in St. Augustine, on Sunday 08th February, 2026. As is customary, the grounds were transformed into a vibrant living yard as The Old Yard 2026 delivered an immersive celebration of traditional Carnival masquerade. Held from 12 noon to 6 pm, special focus was placed on bois or stick fighting, with demonstrations by renowned practitioners Keegan Taylor and Felix Defour. Their performance highlighted the discipline, rhythm and historical significance of a tradition rooted in resistance and survival. The day’s activities were a treat for the families, students and cultural enthusiasts who attended and created a space where tradition was not only displayed but actively lived.
Recognized by UNESCO as an International Best Arts Education Practice, The Old Yard recreated the nostalgia and the atmosphere of historic communal yards and patrons welcomed the timeless sounds of classic kaiso, with audiences singing along to beloved selections. The grassy quadrangle beneath the DCFA’s flamboyant trees was reimagined as a Gayelle through murals, tapestry, elaborate set design and bleachers that quickly filled with patrons, including large groups of secondary school students, within the first hour.
Adding further distinction to the occasion, revered calypso icon Ronnie McIntosh delivered a special performance that honoured the enduring legacy of traditional calypso that added to the atmosphere with a special performance that celebrated the enduring power of his traditional songs.
Throughout the day, patrons encountered parades and performances of traditional mas characters with familiar Sunday yard scenes transformed into interactive theatre as jammettes, baby dolls, sailors, police and thief mingled with playful figures such as the nurse, doctor, dog and lamp post. Performance group Arts-in-Action dramatized the origins of Carnival, combining storytelling and movement to deepen the educational experience.
