It's not on the official list of September celebration activities, but four of the soca fraternity's biggest stars are in town for a ninth-night concert. It's not Byron Lee and the Dragonaires but you can call the soca collective of Leon Coldero, Lima Calbio, and Roger George as "the group formerly known as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires." The Byron Lee alumni call themselves 'Code 868' which also includes Trinidad's Eddie Charles. Lima, Leon, Roger, and Charles arrived in Belize this afternoon and Keith Swift caught up with them over a late lunch at the Bird's Isle Restaurant.
Leon Coldero, Performer
"It days ninth night soca explosion. As I said on other interviews, the last time I was here, the whole band was here. The whole band is here. What you can expect is excitement, is repertoire, from reggae to reggaeton to soca to you name it; old, not so old, new and not so new."
Keith Swift,
So when was the last you were here?
Leon Coldero,
"Two years ago...I didn't come to Belize last year. They need to come out and see the show because Roger George by himself is a show by himself. Eddie is a show by himself. Lima is a show by herself and everybody has their niche. It will be like everybody has their own strength in other words and it will be a show that Belize will never forget."
Lima Calbio, Performer
"What I can tell you is that right now I am getting ready to eat, getting energized for tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be grand. It is good working with Leon Coldero again. It is my first time with them as a group but I am really looking forward to it because the musicians are very very competent."
Keith Swift,
And you're the only female?
Lima Calbio,
"The only female so guys look at me. I have two songs. Last year I did 'water the garden' and I was telling the guys to work with all their tools and their hoes and their rakes; their garden tools. This year I have one called 'Mr. Postman,' where I am, usually you have your mailbox in front of your yard. Well my mailbox is now in the back. So I am asking the mailman to put it in the back yard for me.
It is a poolside party. You coming to have a good time, dress and be comfortable. Whatever you wear, just be comfortable. As I said, if you haven't been to the gym in the past month or so, have no fear. Tomorrow night guaranteed you are going to lose at least five pounds. It will be advisable to have something comfortable on your feet and a rag is a must. You must bring a rag."
Roger George, Performer
"Tomorrow night is all about energy, it is all about party, it is all about having a good time. We're here for the people first of all. We are here for you guys, all the Belizeans. We want you to come out in numbers, we want you to bring your flags. We want to make sure you'll have some comfortable shoes because you're going to be doing a lot of jumping and waving and dancing and people are really going to have a good time."
Oscar B. was originally scheduled to attend but due to a death in his family he couldn't make it.