2012 Comedy Festival Comedians

Vonulrick "Von" Martin, broadcaster, producer and dean of Caribbean Communications Inc., founded Caribbeana Radio Services in 1975 and went on air in 1977 as one of the first radio personalities of WPFW 89.3 FM. Born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area in the United States for more than three decades with his family, he has cultivated a culture through his love for radio.

Von is a historical expert on the state-of-the-arts of the Caribbean, Africa and the Americas. He defines Caribbean music of past and present generations as a cultural expression of life and seeks to meet the needs of the Caribbean Diaspora by providing substance and style to his work. Among his listeners in the Caribbean-American community, Von's radio programs are inspiring and innovative and keeping his listeners informed via music and events.

Wil Sylvince is one of the most explosive comedians performing around the world today. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Wil has been a featured comedian on BET's Comic View, HBO'S Def Comedy Jam, and Showtime At The Apollo. Over the years he has honed his act in New York's top comedy clubs, including the Comedy Cellar, Comic Strip Live, Caroline's on Broadway, Stand-Up NY and the Gotham Comedy Club.

His unique perspective on political and social issues, with a twist of his West Indian Hatian culture, makes Wil a comedian in high demand. He has been handpicked by comedian heavyweights Damon Wayans, D.L. Hughley, Chris Tucker, Kat Williams and Bill Bellamy to tour the country. When not touring with other comedians, Sylvince is a wanted commodity at college campuses everywhere. In addition to his on camera work, Wil's writing has also been featured on The Fugees' album The Score and Wyclef Jean's The Carnival. He was also a contributor to sketch shows Chapelle Show on Comedy Central and Damon Wayan's The Underground.

Dennis "Sprangalang" Hall first appeared on the Trinidadian national television show "Gayelle" as the character Draxi in an item called "Cultural Sprangalang" but the name didn't stick. He currently broadcasts on a daily afternoon show on Trinidad's Power 102-FM radio station in accompanied with comedian Wendell Ettiene and others.

Sprangalang is a comedian, historian, producer and recently, singer/composer. In addition to his other roles as Master of Ceremonies, calypsonian, producer, radio personality, comedian and archivist, Sprang is very passionate about cultural issues. His work has a Trinidadian character and lies in its extremely local nature. "By accident, or whatever, I recreate very near to the street," he says. That reality comes not just from acute perception, but from the ability to translate and communicate adroitly and humorously what he sees.

Errol Fabien was born in Gonzales Village, Guapo. He attended Naparima College for secondary schooling and it was here that he discovered his passion for acting. In 1978, he joined the West Indian Theatre Company and was introduced to the world of comedy. Over the past 25 years Errol has been involved in many aspects of the performing arts. He is an Actor, Writer, Producer, M.C., Comedian and Director for stage, radio and television and has appeared in over 40 plays and has worked with most of the corporate bodies in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1999 he received the Best New Male Artist award at the Sunshine Awards in Manhattan for his composition Ato Tea Party. Mr. Fabien has also made a name for himself by writing and producing reviews of U.S.-based TV programming in Trinidad and Tobago in a way that locals can relate.

He served as President of the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago from 1994-1999. During the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2000 season, Errol co-pioneered the first ever humorous calypso tent, Yangatang. In February 2004 Errol teamed up with Banyan Ltd and founded Trinidad's first Community Television Station, Gayelle the Channel. Today, he is the Executive Director of this innovative television initiative.

Lindon Fatman George was born in the village of Mt. Parnassus in St. Georges, Grenada. He started performing comedy in 1998 winning the festival of the arts competition school competition

He became a member of the Heritage Theater Company Theater Company where he developed his interest and skills as a comedian. In 2000 Lindon started performing in comedy festivals througout the Caribbean, which led to performances in the Caribbean Kings and Queens of Comedy Festival in New York in 2006. He has since developed his own annual comedy concert that tours Grenada, New York and Canada, entitled Eat Your Crix and Kicks, which has had sold out performances since its first year.

Jillian E. Moore aka "Miss Keturia" has performed her pieces doing standup comedy, open mike performances, for private organizations, church and school events in Tobago, North America and Canada.

She has been a stalwart in the Washington Metropolitan Caribbean Community for the past 38 years. During this time, Jillian has a leader in various Caribbean-based organizations, including the President of Juniors Soccer Club, President and Founder of Helping Hands of the Caribbean, (HHOTC), and President of Asphalt Productions. She has also hosted numerous Calypso Extravaganzas and Steel band concerts. Jillian has a passion for Authentic Calypsos and a rich cultural heritage. She volunteers at several organizations within the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Willard C. Harris a.k.a. "Lord Relator" first earned his name in the comedy realm through his role composing and singing calypsos on The Auntie Kay Show, a radio talent search program upon which he was a regular winner during the early 1960's. He became the National Junior Calypso Monarch in 1965, won Scouting for Talent in 1966 and was winner of the National Buy Local Campaign in 1970. Fascinating the nation with his charm and delivery, he was invited to join the professional ranks by Lord Kitchener himself, one of the most seasoned calypso bards of the era. By 1979 he was a household name appearing on radio and television commercials for which he wrote scripts. In 1980 he became the National Calypso Monarch and to this day he still holds the record of having received the highest ever cash prize.

Relator's most resounding achievement is undoubtedly "Nostalgia", an innovative display of Relator as the virtuoso performer, the entertainer, the local historian and the memory-jerker. Nicknamed the local Sammy Davis Jr., Relator is also an accomplished guitarist, playing any stringed instrument from the cuatro to the double bass.

Susan Kennedy has been described by New York area press as phenomenal, astounding, vivacious, and energetic. Her rare, exemplary performances have taken her across North America and the Caribbean, in a career that spans over two decades. In 2002, she was recognized as a Woman History Maker by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Her artistic endeavors as actress, comedienne, emcee, theater instructor, youth counselor and model encompass stage, screen, and radio. 
 
She credits the energy and stewardship of her two mentors, CarolsRussell and Paul Webster, to her pursuit of a career in Caribbean theater. An avid writer, Susan's first script, "Scandal, Lies and Visa" (which she co-wrote in 1996) has played to enthusiastic audiences throughout the U.S. As a comedian, she has delighted audiences over the years with her numerous characters in both her skits and stand up acts. She recently celebrated her ninth year on the Kings and Queens of Caribbean Comedy in New York.