This year Trinidad and Tobago celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent nation. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, The Eastern Performing Arts Fraternity will present "National Tributes" — a two-part independence celebration concert on August 5 at Daaga Hall, UWI, St Augustine at 6 p.m.

The show will feature a special first half presentation of Mozart Requiem celebrating the lives and works of our late national icons Dr Pat Bishop TC and Dr Geraldine Connor CM.  Both of these women were titans at making classical music accessible by fusing it with familiar local expressions.

The event intends to honour their memory by humbly attempting to do the same. This production will feature a joint choir blending the beautiful voices of the young and vibrant Eastern Youth Chorale and the seasoned stalwarts of The Helen Chorale — St Joseph's Convent Alumni Choir.

The stellar cast consists of some of Trinidad's finest entertainers including Natalia Dopplewell, Daniel Williams, Charis Seanarine, Michele Dowrich, Edward Cumberbatch, Marlon De Bique and Maurice Brash.

This production boasts accompaniment by a full "all star" orchestra with an array of instrumentalists including members of The St Augustine Chamber Orchestra, The Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic, Alternative Quartet, The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services Band and The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Band.

The second half of the concert is a portrait of Trinidad and Tobago featuring nation building songs, calypso and spoken word, with accompaniment by Pan Excel Steel Ensemble, drummers and dancers of The East West Laventille Folk Performers, The Nritya Tala Dance Group and much, much more. It is hoped that it will remind us all why we are proud to be called "Trinbagonians to de bone".

For tickets visit The Proactive Effect Ground Floor Trincity Mall or call 484-7033, 290-9870 or  749 -7323 for more information.