April 25, 2007 — The public is invited to dedication ceremonies in Red Hook Thursday for the Trevor Nicholas “Nick” Friday Memorial Drive, according to a Government House release.
The ceremony, which begins at noon on St. Thomas, names an East End St. Thomas roadway in his honor. Friday, the famed leader of the ever-popular Jam Band, was honored by the 26th Legislature for his contributions to calypso music, St. Thomas Carnival and V.I. music history.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. said Thursday’s dedication ceremony is a fitting tribute to
a giant in the music industry who did so much to shape the calypso art form through his work with bands that included: TNT Brass, Eddie and the Movements and Jam Band.
According to the release, no less than four signs, bearing the inscription “The Nicholas 'Nick' Friday Drive," are to be unveiled at Thursday’s ceremony.
“The drive named for Friday will extend from the Red Hook ferry dock area west to the Nadir intersection,” said St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Barbara Petersen, whose office is planning the tribute.
The ceremony, which will be held in the general vicinity of the gas station adjacent to the Red Hook ferry dock, is being organized to coincide with V.I. Carnival taking place this week.
“We wanted to capitalize on the fact that so many Nick Friday fans are here at home to participate in the 2007 Carnival climax this week and pay tribute to a true V.I. music icon,” Petersen said.
The legislation posthumously honoring Friday was passed on March 9, 2006 and is now Act 6826.
