From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
(Photos) Funeral and Rush-out for Winston 'Gus' Cooper
Jan 13, 2014 - 12:27:36 AM
Photos: Bahamas Information Services
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Nassau, Bahamas - Winston 'Gus' Cooper, the
founding member of the Valley Boys Junkanoo was remembered this past
weekend with a memorial service at Rawson Square, followed by a Junkanoo
Rush Out led by the Valley Boys on January 11th, 2014. Mr Cooper, who passed
away on January 4th was also known for his
contributions to
Bahamian and regional Track & Field.
"For
55 years Mr. Cooper led our group. We will forever remember his
teachings, his meticulous persistent detailed nature, his stern stance
and his continuous 'pursuit of excellence'!" said the Valley Boys Facebook page.
"In
1958, a visionary in the form of Winston 'Gus' Cooper formed a Junkanoo
group along with friends from the Centreville area of New Providence,
all mere teenagers at the time. Ms. Gwen Fountain, mother of one of the
members was employed with Malcolm’s Garage and obtained sponsorship for
the small group in the amount of fifteen pounds for the Boxing Day
parade. The group received a consolation prize.
In 1959, Gus’s recruitment efforts continued and he attracted Doyle
Burrows and Edward Fritzgerald two personalities who contributed
significantly to the group’s initial stability and growth. In fact
Doyle’s brother Deyanza, gave the group its name The Valley Boys, as the
area from which the group originated was “a valley” between three
hills, Centreville, Hawkins and Sears Addition hills.
The structure was established for The Valley Boys and at the Boxing Day
1960 parade; the group got its first taste of many victories with its
theme Scottish Highlanders. With this victory, the group had changed
the face of Junkanoo forever by cementing in the minds of competitors
and judges alike the theme concept in Junkanoo, the artistic nature of
crepe paper, and dance and performance movements, never before witnessed
on the parade route.
The
leader from inception, some 50 years ago, Vincent Gus Cooper, was a
Junkanoo pioneer. He was a young man, who using the technical skills
attained in college abroad, shaped the art of Junkanoo and steered it's
evolution into the collaborative colorific kaleidoscope of originally
engineered costuming and the harmonious, pulsating percussion band, that
we enjoy today. The Valley Boys, under his astute leadership, holds the
record for the most wins. The group set the pace; introducing
innovations in costume, music and performance many of which are still
being used in Junkanoo today. Their costuming consistently hit new
levels; dominating the field with new engineering and finishing,
ensuring not only better carriage, but the "WOW" factor continuously.
Photos: Bahamas Information Services
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The Valley Boys name is synonymous with parade music. The
organization's management nurtured this section, resulting in the
development of a body of talent unrivaled by other Junkanoo groups. The
Valley Boys dominated with another first, Female Dancers. Mr. Cooper's
support of the idea of trained dancers performing synchronized, yet
themed routines, which helped the group depict each parade theme; lead
to champion choreography sections with numerous victories over the past
half century.
Under Mr. Cooper's leadership the Valley Boys, from inception until
now, 2014 Boxing Day Champions, dominate the Junkanoo world. He
contributed to the continued growth of the art form on governmental
committees and leader organizations, endeavoring to make Junkanoo the
official cultural identifier for the country. His love for this cultural
expression has been documented and he worked with youth, educating,
mentoring and guiding them in people management and Junkanoo skills. His
dream was that Junkanoo would flourish forever."
SOURCE
Photos: Bahamas Information Services
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