Come What May, We Are Here To Stay: Our Journey to Belonging — Windrush Day Gathering 2026

Lineup

• More details about Alexander D. Great three-time UK Calypso Monarch, BBC Calypsonian-in-Residence, extempo artist and calypso writing workshop leader.

  Alexander D. Great three-time UK Calypso Monarch, BBC Calypsonian-in-Residence, extempo artist and calypso writing workshop leader.

  Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and raised in London, Alexander D. Great is a professional musician and composer of more than 40 years. In the late 1980s he returned to his calypso roots, creating his own fusion of calypso, soul and blues, "Socablues". Alex divides his time between live performance, running his own record label, and leading poetry and calypso workshops in schools and colleges. He has been Calypsonian-in-Residence for the BBC since February 2000, and was crowned UK Calypso Monarch in 2010 and 2011. At our Gathering, Alex will lead a hands-on calypso writing workshop, perform live, and facilitate our evening talkback at the Glasgow Film Theatre. A rare chance to learn the craft of writing calypso from a three-time UK Calypso Monarch.

• More details about Diana Quintana Catano Graphic designer and creative lead for the Windrush Day Gathering 2026 visual identity and promotional materials.

  Diana Quintana Catano Graphic designer and creative lead for the Windrush Day Gathering 2026 visual identity and promotional materials.

  Diana Quintana Cataño is a Colombian community educator, artist and organiser shaped by feminist and popular education traditions from Latin America. She has participated in grassroots organising in Argentina and Colombia around collective memory, land struggles and social justice. Now based in Scotland, she contributes to Collective Economies and The Commons Initiative, supporting community-led processes around food, care, land stewardship and popular education. Her work focuses on rebuilding the commons through everyday practices of cooperation, solidarity and collective life.

• More details about Dr Charmaine Blaize-La Caille Chair and Programme Lead of Women of Colour Scotland, OANM Certified Facilitator, and cultural curator of Windrush celebrations in Scotland since 2019.

  Dr Charmaine Blaize-La Caille Chair and Programme Lead of Women of Colour Scotland, OANM Certified Facilitator, and cultural curator of Windrush celebrations in Scotland since 2019.

  Dr Charmaine Blaize Charmaine is co-founder of Women of Colour Scotland and has a PhD in Health Care Management. A solutions-driven professional across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, Charmaine is passionate about justice, equality and fairness, and this is what has motivated her to become an Offers and Needs Market (OANM) Certified Facilitator, a certified business and life coach, as well as working alongside the Post Growth Institute. She is originally from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a land of festivals and infinite possibilities. For the past 15 years, she has called Scotland home, where she balances raising her teenager, leading cultural and community initiatives, and running her not-for-profit consultancy. She curates Caribbean cultural festivals and events that celebrate heritage, belonging, and community connection, while also volunteering as Chair of the Hwupenyu Health and Wellbeing Project, supporting health, wellbeing, and social inclusion across diverse communities.

  • Dr Charmaine Blaize-La Caille Chair and Programme Lead of Women of Colour Scotland, OANM Certified Facilitator, and cultural curator of Windrush celebrations in Scotland since 2019.'s linkedin
  • Dr Charmaine Blaize-La Caille Chair and Programme Lead of Women of Colour Scotland, OANM Certified Facilitator, and cultural curator of Windrush celebrations in Scotland since 2019.'s instagram
• More details about Dexter Marchan Master steel pan soloist and percussionist with 38 years' experience, performing from Trinidad to the Chelsea Flower Show.

  Dexter Marchan Master steel pan soloist and percussionist with 38 years' experience, performing from Trinidad to the Chelsea Flower Show.

  Dexter Marchan Dex Marchan is a steel pan soloist, percussionist, arranger, educator and vocalist, offering entertainment for events of all kinds, from calypso, reggae, jazz and soul to the latest pop, standards and ballads. He began playing steel pan in Trinidad and Tobago over 38 years ago and has performed with renowned bands including National Panorama winners Phase 2 and Pan Elders. His highlights include performances at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, the Queen's Jubilee, Regent Street World Festival, the Chelsea Flower Show and the 606 Club, with tours across France, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, the USA and the Caribbean. Now based in London, Dex holds an Artist Diploma in Music Performance from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. We are delighted to welcome him to close our Windrush Day Gathering.

  • Dexter Marchan Master steel pan soloist and percussionist with 38 years' experience, performing from Trinidad to the Chelsea Flower Show.'s instagram