1. Duane O’Connor: The Hunt is On, Long Live Calypso
2. Kurt Allen: Long Live Calypso, When Will It End
3. Karene Asche: Against All Odds, You Will Win The Battle But
4. Devon Seale: One Is One, Snapshots
5. Heather Mac Intosh: The Adjective, One Gone
6. Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool: Shame Mr Shak, How’s Dat
7. Michael “Sugar Aloes” Osouna: Doh Force Meh Hand, Chinese Kidnapping
8. Dexter “Stinger” Parsons: My Reason For Being Here, Advice In Song
9. Brian London: Not Brian, Doh Complain – Come Plain
10. Sandra “Singing Sandra” Des Vignes-Millington: On Turning 50, Why I Sing
11. Lesley:Ann Ellis: Street Justice, Mothers and Others
12. Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins: Say Something, Release Them

The following is the list of winners in the Queen of Carnival competition:

1. Chariss Bovell: Mother of Humanity-The Weeping Madonna
2. Roxanne Omalo: Last Dance of the Enchanted Witches
3. Rose Marie Kuru Jagessar: Wachiw-I Dream of a Bustle Dancer
4. Shari Derek: D’Woman and D’Butterflies
5. Kay Mason: Amethyst Rising
6. Lanie Lezama: Harmony
7. Cherry-Ann Patrice Valere: The Limbo Dancer
8. Laura Rampersad: Princess of the Mardi Gras
9. Patricia Bailey: Exotic Sunset on the Horizon
10. Avernell Johnson: Princess Odette, Queen of the Swans

The following is the list of winners in the King of Carnival competition:

1. Roland St George: Ralliez-Vous A Mon Panache Blanc
2. Gerard Weekes: Malak Yahweh, The Praying Mantis
3. Curtis Eustace: The Midnight Messenger, The Mask Of
4. Adrian Young: The Crow
5. Earl Thompson: Icarus ascending
6. Brian Chin: Prince Siegfried, the story of Swan Lake, tribute to Wayne Berkeley
7. Zainool Mohammed: Kwak Waka Wakin, the Sacred Totem
8. Wade Madray: Flight of Conscience
9. Jhawhan Thomas: Alpha
10. Shane Philip: Tree of Life

KARENE BEATS VETERANS
FORMER Junior Calypso Monarch Karene Asche yesterday morning became the first woman to win the National Calypso Monarch crown in almost a decade, and in the process made history by taking home the competition’s largest ever cash prize of $2 million.

Karene takes $2m Calypso Monarch title

Queen Karene!
AFTER delivering sterling performances of “Be Careful What You Ask For” in round one and “Uncle Jack” in the second, Karene Asche was declared the 2011 National Calypso Monarch early yesterday morning at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

Jack: I can learn from Karene
Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner promises to get a copy of Calypso Monarch Karene Asche’s CD to hear what he can learn from her song, “Uncle Jack”.

Wee People, Legacy take King and Queen titles

Madray makes waves to top kings

Carnival Kings, queens go forth
Complete with pyrotechnics and other special effects, they crossed the stage of the Queen’s Park Savannah during Dimanche Gras on Sunday.

‘Camla’ takes downtown Jouvert crown
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Minister of Works and Transport Jack Warner were the subjects of the successful portrayals at yesterday’s Downtown Carnival Committee’s Jouvert celebrations at South Quay, Port of Spain…

Rain fails to dampen Sando mas

Kamla jumps in People’s Band
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar joined revellers of the People’s Band crossing the stage at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain yesterday.

PM crosses stage with People’s Band
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several Government Ministers made D’ People’s Band their choice, as they took to the stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, yesterday afternoon.

Dookeran leads J’Ouvert band
Congress Of the People political leader Winston Dookeran participated in J’Ouvert yesterday morning as a masquerader in the party’s band, Is Meh Pardner Ship.

Machel on the march
‘Advantage’ most played at Carnival venues

…Revellers enjoy Savannah ‘Advantage’

Smooth flow of bands at Adam Smith Square judging point
The large bands took no longer than 15 minutes to move across the judging point and there was no delay in appearances of other bands as masqueraders made their way off to Machel Montano’s “Advantage”, which was played more than any other song yesterday.

Pan’s show time
WE congratulate Neal and Massy All Stars on their sixth National Panorama title win Saturday night and their unflawed, dramatic execution of the Edwin Pouchet/Alvin Daniell composition “It’s Showtime.”

Police open fire at Matura Jouvert
JOUVERT celebrations in the community of Matura were yesterday marred by two incidents, one in which police opened fire on a group of people, injuring one man, during a volatile incident, and another in which a woman was knocked down by an irate motorist.

Police association chief injured in melee
PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association, Sgt Anand Ramesar, was injured yesterday when he challenged two rival gangs who were engaged in a bottle war during Jouvert celebrations along Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain.

Chaguanas mas insured for $5m
Chaguanas Carnival has been insured for $5 million, according to Mayor Orlando Nagessar.

Problems as Chaguanas mas returns to main road
A FIGHT that ended with one man losing part of his ear was among the problems that developed yesterday, as Chaguanas Carnival returned to the main road

Violence mars Penal J’Ouvert
Violence brought a premature end to J’Ouvert celebrations in Penal yesterday after a police corporal was attacked by revellers. The officer was taken to the Penal District Health after he was hit with two beer bottles on his head. He was treated for head injuries and later discharged. Celebrations kicked off at 4 am with revellers frolicking along the Penal Main Road. However, the celebrations quickly turned violent as police had to be called in to break up fights in the crowd.

Cops make 150 arrests during J’Ouvert celebrations

Police arrest 120 in PoS

Machel takes Soca Monarch crown

After delivering what many fans consider to be his best performance of the season Machel Montano claimed the two million dollar grand prize in the Power Soca category at the 2011 International Soca Monarch Competition at the Hasley Crawford Stadium last night.

A capacity crowd turned out to see the crème de la crème of soca artistes perform but in the end, Montano’s popular song “Advantage”, was chosen by the judges and the crowd for the Power Soca title.

Full Article : guardian.co.tt

Machel, Kes triumph in Soca Monarch

Machel Montano Celebrates Victory with Kernel Roberts

Kes Performs at Girl Power Fete

Machel Montano was crowned 2011 Power Soca Monarch champion at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Port of Spain, this morning. Montano topped the field with his Road March contender “Advantage”, the Soca star winning two million dollars. Iwer George, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez were second, third and fourth, respectively. The Groovy Soca Monarch title and $500,000 first prize went to Kes Dieffenthaller, who sang “Wotless”. Benjai was second, Destra third and Blaxx fourth.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/

Busy Carnival for PM

By Sean Douglas
Saturday, March 5 2011

After attending last night’s International Soca Monarch finals, Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar will join spectators for the Junior Parade of the Bands on the streets of Port-of-Spain and at the Queen’s Park Savannah today.

She will also return to the savannah later tonight for the Panorama finals, of which she is a patron.

She was also the patron of the Soca Monarch competition which took place at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain. Ahead of the announcement of the winner, Persad-Bissessar told reporters yesterday she had a favourite artiste but would not say who…

Full Article : newsday.co.tt

March 06, 2011

MACHEL’S TRIUMPHANT $2M RETURN… ADVANTAGE!
Soca superstar Machel Montano made a triumphant return to the Soca Monarch arena on Fantastic Friday, advantaging his other competitors on his way to his first bmobile Power Soca Monarch title and the $2 million first prize at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Machel Is Monarch
Kees takes Groovy title
Hundreds of patrons booed upon the announcement that Machel Montano had won the 2011 International Power Soca Monarch competition, making off with the $2 million first prize.

Machel, Kees take the big prize

‘Wotless’ Kees takes $500,000 Groovy Soca crown

Sizzling Soca competition

‘The show was successful’
There were several calls for people to go to the stands since people were being pickpocketed and trampled upon. The house announcer said the show would not go on unless they moved to safer points…

Cro Cro delivering ‘Compare and Contrast’ at Calypso Fiesta 2011 in Skinner Park

Encore for Cro Cro at yesterday’s Calypso Fiesta

By David Cuffy
February 27, 2011

Skinner Park in San Fernando was sparsely populated when Calypso Fiesta, the semifinal round of the National Calypso Monarch Competition kicked off in broiling hot sun at 12.20 pm yesterday. The National Anthem was played by house band Errol Ince Music Makers before a crowd comprised mainly of “posses,” with members making colourful statements in hues of green, yellow, tangerine, red, blue and pink. Show host Wendell Etienne called on Brother D’Abreau to offer prayers before introducing guest artiste, veteran calypsonian Power (Sonny Francois) who offered Culture of Trinidad and Tobago and Ah Coming for which he received genuine applause.
Full Article : guardian.co.tt

Chutney Soca Monarch Competition 2011 in pictures

Rikki Jai takes $2m Chutney Soca title
Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal) became the first $2 million monarch of Carnival 2011 when he won the NLCB Chutney Soca Monarch competition at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on Saturday night…

Crowd divided over Chutney Soca results
When Samraj “Rikki Jai” Jaimungal’s name was announced, there was booing and shouting “nooo” from some sections of the massive crowd who packed into the Skinner Park, San Fernando ground.

Ravi B apologises for behaviour
Dethroned Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissambhar, has apologised to fans, patrons and Southex Ltd, promoters of the annual Chutney Soca Monarch competition, after inciting irresponsible behaviour from the fans at the end of his guest performance at the show on Saturday night.

Kamla, Gypsy star in Chutney Soca
From a Minister of Govern-ment performing extempo to a soca artiste serenading the Prime Minister with a classic reggae hit, the 2011 edition of the NLCB Chutney Soca Monarch final featured scintillating performances and energetic dance routines that captivated the massive audience at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday night.

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Ravi B’s behaviour ‘unacceptable’
George Singh Jr, chief executive officer of Southex, says he is disappointed with the actions of dethroned Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissambhar, during his guest performance at Saturday night’s final.

…Gypsy apologises for Ravi B
Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters has spoken out against Ravi “Ravi B” Bissembhar’s incitement of irresponsible behaviour from the audience at Saturday’s Chutney Soca Monarch finals in San Fernando.

…Alarming incitement by chutney soca man

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February 23, 2011

Roodal wants criminal probe in pelting incident
Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal thinks that Ravi “Ravi B” Bissambhar should be criminally investigated for inciting supporters to throw missiles onto the stage at the Chutney Soca Monarch final…

…Moonilal hits Ravi B’s conduct

…Now promoters cancel Ravi B Children’s Show

…Sore losers
We must first acknowledge that Ravi B apologised for his behaviour at the end of the Soca Chutney Finals on Saturday night. And we note that the apology was contrite and sincere, and we take him at his word that he deeply regrets having called upon the audience to protest the decision which gave his colleague in Chutney, Rikki Jai, the title and the two million-dollar first prize.

Promote non-alcoholic songs
Arrive Alive’s Brent Batson has congratulated Rikki Jai for winning the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch title and the historic first prize of $2 million. Baton, however, warned Jai to take note of the high level of drinking and driving on the nation’s roads and suggested he focus on more positive messages in his songs.

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15 finalists in Chutney Soca Monarch 2011 race

February 10, 2011

After a grueling semifinal round at the Rienzi Complex Couva, and four intense days of both on-line and text voting for the bmobile wild card that accumulated more than 26,000 votes, the names of the 15 Chutney Soca Monarch finalists are finally in. The 15 now move to the final round in the “Race for 2 Million” scheduled for Skinner Park, San Fernando, on February 19.

The 15 finalists are (in no particular order):

Terry Gajraj
Rick Ramoutar
Lalchan Babwah The Hunter
Drupatee Ramgoonai
Veeshal Persad
Vashanle Artle Butkoon
Rikki Jai
Sally Sagram
Anil Bheem
Ravi B
Nirmal Adesh Samaroo
O’neil Bhajman
Neeshan Hitman Prabhu
Kenneth Supersad
bmobile wild card—
Michael “Soca Elvis” Salloum

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/02/10/15-finalists-race-2m

PRIMARY SCHOOLS CATEGORY
1 Atiya Alleng Al-Maadressa Primary School
2 Cassandra Belfon Montrose Government School
3 Kyle Blake-James Sacred Heart Boys RC School
4 Sergio Camejo Sacred Heart Boys RC School
5 Aaron Duncan Newtown Boys RC School
6 Flower Khalabi Santa Cruz RC Primary School
7 Oluseyi Moraldo-Bowen Rosary Boys RC School
8 N’Jalena Regis St Agnes Anglican Primary School
9 Melina Smith Valencia South Government School
Timel Flament Rivas (Defending Monarch) Rosary Boys RC School

SECONDARY SCHOOLS CATEGORY:
1 Alliva Alleng West Mucurapo Secondary School
2 Alesha Alleng East Mucurapo Secondary School
3 Anthony Michael Batson Couva West Secondary School
4 Chalika Benjamin Tranquillity Government Secondary School
5 Nihilett Blackman-Thornhill Sixth Form Government School
6 Tsahai Corbin St Joseph’s Convent PoS
7 Necoda & Helon Francis Woodbrook Secondary School
8 Cavel Gorden Bishop’s High School Tobago
9 Ishmeal Isaac East Mucurapo Secondary School
10 Nahilah Khalabi Rio Claro East Secondary School
11 Joshua Lowhar St. Joseph Secondary School
12 Sasha Ann Gabriella Moses San Juan South Secondary School
13 Marq Pierre North Eastern College
14 Jerrisha Regis Corpus Christi College

Truely an elder in the Calypso artform, Percival Oblington ‘The Mighty Striker’, died on Saturday 5th, 2011, after being ill for some time. Born in 1930, Striker would be remembered for his long service together with capturing the Calypso King Competition in 1958 and 1959.

Developing…

Percy ‘Striker’ Oblington

‘Mighty Striker’ dies at 81
By Joan Rampersad and Seeta Persad
PERCY OBLINGTON, known in the Calypso arena as “The Mighty Striker”, died on Saturday at the age of 81, after reportedly suffering with prostate cancer. He was at the time singing with the Kaiso Karavan tent.

Calypso icon Striker dies
By Wayne Bowman
The Mighty Striker, one of the longest surviving calypsonians, died on Saturday after being ill for some time. An active, longstanding member of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) East Zone, Striker won the Calypso King Competition, now the National Calypso Monarch competition, back to back in 1958 and 1959.