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

Large
1. Humanity-Circle of Life — Mac Farlane Carnival — 1,335
2. Tales of Merrie Olde England — Trini Revellers — 1,278
3. South Pacific — Legacy — 1,198
4. Colour of Green — Showtime Trinidad — 1,058

Medium
1. Survivors — Ronnie & Caro, The Mas Band — 1,190
2. Village Life — Rosalind Gabriel and Village Productions — 1,177
3. D Latin Flava — D Harvard Revellers Inc Ltd — 1,173
4. Fleets in — Trinidad All Stars Steelband — 1,167

Small
1. Beauty Beneath The Sea — Belmont Original Sylish Sailors — 1,203
2. Gathering Of The First People — Tribal Connection — 1,193
3. Greece, The Legacy — The Belmont Jewels — 1,036
4. Sailing Around The World — Mt. Hope Connection — 1,023

Mini
1. Play De Mas — The Original Jab Jab — 1,199
2. Son Of A Watless — 2001 Jab Malassie — 1,134
3. Indians Are Coming — Village People — 1,114
4. Hell Raisers — Peter Felician and Associates — 1,107

Machel set for 4th Road March title
Blazing the trail with his hit Advantageous, International Soca Monarch Machel Montano is confident that the song will lead him to his fourth Road March title.

Screams of Delight
Newly-crowned Soca Monarch and front-runner for the 2011 Road March title Machel Montano worked the stands at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, into a frenzy yesterday during the Parade of the Bands on the big stage.

Mac Farlane set to create Carnival history
Brian Mac Farlane’s 2011 presentation, Humanity: The Circle Of Life, may just be what the reigning Band of the Year leader needs to pull off his fifth consecutive win and create Carnival history…

Masqueraders party hard at the Big Yard

‘Tsunami’ sweeps downtown
FRESH from copping the coveted King of Carnival title at the Dimanche Gras on Sunday night, Wayne Madray’s Pacific Tsunami was the star of the show as festivities began in downtown Port-of-Spain yesterday.

Standing ovation for MacFarlane

Kamla: $1b boost to T&T’s economy
The economy has received an injection of $1 billion as a result of Government’s investment in Carnival, according to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Bands snub Piccadilly Greens
Even though there were calls by the National Carnival Committee (NCC) for more bands to parade past the judging point on the Piccadilly Greens, east Port-of-Spain only a few bands made their way through the route yesterday.

Rain fails to dampen San Fernando mas

Colour Mas in Sando
THERE was no main stage, but hundreds of masqueraders yesterday took Machel Montano’s advice and took full “Advantage” of brilliant sunshine and crossed various judging points shortly after midday to give San Fernando a bumper colourful Carnival.

Kalicharan’s ‘Colours’ light up South

36 bands cross the stage
Carnival Tuesday in Tobago got off to a fantastic colourful filled day, with approximately 36 bands crossing the stage, before the judges in Scarborough and at Old Milford Road.

Haitian students find new dawn at J’Ouvert

Back to work
THERE is a time for every purpose in this world. On Sunday evening at the Dimanche Gras show, it was the time of TT’s youth, the night when experienced bards were taught a thing or two by a junior. There’s a new Calypso Monarch in town and she is a young woman. Twenty-six-year-old Karene Asche’s rendition of her calypsos, “Careful what you ask for” and “Uncle Jack” was simply refreshing. A crown well won.

Police out for Carnival
Despite sickout action by police officers over the past few weeks, officers were out in their numbers on Carnival Tuesday to ensure that the nation’s security went according to plan.

Reveller in Matura row fighting for life
Police said Julia Warren, of Anglias Road, Cumana, Toco, was dragged by a car driven by a 61-year-old man after her clothing got stuck between the vehicle doors.

Woman: Ex-boyfriend steals costume

Bandits hit thick crowds on Avenue
Cops shut down music; spectators scamper

Mystery over cop’s missing gun
A police officer assigned to the Piarco Police Station is at the centre of an investigation after he lost his service pistol on Carnival Monday.

Swede robbed of $22,000 camera
A male resident of Sweden was robbed of his camera at Old St Joseph Road, Laventille, around 9.30 Monday morning, the foreigner told police.

Argument between friends ends in death
A man stabbed in the chest during an argument with a friend died on the way to the Chaguanas District Hospital yesterday afternoon.

A great Carnival says police chief

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

King of Carnival Results

1 Wade Madray — “Pacific Tsunami” — 421 points

2 Owen Hinds Jr — “Battle of the Marabuntas” — 420

3 Curtis Eustace — “Bozo-D Legend Lives On” — 416

4 Marlon Rampersad — “Bedazzled” — 394

5 Lionel Jagessar Jr — “Wakinyan-Quest Of The Feather Seeker” — 387

6 Roland St George — “Pan On Fire” — 386

7 Gerard Weekes — “In The Beginning Good And Evil” — 382

8 Glenn Dave Lakhan — “The Jewel Spider” — 371

9 Fareid Carvalho — “Mr Carnival-The Return Of The Fire Man” — 370

10 Leroy Prieto — “Mukasa-The God Of Water” — 350

Queen of Carnival Results

1 Peola Marchan — “D Jeweled Chandelier” — 416 points

2 Gloria Dallsingh — “Splendor Of Lights” — 414

3 Kay Mason — “Island Queen” — 407

4 Roxanne Omalo — “Serpent Sorceress” — 389

5 Gayle Marcano — “D Ruby Brooch” — 387

6 Cherryann Valere — “Forest Blossom” — 374

7 Patricia Bailey — “Diamonds Are Forever” — 373

8 Jenna Marie Andre — “Botanica-A Floral Extravaganza” — 372

9 Avernell Johnson — “Chia-The Goddess” — 357

10 Sevell Nicholls — “In The End-Dance And Rejoice” — 356

WITH a score of 278 points, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars yesterday morning created history by becoming the first steelband to receive a hefty $2 million for winning the National Panorama competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain.

In winning the prestigious title, All Stars, a highly popular band whose panyard is at 46-48 Duke Street in Port-of-Spain, dethroned last year’s champion PCS Silver Stars, by a mere three points during Saturday night’s keenly-fought Panorama finals. Silver Stars was awarded $750,000 for its effort.

The enhanced $2 million prize package was made possible through the Peoples’ Partnership Government for the winners of four major Carnival competitions, including the National Steelband Panorama, Soca Monarch, last night’s calypso monarch final at Dimanche Gras and the Chutney/Soca Monarch.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said the new prize structure should become a fixture at Carnival competitions, once there was an upswing in the economy. Placing second in Saturday’s competition with 276 points and receiving a cool $1 million was St Augustine-based Sagicor Exodus.

Perennial favourite Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, led by famed arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, secured fourth spot with 273 points along with the Woodbrook-based Caribbean Airlines Invaders.

The band from the “Lavantee Hills”, Witco Desperadoes placed a disappointing seventh with 270 points. Segments of the capacity audience openly voiced their disapproval over how Phase II and Desperadoes fared in the competition.

The results of this year’s Panorama finals, which commemorated the 75th diamond jubilee of the steelpan, were announced shortly before 4 am yesterday, after almost nine hours of stiff competition at the Savannah where pan music reigned supreme.

The Prime Minister, patron of the event, was on hand to present the winning cheque to the champion band. Tenor player Dwayne Ifill accepted the large replica cheque on behalf of the band’s officials.

Persad-Bissessar was accompanied by Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Agriculture Minister Vasant Bharath and Pan-Trinbago president Keith Diaz.

Playing first among the large conventional bands, All Stars led by Beresford Hunte, gave a commanding performance to Anslem Douglas’ “It’s Showtime” a tune of choice for three bands in the large band catergory. Stylishly-dressed in shimmering red shirts, white trousers and matching hats, the band set the stage for the almost seamless performances which followed. The band’s presentation featured young dancers, portraying several elements of local culture. Fireworks and confetti completed the display. The winning selection was composed by Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniell.

“We feel proud because we were the first band to win $1 million, the first band to win $2 million and you know when the PP (People’s Partnership) Government wins in the next five years, we will be the first band to win $3 million. Don’t worry, we coming strong. We coming strong,” an elated Ifill told reporters moments after accepting the cheque.

Ifill said players had put a lot of hard work into the competition “and we are happy that our hard work paid off.” Surrounded by his colleagues, Ifill however acknowledged the close race.

“It was a tight battle and I must say the band came together well,” he said.

“Everybody stuck to the task and we are just proud of each other and proud that we could have come and give that beautiful music to Trinidad and Tobago. I just want everybody to have a happy Carnival.”

Ifill said the band will be on the streets today and tomorrow, performing their winning tune.

Led by Ainsworth Mohammed and playing Destra Garcia’s “Calling Meh”, Exodus’ performance was also warmly applauded. So, too, was the similarly-attired Silver Stars, but patrons were in a quandary as to why the band chose to present a curtain effect with the use of silver and black streamers, mounted on long poles (to give a concert-like effect), after the band had already become clearly visible on stage.

The gesture seemed inappropriate and may have cost the band the title for a third consecutive year. Shortly after All Stars’ performance, Pan Trinbago’s Keith Diaz presented Persad-Bissessar with a cheque for $75,000 toward her pet project, the Children’s Life Fund, as a means of commemorating the steelpan’s diamond jubilee.

The fund, one of the Partnership’s major campaign promises in the run up to the May 24, 2010 general election, was established to assist children who require life-saving medical attention.

Persad-Bissessar paid glowing tribute to Peters for his efforts at upgrading the North and Grand Stands of the Savannah, which now accommodates a seating capacity exceeding 20,000.

Earlier in the night, Diaz also presented President George Maxwell Richards with a token in celebration of the milestone. Richards said in his own way, he has been supporting the work of Pan-Trinbago and urged citizens to also play their part in ensuring the continued development of the artform.

In a brief interview with reporters after the winners were announced, Persad-Bissessar said Carnival 2011 has been a bumper celebration thus far. “I’m told every hotel room is sold out. I’m told every airline ticket is sold out. And, every fete has been sold out, every show has been sold out. It has been a bumper, sold out Carnival,” she said.

The Prime Minister was also pleased with the measures that have been put in place to ensure increased security. “There are no adverse reports of any criminal activity. I look forward to their protection over the next couple of days. I feel we have a great Carnival,” she said.The show, which began 20 minutes later than its scheduled 7 pm start, flowed smoothly during the medium band segment of the competition. Lengthy delays in the setting up of bands in the large bands category coupled with frequents requests for supporters of popular bands to clear the stage hampered an otherwise seamless programme.

Some patrons also noted the absence of bp Renegades from this year’s stellar line-up after a judge Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, on Friday threw out a plea by the nine-time champion to be included in the finals of the Panorama competition.

The band had filed an injunction, seeking to stop the Panorama finals, after complaining that they were disrupted during the semi-final round of the competition on February 20 because of the playing of DJ music at the North Stand during their performance.

PLACINGS POINTS PRIZE MONEY

1 Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars………………………. 278 points………………………. $2M

2 Sagicor Exodus…………………………………………….. 276 points………………………. $1M

3 PCS Silver Stars……………………………………………. 275 points………………………. $750,000

4 Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove………………………… 273 points………………………. $600,000

4 Caribbean Airlines Invaders……………………………. 273 points………………………. $600,000

6 NLCB Fonclaire…………………………………………….. 271 points………………………. $500,000

7 Witco Desperadoes……………………………………….. 270 points………………………. $450,000

7 Petrotrin Siparia Deltones………………………………. 270 points………………………. $450,000

9 RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters……………. 268 points………………………. $450,000

10 Starlift………………………………………………………… 265 points………………………. $450,000

***

All Stars wins first $2m Panorama prize
Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars became the first steel orchestra to take home $2 million in prize money when it was adjudged winner of the large band category at the 2011 Blink bmobile National Panorama final at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, last Saturday night. Playing a Leon “Smooth” Edwards arrangement of It’s Showtime, composed by Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniell, the Duke Street-based orchestra scored 278 points to secure its eighth Panorama win, and in the process dethrone defending champion PCS Silver Stars which played the same selection arranged by Pouchet, but could earn only 275 points to take third place and the $750,000 prize.

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

Narcenio ‘Senor’ Gomez