‘Boy Boy’ a hit with parents and children

‘Boy Boy’ a hit with parents and children
Roughly 2,000 children and their parents had a good time on Saturday, when Machel Montano presented the musical production, Boy Boy and the Magic Drum, at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo.

Pumping soca at Ladies Night Out

Pumping soca at Ladies Night Out
Calypso Rose showed her younger counterparts that she could still conquer a crowd on Friday night at the Jean Pierre Complex for the sixth edition of the Randy Glasgow Production, Ladies Night Out. The veteran had the large crowd on their feet, as she unleashed and revamped many of her classics.

Judges favour Chynee at Synergy Soca Stars

Judges favour Chynee at Synergy Soca Stars
HE’s been a favourite throughout the competition and on Thursday Richard “Chynee” Valentine became Synergy TV’s Soca Star winner.

Calypso Dreams

By Derren Joseph
February 02, 2009

It was a good week for calypso last week.

Last Tuesday, there was a screening of the 2004 documentary called Calypso Dreams at the National Library. It was to promote the launch of the DVD. Kudos to Alvin Daniell and the rest of the Calypso Dreams team on this effort. The screening was dedicated to the memory of the Mighty Duke. One of the good things that have come out of the recent loss of the Mighty Duke is a greater consciousness of just how special this art form is. There is Web site to support the documentary http://www.calypsodreams.com
Continue reading ‘Calypso Dreams’

Carry on the tradition

By Derren Joseph
January 26, 2009

I read that before he passed on, the Mighty Duke spent his last days in the studio of his Cocorite home, where he penned a calypso called the Dying Art. It apparently tells of the dying calypso culture being replaced by soca music. My old pardner, Marty Raymond, also believes that the culture of Trinidad and Tobago is in transition, and as such, calypso and old mas culture is seeing its sunset.
Continue reading ‘Carry on the tradition’

Klassic Ruso opens

Klassic Ruso Calypso Tent organized by TUCO North Zone opened in fine style on Friday 23rd January, 2009 at the City Hall in Port of Spain. Host Rudolph Ottley welcomed guests and reminded them that this was the tent of recently departed Calypso icon the Mighty Duke as he hailed the contributions of Duke to the Calypso arena. The cast of Klassic Ruso then streamed on stage and proceeded to sing Duke’s classic song “Black is Beautiful” to the delight of the audience. This year’s cast includes Allrounder, Versatile, Contender, Almanac, Dr. Will B, Hamidullah, Typher, Dr. Rhythm, Wizard of Id, Revealer, Kaiso Mac, Hercules, KC Charles, Stanley Adams, Brother Ebony, Manchild, Robbie G, Shirlane Hendrickson, Black Prince, Mighty Diamond, Marva Mc Kenzie, Spicey, Brother Akil, Lylo, Intruder, QP and King Soul.
Full Article : trinisoca.com

Kelvin ‘Mighty Duke’ Pope Passes Away

TrinidadandTobagoNews.com Reporters
January 14, 2009
Updated: January 15, 2009

One of Calypso’s greatest icons Kelvin ‘Mighty Duke’ Pope passed away earlier today. Mighty Duke, who was diagnosed with myelofibrosis – a serious bone marrow disorder that disrupts the body’s normal production of blood cells – has succumbed to this illness ending a battle of over four years. His wife Rebecca, one of his sons, Wendell, and Hollis ‘Chalkdust’ Liverpool were at his side when he passed.

Calypso moving forward

By Derren Joseph
January 3rd, 2009

New Year’s Day, we went to the usual lime by my uncle and aunt in St Ann’s. New Year’s Day is my grandmother’s birthday, as well as their wedding anniversary. After a while, the talk turned to Carnival, and how expensive fetes and costumes were for 2009. I suggested that a more conscious Carnival diet could consist of a healthy dose of tents. Nothing wrong with fetes, mind you—I am just looking for a little change. After all, when was the last time we went to a calypso tent? Some had the view that tents could be a bit “too political.”
Continue reading ‘Calypso moving forward’

Mighty Duke battling serious illness

Mighty Duke battling serious illness
Kelvin Pope, who goes by the stately moniker “the Mighty Duke”, and has been a force to reckon with in the calypso world, is battling ill health and may only have a limited amount of time left to entertain his fans.

Republic Bank is new sponsor for Junior Carnival

Republic Bank is new sponsor for Junior Carnival
Republic Bank Limited has signed on as the new corporate sponsor of the National Carnival Bands Association’s Junior Parade of the Bands following the withdrawal of Sunshine Snacks which sponsored the competition for more than 20 years.

Republic banks $1M with Junior Mas
Republic Bank Limited is the new sponsor for the National Carnival Bands Association’s (NCBA) Junior Carnival Parade of Bands. This was revealed yesterday afternoon at an NCBA media conference at Movie Towne, Port-of-Spain.