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

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

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…

Palaance, Palaance!
Masqueraders turned Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and venues across the country into a “palance party” as they gave Soca Monarchs JW and Blaze’s hit “Palance” a runaway victory in the Road March race.

No stopping Palance in Road March race

‘Palance’, MacFarlane take over Downtown
An early start to Downtown Carnival saw an explosion of colour and more time to palance on the streets of Port of Spain yesterday.

Mac Farlane ‘resurrects’
Large Band of the Year winner for 2009 Brian Mac Farlane’s Resurrection: The Mas was a smash hit with spectators in Port-of-Spain as many expressed pride to see the return of “long time mas.”

Ronnie and Caro aim for hat-trick
Husband and wife masmakers Ronnie and Caroline McIntosh were determined to score a hat-trick and capture the coveted Medium Band of the Year title.

Rainforests, chiefs dominate south mas

Sales slow, city vendors complain
Sales were slow this Carnival, a cadre of vendors in Port of Spain complained yesterday.

Bikinis, feathers for ‘India mas’
East Indian themes were a popular choice for large bands participating in the Parade of the Bands yesterday with two presentations based entirely on some aspect of East Indian culture and another two with sections in tribute to the Asian mystique.

‘Corbeaux’ draws stares on Ariapita
Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook was transformed into a catwalk of culture yesterday, as masqueraders opted for costumes that reflected the diversity of the Eastern world as opposed to beads and bikinis.

Smaller crowds, less mas in Sando Carnival

Jack: Bigger mas for Chaguanas in 2011
A bigger and brand new Chaguanas Carnival is what Chaguanas West Member of Parliament is promising for residents of Central.

12,000 in Central mas
At about 7.30 pm on Monday an estimated crowd of 12,000 converged on the Carapichiama Junction in Waterloo for its popular night mas.

Queen of the bands

The spirit of a King

‘I began to pray’
“It was me versus the wind and the most I could have done at the point in time was say my prayers. It could have been worse.” This is how San Fernando King of Carnival Aaron Kalicharan, 25, felt when he collapsed under the weight of his costume “Danhyang Desa” during his appearance on stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on Sunday night. He was a finalist in the national King of Carnival competition at Dimanche Gras.

Kurt rules

CNMG moves against Gayelle over Carnival rights
State-owned television station Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) has sent a lawyer’s letter to Gayelle The Channel for what it says is its illegal broadcasting of the parade of the bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

Warner lauds Silver Stars

Philbert: Police searches reduced violent crimes

Spectators feel safe for Carnival

Skin, the order of the day
Skin, skin and more skin was the order of the day yesterday, as masqueraders chose to wear next to nothing as they paraded the city streets.

Cops ready to pounce on illegal ‘cool downs’
Police officers will be taking a zero tolerance approach against persons engaging in or attempting to host any illegal leisure activity on Manzanilla Beach today.

Eric Taylor, president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation (Tuco), is today assuring young calypsonians that years of neglect by his organisation are now at an end. At last Wednesday’s distribution of HP laptops to 18 finalists in this year’s National Junior Calypso Monarch competition at Tuco’s Jerningham Avenue, Belmont office, Taylor announced the new respect future bards can expect.

Tuco stepped in to provide the laptops when a sponsor in this year’s Junior Monarch contest reneged on a promise to supply computers as prizes. He said: “For too long we have ignored our emerging generation of calypsonians. The youths have dispelled the notion that calypso is dead. That belief has been slain.” For that reason, he said, the calypso outfit has introduced a series of workshops, now in progress in its four regions, designed to nurture young calypsonians in the art of composing, singing and musicianship.

The three-month programme now in progress is conducted every Saturday, for three hours, from 9 am. Facilitators include reigning and former National Calypso Monarchs Dr Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust), Morel Peters (Luta), as well as music educator Roland Gordon. Taylor said Tuco would provide incentives to keep young calypsonians motivated, saying that they already have the innate drive to keep the art form alive.

So it’s Carnival Sunday once again. The country is alive with that special energy. Today, I extend a special “welcome home” to those of the Trinbagonian diaspora who are “home” for the festivities. For many who reside abroad, this pilgrimage is an important way of connecting with our “roots.” In the travel and tourism industry, we call these people VFR traffic, that is, those who come to visit friends and relatives.

Derren Joseph logoMy uncle Steve is one of these overseas-based Trinis who visits for Carnival when he can. Last week, Uncle Steve was sharing with me his memories of Carnival growing up. His mother discouraged him from participating in Carnival, because of its association with violence and negativity. In secondary school, Short Pants helped me understand just how important history is. So now, I enjoy talking to the elders about Trinidad in times gone by. We could never know where we are going until we appreciate where we came from. This Carnival I enjoyed my calypso. Despite rumours to the contrary, calypso is alive and well. Kudos to Pink Panther, Brother Resistance, Karega Mandela and the rest of the TUCO executive.

It has been a good season. Audiences in the tents and bigger concerts were good. I especially liked the idea of making tent tickets available online and having shows at Fiesta Plaza in MovieTowne. This Carnival I enjoyed my soca. Kudos to Machel Montano on sanctifying the Heavenly Drums in his message this year. Won’t Stop is still my favourite for Road March. My favourite fete memories this year involve bands like Kes and Roy Cape singing ole time calypso from Sparrow and Kitch. Soca and calypso are like two brothers born from the same father. This Carnival I enjoyed my pan. Kudos to Pan Trinbago on a great Website: www.pantrinbago.co.tt.

I live in Petit Valley, and was blessed with sweet pan music floating through the night air, as nearby HCL Valley Harps would practise on evenings. This Carnival I enjoyed the free concerts. Kudos to sponsors like Power 102FM and bmobile who put on free concerts in Woodford Square. This Carnival I am enjoying my Queen’s Park Savannah. Kudos to Howard Chin Lee and the team at the National Carnival Commission (NCC) on overseeing what we Trinis consider the greatest show on earth. The upgraded “greens” and mini Carnival Village were some of the little touches that were almost universally-appreciated.

This Carnival I will enjoy my mas. Last Sunday, I was sitting in a waiting room at Cascadia Hotel with many others, excitedly waiting for our numbers to be called, to go into the next room to collect our costumes. A Tribe video was playing at the front of the room. Dean Ackin was commenting on the band. For a moment, my mind went back to the new Peter Minshall documentary that was recently screened. At that moment, I thought: suppose Minshall and Tribe were to combine and bring out a single band. Wow! That would be something! Unity of what my friend Bose would term, “mas from the heart,” and contemporary commercial mas? We have so much to be thankful for.

Permit me to borrow a verse from King David Rudder:
Our Father who has given us this art
So that we can all feel as if we are a part
Of your heaven….amen
Forgive us this day our daily weaknessess
As we seek to cast our mortal burdens on this painful city…amen
And on this day when we come out to play and sway
And do a little breakaway
Some will say what they have to say
But only you know the pain we’re feeling…..amen
As it was in the beginning of J’Ouvert
So it shall be on Carnival Tuesday ending (good vibes)…amen
Be safe for Carnival, regardless of what you do.

As always, I end by saying that despite our challenges, we are so blessed to live in this beautiful country. We need to remember and acknowledge just how much uplifting work is being done all around us.

TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: December 28, 2006
Posted: December 31, 2006

The National Youth Action Committee held its Annual Young Composers Competition and Annual Emancipation Competition prize-giving ceremony on Thursday 28th December, 2006, at the SWWTU Hall on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. The audience mainly included the participants of the two competitions, their parents and their supporters.

The MC’s were Mrs. Dela Obika, President of the National Women’s Action Committee and Mr. Oji Borel.

Mr. Nyahuma Obika, Deputy Political Leader of NJAC began the proceedings with a prayer followed by addresses by Brother Akhenaton Dagga and Mr. Peter Adams, representative of the Republic Bank.

Servant President of NYAC, Brother Akhenaton Dagga, was the first to address the gathering. According to Mr. Dagga, both competitions were held after the Carnival season because it is NYAC’s position that Calypso should not be pigeonholed as a seasonal music. He also stated that NYAC also believes that the future of Calypso music is in the hands of the youth and so the entry age for these competitions is as young as 5 years old. NYAC, according to Mr. Dagga, has also focused on the young composers so that when our Calypso legends have passed on, the young one’s, who would have the ability to compose their own songs and create their own melodies, would replace them and carry on the Calypso tradition.

Dagga also informed the audience that in the past, Calypso music, which was so instrumental in the African struggle, was not sung during Emancipation so NYAC decided that they would provide a forum for this to take place to popularize this trend and to encourage the youth to research and present their ideas in Calypso.

Additionally, Mr. Dagga mentioned that these competitions have proven to produce good artistes such as Sheldon Reid and Bryan London who are examples of the success and quality of the programme. He ended his address by promising that this night would be a night that we would all remember.

Following Mr. Dagga’s speech was a brief address by Mr. Peter Adams, representative of one of the major sponsors of the night, Republic Bank. Mr. Adams intimated that it was a privilege that the NACC and Republic Bank could work together on a shared vision to develop the community. According to him, they have had a long history of working together and hopes that they would continue this relationship in the future. He also stated that it was regrettable that there was a decline in the quality and young people’s interest in the Calypso art form coupled with rising crime. However, the competitions held by the NYAC have provided an opportunity for the youth to turn to positive activity and develop the culture of their country.

Following his address, the artistes presented a verse and chorus of their songs and received their prizes with awards based on their placement. The results for the two competitions are as follows:

Young Composers 5-16 years

Place / Artiste / Song
1st / Jael Paul / “The True Answer”
2nd / Ferdinand Smith / “Fisherman”
3rd / Tenaj Smith / “Jus Me”
4th / Khadeece Celestin / “Crime”
5th (tie) / Jaylana Bryan, / “My Advice”
5th (tie) / Megan Walron / “Why I Change Meh Song”
7th / Angel Prescod / “Sit Down”
8th / Amirah Augustine / “Soca Warriors”

Young Composers 17-30 years

Place / Artiste / Song

1st / Jervae Caesar / “For You”
2nd / Corey Burke / “Love Thy Neighbour”
3rd / Arnold Jordan / “Wake Up”
4th / Ricardo Learmont / “Keep on Rising”
5th / Cindy Alleyne / “Stop Mr. Man”
6th / Amrika Mutroo / “Let’s Find a Way”
7th / Richard Dickson / “Redeem”
8th / Marion Paponette / “Congratulations”
9th / Andrew Prescod / “Move On”
10th / Frank Moore / “Where Have Our Heroes Gone?”

Extempo

Place / Artiste

1st / Corey Burke
2nd / Frank Moore
3rd / Nkosi Anyika
4th / Shereen Caesar

Emancipation 5-16 years

Place / Artiste / Song

1st / Megan Waldron / “Rise Up Children”
2nd / Ferdinand Smith / “Living in Slavery”
3rd / Shinesse Simmons / “Beyond the Mountain”
4th / Jaylana Bryan / “Encore, Encore”
5th / Tenaj Smith / “Teach Me”
6th / Jael Paul / “Be A Proud African Woman”
7th / Yasin Akil Rashid / “Emancipation”
8th / Kwesi Charles / “Emancipated”
9th / Whitney Moore / “We Ready”

Emancipation 17-30 years

Place / Artiste / Song

1st / Shereen Caesar / “Forgive Me Africa”
2nd / Arnold Jordan / “Drums of Faith”
3rd / Corey Burke / “Africans & Negroes Part II”
4th / Marion Paponette / “Freedom Come”
5th / Muga Hill / “Africans Come”
6th / Jervae Caesar / “Why Yuh Want to Carry Meh”
7th / Frank Moore / “The Forgotten”
8th / Cindy Alleyne / “Africa is All Ah We”

The night ended with a final performance by the winner of the Emancipation 17-30 years competition, Shereen Caesar. Members of the audience, which included her fellow competitors, joined her on stage for the close of the prize-giving ceremony for the year 2006.

NYAC Prize Giving Ceremony 2006 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=253