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By Kiana WilburgCome this Friday at the Banks DIH Thirst Park in Georgetown, 10 contestants will attempt in every way they can, to dethrone the reigning calypso monarch,Steve Grogan Patriots Jersey, “De Professor” who hails from Linden.Shontell GittensThe semifinal round of the Adult Calypso Competition, which was hosted in the heart of Bartica, Region Seven, on Saturday night, brought with it a formidable pressure that distracted some of the most seasoned competitors and even the well prepared.Nineteen contestants performed,Rocky Bleier Steelers Jersey, but only ten made it through. And the crowd which comprised of residents of the mining town and some from the Garden City, Georgetown made known their expectations. Armed with their own score cards,Stephen Gostkowski Patriots Jersey, members of the packed audience said that they were looking for clarity in speech, good diction, witty lines and good lyrical content.Setting the stage for the main event of the night was the well known- Mingles Band, who removed the veil of tranquility from the stage with their Soca and calypso renditions.The cue given to the performers by the audience when they were definitely dissatisfied was “Bring back Shadow, bring back Sparrow, play more Kitchener…” taken from the popular Soca song “Play more local” by Mr. Famous.The ten who made it through were: Derrick Mangal, Lynden Thomas, Karen Bennet, Garfield Campbell, Roger Hinds,Matt Ryan Falcons Jersey, Daria Barrow, Dawn Edwards, Kenroy Fraser, John Marcus and the reigning Junior Calypso Monarch,Logan Ryan Patriots Jersey, Shontell Gittens.Most of the themes for the Calypso pieces spoke to corruption, the state of affairs in the National Assembly, The Amaila Hydro Falls and the issue of the ban on calypso songs.Roger HindsThe first prize for the winner of the competition stands as $600,000, while the second, third and fourth place winners will also be receiving monetary rewards for their efforts.There, were however, notable performances which caused many to strongly believe that the reigning monarch will be coming up against some serious competition.It was obvious that the crowd had their favourites. But there were some contestants who simply captivated each member of the audience with their Kaiso pieces.Mangal in particular, didn’t hold the crowd’s attention when he walked on to the stage. He was taken for granted upon sight but the minute he started his song,Chris Hogan Patriots Jersey, the crowd was swaying and hurling a lot of “Amens” at the end of every verse.Mangal is a humble farmer who is obsessed with music and the freedom he has in expressing the truth through Kaiso music. His piece was based on the fact that he feels that his political leaders who are in power are trying to change him and taint the honest side of him but he “refuses to be a liar and a vicious and corrupt person.”After a thrilling performance by the Bartica Folkdance group, Hinds who is known popularly known by his stage name,Joe Greene Steelers Jersey, “Young Bill Rogers,” delivered what many referred to as,Ray Nitschke Packers Jersey, “The performance for the night.”Derrick MangalRogers made excellent use of the stage and left many impressed with his delivery on the topic of Calypso music being banned because it speaks to the ills that are taking place in the society.However, in speaking with some of the judges of the competition, they revealed that some of the contestants who were cut from the competition, despite positive reception from the crowd, did not truly comprehend the concept of a “Kaiso song.”One judge said,Donnie Shell Steelers Jersey, “A Calypso song is more or less an editorial in song. The Calypsonian must understand what the Calypso is all about and some of the techniques that can be used in such a genre. You can’t sing a love ballad and label it Calypso. And that was what was reflected here tonight. There were some pieces that were true Calypso pieces and others were impersonators and poor ones at that.”He added, “When a Calypsonian brings a piece before the audience and the judges he must understand that as he is singing we are all waiting for the punch line. And though the artiste may select a good topic to sing on that only gain him or her a few points, the next important part is to develop that point with precision. And then there must be a proper conclusion of the ideas. I mean this is an art and there is more to it that just an infectious melody.”The Bartica Folklore Dance Group |
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