{"id":830,"date":"2015-07-21T16:14:22","date_gmt":"2015-07-21T20:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/?p=830"},"modified":"2015-07-21T16:18:26","modified_gmt":"2015-07-21T20:18:26","slug":"calypso-fiesta-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/?p=830","title":{"rendered":"Calypso Fiesta 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kaiso

Kaiso fans at Skinner Park, San Fernando<\/p><\/div> 
\nOn Saturday 7th March, 2015, the day dawned fiercely bright under a cloudless sky and the kaiso faithful gathered once more on the green sprawl of Skinner Park to partake in Calypso Fiesta2015. \u201cHigh Noon!\u201d shouted one man. \u201cWe ready! We ready!\u201d chanted others. \u201cSweetness!\u201d screamed another eager fellow. \u201cIt comin\u2019, it comin\u2019,\u201d soothed the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Wendell Etienne with a mischievous grin as he commented on the \u201cniceness\u201d he was seeing in the restive crowd. The live band warmed their instruments into Balroop\u2019s sound system which boomed the music across the park. Before the launch of the competition, guest artistes Neil Baptiste and Dorrill Hector performed successively onstage, appeasing the crowd which was growling hungrily for kaiso. \u201cThese extempo men like to show off,\u201d Etienne teased. Despite the mounting restlessness of the thickening crowds, patrons waved and jumped with the music, gearing up for the show. <\/p>\n

\"Garth

Garth St. Clair performs \u201cDecision Pending\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nShortly after 12.30 p.m., the first act appeared in the form of Garth St. Clair presenting \u201cDecision Pending.\u201d His was a committed performance, with an entire cricket team of support on stage and the audience laughed heartily at his lyrical content. \u201cDem fellas serious,\u201d joked Etienne and kaiso waxed hot as Joanne \u201cTigress\u201d Rowley followed, perfoming her piece, \u201cWhat You Willing To Die For.\u201d Moko Jumbies danced in national colours with giant posters of Wayne Kublalsingh, Dana Seetahal, a Newsday headline and Marcia Henville. Tigress alternately purred and roared her query into the microphone as she celebrated icons, fallen or falling in the service of their country. Dana\u2019s smile hung poignantly over the crowd at Skinner Park as Tigress closed her piece. She was followed by Kerrine \u201cTiny\u201d Williams with the song \u201cHow Much?\u201d Tiny addressed the social breakdown manifesting through juvenile delinquency and her effort was met with appreciation from the audience.<\/p>\n

\"Alicia

Alicia Richards performs \u201cSuits For Sale\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nAlicia Richards was next performing, \u201cSuits For Sale.\u201d She firstappeared dressed in a formal suit but removed shirts, ties and trousers to reveal a striped shirt and pants reminiscent of a jailbird\u2019s outfit, parodying the fate of government ministers who pander to corruption in public office. Ife Alleyne took to the stage thereafter, presenting her \u201cChild of Liberty,\u201d a powerful song about African pride and heritage in the diaspora. The crowd swayed in approval as she delivered a moving performance, calling on their spirits to restore ancestral pride. Fists pumped collectively in the air with her own as she chanted the chorus from the stage, \u201cGive me the power so anything I can conquer!\u201d Georgia Mc Intyre appeared and dedicated her rendition of \u201cThe Voice\u201d to Marcia Henville whose presence walked the stage through McIntyre\u2019s contribution which referenced her life\u2019s work, ensuring that in the midst of the revelry, the plight of those she represented would not be forgotten.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony

Anthony ‘All Rounder’ Hendrickson performs \u201cWhat Maestro Say Is True\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nDelanie \u201cLady Baynes\u201d Baynes was next with her song, \u201cSister\/Sister.\u201d She engaged the audience with warmth as she sang about the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago, speaking to the need for equity and political autonomy in the sister isle. She too, was well-received. Veteran of the kaiso tradition, Anthony \u201cAll Rounder\u201d Hendrickson appeared with his composition, \u201cWhat Maestro Say Is True.\u201d The All Rounder delivered a faultless performance in fine form as his daughters Lady Wonder and Shirlayne Hendrickson supported him in the back up line. Nicole Thomas followed with \u201cDrums of Hope,\u201d offering words of encouragement for those listening to self-empower through cultural participation. Candice Robinson\u2019s offering of \u201cTrue Democracy,\u201d also took a sombre tone, calling for our democracy to evolve past the \u2018isms\u2019 of present day society. Winston \u201cThe Original De Fosto Himself\u201d Scarborough performed thereafter with his contribution of \u201cGames\u201d: an astute commentary on the conversion of governance to games in Trinidad and Tobago. He too was well-supported by the audience. Ezekiel Yorke presented \u201cEquality\u201d which was ballad-like in delivery but he admirably held his own in the searing heat on stage.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony

Wendell Frederick performs \u201cLock Dem Up\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nHeather McIntosh was next performing \u201cAh Gone\u201d. This song was a shrewdly crafted statement drawing on her student experiences in Latin America to illustrate how the management of crime in Trinidad had deteriorated to such a degree that she, a patriot for her country, was now forced to migrate to Brazil. Neville \u201cBunny B\u201d Brown matched her showmanship with his song, \u201cMulti Crisis,\u201d knocking and mocking the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago for flying out of the country to attend international summits and pledging Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s support in the fight against ISIS when there is so much crime being produced by her Cabinet at home, cautioning against her style of \u201cpromotion by selfie.\u201d Wendell Frederick took to the stage with his rendition of \u201cLock Dem Up,\u201d expressing the frustration of the public with the many instances of corruption in public office leading to his cry to lock \u201cdem\u201d up and throw away the key when it comes to corrupt officials. His song found favour with the crowd which danced and sang under the blazing sun. The programme was indeed a lengthy one and the several Masters of Ceremonies adroitly spaced their different styles of stewardship over various parts of the programme, thereby ensuring that no part of the show became tedious or repetitive. The MCs for the event included local personalities Sprangalang, Tommy Joseph, Wendell Etienne, Gillian Smith, Victor \u201cPelf\u201d St. Louis, Damion Melville, Godfrey Pierre and Derek Silman. <\/p>\n

\"Victoria

Victoria ‘Queen Victoria’ Cooper performs \u201cVenting\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nDianne \u201cLady Wonder\u201d Hendrickson approached the audience with the song, \u201cGet Rid Of Dem Mockers,\u201d speaking to the double standards and hypocrisy manifesting in different spheres in the society and expressing the need to get rid of said perpetrators. Mark \u201cContender\u201d John followed with \u201cSenior Citizen\u201d, a commentary from the perspective of a senior citizen observing young people doing the wrong thing. Devon Seales was next with the wildly popular \u201cMy Humble Plea.\u201d The crowd sang in unison as he presented his infectious hook of \u201cGo\u2026Nah\u2026Plee-ase!\u201d Flags waved and folks cheered for his return long after this crowd-pleaser left the stage. Victoria \u201cQueen Victoria\u201d Cooper performed her song \u201cVenting\u201d and she truly vented about recent controversies involving government corruption and ministerial mismanagement of public resources. Brian London closed the first half with his song, \u201cWishful,\u201d a slow and hymn-like medley which did not carry the same energy and fire of his artistic predecessors on the stage but it was nonetheless appreciated by the enthusiastic audience. Marcia Henville and Dana Seetahal were again manifested in poster portraits, flanking the stage for his performance, both standing as an ever present testament to their activism, now immortalized in bardic tradition of calypso.<\/p>\n

\"Elon

Elon ‘Cardinal’ Bagoo performs \u201cDressed To Suit\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nElon \u201cCardinal\u201d Bagoo opened the second half dressed as the First Lady, Reema Carmona, wearing a female wig, a short, black lacy jacket which left his midriff \u201csexily\u201d exposed over a short, black skirt and a pair of high heels in which he managed to perform quite skillfully. He provoked immense laughter with his antics as he roasted her fashionista style with his comedic song, \u201cDressed To Suit.\u201d Stephan \u201cStephan Mas\u201d Marcelle followed with \u201cIf It Ain\u2019t One Thing, Is Another.\u201d Audio problems delayed his performance by a few minutes but he gave a spirited show, referencing various government scandals. The crowd responded freely to his song, cheering him on as he offered an animated performance. Michael \u201cSugar Aloes\u201d Osouna took to the stage with his song, \u201cBounce Back,\u201d a composition which offered philosophical insight and encouragement on how to overcome life\u2019s drawbacks and obstacles. Despite the positivity of his contribution, the crowd jeered and masses of toilet paper were produced, floating in the breeze with ironic beauty over Skinner Park, as the lengths of white paper caught the brilliant pink glow of the setting sun. However, he was good-natured in the face of this rejection and left the stage with grace despite being booed. Kurt \u201cThe Last Badjohn Of Calypso\u201d Allen was next, coincidentally with his presentation, \u201cKing #2,\u201d an ode to his ongoing professional success over the last few years of being placed second place in many calypso competitions, punning the use of toilet paper and popping out of a galvanized latrine which had been wheeled onto the stage as a part of his act. His performance was amusing and the crowd roared with laughter as he jumped back into his latrine to depart the stage in much the same way as he had arrived.<\/p>\n

\"Arnold

Arnold ‘Jaw D’ Jordan performs \u201cDis Is My Life\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nMarcia Henville\u2019s presence once more graced the stage as another smiling portrait of her beamed from the stage while Sean \u201cThe Psalmist\u201d Daniel performed a strong tribute to her life\u2019s work via his song, \u201cPeace Seeker.\u201d Lynette \u201cLady Gypsy\u201d Steele followed with her anti-abortion missive, \u201cVoice Of The Aborted.\u201d Lesley-Ann Ellis offered \u201cTwice A Child,\u201d a song which portrayed the need for respect for the aged and senior citizens in the society, calling on families to look after the elderly instead of exploiting and bullying them. Kenneth \u201cPunchin\u201d Thomas followed with, \u201cBullying Phenomenon,\u201d preaching against the bullying of citizens by politicians, avowing that he would not allow himself to be bullied. Shirlayne Hendrickson was next with her rendition of \u201cThe Hills Thrills,\u201d infecting the crowd with her energy as she sang and danced with cool self-confidence, offering an effervescent display of showmanship. She was followed by Karene Asche with \u201cEvery Knee Shall Bow.\u201d Karene performed this piece with maturity and when paired with her dancers, her presentation took on a gospel-like tone as she stood with calm assurance while the audience reacted with keen excitement. Arnold \u201cJaw D\u201d Jordan followed with a moving performance of his song, \u201cDis Is My Life.\u201d He offered a dramatic and charismatic narrative on a national topic from a perspective that is rarely explored and his act was certainly a standout.<\/p>\n

\"Selvon

Selvon ‘Mistah Shak’ Noel performs \u201cTarget\u201d<\/p><\/div> 
\nSelvon \u201cMistah Shak\u201d Noel was up next with his song, \u201cTarget.\u201d The \u201clyrical hitman\u201d had the rowdy audience singing along lustily as he \u201ckilled\u201d with his lyrics, aiming his words with deadly precision at the antics of the present administration in government. Helon Francis offered \u201cStalwart\u201d which proved to be a nostalgic piece invoking memories of the golden kaiso of yesteryear. Dillon \u201cDilly Suede\u201d Thomas was next with \u201cCounterStrike,\u201d an amusing commentary which referenced Ravi Maharaj\u2019s counter-activism to Wayne Kublalsingh\u2019s hunger strike last year. Karen Eccles Thomas followed this with her song, \u201cOur Red Carpet,\u201d a clever piece of wordplay wittily referencing the human tongue as a red carpet which should be used to uplift others rather than cut them down. Duane O\u2019Connor was next with \u201cCitizen\u2019s Pride\u201d which celebrated nationalism and promoted patriotism in multiple ways. Sonia Ann Moses also moved the audience with \u201cThe Essence of Building,\u201d a slower tempo with clear enunciation. Myron \u201cThe Incredible Myron B\u201d Bruce discussed the refusal of locals to ban the Carnival despite the recent panic in Trinidad and Tobago circles over the threat of ebola reaching our shores in saucy double entendre with his song \u201cEbola Scare.\u201d Many politicians were lampooned but the crowd reacted with glee over his portrayal of the recent marital scandal attached to Anil Roberts\u2019 wife and her relationship with a certain radio disc jockey. Rosemary \u201cThe Young Rose\u201d Mitchell appeared on stage in a beautiful costume festooned with hearts as she performed \u201cLove Song,\u201d which could only be described as a love song to her country. The audience caught the hook and sang it with her, \u201cTrinbago I looove you\u2026\u201d Winston \u201cThe Mighty Shadow\u201d Bailey offered a steady performance through his song, \u201cDey Sticking,\u201d which saw the crowd stepping to the beat in unison. Lornette \u201cFYA Empress\u201d Nedd closed the show with her ballad \u201cHold on T&T,\u201d an optimistic melody which offered hope for the future.<\/p>\n

\"Kaiso

Kaiso fans at Skinner Park, San Fernando<\/p><\/div> 
\nThe protective services were in constant movement through the crowd ensuring that all was in order. Also, the promoters for the show had set up a special tent which catered for breathalyzer tests, signalling how times have changed. With the recent amendments to the laws on drunk driving, patrons were repeatedly encouraged throughout the show to avail themselves of the service offered in the breathalyzer testing tent. <\/p>\n

The rhythm-section was in energetic form and the after-party swung swiftly into play once the final competitor had departed the stage. Calypso Fiesta 2015 has once more proved its mettle showcasing kaiso talent engaging diverse themes affecting Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Saturday 7th March, 2015, the day dawned fiercely bright under a cloudless sky and the kaiso faithful gathered once more on the green sprawl of Skinner Park to partake in Calypso Fiesta2015. \u201cHigh Noon!\u201d shouted one man. \u201cWe ready! We ready!\u201d chanted others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[181,75,162],"tags":[72,250,213,278,182],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/830"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=830"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":833,"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/830\/revisions\/833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}