![\"High](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701151931.jpg\")
High Court Judge Malcolm Holdip and his wife (left) with friends at the Kaiso House Calypso Tent Judging Night<\/p><\/div>
\nThe atmosphere in Kaiso House on 27th January, 2015, was electric. Patrons swarmed to their seats in the cooled confines of the auditorium, and as the sound men checked the system, singers psyched themselves up for the evening of competition ahead.<\/p>\n
Mr. Phillip Nicholas and Ms. Evelyn Jones come to the tent every year. Phillip Nicholas explained that the Kaiso House offered one of his favourite shows for the season because, \u201cit\u2019s royalty and you always get royalty coming here.\u201d He also lauded the beautiful d\u00e9cor for the tent, pointing out that his companion, Ms. Evelyn Jones, was the decorator. She smiled as she explained that her motivation for the colours and arrangements came from a divine source saying, \u201cGod give me that inspiration. When I come here I don\u2019t\u2019 come with a plan, I just walk with things and he gives me all the ideas.\u201d Her friend Mr. Nicholas added, \u201cIt\u2019s good to see our culture stepping forward in such a nice atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms. Jones was another attendee at the show. A long-time resident of Port of Spain, she declared that she had followed the tent since its first opening. She has noted its evolution from its early days saying, \u201cIt\u2019s a good change \u2026 a very good change. It\u2019s nice \u2026 the ambience and everything \u2026 it\u2019s nice. It\u2019s much better. The artistes here does be really, really good, and most artistes does come here.\u201d Mr. Earl Reyes of Success Village was there as well. He commended the lovely decorations which festooned the great hall and described the tent as, \u201ctop grade and I love it!\u201d He opined that kaiso and tents like Kaiso House were still relevant in a time when Carnival seems to be evolving away from early traditions and towards beads and sequins. <\/p>\n
![\"Kaiso](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701150751.jpg\")
Kaiso House 2015: Mrs. Thora Best, chairperson of the Junior Calypso Committee, seated centre of the second row<\/p><\/div>
\nAs the crowd settled expectantly in their seats, officials swiftly executed their final tasks in preparation for the start of the show. Communications Assistant of TUCO, Ms. Chantelle Thomas, indicated that at least twenty-five persons would be performing on this night. The other performers in the cast were entertainment. She explained that, \u201cKaiso House is the flagship house of all the other calypso tents. This is the largest House where we have reigning monarchs such as Karene Asche who won the two million prize, we have Dwayne O\u2019Connor, we have Chucky.\u201d The tent boasts an eclectic mix of artistes, varying in styles. In this regard, Thomas stated, \u201cWe are trying to bridge the gap between the young and the old artistes. We have upcoming artistes such as Jelani Kojo and Shradah McIntyre, Snakey [and] Kevin Charles. We\u2019re bridging the gap with the young and the old. Then we have the veterans: we have Singing Sandra \u2026 she is like the mother of calypso because most young female artistes look up to her. People enjoy coming to this tent because we give them a complete package; you don\u2019t just get calypso, you get humour, dance \u2026 You [also] get a mixture of pan and we have chutney, so we try and bring together different genres. We also have rapso, and in the rapso you have persons like Sharlan Bailey.\u201d She applauded the management team headed by Lutalo ‘Brother Resistance’ Masimba for his tireless dedication to the betterment of the calypso fraternity. She noted that it was largely due to the efforts of Brother Resistance, who has been recruiting youths who show potential and promise in kaiso, for building the culture from the roots of the land. <\/p>\n
![\"Gene](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701150809.jpg\")
Gene Toney performs \u201cMy Name is Calypso\u201d<\/p><\/div>
\nThe show started with the playing of the National Anthem. The two Masters of Ceremonies, personified in the form of Tommy Joseph and Pelf, did a fine job of entertaining the audience in between sets. Predictably, the government of the day came in for a sound tongue-lashing and the vitriol was palpably returned by the audience at times. However, the themes were varied and the competition was stimulating in its presentation of artistic diversity. <\/p>\n
The opening act came from Gene Toney with his song, \u201cMy Name is Calypso\u201d. He offered a lilting delivery which had many patrons bobbing their heads as he sang. He was followed by Doodnath ‘De Guru’ Radhakisoon with \u201cJourney of Life is Yours\u201d. Attired in an Indian-styled kurta, his performance was his first contribution on the Kaiso House stage. <\/p>\n
![\"Phillip](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701150854.jpg\")
Phillip ‘Black Sage’ Murray performs \u201cBanditism\u201d<\/p><\/div>
\nThe Black Sage was next with a song entitled, \u201cBanditism\u201d, a less than subtle jab at the corruption in government. His experience as a calypsonian was showcased in this performance. He was followed by Lady Aiesha singing, \u201cPlus Sized Woman\u201d. She gave a saucy performance as she sang her naughty lyrics: \u201cIt\u2019s exciting, you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re missing\u201d, much to the delight of the audience. Brother Musa was next with \u201cWake Up and Smell the Coffee\u201d. He despaired the apathy in the nation and called for all to wake up and fight for a cause stating \u201cFight back, the country is yours!\u201d This was well-received by the crowd. \u201cConfused Global Warming\u201d by Allan Welch was a clever and ironic pun about the many unsolved crimes in the country that are allowed to go \u201ccold\u201d. His recitation included the Dana Seetahal murder; the doctor who removed the cocaine pellets from a drug mule; the oil which spilled for which no one was was answerable and the cocaine in juice scandal. <\/p>\n
![\"Marvellous](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701151057.jpg\")
Marvellous Marva performs \u201cSafe Hands\u201d<\/p><\/div>
\n\u201cTake Warning\u201d by Exposer was another socially-minded song. Dressed all in white, he cut a fine figure as he commanded the stage. He used his time to sound a warning about the things which need to be fixed in the society and appealed for the public to do so. Marvellous Marva sang \u201cSafe Hands\u201d, an introspective composition in which she reflected on the power of kaiso in the national psyche. She was the consummate performer as she danced and strutted with confidence. Brown Boy appeared with his song, \u201cCaptain Rowley versus Penny\u201d, a risque tome dedicated to the art of double entendre which had audience members yowling in their seats as he bawdily linked Penny to Rowley in sexual innuendo. He winked and twinkled his way through the performance. Sharlan Bailey, son of the Mighty Shadow, appeared with his song, \u201cLand of Demons\u201d. He gave a forceful performance, sounding a warning call about the Armageddon \u201cwe now live in\u201d, commenting on how wrongdoing has become commonplace in our cultural psyche.<\/p>\n
![\"Neville](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701151202.jpg\")
Neville ‘Bunny B’ Brown performs \u201cMulti Crisis\u201d<\/p><\/div>
\nBunny B appeared with his song \u201cMulti Crisis\u201d, an amusing portrayal of a serious theme, calling out the Prime Minister for her recent international declaration of war on ISIS while crime rages unabated in Trinidad and Tobago. He was followed by Duane O\u2019Connor who performed \u201cStand Strong\u201d. His contribution was topical and on point. He sang for all to stand strong for any cause \u201cyou believe in\u201d, citing Kublalsingh\u2019s hunger strike in his composition. Dressed sharply, he gave a characteristically smooth performance. \u201cBertie\u2019s Dream\u201d by Poser was different in that it represented a nod to Bertie Marshall\u2019s dream of a Pan Institute. His song stood as a powerful piece of cultural history detailing this, Bertie\u2019s dream and passion. Brother Valentino sang \u201cQueen of Carnival\u201d, which was definitely a celebration of all things Trinbagonian. He uplifted the rasta woman in the socio-cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, as the true and rightful queen of the Carnival.<\/p>\n
![\"Winston](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701151400.jpg\")
Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters performs \u201cBlack Man, Yuh Crazy\u201d<\/p><\/div>
\nWinston ‘Gypsy’ Peters was next with his song, \u201cBlack Man, Yuh Crazy\u201d. His performance was marred when he attempted an encore which the audience booed, causing him to launch into an extempo diatribe, refusing to accept this rejection. However, he had to accept his fate and relinquish the mic to the next performer. Doppy followed with his hilarious \u201cRoad March Dying\u201d. Audience members were left laughing for a long time after his performance as he successfully fused traditional kaiso and the \u201cjump, wine and wave something\u201d beats in a spirited performance demonstrating his point, that the public was accepting garbage in lieu of good kaiso. Mistah Shak performed his \u201cTarget\u201d hereafter and the lyrical hitman was in killing form with his rendition, lambasting the government for its ineptitude and double standards of leadership. Explainer was next with \u201cA Rainbow Country\u201d, an ode to the multi-ethnic society which so many dream about for our country, pleading for all to come together in racial unity. <\/p>\n
![\"Roderick](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701151605.jpg\")
Roderick ‘Chucky’ Gordon’ performs \u201cThe Rose\u201d, the song that won him the title of Calypso Monarch 2015<\/p><\/div>
\nRodrick ‘Chucky’ Gordon submitted his offering to the competition in the form of \u201cThe Rose\u201d, a song which slyly spoke to the apparent vanity of the Prime Minister, observing how her image seemed to be more important to her than her actual function. He was followed by Brother Mudada singing, \u201cNobody Eh See\u201d, a song which blazed the communities which protected and shielded criminals in their midst while they joined hands to decry police brutality. Karene Asche followed performing \u201cEvery Knee Shall Bow\u201d, a gospelypso type of song to which the audience responded heartily. Young Lani K offered \u201cEngine Room\u201d and he gave an energized performance which had many in the audience leaping to their feet and dancing. Genelle Bharat was next with \u201cChords\u201d, an ode to her love of steelpan and her training in the art form. Her contribution carried a catchy beat and her performance was accentuated by her playing of a steelpan whilst blindfolded.<\/p>\n
![\"Soft](\"http:\/\/www.triniview.com\/imgs\/khjnC2701152205.jpg\")
Soft Touch performs “Call the Police”<\/p><\/div>
\nSoft Touch sang \u201cCall the Police\u201d, a statement on how rampant the crime has become in Trinidad, so much so that the repeated refrain in the communities is now \u201cCall the Police!\u201d College Boy Jessie followed this with \u201cThe Untouchables\u201d, a song which summed up the despair he felt about sophisticated crime plans targeting petty crime while the large operation criminals seemed largely untouched by crime fighting initiatives. His performance was fierce and well-received by the crowd. Spicey was next with her song, \u201cD\u2019Advice\u201d, a refreshing narrative on how important learning to walk away when a relationship no longer works for either party, instead of clinging to something which can turn into violence. Gary Cordner sang \u201cReality\u201d which knocked the reality being faced by the grassroots community which is forced to bear witness to the millions being funded into corrupt projects, punning on the \u201cyou ent see,\u201d aspect of governmental failure. He was followed by Shradah McIntyre who sang \u201cThis Country\u201d, decrying the criminal aspects of our everyday life which is being touted as Trinidadian culture. Snakey lifted the mood with his \u201cCyar Rhyme\u201d which had many people laughing over his clownish antics, demonstrating his skill as a wordsmith. Dee Diamond sang \u201cBig Yard Music\u201d which was an interesting interpretation of how the Big Yard, situated in the Queen\u2019s Park Savannah, has assumed an iconic status for unifying the musical elements of culture. Veteran performer, Calypso Kerr followed with his \u201cTempo and Energy\u201d which certainly introduced just that into the audience. He gave a sprightly performance which showed how strong a performer he is after thirty-three years in the business. Wolde Dawit closed the show with his dance number, \u201cShow Me Yuh Motion\u201d.<\/p>\n
The show proved to be highly entertaining and it offered a selection of talent which did not fail to excite the adoration of the kaiso enthusiasts in the audience. <\/p>\n
Cast of Competitors \/ Songs<\/em><\/p>\n Gene Toney \/ My Name Is Calypso The atmosphere in Kaiso House on 27th January, 2015, was electric. Patrons swarmed to their seats in the cooled confines of the auditorium, and as the sound men checked the system, singers psyched themselves up for the evening of competition ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[181,75],"tags":[72,213,278,46,245,182],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/857"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=857"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":886,"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/857\/revisions\/886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.triniview.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nDoodnath \u201cDe Guru\u201d Radhakisoon \/ Journey of Life is Yours
\nPhillip \u201cBlack Sage\u201d Murray \/ Banditism
\nElizabeth \u201cLady Aiesha\u201d George \/ Plus Size Lover
\nAnson \u201cBrother Musa\u201d Alleng \/ Wake Up and Smell The Coffee
\nAllan Welch \/ Confused Global Warming
\nMoses \u201cXposer\u201d Munroe \/ Taking Warning
\nMarva \u201cMarvellous Marva\u201d Joseph \/ Safe Hands
\nKnolly \u201cBrown Boy\u201d Brown \/ Captain Rowley vs Penny
\nSharlan Bailey \/ Land of Demons
\nNeville \u201cBunny B\u201d Brown \/ Multi Crisis
\nDuane O\u2019Connor \/ Stand Strong
\nSylvester \u201cPoser\u201d Lockhart \/ Bertie\u2019s Dream
\nAnthony Emerald \u201cBrother Valentino\u201d Phillips \/ Queen of the Carnival
\nWinston \u201cGypsy\u201d Peters \/ Black Man You Crazy
\nWayne \u201cDoppy\u201d Dopson \/ Road March Dying
\nSelvon \u201cMistah Shak\u201d Noel \/ Target
\nWinston \u201cExplainer\u201d Henry \/ A Rainbow Country
\nRoderick \u201cChucky Gordon\u201d Gordon \/ The Rose
\nAllan \u201cBrother Mudada\u201d Fortune \/ Nobody Eh See
\nKarene Asche \/ Every Knee Shall Bow
\nJalani \u201cLani K\u201d Kojo \/ Engine Room
\nGenelle Bharat \/ Chords
\nEmrol \u201cSoft Touch\u201d Peter \/ Call the Police
\nJessie \u201cCollege Boy Jessie\u201d Stewart \/ The Untouchables
\nTammico \u201cSpicey\u201d Moore \/ D\u2019Advice
\nGary Cordner \/ Reality
\nShradah McIntyre \/ This Country
\nHeaven \u201cSnakey\u201d Charles \/ Cyah Rhyme
\nDeneison \u201cDee Diamond\u201d Moses \/ Big Yard Music
\nCarlston \u201cCalypso Kerr\u201d Kerr \/ Tempo and Energy
\nDavid \u201cWolde Dawit\u201d Thompson \/ Show Me Yuh Motion<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"