Finalists for 2014 Calypso competition announced

The ten calypsonians who will compete against reigning Calypso Monarch Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams have been announced.{{more}}

The finalists were chosen from a group of 22 on Friday, June 27, at the calypso semi-finals, dubbed Fantastic Friday, which was a drinks-inclusive event held at the Carnival City, Victoria Park.

The 10 finalists are: Robert “Patches” Knights, who sang “Ring the Bell”; Zamfir “Man Zangie” Adams, with “Act before it’s too Late”; Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd with “Don’t Blame the Youth”; Shaunelle Mc Kenzie with “Calypso Hard to Write”; Grantley “Ipa” Constance, who sang “Old Age”; Vivian “I-Come” Miller, with “Body Parts”; Elvis “Abijah” Abbey, who sang “Invisible Man.” Aurella “Queen B” Beache, with “Slave”; Kenneth “Vibrating Scakes” Alleyne, with “More Flood;” and Dennis Bowman, with “Airport to Build.”

The other semi-finalists were: Earl “Exposer” Isles, John “The Truth” Dougan, Glen “Bump I” Richards, Michael “Mercy” Ollivierre, Maxwell “Tajoe” Francis, St Clair “Mitch” Lewis, Elliot “Mystery” Shallow, Glenford “Azara” Charles, Andreide “Ranking Bash” Baptiste, Cleopatra Hendrickson, and Alphaeus “Observer” Duncan.

The Calypso Finals take place at Victoria Park on July 6, during the Dimanche Gras show on July 6.

The show, which started approximately an hour and a half after its scheduled time because of heavy rains, saw only a small turn out of calypso lovers. Some persons, equipped with umbrellas, gathered close to the barricades and partied to the songs of their favourite calypsonians.

Guest artiste Bomani got the ball rolling when he peformed a number of songs and was the centrepiece of a beautiful dance piece done by the La Gracia Dance Company.

Following the completion of the competition aspect of the show, the Roses Crew soca group paid tribute to founding member Stuart “Rudy” Louie, who was shot and killed in 2012.

Before their performance, a minute of silence was observed in honour of Louie.

However, by the time the trio took the stage, most of the crowd had already made their exit from the park.

Calypsonians Sunny Banks and Brother Ebony also performed during a brief interval.

Veteran calypsonian Lexi and ASP Jonathan Nichols of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force hosted the show.(KW)