Hot start to Vincy Carnival 2010 in NY

by Maxwell Haywood 14.MAY.10

Scores of Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals living in North America gathered at the Top Shelf Cultural Club in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, May 8, to witness the launch of Vincy Carnival 2010. It was organized by Level Vibes HD led by the indefatigable Ainsley Primus.{{more}}

The main attraction of the night was the New Song Competition, which was won by Stryker who delivered an excellent performance with his song called “Rooster Booster” and walked away with the Soca Devil Trophy. Stryker, who won the Best Song Competition in 2008, regained the trophy on Saturday night in fine style from the 2009 title holder, Wise Guy, who sang “Buggs Bunny”. Wise Guy was challenged in a keen competition by 13 other artistes.

Three winners emerged from this keen competition. The third place went to Honey Boy Bells, the second place went to Jakie, and first place went to Stryker.

The line-up included Groovy D with “They can’t feel it”, I-madd with “Ah love my woman”, John Dougan – “Once in my life”, The Reverend – “Prophecy”, Big Wayne – “Carnival got me”, Jakie – “Ah can’t wait”, Detector – “I want to see you”, Bob MC – “Never again, Phill Patch – “Blessing”, Honey Boy Bells – “Obama”, Copper – “Headless”, and Ras X- Vincy real blessed”.

This array of artistes delighted the audience, and made this year’s launch of Vincy Mas in New York one of the hottest since it began four years ago. Complementing this solid list of singers were guest artistes Scorcher, who thrilled the audience with some of his greatest hits, and Lively who did not fail to delight the audience with his hits. Also on the line up were Inspector from Grenada who treated the fans with selections of Vincentian soca hits, and Super Dex, President of the Dynamites Calypso Tent, who shared with the audience a taste of what he has in store for Vincy Carnival 2010.

DJs Jam One, Super Eyes, Laga and Ellis entertained the audience with pulsating soca music. The two major sponsors Standard Shippers of New York owned by Fessy Yorke, and KBD Shipping played a supporting role in making the event a success. Drawings from SVG Players mas band in SVG were also displayed on the screen throughout the night. Radio stations in New York, 101.5fm and 91.9 fm also played a good role by carrying the event live on radio and the internet.

Ainsely Primus of Level Vibes HD stated “In terms of attendance and organization of the show, the launch of Vincy Carnival 2010 in Brooklyn was a success.” He pleaded to the government and private sector to support this venture next year. According to him: “The biggest Vincentian audience is in the USA, especially New York. Investing in the launch in Brooklyn will bring enormous benefits for the people and economy of SVG, the artistes, and investors. Level Vibes need all the financial and moral support it can get.”

Despite the announcement of the wrong winners, which was immediately corrected, those who attended were witnesses to a great event in the making – which is the launch of Vincy Carnival in New York. This event holds tremendous potential for promoting Vincy Carnival and Vincentian cultural arts in North America, and by extension the economy of SVG.

This event set the pace for the night of Friday, May 28, 2010, when calypsonians of the New York based Dynamites Calypso Tent will perform before the judges for selection to the National Calypso Monarch Competition.