4 newcomers to battle old stagers in calypso semis

Four newcomers will face off against 18 seasoned veterans, for a place in the finals of this year’s national calypso competition.

Three of the four: Javelle ‘Lady Diamond’ Frank, Jerome ‘Parry’ Samuel and Glenroy ‘Sachy’ Samuel are members of the P’Tani calypso tent, which also includes long time calypsonian Elliot ‘Mystery’ Shallow.

The other newcomer, Kahalia ‘Queen B’ Beache, hails from the Upstage Calypso Tent, which boasts the most semi-finalists in Michael ‘Lord Have Mercy’ Ollivierre, Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams, Fitzroy ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph, Alpheus ‘Observer’ Duncan and Ronald ‘Ron B’ Browne.

Producing five semi-finalists for the June 17 competition is the Graduates Calypso Tent with Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, Maxwell ‘Tajoe’ Francis, George ‘Jah Burke’ Nedd, Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, and Linton ‘Sweet 16’ Samuel.

Four members of the On Tour Calypso Tent are also into the semis; they are Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance, Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abbey, Robbie ‘Soharo’ Hackshaw, and Derick ‘Man Sick’ Alexander.

The other semi-finalists are from the New York based Dynamites Calypso Tent: Errol ‘The Man Age’ Rose, Carlos ‘Rejector’ Providence and Dennis Bowman.

The semi-finals will take place at the La Croix boxing plant, beginning at 8 pm.

Eleven calypsonians will be chosen to come up on July 3 against reigning monarch Joyce ‘Joy C’ Creese, who will be going for her third straight title. (JJ)