Five former Kings in Calypso battle

Five former champions are among the eleven finalists who will do battle on Dimanche Gras night for the coveted Calypso crown.{{more}}

Bridgette “Joy C” Creese, Kenneth “Vibrating Scakes” Alleyne, Errol “De Man Age” Rose, Glenroy “Sulle” Caesar and Carlos “Rejector” Providence will lead the charge on Sunday, July 5th, for the title, as well as $22,500 in prize money.

The other finalists are Dennis Bowman, Michael “Black Messenger” John, Fitzroy “Brother Ebony” Joseph, Robert “Patches” Knights, Gosnel “GC” Cupid and Alvin “Zion I” Dennie, whose song “Sing let we hear” created the most stir on semi-finals night, following controversy leading up to the show.

There will be a new champion this year because Monique “Princess Monique” Hector, the 2008 Monarch, has informed the CDC that she will not be defending her crown this year.

The appreciable crowd, in the context of a calypso show, which gathered at the Victoria Park on Friday, June 19th, witnessed a keenly contested and entertaining competition, as the 22 artistes did their various numbers.

The Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) had promised a shorter show, with more entertainment value, and they delivered.

“We are pleased with the outcome of the show,” stated CDC Chief Executive Officer, Ashford Wood.

He told SEARCHLIGHT that the semi-finals fitted nicely into the concept that the CDC was aiming for.

Wood said that it was good to see that after the show ended at around 12:15 a.m., people stayed around and socialized.

The show began at 8:15 pm, just fifteen minutes later than the advertized 8:00pm starting time.

Wood told SEARCHLIGHT that while the CDC is pleased, in the coming years, the package will continue to be tweaked so as to attract more people. (KJ)