With reigning calypso monarch Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd, out of the picture owing to illness, a new calypso monarch will definitely be crowned this year.

And, tonight, 22 calypsonians will take part in the calypso semifinals at the Victoria Park where they will fight for 11 spaces in the finals instead of 10 as in previous years.

The show, dubbed ‘Fantastic Friday’, is expected to commence at 8 pm and will see one competitor from the Dynamites Calypso Tent, eight from the Graduates Calypso Tent, five from the On Tour Calypso Tent and eight from the Upstage Xperience Calypso Tent competing for spots in the finals scheduled for Dimanche Gras on Sunday July 8.

Carlos ‘Rejector’ Providence is the lone representative of Dynamites, while from the Graduates tent, those taking part are Chewalee ‘Chewalee’ Johnson, Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, Maxwell ‘Tajoe’ Francis, Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, Nigel ‘Broom’ Layne-Little, Phylcia ‘Nubian Empress’ Alexander, Hance John and St Clair ‘Mitch’ Lavia.

Coming from the On Tour tent are Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne, Adolphus ‘I Come’ Miller, Elvis ‘Abby Jah’ Abby, Robert ‘Patches’ King and Wendell ‘Speshie’ Goodrich.

Upstage will be represented by Fitzroy ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph, Shaunelle McKenzie, Zamfir ‘Zangie’ Adams, Shernelle ‘Skarpyan’ Williams, Cleopatra Hendrickson, Joeana ‘Nubian Princess’ Christopher, Gosnel ‘GC’ Cupid and Shena Collis.

The reserves are Glenford ‘Azarah’ Charles and Sherikah Richards.

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Calypso Association (SVGCA) Earl ‘Caba’ Bennett said everything is in place for the show, the bands are practicing and the artistes going through their paces.

“Patrons can expect a bumper show, a very entertaining show with diverse calypsos, upbeat, humorous, social commentary, political, entertaining, with great entertainment value,” said Bennett.

Guest performances will come from Cornelius ‘Poorsah’ Williams and Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus.