Calypso tent action heats up in SVG

Local calypsonians are gearing up to bring their best game as the preliminary judging round has officially begun.

This year is a big year for the fraternity as it’s the 50th year for the calypso semi-finals in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The battle for a place in the finals started on Wednesday, June, 11, 2025, when the Upstage Xperience Tent held their preliminary judging at the Russell’s Auditorium to a packed audience. The tent featured the likes of former Junior Calypso monarchs, Omanie Cupid and Divine ‘Skye’ Hackshaw, as well as former Queen of Calypso, Shaunelle Mckenzie.

Preliminary judging continued on Thursday, June, 12, with the On Tour Calypso Tent which has increased its number to 24 competitors; and with the Graduates Calypso Tent tonight, June 13. Graduates has added a new face with veteran calypsonian Grantley “Ipa” Constance coming over from On Tour. Patrons can also expect to see the return of Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes” Alleyne as well in the On Tour line-up.

The Carnival Development Corporation has made some changes to this year’s semi-finals show. It will now be held at the Kingstown Cruise Ship Berth on June, 29, and it will be dubbed ‘An Evening with the Legends’.

The anticipated finals night is slated for Sunday, July, 6 at Dimanche Gras show where calypsonians who have successfully passed through the semi-final round will be hoping to dethrone last year’s monarch from the UpStage tent, Raeon “Madzart” Primus who took the 2024 Calypso crown with the catchy tune ‘Contours’.

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