BALLY had to repeat his first
song because of poor
sound system.

Concern for Bally’s performance.

Worried looks on faces of SUGAR ALOES
(centre) and SKATIE (second from right)
as the sound system began giving trouble.

St. Margaret’s Posse focussed on winning
rather than” judging”.

Many of the supporting acts chose to sleep.

Crowd bored to death.

WHAT will become of Calypso Fiesta in the next few years?

Are Joanie and her toilet paper posse so enthralled with their “celebrity” status that they can no longer provide the true acid test for competitors?

What has happened to “judges” like the St. Margaret’s Posse and others who often raised the placards for sub standard calypsoes and performances?

Were these posses too busy competing for the $5,000 “Biggest Posse” prize, which St. Margaret’s eventually won?

Or is it that the continuous calls made over the years by various masters of ceremonies at Calypso Fiesta to show respect (which they rightfully deserve) to each and every calypsonian regardless of what they sing, now having effect and patrons are paying a hefty price of boredom?

Those were some of the big questions making the rounds following last Saturday’s staging of yet another boring show at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

The show which ran for almost 12 hours, put calypso lovers through endless pain even sending some of them to sleep.

For others to avoid falling asleep, many joined the real action around the tent where Laventille Rhythm Section kept the tempo going ...

Patrons who entered the Park early that morning to get proper “seats” had to endure even more in the hot sun as real entertainment, as enjoyed in years gone by, was sadly lacking.

Skinner Park lacked the fire it once had forcing one MC to question the role of Joanie and her toilet paper posse who often sent fear into the hearts of many a calypsonian.

He asked if toilet paper was now too expensive.

Many say Joanie has become so popular now that rather than “boo or show toilet paper” she’s often backstage exchanging pleasantry with artistes.

Her sidekick Drina known as “posy head” was absent last Saturday, but it would have been no different since they are regarded as celebrities and is often celebrated in song by most calypsonians.

Last Saturday not a piece of toilet paper went up in the air, and save and except for one small placard which read, “have faith in God”, placards were missing.

Denyse Plummer, who received a baptism of fire some years ago when she performed on the Skinner Park stage and many other calypsonians who got the real “acid test” back then, must be wandering what’s really wrong with Skinner Park.

How come every performance passes the test?


Imagine not a boo, not a jeer…
Even the calypsonians known for biting political commentary went soft that evening, choosing to dance around the issues.

Imagine if another party was in government.

The talk of Skinner Park being the most feared stage now seems almost like a myth.

Under a scorching sun, the annual calypso picnic kicked off before a small crowd with Explainer delivering his Park It and All Inclusive.

As the show proceeded it was clear that the evening would be a trying one for the artistes as the sound system showed signs of problems.

Bally became its first casualty and had to repeat his first song, 20/20, because “the judges didn’t hear, their monitors giving problems”, the MC told the crowd.

Sugar Aloes and Skatie, Bally’s colleagues from Revue Tent quickly got into the act to make sure his chances were good as any other.

Bally didn’t make it to the finals and has questioned his exclusion.

Mudada managed to wake up the crowd with Dem Judges as he poked fun at calypsonians who always complain about the judges whenever they lose.

The boring calypso trip continued thereafter.

The fun-starved crowd really came alive at half time and raised dust when guest artiste Maximus Dan delivered yet another of his great performances.

Like a possessed people they jumped and pranced and wined to his music before being sent back into a lull.

The tired crowds began leaving late evening, many held on for their favourite son Sugar Aloes but he, too, as many agreed was not the same “when it come to stinging lyrics” this season.

He never came on stage until 10.25 p.m.

Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) President Michael “Protector” Leggerton, who was a semi finalist, but pulled out last minute, likened the evening to a funeral march.

Calypsonian, King Wellington, described it as “beat less and tuneless” saying that Dimanche Gras “will also bore people to death”.

Leggerton has vowed to make sweeping changes for 2007.

The public must now wait and see.

Calypso Monarch Finalists are:

Chalkdust
Singing Sandra
Skatie Sugar Aloes
Stinger
Karene Asche
The Orignal De Fosto Himself
Bro Mudada
Roderick Gordon Crazy
Brian London
Luta
Crazy
Reserves
Bally
Heather McIntosh