Did you notice the headline that I put for this posting? If you are going to the show tonight the price of the ticket is $1,200.00 (pre-purchased) and will cost more at the gate to get in. No, it is not a typo! Can you imagine living in Guyana and having to pay $1,200.00 to witness the Soca Monarch competition? Well, I can't and I don't think I will every pay that amount of money to witness a singing competition. I do hope that the singers and their songs are superb and that the performances are worth the cost to get in! Phew, that is financial pressure.
OK, I know that a very select few you reading this will look up the exchange rates to see the value of $1,200.00 Guyanese dollars; don't worry I have done the calculations for you. In US currency GYD $1,200 = US $5.88; TT $37.76; Barbados (BBD) $11.75 and Eastern Caribbean (XCD) $15.86. Not much right; however, don't for one moment believe that $1,200 Guyanese dollars is easy to obtain in Guyana when the minimum wage is $2.00 per hour. Now put that in 'yuh pipe and smoke it'. Does that put things in perspective? Well don't worry because just like in Trinidad and Tobago regardless of the person's circumstance they will find a way to pay to attend. That show tonight will be sold out for sure.
So what does that say about us as a people? We love to fete more than anything else? what is your opinion about this? Regardless of what you think or feel the show will go on!
I guess we should say a little about the show at this point. there are seventeen contestants going up against the reigning champion Jomo. Will Jomo retain his crown or will there be a new monarch. Will Adrian Dutchin with his Trinidad composed song (Madmen Productions) come away as the winner? Maybe he will or he will simply have to wait another year. Maybe someone else could pull off the surprise and become the new Monarch. Let's take in the views of gtvibes.com (Guyana's first entertainment website):
"From all indications, the top contenders likely to cop the coveted title are Adrian Dutchin; George Anthony Abrams; Vanilla and B52; Roger Bowen and former Soca Monarch, “Bonesman” following closely behind. Lil Red and King Shepherd also showed great potential. However, this will not be an easy task since the reigning king is all hyped and ready to defend his title with his entry, “Fireworks”. Only the judges can make the ruling."
We won't have to wait long again because the show is just hours away. If you have any knowledge of broadcast feeds please leave a note via the comment feature of this posting. Good luck to all the contestants.