Carnival came and Carnival done! Everyone had their favorite artists and bands they supported. The Soca Monarch Competition was the main event for the Soca singers. The Calypso Monarch title was won by Duane O'Connor. Now we have to wait until next year for the rebirth of the festival... well not really! The initiative that was orchestrated by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization (TUCO) was conceived to promote the Calypso art form after the Carnival is over. The result of this grand initiative is a competition that will soon crown a Humorous Calypso Monarch!
The National Humorous Calypso Monarch finalists (after Carnival promotion) will be competing for $75,000.00 in prize money. The first place contestant will receive $25,000.00. This competition is a step in the right direction and one that is intended to promote Calypso after the Carnival is over. The response from the public has been positive. I listened to part of the broadcast that was brought via the Internet courtesy of WACK radio. Some of the singers were not funny at all and sang calypsos that were geared towards a show like the National Calypso Monarch Competition. However, there were some funny songs that dealt with race, and problems in the country and everyone's favorite topic sexual virility and 'macomere men'. Even the office of the Prime Minister got some tongue lashing. The finals should be very interesting affair!
A field of 25 Calypsonians were selected from the tents to compete in the semi finals from which the final eight were selected. The Semi finals were well attended with the Minister of Arts And Multiculturalism on hand to witness the show that was carried live on WACK Radio. The finals will take place on March 31, 2012.
The eight National Humorous Calypso Monarch finalists are:
Myron Bruce aka The Incredible Myron B
Fred Mitchell aka Composer
Elizabeth George aka Lady Aiesha
Julian Hunt aka Kid Kalaloo
Michael Osouna aka Sugar Aloes
Donric Williamson aka Lord Funny
Caston Cupid
Michael Brown aka Mechanic
Reserve Singer: Michael John aka Mr. Nature