Having problems with message search?
Hi CAG Members,
The place to be on Saturday night gone was at the Steelworkers Union Hall where Toronto's Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) hosted their Semi Final Competition. Fourteen contestants sang two songs each; all original music that covered a range of topics: Canadian politics, the Caribbean Summit in April, global warming, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama hugging the Queen, an errant pussy cat, the implication of hens coming home to roost (a metaphor for the social ills with today youth and parenting), the world's global economy, and the management of our annual Caribana™ festival by its current administrators. There were other topics, but you get the gist, eh? The Calypso art-form is alive and well in Toronto. And it continues to fulfill its mandate of being the people's newspaper discussing issues that affect our Caribbean community.
It was truly a wonderful show. The calibre of lyrics were of a high standard, and the individual presentations were excellent. Money well spent, if you ask me. For those who were there, you know I speak the truth. For those were weren't there, all I have to say is go out and buy your tickets to the finals! And in advance because you won't want to miss this show.
OCPA's "KAISO 365 Calypso Monarch Finals" will be held on Saturday, July 18th, 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Exhibition Place, CNE Grounds. Tickets are $42.00 in advance ; $45.00 at the door. For a list of ticket outlets, check your local Toronto Caribbean newspapers or call OCPA at 416-795-2722.
But back to the Semi's. The results were announced at the end of the competition, with eight competitors and one reserve going forward to challenge the last year's winner, Macomere Fifi, for the title of the 2009 Calypso Monarch. The performing order was determined by random number selection pulled by the contestants in front of the audience in attendance which will be as follows:
# NAME SOBRIQUET - STAGE NAME TENT
1 Brian Thornhill Structure Kaiso Forum
2 Bill Newman Calypso Crooner The Professionals
3 Susan Grogan Susan G Kaiso Forum
4 Denise Alexander Spice Kaiso Forum
5 Michael Moore Beginner The Professionals
6 Michael Thomas Redman Kaiso Forum
7 Tara Eulith Woods Macomere Fifi (2008 defending champ) The Professionals
8 Henry Gomez King Cosmos Kaiso Forum
9 Nzunaki Tuitt Naki The Professionals
Reserve Finalist (in case one the original eight finalists cannot perform on the night for whatever reason):
Leslie Carrabon De Carra Kaiso Forum
Congratulations to Henry Gomez - our CAG Chair - for making it to OCPA's 2009 Calypso Monarch Finals!!!!!!
Formal press releases will be distributed after the official 42nd annual Scotiabank Caribana™ Festival Launch on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009. Oh ... and as a reminder, owed to the current labour strike, the official festival launch scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 will take place at Yonge/Dundas Square instead of at Nathan Phillips Square. Hopefully, this will is the only event that has a venue change due to the labour strike. Regardless, please know that there are back-up/contingent plans in place for all affected festival events if needed, OK?
Happily, OCPA's "KAISO 365 Calypso Monarch Finals" venue is not affected. So see you on Saturday, July 18th ... KAISO! KAISO! And don't forget to buy your tickets in advance, OK? The show and
"lime" will be sweet! Until then ... go King Cosmos ... go! :-)
Cheers, Alicia!
Roj (Roger James)
The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com
Trinbago site:
http://www.tntisland.com
Family Website:
http://chowmartinfamily.com
Carib Brass Ctn site
http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection
Steel Expressions
http://clix.to/steelexpressions
Site of the Week:
http://chowmartinfamily.com
Caribbean Flags & Sovenirs:
http://www.tntisland.com/buycaribbeanttflags.html 
Online Now 
Send Email