Calypso and Soca Weekend

It may have been a slow and murky start to the 2014 carnival season, but despite the challenges, both the CPMA and the Calypso Association are pressing on this week with plans to host a bumper music weekend. And that might be quite literal too judging by the number of bumper songs this year—“Bumper Inspector,” “That Bumper is Mine” and so on. With the conclusion of the quarter-final calypso competition last weekend, eighteen semi-finalist, have been chosen to compete this Sunday July 6 at the National Cultural Center. They are former monarchs Educator, Ashanti, Invader, Lady Spice, Nintus and Walleigh. The other semi-finalists include three ladies-Lady Lyn, Mary G and Redy. The other semi-finalists are Herb Black, Achiever, Blaze, Dennis James, Hitty, Patience, Siah, Taker and Ti Carro. In the case of the Groovy and Power Soca preliminaries, performers were chosen last Sunday by a panel of judges who made the selections from CD and MP3 submissions. Twenty performers each are down for the Groovy Soca and Power Soca preliminaries scheduled for Friday, July 4, 2014.   Eleven of the artistes will take part in both competitions. They also include three DJ’s-DJ HP, DJ Cleus-maybe four if we consider Yardie who is now a radio announcer. The performers in the Power Soca category are Ambi, Arthur, DJ Cleus, D Sean, Derrick Yarde, DJ HP, Dragon, Ezra, General Bakes, J Mouse, J Buds, Kakal, Mantius, Mongster, Mubarak, Platinum George, Q Pid, Sergie, Tea Bag and Yardie. Groovy Soca preliminary performers are Ambi, Arthur, Benje, De Sean, DJ HP, Esteban, Exodus, General Bakes, Grapes, Mantius, Mongster, Mubarak, Mysterio, Nerdy, Knyckler, Platinum George, QPid, Sedale, Sergie and Trish. The format of Friday’s event is an after-work lime beginning at 5 pm on the grounds of the National Cultural Center and the event is free. Meanwhile the performers of all competitions (Calypso Monarch Semi Finals, Groovy Soca and Power Soca Preliminaries ) are reminded to report to the CDF offices today Wednesday 2nd June 2014, from 10.00 am to sign their Performance Contracts  and dip for their respective order of appearances. Hopefully this is one contract Ambi will not ask organizers to hold.