BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHAIRMAN of the Sugar Mas Committee, Sylvester Anthony has shared that the Female Calypso Bacchanal is not permanently removed from the National Carnival line-up.
Anthony, who is also Chairman of the Calypso Sub-Committee, pointed out that this year “it was one of those rational decisions”. As gathered from him, the general public does not support the show satisfactorily, which has resulted in a loss of “tens of thousands of dollars” over the years.
Speaking from a ticket financial perspective, the Carnival Chairman made mention to the tough economic climate, noting that “money is tight” and so a decision on funding was made by the Committee with regards to what events could be kept and those that could not.
According to Anthony, although the competition in not on the line-up this year, it does not mean that the Committee “can’t rethink” its decision.
Hence, it is safe to say that the Committee will continue to look at the possibility of bringing back the Female Calypso Bacchanal sometime in the future.
Questioned about the quality level of the show over the years, Anthony said that females have “put on an exemplary show”, noting that last year’s show was “great”.
Over the past years, the show was dually held with the Best of the Rest Competition and also for the opening of carnival, which, in accordance with Anthony, was “done in order to encourage attendance”.
As gathered, when the revised holding of the Female Calypso Bacchanal was done, the free-attendance events were well attended.
When asked why the public does not support that competition as much, Anthony indicated that he wished not to speculate.
The Carnival Chairman deems the holding of the Female Calypso Bacchanal as being “necessary” from a “developmental perspective” in order to develop skills of the performers, likewise with the holding of the Junior Calypso Competition.
Anthony said he had spoken to a number of female calypsonians and pointed out that one of the difficulties that they female experience is getting songs written for them, since most of them do not pen their own songs.
He added that sometimes females calypsonians would get their songs together late.
Anthony is encouraging the females to be a part of the “tent culture” so that more persons could hear their songs.
He believes that tent participation could enable them to develop a following of fans and get better recognition.
Anthony opined that singing in the tents would result in better attendance from the public to the Calypso Bacchanal Competition, which would assist in developing the female calypso art form.
Females are also urged to look at the opportunity to perform in the Senior Calypso Monarch Competition as an option of continuing their art form.
Over the years, a number of female competitors have made it to the final of that particular competition.
Last year, Queen Anastasia took the crown at Female Calypso Bacchanal Competition for a fifth time, while Queenie G was adjudged First Runner-up and Singing Jackie Second Runner-up. In the Third Runner-up position was Lady Diva.
