ROSEAU, Dominica - TWENTY of Dominica’s top calypsonians will compete on Saturday, January 30 for a spot in the LIME-sponsored Finals that will be held on February 13.
The calpsonians who will be competing against the reigning Monarch, Lord Karressah, are Checker, Dutchess (four-time junior Monarch), Foul Puss, Triumph, Yakima, Della, Prosper, Mighty Logars, Beno, Sye, The Bobb, Sugar S, Lady Tasha P, Observer (two-time Senior Monarch), Explosion, Lady Star, Daddy Chess, Boople, Ghetto Prince and Scrunter (three-time Senior Monarch).
According to Public Relations Officer of the Dominica Calypso Association Ian Jackson, preparations have been going great. He said that this year’s competition should be exciting although there is no rivalry among the calypsonians.
“The Calypsonian that won last year, won the crown for the first time and the reigning King from that year, Dice, did not compete. Dominica is known for the rivalry among calypsonians. In the past, we’ve had Dice and Hunter competing against each other but nine will be chosen from the 20 to compete with the reigning King,” he said.
He said that the Calypso Finals is a major event in Dominica, where thousands of people turnout, compared to the attendance for a soca monarch competition. He said the winner would receive a total of EC$20 000 along with other prizes, and that finalists who did not place usually walk away with EC$4 000.
Jackson is also pleased about their newly-purchased Kaiso House, which he said has none like it in the Caribbean. He said that the three-storey building costs around EC$700 000 and would serve as administration and a facility for calypso workshops and training of judges.
The Calypso Finals is a part of ‘The Real Mas Camp 2010’ Dominica’s Carnival which officially began on January 23 and will end on Carnival Tuesday, February 16.
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