BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE semi-final leg of the renowned International Soca Competition is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Jan. 29) and will not see representation from St. Kitts. And questions have been raised as to why no representation would be made by St. Kitts, especially after it was understood that the winner of the local Soca Competition would receive an automatic buy into the semi-finals.
Orin ‘Mighty Takeover’ Roberts was crowned the local 2011/2012 Power Soca Monarch during the wee hours of December 24 after a stiff competition which commenced the evening prior. And Shakki Starfire was simultaneously crowned Groovy Soca Monarch 2011/2012.
Roberts told this publication that he was looking forward to providing representation for his country in the International Soca Competition to be held in Trinidad but, after making preparations to do so, was disappointed to understand that such representation would no longer be possible.
According to Roberts, after entering the competition he was under the distinct impression that the winner would enter into the semi-finals of the international competition, and after he won the Power segment “I was contacted officially by the Soca Monarch Chairman, Sylvester Anthony, and he indicated to me that I am supposed to be going to Trinidad”.
He said the deadline for registration for the International Soca Competition was January 12, and one day before that he was contacted by the Chairperson of the Carnival Committee, Shannon Hawley, who indicated to him that he should fill out the necessary form and email it back to her, which he did.
He further explained that he was also asked to submit a copy of his track and a video of his performance by the following Tuesday (Jan. 17), but was then told it must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 14).
“…because of the Carnival Committee’s attempt to suppress piracy, I had difficulty getting it from ZIZ…I told them (Hawley) that might not be possible but I tried my best. So I got it to them on Saturday evening.”
Roberts said he subsequently contacted Hawley and she assured him that all was well, but what happened next threw him for a loop and sent him seeking further information.
“Shannon spoke to me, so I asked her if everything if fine and she said yes. Then she indicated to me that she doesn’t know if I would be in the semi-finals. So I asked her if she is sure I am not going to be a sure semi-finalist and she said yes. Subsequently, the semi-final list was produced and I was not a part of it. She sent me a text message saying bad news, I did not make the semi-finals, and then she told me she is going to send me the official correspondence which to date I have not received.
“I couldn’t understand how it is that we were reasonably sure we were getting into at least semi-finals and then hearing on the other hand, we were not…I decided to at least find out formally from the Internationally Soca Monarch organisers and I was given an official response.”
The correspondence which Roberts received – a copy of which was shown to this media house – indicates that protocol might not have been followed by the local Carnival Committee. It also suggests that the committee was aware of St. Kitts’ ineligibility since the day before the local competition was held.
“Our procedures and guidelines are to be initiated long before the day of the actual competition and adhered to by the cultural organisation and/or Government.
“Invitations are sent to Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts, from the respective islands’ cultural organization and/or Government body, four (4) months in advance for two (2) executives to attend the Final stage of the respective islands’ competition. This accommodation is made so that our executives are given the opportunity to view the production first hand and assess the quality of same, before automatic entry is considered. If standards set by the International Soca Monarch Competition are met and approved by our executives, only then is an invitation extended.
“Our offices were contacted on December 22nd 2011, the day before the competition was scheduled to take place; given this unrealistic time frame our Directors were unable to accommodate the request.
“At this time nothing can be done…”
Chairman of the local Soca Monarch Sub-Committee, Sylvester Anthony, when contacted by this media house and asked why this country would not be represented at the International Soca Monarch Competition, said, “That you would have to ask the organisers of the International Soca Monarch Competition.”
When contacted by this media house, Hawley explained her version of the happenings which resulted in ‘Takeover’ and ‘Shakki’ not being allowed to enter the international competition.
She explained that in 2010/2011 when King Konris had won the local Soca Monarch Competition, the local committee took a decision to enter the international competition. And having placed a call to the Chairman of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts, William Munro, he informed that Konris’ material could be submitted and a relationship was established.
She said that was done in February 2011, the same month that the semi-finals of the International Soca Competition was to have taken place.
Hawley admitted that the local organising committee did not make contact with the organiser of the international competition four months in advance, but contrary to what the abovementioned correspondence indicated, she denied contacting the committee a mere day before the local competition was held.
She explained that she made contact with the committee in early December and an invitation was extended for representatives to visit and view the local event.
Hawley said she even has an email in her possession dating as far back as September 2011, informing the International Soca Monarch Competition organising committee of the local Soca Monarch competition for that year.
“This year, we were in contact with Ms. Hinkson prior to the Soca Monarch competition in St. Kitts. We invited them to send a representative from the International Soca Monarch to come to St. Kitts for our Soca Monarch. At that point they said it was Christmas and they would not have any time to send a representative.
“The deadline for the submission of the registration forms etc. was, I think 13th, a Friday. I was in contact with Ms. Hinkson all through January. She said to submit the registration forms which we did both for Shakki and Takeover. They paid the registration fee by the deadline and we also submitted the music by the deadline. At that point, based on my communication with Ms. Hickson, it was as if it were standard procedure, however our artistes would be fast-tracked to the semi-finals such as Konris was last year…”
Hawley said the names of the semi-finalists were released shortly after and when she did not see the names of either the Groovy Soca Monarch or the Power Soca Monarch, she made inquiries. She noted however, that she has yet to receive an official response to her queries.
“On the Monday the official names were released and none of our artistes were there so on the Tuesday I called and asked what the situation was. And they said Mr. Munro had made a personal decision not to include St. Kitts in the semi-finals this year and I asked what he based this decision on if he did so last year and not so this year. What is the procedure?
“I then wrote a formal complaint (similar to what Antigua did last year) in writing to the International Soca Monarch Committee asking them to respond in writing as to why our artistes were not fast-tracked to the semi-finals this year. We have not received any correspondence from them since.”
The National Carnival Committee Chairperson suggested to SKNVibes that there are irregularities in the International Soca Monarch Competition’s organising committee’s modus operandi if it bypasses protocol in one instance and asks that it be adhered to in another.
“They did not come down last year but they fast-tracked our winner and we did not establish any relationship with them until February when we sent Konris’ music. The thing about it is, they did the same thing to Antigua last year. Antigua had a relationship with them and Mr. Munro, on his own, decided last year Antigua’s Claudette Peters could not enter. And Antigua did the same thing, they submitted a complaint in writing and this year Antigua is fast-tracked to the finals.
“There has been nothing ever with the National Soca Monarch Committee where there is protocol. The protocol was not followed last year. We submitted Konris’ music in February and he was fast-tracked to the semi-finals. Again, based singled-handedly on Mr. Munro’s decision that he liked Konris’ music…he didn’t even have to go through the preliminary process.”
Roberts, who seemed eager to provide representation of his country, noted that he is disappointed over this turn of events.
“Of course, as an artiste I would have preferred if they know something to say something as opposed to having people in the dark and having to go outside to fish for information. I honestly would have preferred if they were open with us, because I find it a bit disheartening that I had to go that far in order to get the information.”
Shakki, when contacted by this media house for a comment regarding her not being able to represent her country at the International Soca Monarch Competition, simply noted, “Every disappointment is for a blessing.”
