SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) hosted a completely sold out Senior Calypso Eliminations on Friday Night to signal the return of Calypso to its full from. The event is annually sponsored by Nagico Insurances who expanded its contributions to the art-form this year. By 9:00pm, the Aleeze Convention Center and Event Hall had standing room only for an estimated 600 people which, according to the SCDF, “was a great problem to have.”
The eliminations featured 15 singers, 10 of whom made it through to the Calypso finals on April 26 in Carnival Village. However, of the original 10 that made it, two will be replaced due to the fact that the snag songs that were performed before and did not fit the “originality” criteria of the SCDF and regional norms used to judge Calypso.
As such, Roxxy and King Barrow will be replaced in the finals by Ebony Empress and The Pensioner. The remaining eight that made the finals are Fish Da Mega Boss with his song “In Your Heart”, The Mighty Dow with “We Need More Wife”, His Majesty Baker Junior with “Can Reparations Pay For That”, The Wizard with “They Can’t Come”, Dr. Jones with “St. Maarten Mouth”, Ricky Da Phox with “We Need a Break”, Lady Upsetter with Save “Sint Maarten Land” and X-Rey with “Wake Up”. Ebony Empress and The Pensioner’s songs were entitled “Revolution Change” and “Who Else” respectively.
The Night also featured an introduction of some of the children that will be competing in the Junior Calypso and Roadmarch Competition on April 9 at the Harbour facility. This show is being coordinated by the Dow Musical Foundation.
People in the audience also had the opportunity to sing spontaneous Calypso called “extempo” to win a brand new television from Nagico Insurances. Only ladies took the stage to give it their best effort with the crowd favorite taking home the prize which was presented by Lisa Brown and Vincent Haakmat of Nagico.
“Overall it was a terrific show and we believe the crowd was truly entertained with good social commentary,” President of the SCDF Edwardo Radjouki said. I want to take the opportunity to thank Nagico for sticking with the art form of Calypso and for supporting Carnival in general. The company is the only committed sponsor for Calypso in Carnival and continues to believe in the product. We are very grateful,” he said.
He said the anticipation for the finals is now very high. Each singer, including the current Calypso Monarch King Beau Beau, will have to singe two songs to try and win the coveted crown that carries a US $10,000 prize.
The Aleeze Convention Center and Event has was sold out for the Nagico Senior Calypso Elimination.
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