Five Calypsonians to vie
for Senior Calypso King
PHILIPSBURG--This year’s Carnival calypso competition is on, but from all indications it will be a mere shadow of the competition in recent years, with only five calypsonians scheduled to vie for the title of Senior Calypso King of St. Maarten.
Among those missing from this year’s line-up, reportedly because of disagreement over this year’s prize money, is defending Calypso King The Mighty Dow.
St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) President Fabiana Arnell said Wednesday that the five calypsonians who would be participating in this year’s contest were King Timo, the Mighty Pepper, the Mighty Chip Man, Baker Jr., and X-Rey.
Showtime at Carnival Village is set for 9:00pm on Monday, April 23, and the admission fee is US $5. Attendees will be entertained by bands as well as by the calypsonians, who will perform two rounds of calypso.
Arnell said the annual complaint from the calypsonians had to do with money, which directly affects the SCDF’s budget.
She said the prizes for the three finalists had been increased by US $1,000 so that the winner would receive US $6,000, the first runner-up $3,500 and the second runner-up $1,500. She said the consolation prizes for those who did not make it to the finals had been raised from US $300 to US $400 as well.
Arnell declined to comment on allegations that several calypsonians were dissatisfied with SCDF’s decision not to use a band led by the President of the Windward Islands Music Association (WIMA).
She said she knew only that based on complaints from many people, SCDF had decided to hire a group of competent musicians who were able to read music.
She said that group had already done a good job with the Junior Calypso competition and their musical contribution had impacted Carnival positively.
Arnell explained that 11 calypsonians had registered with SCDF and handed in their music sheets for practice. However, six of those candidates have dropped out.
She said the calypsonians were not asked to pay a participation fee. However, they are required to pay for their music sheets and their time in the studios.
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