On Thursday July 4th, Calypsonians partaking in the Kaiso Headquarters XIV gathered at the old Monroe College building next to the Folk Research Centre on Bernard Hill, Castries, for their final rehearsal session, ahead of last night’s show at the National Cultural Centre. Performers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Fire Service and the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) were all present at rehearsals.
The optimism of participants was brimming at rehearsals; through bold proclamations by certain artistes that they had already won the competition. Although a single monarch was yielded out of last night’s Kaiso Headquarters, many of the participants felt like the king and queen of the show during their rehearsals. Kaiso Headquarters Monarch for 2018, Dennie Marshall ‘Snow’, was also present at rehearsal. He won last year with a song entitled “Getting old”, and will be defending his crown this year with his new song “Smart People”.
The enthusiasm of the Police Band during rehearsals was a sure indicator of the chemistry between the performers and the band. Andrad “Hightower” Felix, who is performing a duet entitled “Police in Bacchanal” with Nathan Timaite, was the most animated performer at rehearsals. Assistant Commissioner of Police, George Nicholas, at a recent press conference emphasised the potential of Kaiso Headquarters. He remarked then, “Kaiso Headquarters has grown leaps and bounds; we have even outgrown our hub down in the yard at Headquarters, and now we have moved on to the National Cultural Centre on the same stage where the big boys play. The Inter-Commercial House Competition – a title that has eluded us for so long… we can now boast of having won that title on four consecutive occasions. That is indicative of the quality of Calypsonians that Kaiso Headquarters produces.”
Sergeant Dyson Imbert, Event Coordinator of Kaiso Headquarters XIV was also present at the rehearsal sessions. In reference to Kaiso Headquarters, Sergeant Imbert remarked, “It is an event primarily to show a different side of the Police. It is a public relations tool to enhance the relationship between the Police and the community.” Sergeant Imbert also stated that Kaiso Headquarters has been well attended by members of the public over the years. The cash prize of Kaiso Headquarters 2019 was EC$5000.00. Ahead of last night’s competition, Imbert exclaimed that the fifteenth edition of Kaiso Headquarters is already being anticipated. The winner of this year’s competition will be announced later today.