With a week and a half to go in this annual explosion of culture, art, fashion, creativity and talent known as carnival, Saint Lucians are bracing themselves for even more boisterous and exciting entertainment as more events unfold.
So far events held have been explosive, from the Junior Calypso Competition to Monday night’s King and Queen of the Bands. Organisors of the various events have all been pleased with the talent and creativity on display, and in particular the attendance at each event.
One Carnival Planning and Management Committee member has gone as far as to say that crowd support and response reminded him of carnival at Mindoo Phillip Park, back in the day.
On Monday, Giovanni St Omer with his portrayal of the ‘Drogon, King of Dragons’ from the band Fusion Mas was crowned King of the Bands, while the Tribe of Twel Sharon Tanner won the Queen of the Bands title, with a depiction of Sisters in the Stream.
Top performers in the King of the Bands category were: – 1st runner up – Tribe of Twel – Jordan Augier – Exodus 14 – 2nd runner up – Xuvo – Lamar Sifflet – Predator – 3rd runner – Island Tribe – Cedric Leroux – Leave the World Behind.
In the Queen of the Bands category: – 1st runner up – Tribe of Twel – Kim Desir – Rivers of Blood and Memory – 2nd runner up – Xuvo – Maier Sifflet – Serie – 3rd runner up – Fusion Mas – Rose Marie Harris- Teffity and the Dragon Lady.
Last Saturday (July 6) Ricky T and Sly dominated the Soca Monarch competition, with Ricky T winning the Power Soca Monarch crown for the 23rd time and Sly securing the Groovy Soca title.
Ricky T’s performance of “Look Something to Talk About” was intense and raw, while Sly’s rendition of “Damn Proud Lucian” outshined six-time monarch and defending champion Arthur Allain’s performance.
Ezra D’Funmachine was 1st runner -up with BeYoutiful, while the formidable three-some of Bronxx, Matta, and Ricky T took the 2nd runner-up spot with “Better Than Them,” while defending champion Imran Nerdy came 4th with “Start Di Party”.
In the groovy segment; Ricky T took the 2nd runner-up spot with “It’s not Your Turn” and Imran Nerdy, in the 3rd runner-up position with “Money”.
Erny-J representing the Saint Lucia Workers Credit Union [SLWCU] won the Inter-Commercial Calypso Competition with his performance titled “The Preacher, “ at last Friday’s (July, 5) show, held at the National Cultural Centre.
Lady J from the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) and Trevon and Malthius from CPJ took the 1st and 2nd runner-up spots, respectively. The 3rd runner-up was Pretty Darkie from The Landings Resort and Spa.