The Leeward Islands Calypso Competition, planned for August 11, the penultimate 2012 Anguilla National Carnival event, will be one of the biggest shows to bring down the curtain after the two-week festive period, but it will be the costliest.
To add to the occasion this year, a special artiste, in the person ofTrinidad and Tobagocalypsonian, soca musician and lyrist, Austin Lyons, popularly known as Super Blue and Blueboy, will be headlining the event. A story to this effect is printed elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.
Chairman of the Committee organising the Competition, Joseph Vanterpool, told reporters on Tuesday that the cost of funding the show was estimated at between 65,000 and 70,000 US dollars. He was grateful to the Government of Anguilla and LIME for providing that financing. The bulk of the money is expected to pay for travel and accommodation of the calypsonians and musicians. The cash prizes, in EC dollars, will be $10,000 first prize; $5,000 second prize and $3,000 third prize plus $375 as consolation prizes.
The participating islands will be Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin/St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands,USVirgin Islands and Anguilla. “The 2011-2012 reigning Monarch is Anguilla’s ‘Dr. Splinter” stated. “In the event that ‘Dr. Splinter’ is not crowned this year, we will see two participants fromAnguilla. Should he be crowned again, then there will only be ‘Dr. Splinter’ out of Anguilla,” Vaterpool stated.
He went on: “Our sponsors for this event are the Government of Anguilla and LIME. They have been with us over the years, and without their contribution we would find it virtually impossible to stage such an event…This show is being funded to the tune of 65,000 to 75,000 US dollars. It is a very expensive show and, over the years, we have not been able to recoup the funds we put in. But it is the publicity and marketing it brings toAnguilla. We are hoping that down the road it would grow to the level where it could take care of itself. We have seen the growth, but we are not a position as yet to stage the show. That is why we said thanks to the Government of Anguilla and LIME for bridging the gap for us.”
Committee member,KeithleyLake, justified the holding and expense of the Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Competition. “It is the last show of carnival and we want people to go home feeling good. That’s why we put so much emphasis on it so that people can jump up and really enjoy themselves. Carnival essentially comes to a close that night. There may be some other events, but that’s the last big show of carnival.”
Chairman of the Carnival Committee, Davon Carty, commented that the Leeward Islands Calypso show inAnguillahad “proven itself to be the envy of the Competition throughout the region”. He added: “It is something we should be proud of as a nation…Beyond the dollar value, our sponsors invest in that show because they understand the value of the event, so it is a little more complicated than not being able to pay your way.”
Two other Calypso Monarch Committee members, Katrina Richardson, and Michael (Dumpa) Martin, spoke on several other aspects of the coming event and how it would impact this year’s carnival activities.
This year, rather than having a local Master of Ceremonies, Tommy Joseph, a well-known MC fromTrinidad and Tobago, will be brought toAnguillato undertake the duties.
In addition, in order to avoid the controversy which surrounded the judging of the Competition last year, the services of three Judges will be secured from the Windward Islands. Two will come in from St. Vincent and one from Dominica. The other two will be from Anguilla.
