Judging from the crowd's reaction at the Calypso Fiesta competition at the renovated Skinner Park in San Fernando on Saturday, the proverb "absence makes the heart grow fonder" was 100 per cent true.
Although showtime was set for 1 pm, spectators were still gathering at the venue, anxious to get inside to express their approval or disapproval of the performances.
It started at 1.30 pm with a heavy rain. Guest artiste Lady Adana took the stage, followed by another guest Devon Seale at 2 pm, tickling the audience with their performances.
Spectators were not disappointed as Skinner Park erupted with excitement as the world's biggest calypso picnic and extravaganza started at around 2.17 pm.
[caption id="attachment_1000745" align="alignnone" width="683"] Crowd favourite Maria Bhola-Paul during her performance at Calypso Fiesta, Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday. - LINCOLN HOLDER[/caption]
Kevin Dodds was the first contestant to hit the stage with his rendition of Right or Wrong. Dodds was also a first-time qualifier.Calypso Fiesta is the semi-final round of the National Calypso Monarch competition. The event was hosted by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) and competitors are vying for the top cash prize of $500,000 and a car valued at $300,000. The runner up will get $500,000 while the third place prize is $350,000.
The last competition was held in 2020 with Terri Lyons being crowned Calypso Monarch.
Myron "Calypso Nite" Bruce, formerly the Incredible Myron B, graced the stage dressed as a sailor and was accompanied by several other Carnival characters and characters representing different groups of people that make up the country. He sang the nation-building song The Great Celebration.
Dressed in a gold-coloured outfit, Karene Asche sang Oasis in position three, showing her vocal prowess and taking charge of the stage. She was one of several people who sang about the effects of the covid19 pandemic.
Having faced a "cultural drought" for the past two years, she likened an oasis in the desert to the reintroduction of Carnival.
She won the calypso monarch title in 2011, becoming the fourth woman in the competition's history behind Calypso Rose, the late Singing Sandra as well as Denyse Plummer to achieve such a feat.
Also singing about the pandemic were veteran calypsonian Carlos "Skatie" James with his rendition De New Normal and Garth St Clair with Days Of Our Lives.
[caption id="attachment_1000744" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Entertainer Addelon “Banjela” Braveboy performs No Pressure. He won the Young Kings Calypso Monarch in 2020. - Lincoln Holder[/caption]
James sang about the deadly effects of the pandemic, saying it is at peoples' door, attacking the rich and poor. He thanked God for life and for keeping everyone safe.
St Clair had the spectators swaying and cheering on as he sang about safe zones and tombstones being part of "the days of our lives," adding that covid "changed up" everything.
The spectators were dominated by "posses" with many people s
