12 vying for Mash Junior Calypso Monarch crown


Guyana Chronicle
January 27, 2007

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THE Junior Calypso Monarch Competition, one of the popular events in the 2007 Mashramani calendar of events, will kick off today at Lethem, Rupununi, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

Mash Coordinator Lennox Canterbury told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that 12 contenders, from Regions Nine, Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) will be vying for the crown.

He said the contenders and officials of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, including a panel of judges, were leaving for the venue yesterday and it will be the second time that the contest is being hosted in the hinterland region.

The first year, Mark Batson (‘Mighty Adviser’) copped the top prize with ‘True Identity,’ a witty and dramatically-presented calypso, GINA recalled. It pointed out that he was a clear winner and favourite and enthralled the crowd with his performance and both audience and judges were unanimous in his choice.

Mr. Canterbury said musical items, martial arts by exponents from Brazil, a fashion show and other cultural presentations, which were some of the added features of the 2006 competition, are likely to feature again.

He said, at the senior level, reigning Malcolm Corrica, popularly known as ‘Lord Canary’, will be defending his throne with his own composition ‘Let’s get serious’ at the Calypso Monarch finals in the National Park, Georgetown, on February 17.

Corrica said the song will carry a message of hope in the midst of the many trials encountered in every day society.

He said he has entered the special segment of the competition on HIV/AIDS with ‘Abstinence’ to remind of the seriousness of the deadly disease and the need to live safe and healthy lives.

Corrica said he is appreciative of the fact that Bill Rogers, ‘Black Hat’, ‘Calypso Stella’, Winfield James and some of the other big names in the field will be returning to challenge him next month.

Corrica said, though, that being on the scene for more than 50 years, he sees absolutely no threat from them as the key to winning is sound musical ideas and the ability to impress judges.

Among other activities, the Children’s Mash Competition, which allows schools countrywide to take to the streets of the capital city, is scheduled for February 14 through 17, Canterbury said.

According to him, it has attracted the sponsorship of TOPCO for years and, because it is likely to attract the attention of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), talks are ongoing with the government and the two entities for this to materialise.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said UNICEF will be using the celebration to spread the message of protection and safeguarding children and the venture will coincide with the agency’s recently launched report on youths and violence.