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No Elimination for 2012 Calypso Show - One Song, One chance, says Chairman

- Committee announces August Festival official launch on July 28
Committee members at the press conference (L-R) Acting Director of Culture in the VI Brenda Lettesome-Tye, Chair of the Calypso Sub-Committee Marvin Williams and Chairman of the Festival and Fairs Committee, Marvin Blyden. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO
Acting Director, Ministry of Culture Mrs Brenda Lettesome-Tye, announced the official launch of August Festival to be on July 28, 2012, following the annual Calypso competition. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO
Acting Director, Ministry of Culture Mrs Brenda Lettesome-Tye, announced the official launch of August Festival to be on July 28, 2012, following the annual Calypso competition. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO
Acting Director, Ministry of Culture Mrs Brenda Lettesome-Tye, announced the official launch of August Festival to be on July 28, 2012, following the annual Calypso competition. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO
Acting Director, Ministry of Culture Mrs Brenda Lettesome-Tye, announced the official launch of August Festival to be on July 28, 2012, following the annual Calypso competition. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - At a press conference held with the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, with intentions of alerting the public of the decisions and changes that were made regarding the annual Calypso show, it was announced that there will not be an elimination round for the 2012 Calypso Show.

At the press conference which was held at the Central Administration Building, today July 17, 2012, Chairman of the Festival and Fairs Committee, Marvin Blyden and Chairman of the Calypso Sub-Committee Marvin Williams, both stated that Calypsonians are required to bring their best.

“There will only be one show, there will not be an elimination show. The show will be held on the 28 of July, where there will be 18 calypsonians taking part and each will perform one song,” said Mr. Williams.

He added that the Calypsonians are encouraged to put their best foot forward and bring their best song in efforts to have a spectacular 2012 show.

Mr. Williams stated that in a recent meeting with local calypsonians, some of the rules that were enforced by the committee were compromised while others were left as is.

He stated that the performers are required to bring one new song that has never been performed or recently used in any form.

Chairman Blyden commented by stating, “one song, one chance.”

Mr. Williams added that upon winning the event, the Monarch is required to make a guest appearance for free at the Miss BVI pageant, and if requested at any other show, once money is being collected for that show, a payment of $600-$800 will be negotiated.

He added that the Monarch will also be awarded with a brand new car and $3000, 2nd place will be $4000 cash, 3rd place $3000 and 4th place $2000.

“However, there will be a consolation prize given to the other calypsonians, which will be a sum of $500,” said Mr. Williams.

August Festival officially opens on July 28

Along with the changes of the show on July, 28, it was also announced that the official opening of the festival will be held that same evening.

According to committee member and Acting Director of Culture, Brenda Lettsome-Tye, she stated that due to undisclosed issues, the opening will be held on July, 28, 2012.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to move the official opening ceremony from the evening of Thursday July 26, 2012, to Saturday July 28. On the same evening as the Calypso show, will be the official opening of the 2012 festival.”

She added that as tradition, the August Festival will commence with its Gospel Fest, which will be on June 26, 2012.

The official opening of the festival will be at 8 p.m. sharp at the festival grounds in Road Town, with the 2012 calypso show immediately following.

As a result, Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said one advantage of this is that because the Calypso show is following the launch of the festival, “there is no need to create a show for the launch. It’s just going to be a formal ceremony.”

She stated that the launch will cater for remarks to be given by the Premier of the Virgin Islands Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Chairman of the Festival and Fairs Committee Marvin Blyden, Minister of Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn and herself.

18 Responses to “No Elimination for 2012 Calypso Show - One Song, One chance, says Chairman”

  • loveann (17/07/2012, 14:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Sah. Look stupidness from good to great.
  • zoe (17/07/2012, 15:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    but some one sold out!
  • john public (17/07/2012, 16:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    andrew had more sense than this minister
    • 1 (17/07/2012, 17:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Under the VIP government everything run so smooth and peaceful now look here put NDP in charge everyman got an issue and want to boycott…
  • mother earth (17/07/2012, 17:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    See here we go again see what happen when you vote for an Antiguan and give he Ministry he does not know we culture and tradition…Ms. P please advise this poor child Myron that some traditions you just don't break! Moving the opening of festival village is one of them!!!!!
  • Well meh boy (17/07/2012, 18:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good ting! Tell dem take dat, buh dem wan petition to stay out. To me, if you don't place, you could get a trophy but no cash. And how in d world d 2nd place goin geh more money dan d 1st place.... yuh eva see more foolishness in all my life. Dem mussy high! I don't blame the NDP for this tho. Dis just anotha festival committee mess
    • Eve (18/07/2012, 09:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "Well meh boy" you so right! All the participants who didnt place need is a trophy. Imaginge the Committee basically giving away $500 by 14. That money could be put to better use. BTW, is there even an entrance fee for the calypsonians to participate in the show? Cause then they goin just make money to sing froth!
  • hmmm (17/07/2012, 19:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nobody wants to sit through a long evening of mediocre calypso. Please bring back the eliminations so that when we pay our money we getting the best with two good songs
    • voice-long bush (18/07/2012, 07:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am still confused with what was achieved
    • Wow (18/07/2012, 08:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I swear some of you people need to stop and think before you comment. I personally think that this was a good compromise, because it would have been the same 18 singing one song to for 9 persons to advance. Then those 9 would sing 2 songs (9x2=18) on the night of the final. Truth be told most of those who would have advanced to the final has one strong song and another song. Therefore, bring your best on one night for one shot. The funny thing is that most persons who making much a do about nothing, don't even attend the calypso show. But as everything is so political in the BVI, it is just another topic to continue this unnecessary bashing. I doubt any of you would have thought about what sub par elimination show would have been held, and then bash that. Factor in the musicians that back up these singers. It is very difficult for them to work on songsas close as perfection per performer at this stage (2x18=36). I don't see what this has to do with Myron and/or Andrew. Out of the fiasco of bringing already performed songs, as well as being paid to perform whether you are non-advancing or advancing, those are some of the issues as this art form continues which need to collectively and decisively looked at on basis of merit, rather than personal preference. be addressed. A more fundamental issue, is that evaluations must occur, and planning should be ongoing throughout the year, to eliminate unnecessary postering to occur. On a more positive note, since some of the commentors seem to know what the problems are, be proactive and become part of the solution, by volunteering to be apart of a sub-committee of festival. Put the politricks and bashing aside, and help make our festival a success
  • ann (17/07/2012, 23:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    look how the committee and Myron sell out by spoiling deeds ppl when they looking money to participate in a show. Nonsense...big time bunkum
  • ABC (18/07/2012, 07:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is madness deman how come the miss bvi contestants aint begging for money if them aint place????? eh...
  • vinofan (18/07/2012, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is crazy, I thought the purpose of the show is to enjoy the BVI culture, it shouldn't be about money if its something you enjoy doing and its the spirit of Carnival, you think back in Sparrow days them use to be cussing about it, it was about pride and who brought the better song. Some of the participants acting like them does got good song, some of them is pure crap, nothing with thought and reasoning. I agreed that they should have elimination round because that way you would weed out the crappy songs from the good ones.
  • cane rum (18/07/2012, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what happen to Kalid and Queen McKesha...show will be weak without dem
  • bay youths (19/07/2012, 11:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    why has the date changed for the village opening?


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