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No Calypso competition for Festival this year!

- Festival Committee to hold Calypso Review instead
King Paido performs after winning the 2019 Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival Calypso Competition in the wee hours of August 2, 2019. King Paido will be participating in the Calypso Review. Photo: VINO
Promoter Mr Stuart Donovan revealed at a press conference on July 11, 2022, that a Calypso Review will take the place of the Calypso Competition for the 2022 Emancipation Festival. Photo: Facebook
Promoter Mr Stuart Donovan revealed at a press conference on July 11, 2022, that a Calypso Review will take the place of the Calypso Competition for the 2022 Emancipation Festival. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A staple item that will be missing from the 2022 Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival is the Calypso Competition.

The Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) has said a Calypso Review’ will be held instead on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Festival Grounds in Road Town.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were not able to have our annual calypso competition this year, but calypso being a deep part of our culture we are trying our best to maintain that and have a calypso event,” promoter Stuart Donovan revealed at a press conference on July 11, 2022.

‘It’s not a competition’- Stuart Donovan

“It’s not a competition. We will have some old songs and some new songs,” Mr Donovan said of the Calypso Review.

The calypsonians participating, he said, include Tino, Queen Sherry, King Paido, Rocky, and Queen Mckeesha.

“We might have one or two more that will be disclosed, but they will be participating in the Calypso Review.”

Mr Donovan said the Calypso Review is being dubbed a Festival Warmup Pre-Launch event.

He also said food and drinks will be on sale; however, the regular booths will not be opened.

“It will be the Committee booths as it is a fundraiser and pre-festival event,” Donovan said.

The VI Emancipation Festival will be held from July 27 to August 5, 2022, under the theme ‘Celebrating Freedom for Me and You, BVI Festival 2022’.

16 Responses to “No Calypso competition for Festival this year!”

  • getting (12/07/2022, 15:41) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    From bad to worst
  • See (12/07/2022, 15:55) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    That's good. Get rid of anything that might show some culture and keep the events that just produce drunken fools
  • BuzzBvi (12/07/2022, 17:06) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Got to be the cheapest component of the festival maybe someone seen the lyrics. This would have been the best year. But not every one wants to hear what they singing about !!!?????!!!!!! Put them on Facebook anyway.
    • Oh boy. (12/07/2022, 22:21) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I'm so disappointed in Bertch and Dirk..When you are incharge you take charge. This is non sense. Why all these same old names still at the fore front in both organising and entertainment. I was looking forward to a comedy night on the village. Why the paying Booths have to close during the Calypso night? I had high hopes. This is way beyond my expectation.
  • Really (12/07/2022, 17:18) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    I'm staying home. Last days have too many infected people. They are going to let you all party before they push the button on you all
  • No money. (12/07/2022, 22:14) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    I was looking for something nice and different, fresh Ideas, fresh people.. It seems like a rush, a joke,
    • it is (13/07/2022, 03:26) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      @no money - They’re under pressure. When you have influencers like Andy from Vibes with Andy and those type of mindset spotting their smart poop captions about festival and line up it do have an impact “negative impact “ Everyone wants the best. they want top shelf but NONE of those people from the “We outside “ click haven’t yet give a donation town’s assisting festival with cost. Instead of using their social media for positive they used it to stay in the “we got jokes light”
  • WISE (12/07/2022, 23:16) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    6 out if ten songs woulda be bout Andrew
    • believe me (14/07/2022, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      The other four would have been on the COI/Framework. Lyrics for days would have been flowing. What a pity.
  • Hmm (13/07/2022, 05:11) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    They mean they must have festivities this year. After the years' events, the committee should commit to have fund raising events to help generate funds for the following year. Things rough and self-sufficiency is a must.
    • Des (13/07/2022, 16:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yesss!!!! Spot on!
    • @hmm (14/07/2022, 09:18) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      You need to sell that topic to a calypsonian, "Things rough and self-sufficiency is a must"...O shanna, there is no calypso competition.
  • Citizen (13/07/2022, 09:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where are they going to find money to pay international artist and they cannot find money to fund the queen show and calypso competition.
  • ... (13/07/2022, 10:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    need and update on Road Town Primary School Please this month almost finished
  • Des (13/07/2022, 16:31) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just shameful.
  • 0% (13/07/2022, 19:29) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a joke. If who is in charge can"t put on an event to make us proud, and make it worth visitors time and money, then cancel and regroup. Don't embarras us.


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