The 2012 National Calypso Queen title has gone to a Tobago-based calypsonian. Fire Empress (Lornette Nedd-Reid) won the 28th edition of the competition, hosted by the National Women's Action Committee ((NWAC), at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain, on Monday night. She was one of two contestants from the sister-isle and appeared in the penultimate position among the 17 contestants on the playbill. singing a selection, titled Woman, in which she espoused the virtues of being female, and pointed to the important role women played in all aspects of life.
Placing second was recently-crowned 2012 Star of Tomorrow Jermeeka Mundy doing her composition, Free Yuhself, while Terri Lyons captured the third spot with an uptempo rendition of her contribution, titled Cyah Stop Moving. A common feature on the programme, and one that has grown considerably over the years, was the liberal use of theatrics and props by the contestants to complement their songs. Their efforts, however, were overshadowed, in most instances, by a lack of microphone technique that, coupled with too loud musical accompaniment, made discerning their lyrics an almost futile exercise. Minister of The Arts and Multiculturalism Winston Peters delivered the feature address in which he complimented NWAC for "empowering women by giving them a voice on the calypso stage," resulting in every female calypsonian becoming the voice of every woman.
Awards were presented to educator and veteran All Stars pannist Denise Hernandez and Chutney and Pichakaree singer/radio announcer Asha Kamachee for their contributions to the cultural landscape. Musical accompaniment was provided by Earl Knight and Brass Services. Making a guest appearance was the Reflex Dance Company with a youthful showcase of limbo-dancing. Other placings to 12th position were:
• 4th - Sonia Francis - They Still Around;
• 5th - Leslie Ann Ellis - Mothers and Others;
• 6th - Natasha Nurse - Curfew Breakers;
• 7th - Bridgette Creese (Joy C) - Life's No Disaster;
• 8th - Sandra Forson (Ifa Sayo) - Freedom
• 9th - Marion Paponette - Armageddon War;
• 10th - Vornique Benjamin - Counting Heads;
• 11th - Joanne Foster - No Return; and
• 12th - Germaine Sanchez (Sister Virtue) - Parenting.