Next year's International Soca Monarch Competition will benefit again from a government-sponsored $2 million first prize. This from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in delivering the feature address at the launch of the 2011 edition of the competition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, on Tuesday evening.
"Once the economy experiences a turnaround, and the Treasury permits, Government will continue with a $2 million first prize next year," she said. The announcement was greeted with sounds of approval from the specially-invited guests at the function, inclusive of entertainers, musicians, members of the entertainment fraternity, Minister of Education Tim Gopeesingh, and permanent secretary in the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism Esme Rawling Charles, standing in for Minister Winston Peters.
Also delivering addresses were sponsors' representatives George Elias, marketing manager of CNC3; Brian Sawh, director, National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB); Lisa Agard, executive vice-president mobile services at Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT); and Gregory Fernandez, special adviser to the chairman of Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts.
In a wide-ranging presentation that covered various aspects of the nation's culture industry, Fernandez called for the competition to be recognised by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) as "one of Government's official events" on the Carnival calendar, terming it the "Super Bowl of the Caribbean."
He also contended that opportunity should be taken to recognise its founder William Munro's contributions to "Carnival and solidarity in the Caribbean."
In recognising Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar as the first prime minster to attend the launch of the event in its 19-year history, Fernandez announced that $3 from each ticket sale this year would be donated to the PM's Children's Emergency Fund, and the 20th edition would be staged in the PM's honour.
The Prime Minister, in response, suggested that organisers should, as well, take part of that money and create a fund to assist artistes who, at the end of their careers, end up in dire need. She promised that Government would match "dollar for dollar," the amount generated. Fernandez also took a swipe at radio DJs, many of whom, he said, switched from playing soca music to other forms of music after Ash Wednesday, yet sought to profit financially by participating in the Soca Monarch Competition.
"Do not pick fruit from the tree if you control the water supply but don't want to water the tree," he chided.
This year, the contest attracted the largest number of entrants. Three hundred and fifty (350) songs were registered-150 in the Power Monarch category, and 200 in the Groovy Monarch segment. The names of qualifiers for the semifinal round of competition in both the bmobile International Soca Monarch and Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch were announced by chief judge Roy Edwards. The semifinal round of the competition will be held at the Arima Velodrome on February 13, from 6 pm.
The semifinalists
The following is the list of semifinalists (in alphabetical order of surname) for the bmobile International Soca Monarch and Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch competitions which will be held at the Arima Velodrome on Sunday, February 13, from 6 pm.
POWER CATEGORY
NAME - SOBRIQUET
1. Ian Alvarez - Bunji Garlin
2. Erphaan Alves - Erphaan Alves
3. Edwin Ayoung - Crazy
4. Nadia Baton /Patrice Roberts Nadia/Patrice
5. Ravi Bissambhar - Ravi B
6. Keon Boodosingh/Greg Henry Zuki and Tim Tim
7. Wilt Cambridge - Tallpree
8. Kevin Celestine - Kevin Celestine
9. Shivonne Churche - Lil Bits
10. Hilton Dalzell Jr - Ghetto Flex
11. Destra Garcia - Destra
12. Neil George - Iwer (The Boss)
13. Wesley Hoyte - C'Donia
14. Imij & Co/Michelle Xavier - Imij & Co/Michelle Xavier
15. Roger Joseph - Patch
16. Fay-Ann Lyons - Fay- Ann Lyons
17. Terri Lyons - Terri Lyons
18. Stevenson Marshall - Shal Marshall
19. Konris Maynard - King Konris
20. Machel Montano - Machel Montano HD
21. Denyse Plummer - Denyse Plummer
22. Tony Prescott - Tony Prescott
23. Raeon Primus - Madd Zart
24. Adana Roberts - Princess Adana
25. Victor St Louis - Pelf
26. Dexter Stewart - Blaxx
27. Keith Sutherland - Ajala
28. Megan Walrond - Megan
29. Shurwayne Winchester Shurwayne Winchester
GROOVY CATEGORY
NAME - SOBRIQUET
1. Lawrenc Adams - Mr Renzo
2. Nadia Batson - Nadia Batson
3. Denise Belfon - Saucy Wow
4. Ravi Bissambhar - Ravi B
5. Terrin Callendar - Super Jigga TC
6. Judelyn Chitan - Sugar Jay
7. Shivonne Churche - Lil Bitts
8. Marvin Davis - Swappi
9. Kees Dieffenthaller - Kees
10. Ricardo Drue - Ricardo Drue
11. Kerwin Du Bois -Kerwin Du Bois
12. Joel Fevek - Zan
13. Nnika Francis - Nnika Francis
14. Destra Garcia - Destra
15. Roderick Gordon -Chucky
16. Kevon Heath - Yankee Boy & Patch
17. Anthony Hendrickson - All Rounder
18. Darryl Henry - Farmer Nappy
19. Rodney Le Blanc - Benjai
20. Stevenson Marshall - Shal Marshall
21. Devon Martin -Lyrikal
22. Jahmoun Mendoza - Jahmoun
23. Orlando Octave -Orlando Octave
24. Patrice Roberts - Patrice Roberts
25. Dale Rudder Mr Dale
26. Kimba Sorzano - Kimba Sorzano
27. Dexter Stewart - Blaxx
28. Cassiano - Sylvester Cassi.
29. Megan Walrond - Megan