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Klassic tent makeover perfect for new calypsonians
Published:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Carnival 2012
All Rounder
The newly refurbished Klassic Ruso tent put forward a night of good entertainment on January 25 at City Hall. A newly constructed stage created an elevated backdrop for the Klassic Ruso Orchestra and The Klassic Ruso Diamonds, while a runway-like creation for the night’s featured calypsonians allowed for more crowd interaction. Complementary décor, lighting and sound system all added to the well-needed face-lift for calypso’s classic tent. With a scheduled 20 performances for the night, Klassic Ruso proved to be the stomping ground for up and coming calypsonians, punctuated with veterans such as All Rounder and Contender. Flamboyant host Shirlane Henderickson was dressed in a catching sparkly number and kept the energy up throughout. The evening commenced with Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) with his cheeky ditty entitled Cat 1st, Dog 2nd, followed by Lady Wonder’s Ice Berg of Contention.
As the night wore on, host Hendrickson teased the audience with two more sparkly wardrobe changes, with the sparse audience slowly growing to a reasonable standing at the end of the first half. Encores were given to Hamidullah Wahid with his ditty From a Distance, Stanley Adams’ Straight to Hell and Typher’s Keep Down, which provoked serious thought about how we treat each other when trying to succeed. The evening’s highlights, however, were the colourful host’s suggestive rendition of her song entitled Cassava. With a provision as her prop, Hendrickson gave a high energy performance, demonstrating how much she admired cassavas. The first to move through the aisles and tease the audience with a tongue and cheek up tempo song, Hendrickson’s performance was certainly one for laughs. Kirt Ross, arguably the youngest calypsonian in the line-up, definitely changed the atmosphere with his powerful and moving calypso entitled Me.
Together with a convincing performance of a song which speaks about a young man succeeding from the “ghetto” despite negative influences, Ross satisfied the palette of the audience, who rewarded him with a well deserved encore. The night’s shining star, it may come as no surprise to see young Ross competing in the Dimanche Gras semifinals. Veteran calypsonian Contender also had the audience in the palm of his hands with his cleverly written calypso called Who in the Zoo. Contender emerged appropriately dressed and had the audience singing along to his infectious chorus. The first half ended with All Rounder with an engaging performance of a ditty entitled Ian Alleyne, praising the efforts of the ever popular local television host, and his tsunami-hit Garlic Sauce. With a smooth change of clothes from a conservative cream suit and matching top hat, to a glittery black jersey and surprising blonde Mohawk, the eldest Hendrickson gyrated and once again danced down the aisles appeasing an audience with sufficient antics for his well-known composition.