Singing under the sobriquet of Big Fisherman, Vernon Bereaux established himself as one of the main contenders for 2014 Couva Senior Calypso Monarch after topping the preliminary round of the Couva Carnival Committee's Calypso Monarch Competition.
Bereaux sang a craftily-composed calypso titled Partnership Horrors, which listed some of the problems facing the leadership of the People's Partnership Government, earning 172 points to top 48 rivals in the prelims which were held at the Balmain Community Centre last Saturday.
A release from the Couva Carnival Committee said Bereaux topped the list of 14 finalists who will come up against defending senior monarch Helon Francis in the grand finals which are carded for February 28.
In the junior monarch category, Caryn McCarthy, singing 24 Hours Too Long, emerged at the top from 12 contenders with 168 points, pushing former monarch Aaron "Major Aaron" Duncan, into second place in the preliminaries. Duncan earned 165.5 points with his offering of The Rewards of Discipline.
McCarthy and Duncan will vie for the 2014 junior crown against defending champion N'Janela Regis and seven other finalists.
Wilton "Flex" Griffith, CCC executive member and organiser of the calypso segment of Couva Carnival, said the calypsonians in both senior and junior divisions presented songs of a high standard. "The competition was very close in both divisions and the judges had a difficult time coming up with the finalists. We had a great mix of social, political and humorous compositions. Patrons on the nights of the finals will get a real treat of top-notch calypsoes and overall presentations," he noted.
Rehearsals for both senior and junior finalists, as well as the draw for positions for the grand finals, take place with Joey Rivers Band at the Balmain Community Centre from 10 am on February 15.
Finalists for the Couva Carnival Committee's Calypso Monarch Competition (points in preliminary round):
SENIORS
Helon Francis � Defending Monarch
Vernon Bereaux (Big Fisherman) � Partnership Horrors (172)
Leslie Skeete (The Master) � Plea of an Aching Heart (171)
Vonique Benjamin � Ah Putting Meh Foot Down (169)
Rosemarie Mitchell (Young Rose) � Message to the Badman (168)
Ezekiel Yorke - It is Character (167)
Victoria Cooper (Queen Victoria) � Political Lover Affair (166)
Terry Marcelle (De Masso) � Lie for Lie (165)
Kevin de Witt � My Philosophy (164.5)
Dick Lochan (Juice Man) - Teach We We Culture (164)
Georgia Charles McIntyre � Make the Right Choice (164)
Sherisee Collymore � Man's Evolution (163)
Meguella Simon � Old Time Days (162)
Tiniel Cooper � No Coming Back (162)
Emanuel Trotman - Take Your Time (160)
Reserves: Mahalia Regis � Where You Want to Live; Maria Ocho � My Stand.
JUNIORS
N'Janela Regis � Defending Monarch
Caryn McCarthy � 24 Hours Too Long (168)
Aaron Duncan (Major Aaron) � The Rewards of Discipline (165.5)
Jerrisha Duncan-Regis � Calypso Says Thanks (165)
Anderson Jones - Trouble Shoot (163)
Sasha Ann Moses - A Mother's Love (162)
Ferdinand Smith (Ferdi) � Deliah Spirit (161)
Josiah James - Emancipation (160)
Jeremiah James - Message to Mandela (159)
Aneka Collins - Stand Up and Be Counted (158)
Reserve: Naomi Vialva � Our Nation is Bleeding.