Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington) sings in first position at the final of the Lord Brynner National Independence Calypso Competition at the Grand Stand, Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, on Saturday from 8 pm. The draw for appearance positions by the ten finalists was held at The Restaurant, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday under the guidance of president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (Tuco) Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance).
Sugar Aloes, who was a reserve after the semi-final round at Palm's Club, San Fernando, one week ago, was drafted in the final ten to replace Brian London who was disqualified for singing a selection allegedly performed previously, in contravention of the rules of the contest. Devon Seales has been named as reserve. Also protesting his omission from the final ten was former national calypso monarch the Last Badjohn of Calypso (Kurt Allen).
Masimba, in addressing the contestants, apologised on behalf of the organisation for the "rough road of the past week we travelled that caused a disturbance in the calypso space." He added: "Whatever disturbances we faced along the way, we put our best foot forward to quell them. We must now move along and do everything in our power to have an uneventful competition and may the best competitor win."
Representatives from the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, sponsor of the competition, after the draw held a short workshop for the finalists in which they were exposed to vocal and other exercises to properly prepare them for Saturday's contest. It was a continuation of the developmental work the ministry has been engaging in with calypsonians since last Carnival.
The order of appearance of others is:
2. Chucky (Roderick Gordon);
3. King Luta (Morel Peters);
4. Duane O'Connor;
5. Kizzie Ruiz;
6. Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna);
7. Karene Asche;
8. Michelle Henry;
9. Heather MacIntosh; and
10. Karen Eccles-Thomas.