More Carnival News

Mas Domnik '99: Road Parade Results

Tuesday Parade – costume bands; 1st – Thunderbirds, 153 points, $1000.00; 2nd – Carnival Corner, 141 points, $500.00.

Best individual – Andy Carter, 169 points, $200.00.
Best Advertising bands – Old Street Posse, $500.00.
Special Prizes – Fanta Pan, $500.00; Newtown Lapo Kabwit – Jouvert Morning $300.00.
Best Float – DEXIA $500.00

Calypso Finalists on the mark The other three calypsonians to come up against King Hunter are Singing Sandy, De Scrunter and De Ghost. De Brakes "Every time Brakes is on the stage, something different happens,:" say Branker 'De Brakes' John. De Brakes began his calypso career in 1995 where he at once made it to the finals. He won the crown two years later. He always loved calypso and enjoys listening to Hurricane and Sparrow, and was taught music at school by 'De Rabbit'. As a Field Officer in the Local Government Department, he gets inspiration for his educational songs by interacting with people and "listening to their cries," he says. De Brakes promises his fans an extremely good show at the finals. Black Starliner Ian Jackson, 'Black Starliner' has, for the past three years, been performing in calypso competitions. But, he has been in the music industry much longer. He has written quite a number of conscience calypsos for performers such as Observer, Black Panther and Lady Edna. He is also the leader of Phase 5 Steel Pan and enjoys listening to music of David Rudder and Chalk Dust. The Black Starliner says that he has a natural talent for calypso and on the night of the finals, "I'm going to give it my best," he says. Lady Edna Edna Laronde, 'Lady Edna' began her calypso career at 13 at the Laplaine Primary School. She went on to participate in the village calypso show where she placed first runner-up in 1979 and won the crown one year later. Lady Edna considers herself versatile and says she decided to sing calypso. "God has given me a gift, my voice, so I decided to sing calypso. When I did so well, I decided to continue," she said. De Hurricane Cliff 'De Hurricane' Jean-Jacques began his calypso career in 1986 reaching the semi-finals only once, in 1988. He was inspired to get into calypso by listening to performers such as Roots Man, Ency and Sparrow. He enjoys singing social commentaries. He gets the ideas for his songs by listening to people and reading the papers. Superior Castle Hilaire 'Superior Castle' Jno.Baptiste has been taking part in calypso competitions for eight years. He won three consecutive competitions in Portsmouth from 1992. He describes the calypsos he sings as special songs dealing with social issues. He gets his ideas for his songs from looking at problems in society. "I feel I can contribute towards solving those problems I see in the country by saying something in song," he said. Superior Castle's songs are not up- beat. "They are kind of slow because I like people to listen to the lyrics of my songs." Man Himself As a teacher at the St. Martin's Secondary School, Albert 'Man Himself' Mendes has been in calypso business since 1983. His calypsos are mainly social and political commentaries, and he enjoys listening to Sparrow and Chalk Dust. He gets his ideas for his songs by listening to people and reading newspapers. He has always been a fan of calypso music, following exposure from his father selling records. Gaiety glitter and glamour at opening parade Mas Domnik '99 opening parade from the Goodwill Savannah to Festival City Saturday has been described as one of the biggest if not the biggest ever witnessed in the capital city. Through careful, elaborate planning, the Carnival Development Committee was able to attract participation from groups and individuals from various parts of the island. The event, a spectacle of color, gaiety, glitter and glamour, featured masked and costumed groups, darkies and other ole mas groups, lapeau kabwit bands including Mas La from Guadeloupe, and artistically decorated floats. In the parade, enlivened by music from WCK and First Serenade, were Carnival and other show contestants in ravishing attire. The committee responsible for the parade's organization was headed by Clement 'Baba' Richards, who, with CDC Chairman Jeffrey Brisbane at the helm, was very much there at the parade. At Festival City where the parade ended, there was much fun, music, and dancing. This followed the handing over by the City Councilor Philomena Pond (standing in for Mayor Bernadine Dinnard-Williams) of the key to the City to CDC Chairman Jeffrey Brisbane. And there were addresses from the Queen Show Committee Chairman Steve Hyacinth, Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence, and DFC Executive Director Edmund Toulon.

Malia is Carnival Princess Malia Charles of the St. Martin's Primary School is this year's Carnival Princess. Malia took over the reign of Miss Ashley Grove, also of the St. Martin's Primary, at the Princess Show Sunday at Festival City. She won a trip to St. Lucia, plus accommodation. Miss Adella Proctor of the Massacre Primary School is first runner-up and won the prize of best dress. Second runner-up is Vernelle Mark who won the prize for best costume. Former Princess Ashley Grove crowned the 1999 Carnival Princess; Malia Charles. President of the Dominica Calypso Association sings: Let Us Pray Kelly Williams (De Ghost) has been the President of the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA) for six years and the job has become boring. He intends to quit this year. "I think this will be my last year. I actually told them (the calypsonians) this will be my last year," De Ghost said. However, he said he will not be invisible since he has a wide experience to share. But he is happy he is leaving the DCA in a firm financial position although last year was "a poor season" because of rain. That's why Ghost is praying for good weather when the finals of the competition is held on February 13, 1999. It will be the last Calypso Show of the century. "We hoping that this year being 1999 the last year of the century people will come out and really enjoy calypso," he said. Ghost said he is not only praying for fine weather and a large crowd, he wants Dominicans to join him in prayer. "Let Us Pray" is De Ghost's hit song for the 1999 competition. "Dominicans should think more of the Creator. All we think about is money," Ghost said. He believes signs of the plagues of the Book of Revelation are staring us in the face. His song mentions the alarming increase in suicides, murders, AIDS and abuse of crack cocaine. But that's not all. "If you listen to the chorus I praying for the politician too," he said. But do not make the mistake to think that De Ghost has suddenly become religious. He has always been spiritual but will never be religious which he describes as attending denominational services religiously. "From the beginning of the day to the end of the day I giving thanks and praise," Ghost said. He is also praying that the judges do not "forget their objectivity" and "listen to my song" as, he said, they did at last year's finals, by placing him near the bottom of the table. Nevertheless, in his second song of the competition, De Ghost will be taking yet another jibe at the long-suffering judges. "My second song will be about the judges trying to determine my future and not my lyrics, my melody, my ability and not the judges and their political nonsense," he said. One thing is certain in the business of Calypso, De Ghost makes himself clear.