President of the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA), Davidson “Observer” Victor has said that the attendance at the calypso finals was not affected because of its political nature.
Victor’s comments come in light of suggestions that some people boycotted the show because of the political nature of many of the songs.
He said politics cannot be removed from calypso.
“Calypso and politics have always been brothers and sisters and you cannot remove politics from calypso because calypso is supposed to be the mouth piece of the nation and politicians are the rulers of the nation. So, the mouth piece of the nation will always go up against the rulers of the nation and that is the role of calypsonians,” Victor maintained in a media interview on Wednesday.
“If anything, I think politics enhances calypso because if you look at how the patrons responded to the political songs then you will know that calypso and politics go together,” he added.
Victor said that compared to previous years, the attendance at this year’s finals was not reduced.
“From the raw figures that we have, we don’t think people boycotted the calypso finals because of the calypsos…for the past ten years we usually sell between 4000-4500 tickets in the calypso finals and from the raw data, we sold probably around 3900 almost 4000 tickets. So, basically we are around the same area,” he noted.
The DCA president maintains that this year’s calypso finals was ‘reasonably’ patronized.
This year, Dice won the coveted calypso crown for the ninth time with two political songs which were critical of the current administration.
The injustice judges that are causing people are not going to the show see what was done to the Irish Kid people are still lamenting. It was wicked.
This article is pathetic. . Next year finals must have 20 political songs.. just rename the finals the Dominica Political Calypso finals. As a President of Calypso Mr. Victor should be concerned that calypso is losing its appeal. When only about 4000 patrons attend the Calypso finals it means that Calypso is not as important as many people think it is. Imagine Carib fete 2018 had many more people than the Calypso finals.
You mister dca president you better be careful or else you will have to face inspector mills, the njic and the special forces of dominica. If you don’t be careful you will be arrested just like Danny Lugar and your electronic devices will be taken from you just like tossie.
I dont understand what is the point of this statement from “To Late”. It appears not completed and what really is this person trying to say ad why? I hope that this business of being arrested is not on and the police are not ignorant to go about arresting people, whoever they are , just lie that. The police is here to protect state and every Dominican person and guests who are in our nature island on vacation, having a joy time all over.
Calypso is SOCIAL COMMENTARY – period, and what is mostly affecting Dominicans but politics? We eat, drink and sleep politics. It affects EVERY facet of our lives. Calypso is the avenue in which those with the creativity and talent can express and present the social issues in song.
Anyway why now? Are we forgetting songs like Viva mama Eugenia and I can go on. Do we remember how long ago that was?
If anyone boycotted the calypso finals it was those who were guilty of having received Jumbee money and would not be able to stand being accused in song, Period.
The show was great, albeit the judging was not!!!!!
The judging was ok, it was healthy, lifting, enjoyable. the results are what it is, fair and on que, on point. Well deserved Bro. Dice, we look forward to you next year. You have earned it, your sang well, you entertained us, among without their calypsonians, but one will always emerge as the King, that is the nature of a competition where the artistes performed well to grasp the full attention of the Judges. That is what Dice has done. He sang to the for crowd and sand to the judges and the crowd shouted, clapped and joyous and the judges were there to listen with a level nd sense of discipline and they did their job amicable and honesty according to the Judging criteria given to the judges by the Calypso Organisation.
Domininca is a great island with lovely, dedicated, committed, loving people
People boycott because of the injustice being done by the judges.
Mine: What injustice, please explain? One does not make bold statements without explanation and evidence. Please try again and tell us what is it you really want to say that we need to know about.
Judges decision is final. The best issue I have is the venue. To pay the quantum of money. The facility wasn’t comfortable. Frankly, it was shabby. However, some of the artists were outstanding. Healer had deserve most improved.
Taking out politics from calypso is the same as taking out the patty from a hamburger. What you end up with is a nothing burger.
I will not be attending this show again if it’s held in the same venue
We must be mindful our comments “This year, Dice won the coveted calypso crown for the ninth time with two political songs which were critical of the current administration”…. So what. Calypso is what takes place in the country…whether is crime, rape, etc…now its politics…and it has been for a while.
“From the raw figures that we have, we don’t think people boycotted the calypso finals because of the calypsos…for the past ten years we usually sell between 4000-4500 tickets in the calypso finals and from the raw data, we sold probably around 3900 almost 4000 tickets. So, basically we are around the same area,” he noted.”….now go learn your MATH…yes it was reduced…not significantly…but yes! Chief …it is what it is. and we cannot assume it was due to political songs…cause there was another events which could have attracted others. So we need to stop make blanket statements in our Country. NOUS PA SOT…..SO PA PALA CONT ON SOT.
We must not forget that our population is also much reduced since the hurricane. In the absence of government data I can not quote an exact figure but I hazard a guess that it is much above 60,000. Secondly a large proportion of those who left are the more affluent. I would imagine it is hard to justify attending such events on a NEP income.
Mr. Victor what you explained about mouthpiece of nation is ridiculous, you are in essence saying being a mouthpiece for the nation is to sing solely party political songs, i disagree because a calypsonian is not and must never be restricted to singing about politicians and politics,, they must be able to sing out against child molesters etc.. it is a social commentary that’s what the art form is……..
I am very disappointed with that foolish statement coming from a professional person in the calypso business it says a lot of the future of calypso on this nature isle!!!!! i stopped going calypso show many moons ago and that statement just confirmed my reasons why i should never go to one in the future!!!!
Now Dice won 9 times can he represent us in a king of kings competition with his 2 renditions and come out victorious???? Think of it, check the lyrics…..
Joe Linton, your comments, I am sorry are very vague. I am not getting the bigger picture of what you are trying to say or recommend to the calypso association. the show was a great one overall. Dice Again ad again was brilliant This man has stamina, decorum, style, energy, great voice, and he delivers and deserves an award. Joe, also, try to make y9ur comments and statement uplifting rather that persecuting, no one will learn by this language. I know you mean well, but make your comments be one of substance to uplift and not to put down anyone. I Hope this is helpful. Thanks for reading. The lyrics of all the songs were good and well presented. It is a competition with a template to score and what points to be given. It is like cricket and football, an open performance and if yo dont perform you won`t win the crown but will still be a winner. Enjoy the show, go enjoy the park, enjoy the music etc. We hardly hear of calypsos from other islands, which means it is local to that island.
“Joe, also try and make your comments and statements uplifting rather than persecuting. No one will learn from this language” Viewsexpressed, I suggest you convey these sentiments
to your pal telemakac vis a vis his constant derogatory comments and statements about Dominica and its people.
Joe, relax, hold your breathe and don`t give yourself heart attack on thin minute issue. Every person, artiste, calypsian has the right of their choice of subject matter for calypso. Calypso is a commentary of truth and the ills or the benefit of society. Calypso represents the voice of the people. No expects that sexual connotation can be the dominate choice for anyone singing calypso. This i not a Christmas event nor advent, so let us sing and praise our artiste who entertain us with calypso at the tents and at the finals. From what I a reading it appears that some people on the radio and some on DNO, that they expect either Dice or another to sing and promote Skerrit. Well, this will not happen, because Skerrit has not earned that privileged as there are too many questionable issues of his stewardship of our states finances and other resources that we question and he is yet to account on this matter of the Bin Bobol and the Fertilizer Bobol. We pay our tax so we question. Skero…
People boycotted because of incompetent judging. Which happened again this year.
In total agreement
Anyone who wants to divorce calypso from politics knows nothing about the art form. Calypso is social and political commentary. It is about all that happens in the society whether it be political, economical or otherwise. This drum beat about the songs being too political is driven by the supporters of a particular political party, the DLP. The songs and the response of the public this year indicate a true measure of what is on the people’s minds. The general public responded so enthusiastically to the lyrics of these songs because the words have emotional resonance, they have evoked deep emotions. This augurs well for the change so many are hankering for.
Amen Ibo France, you are so right and on point. It is called Social Commentary, and has been so for over 60 years now. People, go out and enjoy, promote, support our art form. It is great. I love it and the calypsonians.
Congrats Dice and your team. Good luck to all calypsonians.
,
Hunter want to g on radio and say that politics should be left out of calypso because it impacts the turn out of the show and discourages people from taking part in the competition. First of all Calypso is big man ting. you back have to be broad. Second of all Calypso is social commentary. Politics and politicians and the development or lack of development and corruption is the talk of the day. Especially as elections just around the corner. That is all the people of Dominica have been talking about for the year. What else you want them to talk about? Maria still? these days politics is embedded in ever aspect of society. you cannot get away from it. So how do you expect the calypsonians, the voices of the people to not sing about it? Especially if it is killing our country and its development.
Well said Karl! Only the people of a particular political persuasion are peddling this nonsense about songs being too political. Sing calypsonians sing! Sing about bribery, thievery, persecution, autocracy, misery, underdevelopment, self-aggrandizement, misfits in office, victimization, starvation wages, unemployment, underemployment, the missing PetroCaribe $100 000 000, the garbage bins and fertile scandals, international fugitives of the law, opaqueness with CBI money. The Skerrit-led administration has handed the calypsonians a treasure-trove of topics to sing about.
Tell these hypocrites that to try to remove politics from Calypso is like trying to remove NO BALL from cricket
Tell these people go to other shows,you people who want to tell calypsonians waht to sing,get a damn life,you all are ruining Dominica daily,would life to know who you all are.
Well the reds would even want to dictate to people what to sing …When you don’tnt sing for supper,they get red vex…
The king should have given an extra performance by singing “””Captain the Ship is Sinking”””.Well done king Dice!!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now