I have always heard cricket described as a gentleman’s sport. I have never thought too much of it, until I went to Stardom Tent Night Two. The polite clapping, the kind, reluctant booing, the genteel sitting and the dainty dancing. Yes indeed–if cricket, lovely cricket, is the game of the gentleman, then stardom, lovely stardom, is the tent of the gentry. No over exertions, no wild animations, just a calm appreciation of good calypso and respectful dismissal of ducks.
Of course, the experience was a pleasant one overall. Predictable in some respects mixed in with pleasant surprises. Unexpected though, was the small turn out. The usual faithful stalwarts were there, though not yet as upbeat as they would likely become as the Wednesdays continue to rollout; but the massive crowd one usually has to wade through has not yet announced their arrival.
The first ball bowled, Pump, by Jack, did serve as a light teaser, but was not quite enough to whip the audience into a frenzy. He was followed by the likes of Man Himself, Sting Ray, Son of the Saint, Haxey and Ghetto Prince who failed to really rally much of a response. Until, Hardliner! Not only is Calypso his cure, but his calypso was indeed the cure after the previous six balls–an over–if you would permit me. A rather cute nursery rhyme followed when FBI told an amusing story of money that was put on a stone to dry but then seemed to’fly’ away.
The energies calmed down for a bit to accommodate the professional presentations of Lady Star and Picky but in no time at all the trio of Alesha’s Pressure, JD’s Chinaman Wok and Wok-Sok’s Tomato brought the crowd into a crescendo of ecstasy.
Then came the gem stones with the sombre profound tones. Singing Sandy made a reappearance. The audience was silent with curiousity. However, the jury is still out as Flip the Script is still slowly sinking in. Observer tried with Mandela, but was dwarfed by the compelling Ode to Mama from Daddy Chess, the anguish filled You Never Know of Hunter and the witty simple sarcasm of Chris B who Just Come. But a Diamond often stands out among gems. Upon Video proved a calypso treat. Webb briefly visited the stage to tease with one verse of his contribution, Like Father Like Son. Nurses were in high demand as the patrons helped Lugas call out for a Nurse.
A night of calypso ended with the emerging genre of caiso-bouyon. Following in the likes of Unwanted, newcomer Omi thrilled the crowd with Murderer sending the crowd home in a state of rapture.
Calling Stardom the tent of the genteel should not underscore that the beauty of Stardom lies in the diversity of its calypsos. Such a wide variety of issues and topics are explored on the Stardom Stage that describing calypso as social commentary is truly appropriate at this tent.
Love Stardom Tent. ]
This is in response to Nadine’s article .I have a great love for calypso ,hence I attend Mas Camp as well as Stardom. At the both tents I enjoy the calypsos with gusto ,as the both tents churn out calypsonians who are witty ,entertaining and thought provoking. I dance to almost every song and enjoy myself immensely .Every tent has its own appeal and tends to affect patrons in different ways .Most people may enjoy Stardom because of the sitting accommodations and their love for Swinging Stars, others may enjoy Mas Camp because of its atmosphere of revelry, easy comfort and their love for King Dice .Whatever the reasons may be ,the both tents provide some form of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for calypso lovers .I just love calypso and support the art form as much as I can .Let us all as Dominicans do that as well. Please Dominicans don’t destroy our coveted culture with our petty nuances ,as I said every tent is unique in its own way .I urge all calypso lovers to go to the Stardom ,Mas Camp and Renegade Camps ,when it is possible .Let us live up to the last line of our national anthem ,”All for Each and Each for All.”
the organizers of the tents need to be more considerate of the working people. come on man its a week-day start the tent on time and end it on time. is it a trick to get drinks and food to sell ?
ppl tents is to come and free up, laugh, shout, jump, scream, have fun, drink sewo… the semis and finals are for social.. clapping.. polite.. supporting ur calypsonian.. so rubbish stardom tent..
dat must be a queenshow.. polite clapping?? lol lol.. so allu trying to say mass camp is for unsocialize ppl eh..smh
good article but this is not all true…there was a good crowd at the tent, i am not starting to think that ppl are just being bias to stardom an trying to give negative reviews to discourage ppl, what is wrong with real true authentic beautiful calypso…and there are songs where patrons jump and wave, stop trying to kill the calypso by writing stuff to discourage ppl from appearing at the events. so far mass camp crowds cannot touch stardom
There are 2 other tents besides stardom, so why is on Mascamp u jumping on? Leave Mascamp out of your petty jealousy business!
I am concerned that DNO has not carried the Mas Camp live.I hope a Pat hater has not joined the gang.
Nadine good writing style. Keep it up. We have such great talent in Dominica lets recognize it for what it is.
good writing style but was there and you missed some aspects,suggest you move around to all sections next time –so you missed the grouping camping steadily under the stage and the new female MC who dii a stint for a record 60 seconds ,ha,ha
Nice write up but I find Daddy Chess mother song weak. There are so many mother’s song and He has not brought nothing new to the topic
Enjoy reading this article, can’t wait for the next one.
That must be a queen show Papa!
they look friten
Very well written Nadine. Keep up the good work. I enjoyed reading the article.
Nice analytical style of writing Nadine.Beautiful commentary.
Admin pl explain a file photo
Admin: A file photo is one which was taken previously and not at the specific event which is being written about. In other words, it’s a photo which has been filed. It could also be of a person or a place.
Looking for Productivity executives – anybody, somebody -Stardom tent any calypsonians to spare – Hunter, Wadics ; Ghost – anybody what about Lapen
Well written. I was hooked from line 1.
I was not impressed with the Stardom Tent. When I attend a tent, I want to dance, laugh and have a good time. At no time did I hear a calypso which reminded me that Carnival is a few weeks away. For instance, I never heard a calypso with the words carnival, baccanal, jump up, wining, steel band, jump and wave, dingolay, all I heard were political, mepwi, love of mother and love of nurse songs. Those songs should be sang at competition night . As for the Mc, boring, it would appear Dominicans have lost their sense of humor. Where have all the jokes gone. If Stardom wants people to attend the tents, the calypsonians must make their patrons jump and wave, Mr. Franklyn Moses should be employed as Mc.
I like the writing style Nadine. The interesting headline and lyrical prose made for easy reading. Please keep it up.
Most people got paid since before chridtmas
People still broke.
I enjoyed reading this..good job
So are you saying that you did not see persons jumping up, enjoying themselves,in front the stage, at the back or anywhere. You making it sound that patrons just sat back and did nothing.
I was present at Stardom last night, and cannot understand up still now what is happening! The crowd was rather small, and hardly clapped or make noises. It was more of a CONCERT atmosphere. And where is STARDOM MASSIVE CROWD? Is it a lack of money or is January a really hard month? Just asking. But Stardom Management needs to take a hard look at their tent. Even Mass Camp last weekend was nicer.
Misrepresentation DNO. This is last year’s pic.
Admin: This is NOT a misrepresentation. It points out clearly in the caption that it’s Stardom patrons at a PREVIOUS show and further indicates that it’s a file photo.
well scripted…..thanks
Wait! is that the Hon. Ronald Toulon STANDING in the crowd? Well well his bad back is healed!Miracles!smh
Admin: Please note that this is a file photo as indicated in the caption
Lol, Admin.!
And he Rocking the Blue
Shutt yuh mouth. Yuh nuh hear tis a old photo. Too quick to judge people.
You too fassssssssssssss!
Reading is fundamental
That’s a testament to the healing and Miraculous power of calypso. It even make Admin confess since they change de pic but the truth will be revealed. To late Admin as a pic tell a million… so keep posting Crowd pic of people without their consent still…. Never know who is looking and what this camera is capturing in your “digital blindness” = Madness
Admin if u were present and could describe the even so well the least you could do was take a present photo. Yall just like controversy smh. Seems like u went just to belittle the tent