The new manager to run the affairs of Showdown Mas Camp, Dr. Valda Henry believes that changes should be made as it relates to the way the Calypso eliminations is being organized.
Over 60 competitors took the stage at the Harlem Plaza in Newtown on December 5, 2015 to participate in the Calypso eliminations, the first show to start the 2016 Calypso season.
However, Dr. Henry believes there were too many competitors.
“That’s a bit too much, first the show is long and I think that even judges get tired. That’s why sometimes after the eliminations…when you have 70, there is a little overload and so that may, in fact, impact the quality of the judging,” she said while addressing the launch of Showdown Mas Camp 2016 held at the Calypso House in Bath Estate on Tuesday.
She had some suggestions for hosting the event.
“One of the things the calypso association could do is to have calypsonians submit their songs before,” Dr. Henry stated.
In that, she noted, a panel of judges could be used to reduce the number to thirty or forty calypsonians, “and then go to the eliminations with that.”
“That would be one of the suggestions or you can split it and do two shows of thirty to thirty-five…,” Dr. Henry explained.
you can consider as well having two sets of judges, one set judging the first 30 and another set judging the balance
You see that’s the problem in Dominica today they have fell in love with division , no one love things the way it used to be.
I agree with the latter, because if they submit their songs before the judges still have to assess what is sent. So really the show should be divided in two segments.
I disagree. Why not host two Calypso Show Downs with thirty contestants each, then take the winners from each show and combine them with a final show down competition. In so doing, judges will not become tired and the process will remain authentic. There you have it.
I agree. The DCA should consider the proposals. There’s merit in the suggestions, which have been ade by others as well.
Great job Doc. I have been saying for years now that there should be “pre-eliminations” based on the judging of songs submitted on CD’s. After this, those selected (amount to be determined by the association) would move to eliminations and so on. It is sad but true that in all the confusion and judging fatigue some deserving people gets the boot while a non deserving few gets the nod. That is not fair! But again no one including the then boss of the association listened. Hopefully they will now stop and listen to you.
Assertive, NEVER Aggressive!
The best way to resolve this issue of too many competitors, in my opinion, is to do two separate shows. If we allow the competitors to submit songs in advance some of the competitors will be deprived of the opportunity to be judged on performance and crowd response. The Judges may eliminate songs that might have been crowd favorites simply because they personally disapprove of the lyrics, melody or music. It would be better to give time slots and do two separate shows. Each competitor will be given 5 minutes to impress the crowd and the Judges. Thirty- five (35) competitors by five (5) minutes each is a hundred and seventy-five (175) minutes or two hours and fifty-five minutes. A show under three hours is not that bad. It’s like going to a concert, you might have to listen to some “warm-up” artists that are not too pleasing to your ears before the “Headliner” hits the stage. The main act always makes it worth the wait. More Calypso for 2016!!!
I agree, the American Idol approach should be used.
Where the show could be recorded and highlights shown just to get the people excited.
Tue you are right
Well it is a good observation to start a meaningful discussion……lets analyse and talk, and discuss.
There is merit to this suggestion