Leo Club to stage Junior Calypso Monarch show tomorrow

Leo Club President Junior Toussaint

Financial constraints and timeliness of calypsos are two difficulties the Leo Club has experienced in the organization of the Junior Monarch Calypso Show.

Twelve calypsonians are down to compete at the show which is carded to take place at the Harlem Plaza at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.

“One of our major difficulties as with anything else is sponsorship. That’s why LIME coming on board has been a very good venture, a very good partnership … The show is not about the Leo Club; it’s not about me or any members of the Leo Club. The show is about the participants on that day, and sometimes sponsorship is not as forthcoming as we would like it to be, but the show must go on,” said President of the Club Junior Toussaint.

Despite requests for prompt submission of calypsos, the Leo Club was still faced with participants bringing in incomplete calypsos, weeks away from this year’s show.

“A lot of times because it’s children – not to be harsh, not to step on any toes – sometimes they’re not taken seriously. I say that to say that we normally send requests to schools at the beginning of the school year which is September for the show which is going to be held during Carnival … for example we only got songs in January for a show to be done in January and when he songs come, they don’t come fully organized, the children come with a written song and a melody in their head,” Toussaint explained.

He applauds the efforts and creativity of Kendel Laurent from the Triple K Band, who has to arrange all of the calypsos in a two-week period.

“I know he gets paid, but honestly he puts a lot of effort and I can never stop thank him for that… He has to sit down and put all those songs together, based on this year’s timing in about two weeks. He does it and I’m always proud of the end product,” Toussaint added.

This issue has put club members under additional pressure in staging the show. Nevertheless, the Leo Club is ready and the musical arrangement for the songs is complete. “Every year we try to plan with a bigger space or a bigger margin a time but we can always plan for a bigger margin a time but it cannot materialize until we see the song,” Toussaint explained.

He called on the public to patronize the event.  His view is that this season’s calypsos are not overrated.

“I have been in the band house in the practices since the session has begun this year and I can tell you there’s a lot of good talent, a lot of ripe talent, budding talent waiting to be released from this crop of Junior Calypso Monarch contestants we have this year,” Toussaint noted.

The calypsonians are:

Arnel “Super A” Ambrose (Massacre Primary School) with ‘Mummy don’t do that to me’

Lema “De Irish Kid” Irish (St. John’s Primary School) with ‘A Cry for the Book’

Kenny “Mighty Kenny” Daniel (Savanne Paille Primary School) with ‘Corruption in Dominica’

Jewel “Madam Speak-It” Browne (Dominica State College) with ‘Woman Power’

Stannish “Princess Aries” George (Convent High School) with ‘Grab Education’

Kyron “Da Prodigy” Francis with ‘Cell Phone’

Everon “Da Power House” Nation (Dominica Community High School) with ‘Carnival Day’

Naija Denny “De Prophet” Williams with ‘Be Fair’

Nashel “De Nashel Walsh (Isaiah Thomas Secondary School) with ‘Violence Don’t Pay’

Dillon “Hunter Jr.” St. Rose (St. Mary’s Academy) with ‘Hands On’

Aleejah Tiffany “Singing Ali” Titre (Massacre Primary School) ‘Education’

Reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, Sheldon “De Professor” Alfred (St. Mary’s Academy) with ‘Vacancy’

The show’s headline sponsors LIME held a session in vocal training and stage presence with the junior calypsonians. The sessions were conducted by Cedric Phillip and Chester “Daddy Chess” Letang respectively.

The Triple K International Band will provide musical accompaniment for the show scheduled at 5 p.m. at Harlem Plaza tomorrow afternoon.

Other sponsors are Fast Cash, Island Car Rentals, Arturo Sports and Trophies and Aden Sounds. Toussaint thanked the Dominica Calypso Association and other sponsors who also assisted with the show’s organization.

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15 Comments

  1. January 31, 2010

    Good post and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you as your information.

  2. Vernel
    January 28, 2010

    we’ll see who wins one the day

  3. Leo in the Diaspora
    January 28, 2010

    Congratulations to the Leo club of Dominica. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!! Domincan public need to support them to keep calpyso alive. The Dice, lady star, dutchess are all products of the junior calpyso monarch.Good luck to all the participants. They have meaningful songs this year…..Sponsors they need your support. Help them. You can donate after the show to cover bills. It’s a big expense hosting this show,trust me i did it before. Junior keep up the good work say hi to Leo sherms i was told that she did exceptional last year, also to Fabrina,kandra and the rest. Not sure who still in the club……….Miss you guys……..

    bye bye

  4. Calypso Lover
    January 27, 2010

    Like the President of the Club indicated, I think more corporate sponsorship should be directed to this show. Alot of money is invested in the tents and so forth. Give the Leo Club a percentage of that money. We complain of the youth being idle but this is one area where the talents of the yiouth are being exposed – the future calypsonsians are here. .I think also more persons should assist in having the songs recorded to ensure that they given adequate aiirplay before the show. I have heard a few of these songs and I am quite impressed. It appears that a lot of work and time is put into this show. The end product is always “first class”. Hats off to the Leo Club for a job well done over the years and hope that you contirnue to keep the artform alive. All the best with the show tommorrw.

  5. Phan_10
    January 27, 2010

    i think thats the crown is no doubt going back to de professor….d best out of all the participants…also wattch out for the prodigy,he’s also good….mighty kenny and irish kid may be the most popular ones but i surely know who is the best(professor again).

  6. Sharls
    January 27, 2010

    Irish kid taking that crown.

  7. calypsofanatic
    January 27, 2010

    I saw the “kid” in action ,
    They Gotta come good to beat you boy !
    All the best !!!

  8. Anonymous
    January 27, 2010

    Saw the “Kid” in action …
    They gotta come good to beat you boy!!!
    All the best !

  9. Calypso fan
    January 27, 2010

    I’m sure de-professor is going to hold that crown..good topic..good voice..its all left to u and ur performance tomorow..

  10. Live
    January 27, 2010

    Will the show be carried live on any radio stations? I’m away and would love to listen to these kids as their songs sound very interesting.

  11. TRUE DOMINICAN
    January 27, 2010

    Go Kenny Go we , Go Irish Go

  12. positivedominican
    January 27, 2010

    LET’S GO IRISH KID!!!!!!!!!

  13. Possie Massi
    January 27, 2010

    Lema “De Irish Kid” Irish (St. John’s Primary School) with ‘A Cry for the Book’

    We goin all the way with him….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFn_zGX1f3Q

    chk it out

  14. Marian Jno-Finn
    January 27, 2010

    That’s my blood brother – I am proud of all the work you are doing darling. Keep it up.

    Love

    Marian Jno-Finn

  15. POSSIE PASSE
    January 27, 2010

    I wish the Irish Kid all the best, You are a winner.

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