A huge Stardom calypso tent is to unfold this year with the addition of a few new features, Chairman Norman Letang has said.
The 2011 Stardom Tent was launched Tuesday at the Krazy Kokonuts and is to get going this Saturday.
The super six competition will add new flare to the event, Letang told the launching ceremony.
Patrons will choose who they feel are the six top calypsonians for the night and those chosen will subsequently face each other in a contest.
“At one of the tents the crowd is going to choose the best six calypsonians for the night; they’ll have cards and as people sing they’ll put up their card which will indicate scores ranging from one to ten.
“The top six will then take part in a competition the following Wednesday … They are going to sing their hit song [of] this year and
two verses of an old hit,” Letang explained.
Organisers have assured that the super six competition will not mean the performances of the other Stardom Tent calypsonians will be left out.
One has to wonder what has been the impact of calypso in our society. Is it simply an every year event as part of carnival celebrations in which people are entertained and just hear music and lyrics? Do the majority of calypso lovers and the public on a whole seriously listen to the positive commentaries about how people live, the ills in our society, the stories that relate to the social, cultural, economic and political developments or under-developments of our nation?
So many calypsonians of all walks of life have sung over the past umpteen years about corruption, bad governance, stealing, lying, bribery, about high utility bills, about good morals and values, about those with power that use their office to commit criminal acts.
Some of the compositions even suggest ways to be good citizens and to denounce and condemn wrongdoings. Some have been severe against injustices, against protection for the few with money and influence. Some have advocated against child, men and women abuse, about abuse of power, about protection of our environment, about building a true democratic Dominica, about love for each other as brothers and sisters, about creating wealth for ourselves using our local, natural resources instead of relying or depending almost totally on foreign countries.
Yet in this 21st. century, during the past decade or so, the society has become more divided, corruption more rampant, and those in power enriching themselves through all sorts of dubious means more than ever. What is most frightening, many, many people today, after all those years of calypso, good educational lyrics in calypso, is now they supporting those corrupt practices, politicians, leaders and others in society who commit criminal acts.
So tell me, what kind of IMPACT has calypso had on our society to facilitate change in attitude, bad behaviour and to adopt good moral values so that we could see, be brave enough to condemn and act against the growing ills that we are faced with in our island? Even some calypsonians who once sang against those ills in the past turn around now and support wrongdoings or now refuse to sing against or denounce those wrongdoings. They have betrayed the people and society and have deliberately strayed away from their true mission to first enlighten the people and be a voice for the downtrodden. Those calypsonians who fearlessly, who dare continue to fulfill their mission of singing out about those ills, we applaud you. Trust me, a special place in Heaven will be reserved for you all, for you are doing the right thing with your talent.
I wonder whether Dominicans took note at all of an enlightening, interesting article in the Sun Newspaper of Monday Dec.13th. 2011 headlined,”Musicians cry out for support.” The article was written by a prominent calypsonian, member of the Dominica Calypso Association, poet and knowledgeable author on cultural matters.
Part of the article indicated that MUSICIANS like FARMERS lament that Govt. put only $1,000,000.00 into a revolving FUND to assist with music entertainment, for bands and all persons involved in the music business. That sum was passed in Parliament recently, a few months ago.
However, a leading musician lamented, “This is CRAZY. Imagine one entertainment spot has taken up HALF of the funds EC$500,000.00 for renovation of his place.” Swinging Stars band has been in existence in the music business for more than 50 years and hardly has a good place to practice much less able to have a venue of its own to provide entertainment. The band , after 50 years, still has to piggy back at Krazy Kokonuts to entertain and hold its Stardom Tent.
All Dominicans boast that MIDNIGHT GROOVERS are the kings of CADENCE providing music, entertaining all Dominicans with its pulsating rhythms and conscious lyrics for decades, yet Groovers does not have a proper place to even practice much less to get assistance to have its own entertainment spot.
The Govt. Music Lovers Band has been playing for decades and has been pleading for years for help to have at least its own decent place to practice, a BAND HOUSE. To NO AVAIL. Yet one entertainment Spot could in a short time in existence receive 1/2 a million for renovation. Someone EXPLAIN that to me and other Dominicans who are seeing further than the TIP OF THEIR NOSE.
Dominica Calypso Association does not have an entertainment venue and also have to hold its shows at some other venue, now at Krazy Kokonuts, after so many decades organising calypso shows. Dominicans do you SEE what I am taking about? What is your take on those points raised? Dominicans are not all FOOLS.
Chess shouting Labor Power??? You obviously have never been to Stardom Tent to make a comment like that. Daddy Chess’ goal is not to show which party he supports through calypso, his goal is to entertain his fans and produce good quality calypso. If you have nothing positive to say, then don’t say anything at all.
My only problem with tent/mas camps is the price! C’mon, once upon a time it started of at $5, and was very crowded. Now it’s a whole new different ball game. And they don’t even start on time! This year i’m passing on all.
can someone.. anyone tell me if daddy chess the great will be competiting this year.
Well i think that this is a great Idea, Mango sweet I think that this initiative to join both tents and have a competition is magnificent as I support both tents. I love calypso and look forward to a great year. Also hats off to King Caressah I love the song heard it this morning.
Gud Vybz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I WILL NOT SUPPORT THAT TENT, WHEN I COME AND LISTEN TO CALYPSO IS THAT IO WANT TO HERE NOT CHESS SCREAMING LABAR POWER……
MASS CAMP ALL DE WAY
Real idiot you are eh?
I am sure that there are more than enough LABAR POWER ppl to support Chess as well as the other calypsonians! All u too miserable tan…..when all u singing against in LABAR POWER in Mass Camp do you hear LABAR POWER ppl crying? We enjoy and sing along becuase it is all about the art form and culture. stupes
I guess you are not a supporter and have never been a supporter of the stardom tent because I cannot recall Chess shouting labour power. People like you have branded the two tents – labour and uwp tents.
stop that beause someone else might say they are not going to showdown because the songs are all in favour of the UWP. The writer has never written a song (to my knowledge) on the opposition. he is anti government.
All u just have to put politics in everything. Is people like all u dat spoil DA.
Everything freaking ting have to be politics in Dominica gosh man calypso is an art Skerrit not a judge camem’ enjoy the calypso is once a year, stop the bloodclat politicking!!
SUPER SIX!!!! Great innovation, Stardom. Keep up the good work. But the suggestion by Bob of Showdown to have the Best of the Tents should be considered, maybe for 2012, God willing. Could be competition produced jointly by the two tents. That will be another avenue to showcase talent, and to further bring out the calypso crowd