As part of Brooklyn’s Carnival, the 2012 Calypso & Soca Revue-Tent will open on Sunday, Aug. 26 and end on Saturday, Sept. 1. All sevennights of tantalizing soca and calypso will be held at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, 1367 Utica Ave. Count Robin, the Revue-Tent manager says, “We call it The Independence Calypso & Soca Revue-Tent in celebration of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago 50th anniversaries of independence. More than 20 artistes from Becket of St. Vincent to Swallow of Antigua, Dance Master of Jamaica, Shadow and Duane O’Conner, the 2012 National Calypso Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago, are part of the all-star cast. Two icons, The Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose, will perform at Opening Night. Rose and Sparrow and other Trinbagonian-Americans will be honored for enhancing the image of Trinidad & Tobago during the nation’s first 50 years. A VIP Gala Reception for the recipients of Independence Awards will begin before the Revue opens.
WORLD SOCA MONARCH
The World Soca Monarch competition has been added to the Revue-Tent. Soca artistes across the Caribbean and from England have entered the semifinals on Tuesday, Aug. 28 when 10 will be selected by the judges to compete for the Bacardi World Soca Monarch title on Thursday, Aug. 30.
Artistes who have competed in previous World Soca Monarchs include Iwer George, Edwin Yearwood and Ronnie McIntosh.
CALYPSO & SOCA ARTISTES
Artistes at the seven nights of calypso and soca include Sugar Aloes, Singing Sandra, Sexy Suzie, Count Robin, The Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, Shadow, Brown Boy, Becket of St. Vincent, King Swallow of Antigua, Duane O’Conner, Dance Master, Lord Nelson, Poser, Susan Kennedy, Fatman George from Grenada, Edwin Yearwood and Statement from Barbados, Pick and Daddy Chess from Dominica.
“The Calypso & Soca Revue-Tent is not a physical tent,” explains Herman Hall, a producer of the Tent. “The air conditioned and luxurious Tropical Paradise Ballroom is the venue.”
Here is the schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 26: VIP Awards Reception toasting Trinidad & Tobago on its 50th anniversary of independence and debut of Tent. Artistes performing include The Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose and Becket. Sparrow will take the audience back to 1962 by singing his famous Independence song.
Trinidad & Tobago will always live on A nation is born let me tell you
Monday, Aug. 27 is Ladies Nite. Two ladies enter on one ticket. Performers include Sugar Aloes, Singing Sandra, Sexy Suzie, Dance Master and Fatman George.
Tuesday, Aug. 28 is the World Soca Monarch Semifinals. The judges will select 10 to participate in the finals.
Wednesday, Aug. 29 is the Icons of Calypso Night and a special tribute to Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago on their 50th anniversary of independence. Performers include Lord Nelson, Poser, Susan Kennedy and King Swallow.
Thursday, Aug. 30 is the Bacardi World Soca Monarch Finals when 10 artistes will compete for the title and first prize of $3,000 to $5,000. A famous soca superstar will make a guest appearance.
Friday, Aug. 31, the 50th independence anniversary of Trinidad & Tobago and the best place in N.Y. to celebrate is at the Revue-Tent when Shadow, Calypso Rose, Singing Sandra, Swallow, Duane O’Conner and other superstars will perform.
Saturday, Sept. 1 is Independence Fete Nite and the grand ending of the 2012 Revue-Tent. Shadow, Duane O’Conner, Sexy Suzie, Becket, Sugar Aloes and other stars plus New York’s top soca DJs will entertain.
Sunshine Calypso Orchestra will accompany the artistes.
Photo by Sharon Bennett
