3 Day Calypso Workshop a Huge Success

Gregory Ballantyne

Basseterre, St Kitts – Over 30 calypsonians, potential judges, and calypso enthusiasts turned out for a 3 day workshop organized by the Calypso Development Committee. The sessions were held on November 12-14 at Warner Park.

The workshop commenced with welcome remarks from Dr Ken Ballantyne, who heads the calypso fraternity as chairman of Calypso Development Committee. He spoke glowingly of the facilitators before introducing Carnival Chairman Clement Ogarro. Ogarro lamented how important calypso is to the carnival family. This he said, is why the National Carnival Committee gave EC $15,000 to each Calypso Tent this season.

Culture Minister Hon. Marcella Liburd expressed her satisfaction with calypsonians and judges coming together for this important workshop. She too spent many sessions in the workshop observing the knowledge of the facilitators and the information distributed.

Hugh Grant, Judging coordinator of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organization and Gregory Ballantyne, entertainer and song writer were on hand as facilitators to give firsthand experience of calypso in Trinidad and Tobago

Sessions on the history of calypso, judging, writing, presentation, and arrangement formed the core of the discussions and practical exercises. The workshop climaxed on Sunday November 14 with all participants judging the 2009/2010 LIME Calypso Finals.

Certificates of participation were issued and the workshop concluded with remarks from Lincoln “Contender” Maynard on behalf of the participants. He thanked the facilitators for their comprehensive coverage of the art form.

The workshop was organized as part of the preparation for the LIME Calypso Monarch on December 29 at the Football Stadium where all Carnival shows will be held this year.

So far over fifty calypsonians have registered for the Sugar Mas’ Calypso Monarchy.

Hugh Grant	Judge Mellie Hewlett accepts his certificate of participation from Hon. Marcella Liburd