Dear Patrons,

On behalf of OCPA we wish to apologize to you for the 45-minutes late start of this year’s “Kaiso 365” Calypso Monarch Finals at the Ontario Science Centre on Saturday, July 24^th.

We place great value on your support and regret any inconvenience this unfortunate situation may have caused. Rest assured that we will take all possible actions to ensure this does not occur again in the future.

Have a safe and enjoyable Caribana weekend!

The Board of Directors, OCPA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2010
 
The 2010 "Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch competition took place in the Imperial Oil Auditorium at the Ontario Science Centre before a full house and was won by Macomere Fifi (real name Eulith Woods). Performing two outstanding songs written by Winston “Skippy” Maingot and Carlyle Bailey, Fifi also captured the People's Choice Award. The official results:
 
9. Penshioner –  “It Ain’t Right” / “De Pum Pum Band” 

8. DeCarra  -  “Teach Them”  /  “Airport Incident”

7. Naki  -  “Sterilize Them”  /  “No More Tears To Cry” 

6. Guney  -  “When It’s We”  /  “Pan Still Sounding Sweet”

5. Smokey  -  “Mental Slavery”  /  “Caribana Again”  

4.  Calypso Web  -  “Mother Earth Is Crying”  /  “Capitalism Dying”

3. Structure -  “The House Is Falling Down”  /  “We Watching You”

2. Redman  -  “Politically Correct”  /  “Under The Influence”

1. Macomere Fifi  - “Haiti Will Rise Again”  /  “Your Turn To Die”
 
Macomere Fifi, who won the crown in 2008, was also awarded several of the Special Awards: Best Lyrics, Best Melody, Best Arrangement, Best Presentation, Most Original Calypso and Best Rendition. The Best Composition of a Local Topic was won by Structure and Most Humorous Calypso was captured by Penshioner. The evening was hosted by popular stage personality Itah Sadu and featured a special appearances by the 2009 U.K. Monarch Akima Paul and up-and-coming Rashida - a 13-year old who thrilled audiences this year.
 
In addition to the cash prize of over $5,000., Macomere Fifi will receive a trip to London, England for the Notting Hill Carnival and at trip to Atlanta for the 2011 Georgia Caribbean Carnival.

● Calypso Monarch Finals

Saturday, July 24th 7:30pm

Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd.

Adv $35.00  Door $40.00

Tickets can be purchased on www.ticketgateway.com
<http://www.ticketgateway.com/>

Canada's top nine calypso singers vie for the title of Calypso Monarch and over $15,000. in prizes. Finalists were chosen at a Preliminary judging round - the wrap-up performances of the Calypso Tents Music Series on Saturday, July 3rd (The Professionals) and Sunday, July 4th (Kaiso Forum). 

The nine finalists perform two newly-composed calypsos before a panel of judges. Each song was awarded points out of a maximum of 100 points divided into five (5) categories as follows:

Lyrics -            35

Melody -         20

Vocal Rendition - 25

Presentation -  10

Originality -    10

Cash prizes and gifts are awarded to the four (4) singers with the highest score out of a total of 200 points. In addition, there are the following special awards categories: Arrangement, Local Content, Humor, Background Vocals, and New Artiste.

The Calypso Monarch Competition attracts singers from across the GTA and beyond and has been held annually in Toronto for the past 28 years. The 2009 first prize winner Redman sang "Black Hen Chicken" and "No Picong". Redman was recently featured in the 2010 Georgia Caribbean Carnival in Atlanta, USA. He will be a special guest at the Notting Hill Carnival later this year in London, UK.

The nine finalists as they will appear are:

1.  Naki - Nzunaki Tuitt

2.  Smokey Burke – William Burke

3.  Structure – Bryan Thornhill

4.  De Carra – Leslie Carrabon

5.  Webb – Hamilton Alexander

6.  Macomere Fifi – Tara Woods

7.  Redman – Michael Thomas

8.  Penshioner – Trevor Quammie

9.  Guney – Guney Cedeno

A tenth reserve singer, Calypso Crooner – Bill Newman , will also be on hand. Award-winning Musical Director Ossie Gurley will lead a 9-piece Calypso ensemble to accompany all contestants. Anchor host for the 3-hour concert is popular storyteller and author Ms. Itah Sadu and Special Guest for this year’s “Kaiso 365” is Britain ’s 2009 Calypso Monarch Akima Paul.

 2010 SOCA SHOWCASE

Download your official flyer here!

Bring Yuh Rags....  Bring Yuh Flags.... Bring Yuh Colours....!!!

2010 SIZZLIN' SUMMER SOCA SHOWCASE featuring Canada's
top Soca artists, Saturday, July 10th at Thornhill Community Centre,

7755 Bayview Ave, Thornhill, ONTARIO  

Delee ***  Susan G *** Black I *** Nikki *** Connector

*** Villaz *** Yellows *** Naki   with Neu Jenarashun & DJ Dubble Impack

*** PLUS direct from Trinidad SOCA sensation K.V. CHARLES ***

Doors Open 8pm   Showtime 9:30pm  --  $15. Adv.  / $20. Door           

For info: (416) 795-2722
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The 2010 Calypso Tents Music Series (CTMS) wrapped up Saturday, July 3th and Sunday,  July 4^th at two locations in Toronto – Downtown and North York.  Judges for the Calypso Monarch competition were on hand to choose eight singers from among the two tents  to send to the 'Kaiso 365' Finals on Saturday, July 24th at the Ontario Science Centre (see info below).

The 2010 CTMS featured two “tents” or cast of singers backed by ‘live’ bands performing newly-composed calypso songs for the Caribana season. The two tents were Kaiso Forum (North York) and The Professionals (Downtown) and they represented Toronto’s top calypso singers.

The Professionals (DOWNTOWN)

Macomere Fifi, D' Juiceman, Naki, Penshioner, Jayson, Beginner, Panman Pat, Nikki, Smokey Burke and special guests. House band was the Soca Bunch Brass Band, led by Michael “Skel” Redhead.  For more info contact Judith Thompson at 416-769-7888.

Kaiso Forum (NORTH YORK) featured a star-studded cast led by four-time Calypso monarch Structure, Redman (2009 Calypso monarch), Lady Scorpio, Delee, Dynasty, Yellows, Guney, Connector, King Cosmos, Susan G, De Carra, Black I and Young Rashida.

House band is Neu Jenarashun, led by Jan Morgan. For further info contact Bryan Thornhill at (905) 209-0739   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit the Kaiso Forum website.

For more information of the 2010 Calypso Tents Music Series call (416) 795-2722 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thanks to generous support from