MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

AWARDS SHOW & CHRISTMAS PARTY

OCPA Annual Awards Show & Christmas Party was held on Sunday, December 12th at the popular Windies Restaurant in Scarborough. A full-house of Calypso  fans, entertainers and sponsors created a wonderful Caribbean party atmosphere that signalled the end of the 2010 programme of events for OCPA.

Special thanks to award-winning producer and band leader Ossie Gurley and his team of talented musicians who added a special excitement to the lively affair. The awards were dominated by this year's Monarch Macomere Fifi, who also captured the People's Choice award and several Special Category awards.

The crowd was treated to a boisterious parang troupe that featured songs by Dick Lochan, Connector, Spice and Young Rashida, Fifi, Redman, and King Cosmos.

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT AND MADE THIS EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS!!!

2010 - Kaiso 365

Macomere Fifi captures title

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.

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:

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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2010 CALYPSO TENTS MUSIC SERIES

HERE COMES THE JUDGE....!!!

The 2010 Calypso Tents Music Series (CTMS) wrapped up on 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

2010 SOCA SHOWCASE

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

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

7755 Bayview Ave, Thornhill, ONTARIO  

Susan G *** Black I *** Nikki *** Connector*** Monty Hama 

*** 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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2009 CALYPSO MONARCH FINALS

Nine calypsonians from across the GTA vied for top prizes in the "Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch Competition on Saturday, July 18^th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (CNE Grounds). The nine "Kaiso 365" finalists were Structure, Calypso Crooner, Susan G., Spice, Beginner, Redman, Macomere Fifi, King Cosmos, and Naki. They performed two newly-composed calypsos before a panel of judges and each song was awarded a maximum of 100 points divided into five (5) categories: Lyrics 35, Melody 20, Vocal Rendition 25, Presentation 10, and Originality 10.

The results for 2009 "Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch Competition:

1st   Redman  -  Black Hen Chicken / Ah Done With Picong

2nd  Calypso Crooner  -  Congratulations Obama / Living Backwards

3rd  Structure  -  Manifesto for the People / My Social Commentary

4th  Macomere Fifi  -  I Eh Taking No More / Call Me By Name

5th  Naki  -  Ah Real Vex / T'ings Brown

6th  Susan G  -  Who Bailing We Out / Pollution School

7th  Spice  -  Heroes / Data Collector

8th  King Cosmos  -  Michelle and the Queen / The Summit

9th  Beginner  -  Out of Nowhere He Came / Take Back Caribana

Awards categories:

Arrangement  -  Winston Maingot  /  I Eh Taking No More

Local Content  (tied) -  Bryan Thornhill / My Social Commentary & Michael Thomas / Black Hen Chicken

Humor  -  Michael Thomas / Black Hen Chicken

Lyrics  -  Michael Thomas / Black Hen Chicken

Melody  -  Winston Maingot / I Eh Taking No More

Rendition  -  Macomere Fifi / I Eh Taking No More

Originality  -  Bill Newman / Living Backwards

CARIBANA PARADE Float

Join the fun and let your hair down at the parade of the bands in OCPA's Caribana Parade float. This largest Caribbean carnival in North America winds down Lakeshore Boulevard from the CNE Grounds to the sweet sounds of Soca, Calypso and Reggae music. The rhythms of the steelbands and the beautiful mas' costumes together create a spectacle of colours and an atmosphere of excitement that bring friends and families back year after year.

2009-2010: Past events

Calypso Tune-UP

● Calypso Tune-Up BRUNCH & SHOW

Sunday, April 18th   1:00pm

25 Cecil St. (College & Spadina)                                              ONLY  $25.

featuring

● REDMAN 2009 Calypso Monarch

● MACOMERE FIFI ● CALYPSO CROONER

● STRUCTURE ● DICK LOCHAN ● SPICE

●  NAKI ● CONNECTOR

The 2010 Calypso season is here!

Sweet sounds of “true north” Caribbean music blossom on Sunday, April 18^th at 25 Cecil Street. The humble Steelworkers Hall (near College & Spadina) is transformed into the Calypso Tune-UP - a musical spotlight for some of Canada’s finest performers in Calypso, a musical genre that started over two-hundred years ago in Trinidad.

For music lovers looking for a different experience, the Calypso Tune-UP is your best opportunity to catch a mid-afternoon concert featuring singers that will entertain and educate you with social, political and humorous commentary about what matters to our city’s Caribbean community. Calypso singers follow a tradition that was born of storytelling African griots and of the Caribbean chantuelles or lead singers who controlled the “call-and-response” choruses that accompanied the street parading Carnival revelers and drumming.

To make it an even more memorable experience, Calypso Tune-UP organizers serve a tasty Caribbean brunch that starts at 1:00 pm. Brunch and concert all for only $25. Proceeds of the event go to supporting the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes 2010 program.

For tickets please call: Allison (905) 874-0331  West

Glenda (416) 445-3919  East

Richard  (905) 728-7130  Oshawa

OCPA HOTLINE (416) 795-2722

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2010 Calendar of Events

● Calypso Tents Music Series (CTMS)

Saturday, June 5th thru Sunday, July 4th

25 Cecil St. (Spadina & College)  The Professionals

30 Tangiers Rd. (Keele & Finch)  Kaiso Forum

Experience the pulse of the Caribbean community in Toronto - over five weekends dozens of calypso singers backed by 'live' bands present their latest songs for the upcoming Caribana festival season. What better way to get the festival fever.

Calypso Showcase Soon Come!

TICKETS: (416) 795-2722

Oshawa's Club Carib kicks off the 2009 summer season of exciting and fun-filled events with a Brunch & Calypso Showcase this Sunday, May 31st at the Caribbean Cultural Centre, Oshawa. Top Canadian Calypso singers will be performing their hits and testing out their newest compositions in preparation for the Calypso Tents Music Series in Toronto (June 6 - July 5). Four-times Calypso king Structure, the glamorous Susan G and golden-voiced Guney will be on hand to spice up things and bring a smile.

Partner, if you enjoy real sweet Caribbean music and food.... you won't want to miss this!

Photography by Tony Sladden