N.A.C.C. Launches Events for 2007

LEFT: Akhenaton Daaga, Anthony ‘Surpriser’ Felix and Romanus ‘Trumpet’ Silverthorn

TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 22, 2007
Posted: January 25, 2007

The umbrella body of NJAC’s cultural committees, the National Action Cultural Committee, presented its 2007 calendar of events on Tuesday 23rd January, 2007, at the St. James Amphitheatre to a small but receptive audience comprised of Calypsonians, other media personnel and a few specially invited guests.

The presentation began with an opening speech by Bro. Akhenaton Daaga, who expressed his hope that this year would be as good as other years along with his belief that the Top 20 Competition was the beginning of realizing the positive aspirations for the NYAC. According to Daaga, this and other competitions can assist in the all-round development of the Calypso musical art form but that this can only be sustained with the input of the youth. Hence, the Generation Next Tent comprises several of the nation’s young and talented Calypsonians who have taken up the mantle to ensure that the music of Trinidad and Tobago lives on.

NWAC President, Sister Dela Obika addressed the gathering next and opinioned that women’s participation and acceptance in Calypso and Soca have grown tremendously over the years. Beginning this year, thanks to the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, there has been a significant prize increase for the women in the Calypso Queen Monarch Competition which now equals the prize-money as the men in the Young Kings Competition. The prize-money has grown from a first-place award of $5000 in 1985 to $100,000 in 2007. The prizes for the competition are as follows:

Placement / Prizes

1st / $100,000
2nd / $50,000
3rd / $30,000
4th / $15,000
5th – 6th / $10,000
7th – 8th /$8,500
9th – 13th / $7,000
14th – 20th / $6,000

The NWAC president further explained that over the years the committee has honored women in Calypso and this year they would be honoring Marjorie Johnson who was part of the quartet, the March of Dimes Chorus Group. Also they would be recognizing Queen Anastasia for her placement in the St. Kitts & Nevis competition.

Sister Dela Obika lastly stated NWAC’s objective in assisting in the general development of women and their plans for a Caribbean Calypso Queen Competition in the future.

Speaking next was the Chairman of the NACC, Kwasi Mutema, who welcomed all to the home of Generation Next, self-proclaimed as the best Calypso tent on the world. According to Mr. Mutema, it is evident that Calypso Tents have been in trouble for many years but the NACC could not stand by and allow this to continue. Thus, they organized an experiment, which turned out to be a most rewarding experience, drawing upon various musical genres bringing them under one home, the Generation Next Tent.

This year they will formally launch the Generation Next Calypso Tent on Friday 26th January, 2007, with a cast including Karene Asche , Kizzie Ruiz, Isasha, Million Voice, Mr. King, Sean Daniel, Fireball, Monique Hector and others. Generation Next would also feature tamboo bamboo, stick fighting and limbo at the St. James Amphitheatre.

Honorees at the Young Kings Competition would be Brother Surpriser and King Swallow of Antigua. Mr. Mutema explained that females would no longer be allowed to participate in the Young Kings Competition because they felt that they, the females, were now able to successfully rival males and can now stand on their own. The prize structure for the Young Kings Competition mirrors that of the Queens competition.

This year they also have the 3rd Annual Veterans Calypso Monarch Competition on Monday 12th February, and would feature Calypso legends such as All Rounder, Surpriser and Mighty Duke and Brother Valentino.

The Kings Go Forth Competition will take place on Saturday 3rd March, and will be honoring Band Leader Joe Sampson.

Mark ‘Contender’ John, Chairman of TUCO North Zone, sent greetings from his organization and commended the NACC for their great work that they have done for the development of Calypso and their attempts to sustain the art form. TUCO North Zone, which is responsible for running the Klassic Ruso Tent, extended a proposal to Chief Servant, Makandal Daaga to have a ‘clash’ with the Generation Next Tent to provide the youth in Calypso with an opportunity to rub shoulders with the greats. Mr. John jokingly promised not to spank them too badly and added that it would be a great learning experience for both sides. This event is scheduled to take place on Friday 8th February, 2007.

Entertaining that evening were the young Allan Goddard, Karene Asche, Jervae Caesar and Sonny ‘Power’ Francis. These were just a few artistes performing, giving those in the audience a taste of what was to come.

Media Launch of N.A.C.C. 2007 events in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=51916