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NACC Kings Go Forth 2008
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: February 16, 2008
 | | Joan Johnson accepts award from Nigerian High Comm. Adesesan Olatunde on behalf of Angela Johnson
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The National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) held their 24th Annual post-Carnival Kings Go Forth event that highlighted all the winners and stars of the 2008 Carnival season on Friday 24th February, 2008, at the St. James Amphitheatre. This show was dedicated to the memory of Ed and Angela Johnson. Popular during the Golden Age of Radio and Live Entertainment in the 1950's, Ed and Angela last toured Trinidad in 1979, where they performed in front of sold-out audiences. Patrons turned out in their numbers to get a last taste of the 2008 Carnival season.
Megan Walrond, the 2008 Junior Calypso Monarch, was the first champion on show and she did not disappoint with her song "Remember Me Not". Her stinging critique of deadbeat dads was met with rousing applause from the audience. Young Tobagonian singer T'keiah Alleyne, the National Jewels Monarch, was next with a commanding performance, as she impressed on the audience that life has both up and down moments in her song "Mix the Bitter with the Sweet".
Eight Year old Kesi Bennet, the Pioneers Monarch, won the heart of the audience with her witty ditty titled "Mommy's Mouth" which spoke about the maternal instincts of mothers that allow them to foresee danger before it happens. For her sterling performance she won an encore.
| |  | | | Tenaj Smith sings "A Vote of Thanks"
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Tenaj Smith, the Junior Pathfinders Monarch, performed her winning composition, "A Vote of Thanks". She highlighted how the contributions of the Mighty Terror, Bomber, Kitchener, Sparrow, Makandal Daaga, Karen Eccles, Lady B, Calypso Rose and Singing Sandra gave her inspiration as a budding Calypsonian.
Ferdinand Smith, the Junior Arima Monarch and the Primary Schools Soca Monarch, charmed the audience with his Soca song "Ah Ready". Singing that he is ready to 'mash up' the party, the audience could not get enough of him as they called him back on stage twice to sing more of his song. Also in the Soca genre was the Secondary Schools Soca Monarch, Erphaan Alves, who was in fine form as he rendered his song "Soca Explosion".
Jagdeo Phagoo, with his song "Drums Beating Again", highlighted how foreign interests control T&T's resources to the detriment of the poor as he also delivered a warning for wayward politicians. Karega Mandela was also in stinging form with his song "Be Careful". Telling artists they have a duty not only to entertain but to educate, he also delivered a stern warning to politicians, telling them that they should tread carefully when dealing with the people's business.
Lesley Ann Ellis
Tobagonian, Lesley-Ann Ellis, was in fine form as she paid tribute to various cultural and social contributors. Remarking that the dead cannot glory in appreciation, she highlighted ANR Robinson, Winston 'De Original De Fosto Himself' Scarborough, Brian Lara, Eastlyn Mac Kenzie and Radio Trinbago as worthy of praise. Sekon Alves was similarly impressive with his song "When We Meet" as he asked, "When the Ganges meets the Nile, is there a genuine smile?" He explored how persons can talk and relate okay in public, but still have poor racial attitudes that pop-up when they are in their private space.
The Tobago National Calypso Monarch, 'Tobago Chalkdust', delighted the audience with his lyrics as well as his humorous impersonation of 'Chalkdust' (Hollis Liverpool). He outlined in great detail the various ways in which Trinidad contributes to world civilization in his song "It's Not Only Crime".
Walter Taylor sings "I'm Sorry"
Walter Taylor delivered a dramatic and powerful performance of his song "I'm Sorry" which won him an encore from the appreciative audience. In his song, he apologized to his son for not spending enough time with him as he urged fathers to pay attention to their children.
The audience responded lustily to 'Sugar Aloes' (Michael Osouna) as he rendered his song "Look in the Mirror". Also in stinging form was 'Chalkdust' (Hollis Liverpool) who warned the various cultural entities that they should not expect the funds to flow so easily as before, now that Minister Joan (Yuille-Williams) is no longer in office.
The People's Calypsonian Brother Valentino was true to his reputation as he took a cutting look at the roots and state of the Calypso artform. Hailing the contribution of Lady Trinidad, the Duke of Iron, Lylo, Lancelot Layne and Houdini, he traced the influence of early Calypsonians on Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Harry Belafonte. He remarked that if Calypso is dying it is Calypso judges and promoters who have it so.
Veteran Calypsonian 'Power'
The Calypso Veteran Champion 2008, 'Funny', thrilled the audience with his "Bababadaba" which humorously looked at how Trinidadians can mimic the sound of the Steelpan with their mouths. Another veteran Calypsonian 'Power' had the crowd singing and dancing as he treated them to his song "Ah Coming" before launching into "Culture", a song that questioned the lack if love people have for Calypso and Steelband.
Other champions from the Carnival 2008 season that performed were Stars of Tomorrow winner, Jervae Caesar; National Calypso Queen, Monique Hector, Karene Asche, Heeralal Rampartap and Young King 2008, ‘Mighty Diamond’ (Patrick Purcell Lewis). Apart from these, the audience was also treated to guest performances by the Ice Water Pan Ensemble, Earl Knights Services Brass, Gasparillo Tamboo Bamboo and the Kishan Seenath Dance Company. By their response to the performers, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the performances.
NACC Kings Go Forth 2008 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=101353
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