R.I.P. Penguin

Hi Readers,

Veteran Calypso Icon Penguin (Seadley Joseph) passed away this morning.  He was the 1982 Road March King with "Deputy Essential" as well as the 1984 Calypso Monarch with "We Living in Jail" and "Soft Man".

Do you remember these songs?

2009 Calypso Tents Music Series

KAISO KAISO!!!

The 2009 ScotiaBank Caribana Festival is just around the corner. One of the first major events in North America’s biggest Caribbean festival is the Calypso Tents Music Series, produced by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA). This much-anticipated music series features most of Toronto's top calypso singers performing all original works to capture the mood of the festival.

The 2009 Calypso Tents Music Series features two calypso “tents” that run every weekend from June 6th to July 5th (see details below). The Professionals and the KAISO FORUM “tents” are currently auditioning calypso singers for the series. Persons interested should call the OCPA Hotline (416) 795-2722. The series welcomes interest from new and younger artists.

2009 Calypso Tents Music Series
Saturday, June 6th 8pm THE PROFESSIONALS Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St.
Sunday, June 7 4pm KAISO FORUM CAW Union Hall, 30 Tangiers Rd.
Saturday, June 13th 8pm THE PROFESSIONALS Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St.
Sunday, June 14 4pm KAISO FORUM CAW Union Hall, 30 Tangiers Rd.
Saturday, June 20th 8pm THE PROFESSIONALS Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St.
Saturday, June 20th 7pm KAISO FORUM Masonic Temple, 15 Chisholm Ave.
Saturday, June 27th 8pm THE PROFESSIONALS Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St.
Saturday, June 27th 7pm KAISOFORUM Masonic Temple, 15 Chisholm Ave.
Saturday, July 4th 8pm THE PROFESSIONALS Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St.
Sunday, July 5th 4pm KAISOFORUM CAW Union Hall, 30 Tangiers Rd.

Calypso is a popular music of the Eastern Caribbean and its infectious rhythms, its humorous lyrics and political / social commentaries have found loyal audiences in Toronto and in other major Canadian cities. The Calypso Tents Music Series has consistently featured the most recent songs of artists from Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Jamaica, Aruba and Canadian-born singers.

For more information on the 2009 Calypso Tents Music Series please call (416) 795-2722.

OCPA’s 2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch Finals

Courtesty of Toronto-lime here are the results from OCPA's 2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch Finals. The event was a sold-out show! Its great to hear that our community came out to support their local kaisonians!!

BEST LYRICS
-De Carra for the song "No Black School"

BEST MELODY
- Winston Maingot for the song "Take Back We Country” sung by Macomere Fifi

BEST PRESENTATION
- Macomere Fifi for the song "Barrack Obama" (spelling of official song name as registered by the artist with OCPA)

BEST VOCAL RENDITION
- Macomere Fifi for the song "Barrack Obama" (spelling of official song name as registered by the artist with OCPA)

MOST ORIGINAL CALYPSO
- De Carra for the song "No Black School"

BEST COMPOSITION ON A LOCAL TOPIC
- De Carra for the song "No Black School"

MOST HUMOUROUS CALYPSO
- De Carra for the song "No Black School"

BEST ARRANGEMENT
- Oswald James for the song "Take Back We Country" sung by Macomere Fifi

MOST PROMISING NEW ARTISTE - PRESTON SHEPHERD AWARD
- Naki (Nzunaki Tuitt)

PEOPLES’ CHOICE
2008 OCPA Canadian Calypso Monarch – RESULTS

RANK STAGE NAME/SOBRIQUET (NAME) 2008 CALYPSO TENT
1 Macomere Fifi (Tara Eulith Woods) The Professionals
2 De Carra (Leslie Carabon) Kaiso Forum
3 Structure (Bryan Thornhill) Kaiso Forum (2007 defending champion)
4 Susan G (Susan Grogan) Kaiso Forum
5 (tie) Naki (Nzunaki Tuitt) The Professionals
Redman (Michael Thomas) Kaiso Forum
7 Lady Pearl (Pearl Breteron-Robinson) The Professionals
8 Connector (Joel Davis) Kaiso Forum
9 Beginner (Michael Moore) The Professionals

2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch

The official results haven't been released yet but I believe Macomere Fifi was crowned the 2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch last night.

Congratulations to the merry monarch!!

I'll post the rest of the results as soon as I get my hands on the info.

KAISO 365

The Organization of Calypso Performing Arts Presents

KAISO 365
2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch Finals

Saturday July 26, 2008
8 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets $35 advance, $40 at the door

M.C.'s Itah Sadu and Dick Lochan

Competing Performers:

• Susan G
• Naki
• Redman
• Connector
• Structure (defending 2007 Monarch)
• De Carra
• Beginner
• Lady Pearl
• Macomere Fifi
• RESERVE: PanMan Pat

For Information: 647-284-6048 or ocpa2007@gmail.com

Good luck to all of tonight's contestants :-)