Pics from Caribana Parade.....

CARIBANA PARADE.......

Pics from King and Queen 2009

King and Queen Competition........

Pics from Junior Carnival 2009

Hi Readers, I finally organized my Caribana pics.

Enjoy this first gallery from Kiddies Carnival!!!

2009 Caribana - Band of the Year

Congratulations to Carnival Nationz!!! The band looked absolutely BEAUTIFUL on the road and I had an amazing time. Big up to all the LYCHEE CREW and to Ayanna (the SOCACIZE Queen) for creating such a great routine to start the show. A special shout out to fellow blogger THE SWEET 7......it was such a pleasure to meet you on the road!!! I can't wait for next year......

2009 Scotiabank Caribana™ Band of the Year (Category A)
RANK – THEME – MAS BAND (BANDLEADER) – SCORE

1st	IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace, Bryce Aguiton & Dwayne Pitt) – 447
2nd	A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD SALDENAH – THE GOLDEN YEARS – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah) – 445
3rd	BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire) – 433
4th	BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai) – 420
5th	THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE – Callaloo (Marlon Singh) – 411
6th	INTO D WILD – Mas Toronto (Errol & Alicia Achue) – 403
7th	DIS IS AFRICA – Nip Davis & SCSC (Selwyn “Nip” Davis) – 397
8th	ALL ABOARD – Jessie Matthews & All Ah We Toronto (Cy & Jessie Matthews) – 359

2009 Scotiabank Caribana™ Band of the Year (Category B&C)

RANK – THEME – MAS BAND (BANDLEADER) – SCORE

1st	SAFARI – All Spice Carnival (Curtis Eustace & Andre DeFreitas) – 420
2nd	GEM STONES – Connections – TCC (Mervyn Skeete) – 415
3rd	MAS HYSTERIA – Doldron, Doldron & Associates (Courtney Doldron) – 413
4th	A TASTE OF BRAZIL – Fantazia International (Will Morton) – 406
5th	DRAGON MASTERS OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE – Pleasure Players (Whitfield Balasco) – 383
6th	20TEN – A TRIBUTE TO THE OLYMPICS – Borokeete Nex Generation (Anthony Joseph) – 381
7th	COME DANCE WITH ME – All d’Friendz (Sherry Lee Kam) – 356

Judging Criteria:
Each band must portray a theme suitable of the Carnival masquerade tradition, and a panel of volunteer judges will adjudicate each band based on the following criteria: Visual Impact (max. 20 marks); Authenticity (10); Creativity (20); Mas on the Move (10); Clarity of Theme (10); Presentation (20); and Craftsmanship (10) for a total of 100 marks. The order of merit is determined by discarding the highest and lowest score per participant. The judges’ decision is final, and is announced at the end of the parade.

NOTES:
Traditionally, there are 16 competing mas band spots per year that are hotly contested. They are been divided into three (3) categories:

Category “A” Bands: - Mas Bands #1 – #8

Composed of the top six (6) adjudicated “A” bands from the previous year plus the top two (2) adjudicated “B” bands from the previous year for a total of 8 bands. Inclusion determined by marks awarded. Size of band not a determining factor.

Category “B” Bands: - Mas Bands #9 – #14

Composed of the seventh- and eighth-placed Category “A” bands from the previous year, plus the 11th- through to 14th-placed Category “B” bands from the previous year for a total of six bands. Inclusion determined by marks awarded only. Size of band not a determining factor.

Category “C” Bands: - Mas Bands #15 & #16

Composed of two new, or returning mas bands (after said returning band sits out one year of competition). Any of these bands can advance from Category “C” to Category “A” in one year.

For 2009, instead of having 16 competing mas bands, there were only 15 competing mas bands comprising: eight (8) competing “A” bands; five (5) competing “B” bands; and two (2) new competing “C” bands. All mas and steel bands made it onto the parade route.

2009 Caribana - Pan Alive Results

Congrats to Salah Steel Academy.....traveling all the way from Montreal to claim the three-peat!!! You guys sounded excellent on Friday.

The unofficial results are as follows:

1st Salah Steel Academy – First in the Line – Edwin Pouchet & Alvin Daniell – Salah Wilson (287)
2nd New Dimension – Pan Baby – Amrit Samaroo – Andre Rouse (284)
3rd (tie) Afropan Steelband – Magic Drum – Len “Boogsie” Sharpe & Machel Montano – Earl La Pierre Sr (278)
3rd (tie) Pan Fantasy – Pan Redemption – Jason “Peanut” Isaac – Al Foster (278)

2009 OSA Pan Alive “People’s Choice”: HYSO – The Hamilton Youth Steel Orchestra

Judging Criteria:
A panel of volunteer judges awards points based on the following criteria:

• Arrangement (max. 40 marks comprising introduction, interpretation, re-harmonization, melodic development and motivic development)
• General Performance (40 marks comprising dynamics and balance)
• Tone (10 marks; blending of pans)
• Application of Rhythm (10 marks; application of rhythm) for a total of 100 marks.
• The order of merit is determined by discarding the highest and lowest score per participant. The judges’ decision is final, and all results are announced at the end of the show.

NOTES:
- this event was presented by the Ontario Steel Pan Association (OSA)
- the 2009 OSA Pan Alive winner – Salah Steelpan Academy – has won this competition three years in a row (2007, 2008 and 2009)

2009 Caribana - KIng And Queen Competition Results

2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ King of the Bands


1st. Dexter Seusahai – “King Scarecrow” – BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)
2nd. Martin Scott-Pascall – Heat Explosion Over Rio De Janeiro” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)
3rd. Anton Saldenah – “The Power & The Glory From The Band” –
A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD SALDENAH: THE GOLDEN YEARS – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)


2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ Queen of the Bands


1st. Joella Crichton – “The Source” – IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (M. Eustace, B. Aguiton, D. Pitt)
2nd. Carol Cuffie – “The Beauty of Mercury Mist – The Gemstone” – GEM STONES – Connections – TCC (Mervyn Skeete)
3rd. Penne Sutherland – “The Intangible Heritage Goddess of Love” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)


2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ Male Individual of the Year


1st. Mista Meggy - “Bahia Native Dancer” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)
2nd. Shane Mungal – “Dance of the Indian Peacock” – BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)
3rd (tie). Micah Akal – “Spirit of the Wild” – INTO D WILD – Mas Toronto (Errol & Alicia Achue)
3rd (tie). Ron Belfon – “Biting Insects” – IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (M. Eustace, B. Aguiton, D. Pitt)


2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ Female Individual of the Year


1st. Alicia Anderson – “Maria, The Samba Dancer” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)
2nd. Lisa Mahadeo – “Scarlet Macaw” – BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)
3rd. Trinelle Alleyne-Gittens – “Iris” – IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (M. Eustace, B. Aguiton, D. Pitt)

Judging Criteria:
A panel of volunteer judges awards points based on the following criteria: Visual Impact (max. 30 marks); Authenticity (10); Creativity (20); Clarity of Theme (10); Presentation (20); and Craftsmanship (10) for a total of 100 marks. The order of merit is determined by discarding the highest and lowest score per participant. The judges’ decision is final, and all results are announced at the end of the show.

Marshalls Needed For Carnival Nationz

CARNIVAL NATIONZ MARSHALLS NEEDED

We are looking for people to volunteer on Caribana Saturday August 1st to help coordinate crowd control and assist security on the parade route. This allows you be in the parade, be with your family member or loved one or simply be in the Caribana atmosphere. Our meeting will be held tomorrow Friday July 31st, however please contact our supervisors first for specifics. SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY PLEASE.

SUPERVISOR 1: JASON BLACKMAN: 647-330-7670 SUPERVISOR 2: RICHARD BRATHWAITE: 416 450-1133 OR EMAIL MARSHALLS@CARNIVALNATIONZ.COM TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITES TAKE CARE OF MASQUERADERS ASSEMBLING AND DISMANTLING KING AND QUEEN COSTUME PROVIDE FOOD AND WATER FOR MASQUERADERS AND SECURITY PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR MASQUERADERS ( MAKE SURE NO ONE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE TRUCK WHEELS ETC) ASSIST SECURITY WITH CLEARING THE WAY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Feel De Vibe - Episode 3

Carnival Nationz Costume Pick Up Begins‏

Pickup is located at the Mas Camp 533 McNicoll Ave.

NEW For ladies there will be tights on sale at the Mas Camp during pick times. These are the tights from Trinidad that are skin tone aaaaaand eliminate the Forbidden Cellulite look. They are great in hot conditions so don't worry about that. If you're interested ask at pick up time.

NEW There will be DVDs of Caribana 2008 on sale so if you know you were on camera or you just want memories from last year simply inquire at pickup.

Ladies and Gentlemen the time is here for 2008. Time to get ready for de road. We at Carnival Nationz are just as excited as you are to be In Full Bloom on the Lakeshore. I know you're all ready for yuh costumes like yesterday so as usual NO LONG TALK!

We have set aside special days for each section. Pickup begins on Sat July 25th and ends on Fri Jul 31st. For all out of town masqueraders please make sure we know to hold your costume until Friday evening. Please NOTE: At pickup you will recieve all other information pertaining to Caribana day assembly time, location, order of crossing the stage etc. The scheduled time for costume pickup is as follows:

DATE	SECTION	SECTION LEADER	TIME
Saturday July 25th	SUNFLOWER & WATER LILLY	BRYCE - 416.985.8488	2pm - 6pm
Sunday July 26th	SCABIOSA & WILD ROSES	MARCUS - 416.565.4079	2pm - 6pm
Monday July 27th	BOUGAINVILLEA & MORNING GLORY	DWAYNE - 416.930.9650	6pm - 9pm
Tuesday July 28th	AJUGA & LYCHEE	MARCUS - 416.565.4079 , BRYCE - 416.985.8488	6pm - 9pm
Wednesday July 29th	APHRODISIACS, BUTTERFLIES, POISON IVY & DRAGON FRUIT	ROSS - 416.301.7761 , BRYCE WILL CONTACT , AL & BRANDT - 647.727.4445 & HAYDEN - 416.220.4972	6pm - 9pm
Thursday July 30th	CLOSED FOR	KING AND QUEEN	SHOW
Friday July 31st	OUT OF TOWN MASQUERADERS		11am - 6pm

PICKUP RULES AND GUIDLEINES:

• Please do not show up on days not assigned to your section before your scheduled pickup date. In other words if you are to pick up on Tues PLEASE do not show up on Monday and assume your costume will be ready.
• There will be no trying on at the mas camp on pickup days. We are also not responsible for alterations. For all minor alterations (as everyone may have) please feel free to do at home or at a professional tailor or seamstress ..thank you in advance for understanding.
• Lastly if you cannot come to pick up your costume on the assigned date, not to worry, PLEASE LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE and we will gladly make an appointment with you. We intend to hold your costume for you until 6pm Caribana Friday. YOU MUST LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE if you cannot make your schedued pickup date. Go to carnivalnationz.com and contact your section leader directly. Please be aware that you would have to make this appointment outside the time assigned to the other section's scheduled times. In other words if you are in MORNING GLORY and are supposed to come to the mas camp between 6-9pm on Monday and cannot make it for that time, then feel free to come anytime between the hours of 10am-4pm Tues or Wed.
• Any costume remaining after 6pm on Friday 31st July (without prir nofication to th band or section leaders) WILL BE SOLD. PLEASE NOTE ALL FINAL PAYMENTS ARE DUE AT PICKUP.

We look forward to meeting you in person once again and jumping with you on de Lake Shore!!!

Feel De Vibe - Episode 2 (Part 2)

Feel De Vibe - Episode 2 (Part 1)

Feel De Vibe - Episode 1

De Caribana Lime has moved.......

Hey Readers take note: De Caribana Lime traditionally held on the island has officially been moved to Ontario Place as a result of the ongoing Toronto city workers strike!

Event: De Scotiabank Caribana Lime
Place: Ontario Place
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2009
Time: 12:00 – 8:00 pm
Cost: $ 14.00

2009 Junior Carnival Results

RESULTS FROM JUNIOR CARNIVAL COMPETITION

2009 Junior Band of the Year
1st. THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE – Callaloo
2nd. IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz
3rd. (tie) BIRDS OF PARADISE OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights
3rd. (tie) DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL – Toronto Revellers

2009 Junior King of the Bands
1st. Demeko Minott, 13 – Aladdin and the Magic Carpet – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL
2nd. Shane Vincent, 13 – Altamira Oriole – BIRDS OF PARADISE
3rd. Fabian Lee, 8 – Jewel of the Ganges – THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE

2009 Junior Queen of the Bands
1st. Paige Lewis, 13 – Botanica – IN FULL BLOOM
2nd. Destynee Charles, 10 – The Guardian of Luxor – THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE
3rd. Celena Seusahai, 10 – Lesser Birds of Paradise – BIRDS OF PARADISE

2009 Junior Male Individual of the Year
1st. Malik Adams, 9 – Cayman Parrot – BIRDS OF PARADISE
2nd. Marvin Lee, 9 – Snake Charmer – THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE
3rd. Jamal James, 14 – The Beast (Beauty & The Beast) – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

2009 Junior Female Individual of the Year
1st. Shania Cunningham, 10 – Yaruba – DIS IS AFRICA
2nd. Caneisha Edwards, 10 – The Superb Lovebird – BIRDSOF PARADISE
3rd. Anastasia Burton, 12 – Ariel, The Little Mermaid – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

2009 "Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch Results

Nine calypsonians from across the GTA vied for top prizes in the "Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch Competition on Saturday, July 18th 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

http://www.ocpacalypsoca.com/

Roll Call......Caribana 2009

Hey Readers,

Only 11 days before the big day and hopefully by now you've managed to pick a band and your section! So that begs the question.........WHO YUH PLAYING WITH?

This is the official 2009 Caribana roll call.........let's here who you'll be jumping up with this year. I'll start things off:

De Cocoa Panyol: Carnival Nationz - Lychee

Oh yes, and just in case you're a procrastinator and you're still looking to play mas, here is a complete list of all the bands in order of appearance along with contact info and mas camp location.

Band #1 (Category A)

Mas Toronto (Errol & Alicia Achue)

2009 Theme: Into D Wild

Mas Camp Address:

Phone: 416-283-6161

Website: http://www.mastoronto.com/ http://sites.google.com/site/mastoronto

Band #2 (Category A)
Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2009 Theme: A Tribute to Harold Saldenah – The Golden Years

Mas Camp Address: 787 Warden Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue), Scarborough, ON Mas Camp Hours: Monday - Sunday 11am - midnight

Phone: 416-444-9118 416-560-4419 416-843-4215

Website: www.saldenahcarnival.com

Band #3 (Category A) Nip Davis & SCSC (Selwin “Nip” Davis)

2009 Theme: Dis Is Africa

Mas Camp Address: 60 Barbados Blvd, Units 4 & 5, Scarborough, ON
Mas Camp Hours: 2pm - midnight - daily

Phone: 416-286-0097 647-242-7715 905-940-2944

Website: www.nipdavis.com www.scsc.ca

Band #4 (Category A)
Callaloo (Marlon Singh)

2009 Theme: The Ganges Meets The Nile

Mas Camp Address:

Phone: 416-576-0694 416-845-3754

Website: www.callaloo.net

Band #5 (Category A)
Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace, Bryce Aguiton & Dwayne Pitt)
2009 Theme: In Full Bloom
Mas Camp Address: 533 McNicoll Avenue (Victoria Park Road and McNicoll Avenue), North York, ON
Mas Camp Hours: Monday to Friday 6-9pm (except on holidays); Saturday & Sunday 2-6pm
Phone: 416-565-4079 416-985-8488 416-930-9650

Website: www.carnivalnationz.com

Band #6 (Category A)
Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)

2009 Theme: Brazil – Bachannal In Rio

Mas Camp Address: 1530 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, ON
Mas Camp Hours: Monday - Saturday & Holidays - 4pm to 10pm

Phone: 647-827-5745 289-232-0366 416-709-0632

Website: www.torontorevellers.com

Band #7 (Category A)
Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)

2009 Theme: Birds Of Paradise

Mas Camp Address: 83 Dynamic Drive, Units 11 & 12 (Markham Road & McNicoll Avenue), Scarborough, ON
Mas Camp Hours: Sunday 12 - 9pm, Monday - Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am - 11pm

Phone: 416-893-1867 416-396-3780

Website: www.tribalknights.com

Band #8 (Category A)
Jessie Matthews & All Ah We Toronto (Cy & Jessie Mathews)
2009 Theme: All Board
Mas Camp Address: 90 Melford Drive, Unit 2, Scarborough, ON as of June 1, 2009

Phone: 416-283-2238 905-924-1716

Website: www.allahwetoronto.com

Band #9 (Category B)
Borokeete Nex Generation (Anthony Joseph)

2009 Theme: 20TEN – A Tribute to the Olympics

Mas Camp Address: 55 Nuggett Avenue, Scarborough, ON

Phone: 416-452-9973

Website: www.borokeetecanada.com www.bcmas.com

Band #10 (Category B)
Pleasure Players (Whitfield Balasco)

2009 Theme: Dragon Masters of the Shaolin Temple

Mas Camp Address: 45 Ernest Avenue (Bloor & Dundas West), Toronto, ON

Phone: 905-568-9136

Website: http://www.dpleasureplayers.com/


Band #11 (Category B)

Connections – TCC (Mervyn Skeete)

2009 Theme: Gem Stones

Mas Camp Address: 705 Progress Avenue, Scarborough ON

Phone: 416-492-5584 647-295-5584

Website: www.tocarnival.com

Band #12 (Category B)

Doldron, Doldron & Associates (Courtney Doldron)

2009 Theme: Mas Hysteria

Mas Camp Address: 1790 Albion Road (@ HWY 27), Eotobicoke, ON

Phone: 416-986-7875 647-928-5609 416-779-4211

Email: csdoldron@rogers.com

NEW MAS BANDS for 2009
Band #13 (Category B)

All Spice Carnival (Curtis Eustace & Andre DeFreitas)

2009 THEME: Safari

Mas Camp Address: 538 Gordon Baker Road (Victoria Park and Steeles Avenue), Scarborough, ON

Phone: 416-728-6504 416-660-9154

Website: www.allspicecarnival.com

Band #14 (Category C)

All d’Friendz (Sherry Lee Kam)

2009 Theme: Dance With Me

Mas Camp Address: N/A

Phone: 416-287-6309 416-238-5323

Email: sherry.leekam@gmail.com

Band #15 (Category C)

Fantazia International (Will Morton)
2009 Theme: A Taste Of Brazil

Mas Camp Address: 501 Passmore Avenue, Unit 23 (Markham Road and Passmore Avenue), Scarborough, ON

Phone: 289-888-1247

Website: www.fantaziainternational.net

Pan Alive 2009

Afropan Blockos

Hey readers,


Every year Afropan Blockos are a must for me for the Caribana season. Head on down to the panyard for some free family fun and some sweet pan music.

It's BLOCK-O time again!!!!

This years theme is "A TRIBUTE TO THE MAGIC MAN MICHAEL JACKSON" so this SUNDAY JULY 19th come out as the tribute begins. We have many special guest coming to the 'YARD' to perform at the annual PAN KAISO JAZZ BLOCK-O.

Then on SUNDAY JULY 26th is the annual BIG BLOCK-O, come pick up your 2009 Afropan T-Shirt plenty food and drinks and some of Toronto's best DJ's will be passing thru!

There's nothing better then a good PAN YARD LIME so after KING & QUEEN
(Thursday July 30th) come dressed in WHITE and get a chance to take in the MAGIC DRUM as that will be our song for the PAN ALIVE COMPETITION taking place Friday July 31st!

AFROPAN - The People's Band Celebrating over 35 years!!!
http://www.afropan.ca/
http://www.myspace.com/afropan
(416) 245-6411 Ext # 1

Junior Carnival - Caribana 2009

Junior Caribana takes place this Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Yorkgate Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A panel of five volunteer judges will adjudicate all bands using the following criteria: Visual impact (max. 20 marks); Authenticity (10); Creativity (20); Mas on the Move (10); Clarity of Theme (10); Presentation (20); and Craftsmanship (10) for a total of 100 marks. The order of merit is determined by discarding the highest and lowest score per participant. The judges’ decision is final, and is announced at the end of the parade.

Its not too late to get a costume for your little ones so check out each mas camp for there 2009 offering for the kiddies.

Now if only the weather would cooperate......let's pray for some sunshine for our lil masqueraders!!

OCPA 2009 Calypso Monarch Finalists

The finalists for the 2009 Calypson Monarch have been announced. Eight competitors will take on defending champion Macomere Fifi for the esteemed title.

Here are the finalists in Order of Appearance:

1. Brian Thornhill ~ Structure ~ Kaiso Forum
2. Bill Newman ~ Calypso Crooner ~ The Professionals
3. Susan Grogan ~ Susan G ~ Kaiso Forum
4. Denise Alexander ~ Spice ~ Kaiso Forum
5. Michael Moore ~ Beginner ~ The Professionals
6. Michael Thomas ~ Redman ~ Kaiso Forum
7. Tara Eulith Woods ~ Macomere Fifi (2008 defending champ) ~ The Professionals
8. Henry Gomez ~ King Cosmos ~ Kaiso Forum
9. Nzunaki Tuitt ~ Naki ~ The Professionals
* Reserve Leslie Carrabon ~ De Carra ~ Kaiso Forum
* in case one of the original eight finalists cannot perform on the night for any reason

OCPA's KAISO 365 Calypso Monarch Finals with take place on Saturday July 18th, 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Exhibition Place, CNE Grounds). Tickets are $42.00 in advance; $45.00 at the door. For a list of ticket outlets, check your local Toronto Caribbean newspapers or call OCPA at 416-795-2722.

The nine finalists will perform two newly-composed calypsos before a panel of judges. Each song will be 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 will be the following special awards categories: Arrangement, Local Content, Humor, Background Vocals, and New Artiste.

OCPA (Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes) Website: http://www.ocpacalypsoca.com/index.php/kaiso-365

Good luck to all the contestants!!!