CATEGORY:CARNIVAL BUILD-UP -------------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA MONDAY August 13,2007 by Wallace J.A and J.Charles GRENADA: The 2006 Calypso King, Findley “Scholar” Jeffery, was able to successfully fend-off challenges from a field of nine other calypsonians at the National Stadium this morning and hold on to the Calypso Monarch title for the fifth time (1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, and 2007). The announcement was made around 4:30AM this morning. Only Ajamu would have won the calypso crown on more occasions than Scholar (seven times). The turn-out to the Dimanche Gras (Calypso Finals) this year was not as impressive as in previous years. Whatever the reason(s) for the low attendance (an overcast night, a wet, soggy outfield; disenchantment; economic or security concerns) a very late start only made things worse, further dampening the spirits of those in attendance and infuriating the thousands of fans who battled sleep to listening over the radio and the internet (both in Grenada and throughout the diaspora). The event, advertised to commence at 7:00 PM, started at around 10:00 PM instead (after a three-hour delay due to obscure reasons), much to the chagrin of calypso fans. After the parade of the Kings and Queens of the bands, there was again a second delay before the actual start of the calypso competition. Whatever matters had to be dealt with took-up some valuable time so that the finals of the calypso competition only got off the ground around 12:00 AM. Many persons who saw the 10 calypso artistes in action this year said that their performances were not very breathtaking and that they were able to easily put Scholar at the top of the pack. Scholar’s two renditions for the night –‘Love Life’ and ‘Man Go Man Dey’ – enabled him to amass 466 points, two points ahead of second place winner, Sour Serpent.Scholar is also the Groovy Soca Monarch for 2007. The positions in the Dimanche Gras competition are as follows: 1. 466 - Scholar 2. 464 - Sour Serpent 3. 445 - Squeezie 4. 441 - Papa Jerry 5. 437 - Teacher Eddie 6. 430 - Darkie 7. 411 - Wizard 8. 401 - Stumpie 9. 395 - Sherene Francais 10. 394 – Steffie Grenadian Connection seizes this opportunity to congratulate Scholar on his remarkable accomplishments thus far (winning the Groovy Monarch and Calypso Monarch title for 2007). Also, we wish to applaud Cable and Wireless Commancheroes for winning the 2K7 Panorama competition which took place Saturday night (August 11, 2007).