CATEGORY: ENTERTAINMENT
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By Dexter Mitchell


JUNIOR CALYPSO WORKSHOPS

May 22, 2006:The junior calypso workshops continue targeting the young people across Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. On Saturday May 20th it was the turn of the youngsters from the Parish of St. Andrew. The turnout was very impressive with twenty two (22) juniors representing the St. Andrew Methodist School, St. Joseph’s Convent (Grenville), St. Giles Anglican, St. Andrew R.C and Telescope Primary. Once again the main facilitator, Mr. Neil Ferguson was able to take the young ones through an interesting journey beginning with a short history of Calypso right up to the actual commencement of writing a Calypso. The enthusiasm, skill and interest of the youngsters continue to be a source of inspiration. Mr. Ferguson has pledged his commitment to the Junior Calypso Workshop and the Grenada Carnival Committee has certainly made the program a priority in its continued attempts to development local culture, music and our young people. Last weekend’s workshop was sponsored by Cable & Wireless, the Grenada Bottling Company and Bain’s Upper Level.

JUDGES WORKSHOP

Since last carnival the Grenada Carnival Committee has undertaken the task of ensuring the formation of a judges association to improve the quality of the adjudication process and to create a process that would lend itself to the further development of the art forms- Calypso and Soca.
On Saturday May 20th the Grenada Carnival Committee hosted a workshop geared toward attracting new personnel to be adjudicators along with an update on the formation of the association.
The constitution that will govern the Judges Association is awaiting legal verification, with the next steps being further scrutiny by the membership then selection of Officers.
The dialogue that has emanated from the Judges’ symposiums and workshops so far certainly indicates that the Grenada Carnival Committee is on the right track with this initiative and the overall development of our competitions and music is an inevitable occurrence.

CARNIVAL LAUNCHES

The Grenada Carnival Committee kicked off the 2006 Carnival season on Wednesday April 19th with an impressive and innovative Press Launch. That activity was followed up by the Official Launch of the Carnival season on Saturday May 06th. The first Saturday in May will be the permanent Launch date for Carnival hereafter.
It is the hope of the Grenada Carnival Committee that the first weekend in May will herald the start of all things Carnival.
In 2006, the 25th anniversary of Carnival in August, the Parishes Carnival Committees seem to be following the lead of the Grenada Carnival Committee with two (2) Parish launches scheduled for this coming weekend.

On Saturday May 27th the St. Patrick Carnival Committee will launch its Carnival season with presentations from six (6) bands including fancy bands, traditional bands and j’ouvert bands. Additionally twelve (12) calypsonians are slated to perform, providing a preview of things to come for 2006.
The St. Patrick Carnival launch starts at 6pm and is scheduled to end at 11pm. The venue is the grounds of the St. Patrick Anglican School.

The following day, Sunday May 28th, the St. John Social and Cultural Organization launches the season in the Parish of St. John. The two local steel bands – AT&T Florida Allstars and Grandroy Pan Angels will appear at the launch. There will be presentations from eight (8) mas bands, along with the first public appearance of the seven (7) young ladies who will be vying for the title of Miss St. John. The evening will be topped off by performances from twelve (12) Calypsonians. The launch takes place at the Pool Wall in Gouyave and kicks off at 5pm.

The following weekend the Big Parish, St. Andrew and the Second City, Grenville will be center of attraction with the launch of Carnival at the Grenville Car Park on Sunday June 04th.

25 years of Mas, Pan and Calypso under the theme “August Is The Time”, and with the start being provided by the Parishes, August will definitely be the time and Grenada certainly the place to be this summer.



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