First-Timers Guide To Navigating Calypso Fiesta
All roads lead to Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday for Calypso Fiesta. For many, this competition is among the most anticipated events every Carnival season. This year, there is added buzz as Machel Montano was named among the semi-finalists to perform on the big stage.
YCG reader, Miss Esther has attended Calyps Fiesta religiously for over twenty years. She said “Fiesta is one of the few events that still maintain some of the feeling of old time Carnival. You come with your people, set up shop with your food and drinks and just get ready for the madness. Yes madness, because is pure madness does be happening on stage and well, if is not the good kind of madness we have things for that,” she laughed.
As fun as the experience is reported to be, it could be somewhat daunting. With this in mind, we reached out to veteran journalist and fierce culture defender, Laura Dowrich-Phillips for tips on navigating Calypso Fiesta.
This is what she had to say.
YCG: As a first-timer to Calypso Fiesta, what should one expect going into the event?
LAURA: Calypso Fiesta is a day event. Expect hot sun. Also, the party takes place post-competition and while there are some party songs it is a CALYPSO competition so it may not be exciting throughout.
YCG: How should we prepare for the day? Any Calypso Fiesta essentials we should know about?
LAURA: Walk with a crew, coolers with drinks and food. Expect to see groups in branded/matching tees, and tables set up with plenty food and drinks. Walk with an umbrella for the heat. Also, Sando people are friendly, if you’re lucky you might get a plate of food from a crew.
YCG: How does this event differ from other Carnival competitions?
LAURA: It’s a Calypso competition so if you never attended a Calypso tent you might think it is a constant party like pan. There might be riddim sections but as I said before, expect a slower pace…the crowd is older during the day. Also, Skinner Park is known as the acid test because patrons openly showed their dislike for songs with a show of toilet paper. I noticed there wasn’t a lot of that last year so maybe it is a dying tradition.
YCG: What’s your favourite Calypso Fiesta memory/experience?
LAURA: Favourite memory? Wow, there are so many. Probably Superblue destroying the park in 1991 when he sang Get Something and Wave!! The entire park went wild!!!! I have to put Johnny King’s Wet Me Down up there too. So many epic songs and calypsonians graced that stage.
YCG: What (if anything) in your opinion is needed to enhance the overall Calypso Fiesta experience?
LAURA: Over the years calypso became very political and that to me changed the thing. Now it’s either songs favouring one party or lamentations bout society. We need clever calypsoes again like Stalin’s Bun Dem. Calypsonians sang about topical issues but the lyrics and melodies were exciting. I am excited about Soca artistes entering the competition because some of them giving you the storytelling but with melodies you could party to. Calypso doesn’t have to be dreary to be serious or good.
YCG: Some people are unhappy that Machel has qualified for the competition while others believe his participation would increase interest in the event. What are your thoughts on this?
LAURA: The amount of people planning to make their calypso fiesta debut because of Machel proves he has the power to attract a new audience to the competition which is necessary for its longevity. Machel chose soca to make it cool for my generation and I believe he could do it for calypso. I understand people’s concerns about how he will be judged simply because of who he is but we know he is going to bring his A game!!! He is a seasoned performer. People forget he started in Calypso, he has competed before and now he has come full circle with a different and deeper appreciation of the artform because of his studies. I think it is a good thing and I am excited to see the entire competition, there are some strong songs in there. Let me mention too that once again Mical Teja will be there and Chromatics is making his debut. I think the future of Calypso looks promising. Now we need to get Calypsonians to market their music properly and make it available digitally so that everyone can consume it. This will help to boost the competition too.
Calypso Fiesta is scheduled to begin at 2pm this coming Saturday. For those of you unable to attend, the National Carnival Commission is offering free viewing at the John Cupid Carnival Village.
