KAISO! Calypso Fiesta

Calypsonian Timothy Watkins better known as Baron

Calypso Fiesta is the semi-final round of the National Calypso Monarch competition in Trinidad & Tobago. Every year, calypsonians from all corners of the country vie for the title of Calypso King. At Calypso Fiesta, 40 calypsonians compete for 10 spots in the final round held on Carnival Sunday night at the Dimanche Gras show in the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Calypso Fiesta is held in Skinner’s Park, San Fernando, in the southern region of Trinidad. Port of Spain, which is the capital, is known locally as “town” and the place where anything that is worth going to takes place. Calypso Fiesta gives “town people” an opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and also allows San Fernando to share some of the light shone on “town.”

Sailor style Fiesta hat.

Of course the calypsos are important and people go to see the singers they love perform and hear what clever or humorous quips or commentary have been made about the government or other public figures who warrant ridicule or a good-natured poking at. But Calypso Fiesta is also about the audience, about the "lime" or hangout time. And the Fiesta crowd is a tough one known for throwing toilet-paper and other objects at the stage when displeased. 

Its amazing to see the Fiesta audience. Planning to attend takes place weeks before. Patrons go in "crews" or groups. They come up with names for their groups and print t-shirts so they can identify each other. They put up money to buy food and drinks, wake up early to cook and arrive for the 12 noon kick off. They also organize transportation and percussion or "rhythm" sections. Seeing that organization always makes think about the fact that this type of dedication would do wonders for political organization.  Still, the togetherness, positive vibrations, sheer fun and picong of it all always makes me smile. 

The other important aspect of Fiesta is the hats! I don't know where the tradition originated but both men and women take time to find stylish head gear for the occasion. For more photos of Calypso Fiesta 2012 check out the Fiesta Page. Below is some footage from the man who has already won in my book: Weston "Cro Cro" Rawlins. 

Calypso Fiesta was held on Saturday 11 February, 2012. 

KAISO! 2012: Ella Andall's Award

Ella Andall and Gillette Group of Companies Chairman Peter Gillette. 

KAISO! de anti-master narrative ca'naval series is back for the second year! In case you forgot, KAISO!  the series presents perspectives of the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival arts and culture that veer from mainstream depictions. We want to tell the true story of Carnival, the true history of Carnival.   

For those of you not familiar with the term "kaiso" the word refers to the genre of music known as calypso. Calypso is an Anglicised version of the word. Kaiso is said to have come from the Hausa word meaning  bravo. The tradition remains to this day that audience members shout "kaiso! kaiso!" after a calypsonian performs well. There are some who will tell you kaiso refers to the more authentic or traditional calypso style that is generally not as fast-paced as modern soca music and generally more concerned with political resistance and storytelling. (Soca derives from "soul of calypso" and is generally party oriented.)

Songstress Ella Andall is a calypsonian/kaisonian par excellence. On Thursday February 2nd, 2012 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the good folks at Power 102FM. Andall was among three deserving awardees including comedian and cultural activist Dennis "Sprangalang" Hall and technical operator  Hugh Phillips. The ceremony was overshadowed by the media/thanks-to-our-sponsors party but awards were received graciously nonetheless.

KAISO! de anti-master narrative ca’naval series

for the rest of the 2011 trinidad & tobago ca'naval season i’ll be posting quotes from the book Rituals of Power & Rebellion by noted calypsonian Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool. the main purpose is to share the story of the forgotten/unknown african contributions to t&t carnival. a visual narrative will be provided by Studio Lafoncette Photography: Blogging de Carnival. hope you enjoy! and just so you know where i'm coming from here are my "guidelines":