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HomeNewsArchivesIT'S ONE SHOW AFTER ANOTHER AT ST. JOHN FEST

IT'S ONE SHOW AFTER ANOTHER AT ST. JOHN FEST

June 23, 2001 – After some false starts — a rain cancellation, electrical problems and scheduling miscues — St. John Festival-goers got a double feature Friday at the Winston Wells Ball Field with the 6 p.m. Senior Talent and Variety Show and the 9 p.m. rescheduled Calypso Show.
A small but appreciative crowd was on hand at 6 p.m. to cheer on the senior citizens as they performed, modeled and introduced 2001 contestants for the Ms. V.I. Senior America title. The show, initially set for 7 p.m., had been moved back an hour to accommodate the Calypso Show that had been postponed from June 16 because of rain.
Senior America showtime
Representing the seniors were nine women at least 60 years of age who had participated in previous Senior America pageants or are competing this year.
In the talent segment, Ida White, Ms V.I. Senior America 1999, wooed the audience with an up-tempo dance to the music "Let's Get Physical." Ida Blyden, Ms. Popularity 2000, sang an a capella version of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," 2000 runner-up Rita King did an interpretation of Judy Garland's "Walk Up the Avenue" dressed as a tramp, and Delita O'Connor sang the gospel number "Step Between the White Lines."
Following intermission, Margarita Hodge, 2000 first runner-up, sang and danced a merengue to the accompaniment of the GT Band. Ina Lee, 1999 first runner-up, followed with a rendition of Pearl Bailey's "It Takes Two to Tango." Jane Johannes, Ms. Congeniality 2000, closed out the talent segment with a calypson song and dance.
The St. John Quadrille Dancers, appearing as guest artists, won enthusiastic applause for their three dances of the Danish era.
In the fashion show of casual and evening wear that followed, White strutted in a three-piece denim outfit, Johannes was alluring in a red dress, and Blyden appeared in a two-piece peach tunic dress. Gertrude Samuel, a 2001 contestant, wore a two-piece cream outfit, and Daphne Wright, another 2001 contestant, appeared in black. Rita King showed off a black- and white-striped jacket with a black skirt, and Lee was regal in African attire. Hodge made the final fashion statement in a two-piece gray and black ensemble.
On with the Calypso Show
Immediately following the seniors show, the much-awaited Calypso Show began as the crowd swelled the ball field almost to capacity.
Trinidadian Tommy Joseph, the affable and always humorous master of ceremonies, started things off with barbs at the current V.I. governor and Legislature. Once the calypsonians took the stage, the feel of carnival was in the air, as Imagination Brass from St. Thomas provided band music.
Waggy from St. Croix opened the show with his two favorites, "Card" and "Sex As a
Weapon." Next, Tumba from St. Thomas sang about the woes of lost love with "No Return" and "All Alone." Reigning and three-peat St. Thomas Calypso Monarch Whadablee was a crowd favorite with his popular tunes "More Money" and "The Hypocrites." Two female attractions, Calypso Sis and Pat Ragguette, followed with songs about the Virgin Islands' socio-political state of affairs. Ragguette is one of the lead singers in St. Croix's popular Xpress Band.
During intermission, the much-heralded Caribbean Ritual Dancers thrilled the audience with their expertise performing the limbo. Three men from the audience invited onto the stage to perform provided an added attraction as they held their own with the dancers.
King Durby of St. Croix opened the second half, bemoaning the state of the political ship of state. He was followed by St. John's own Might T and Singing Sandra.
The rain that threatened as the music continued and the crowd stayed on well past midnight couldn't stop the calypso show this time.

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