The audience may have been laughing, but the messages sent by this year’s Junior Calypso Competition hopefuls put out a serious call for an end to the violence, crime and public corruption that many said are plaguing the local community.
Though the competition was structured a bit differently this year with just one round of battle, there was enough material to keep the show going for hours, with the aspiring junior calypsonians singing about everything from "Mafoliegate" to the recent "fight" between Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg and the Legislature’s executive director, Louis M. Willis.
"These islands are in a mess, I must confess, but to sing about them just gives me stress," crooned Ajahni Phillips, a Lockhart Elementary Student with the stage name Soca Heavy II. Phillips was the first runner-up in the competition’s intermediate division, while Junior Calypso veteran Khamoi DeSilvia took second runner-up.
First place in the intermediate division went to Na’Kaya Esdaille (also known as Princess KeKe), who won over Tuesday’s crowd paying tribute to Haiti earthquake victims with a song entitled "Haiti, You Will Make It."
This is the second straight win for Esdaille, who was dressed all in white, with soot on her face and the face of a young child painted across the front of her skirt.
"It was so good to see the whole world come together as one to help Haiti out of its troubles," she said to the audience that crowded into Lionel Roberts Stadium for the event, adding that she is positive "Haiti will rise again."
Esdaille’s schoolmate, Kijana James, also sent out a sympathetic message to earthquake victims in a song entitled "We Feel Your Pain," which James’ mother said later took him only a couple days to learn.
"It seemed to be something that he wanted to do, and I’m always in support of anything positive," Eustace James said as she cheered on her son, dubbed King Kijana I, from the sidelines.
First place in the secondary division went to Emil D’Andre Aska, also known as King Trooper — another Junior Calypso veteran and winner, who turned back to singling out the misdeeds of local politicians in a song entitled "Shame on You."
Previously known as "Lil’ Trooper," Aska said it was time for him to get more serious, opting for the title of king as he sang about the territory’s senators and their behavior on the floor.
"Shame on you … thinking nobody’s watching," he sang, adding that music on the radio has been replaced by talk about government corruption.
Addelita Cancryn Junior High School student Alliyah "Princess Shorty" Dessout was the second runner-up in the secondary division, while schoolmate Deja’Nique "Princess Deja" Navarro was first runner-up with a song entitled "Hold It Down," in which she implored her peers to stop the killing so the community can enjoy this year’s Carnival festivities.
"I don’t want J’ouvert to get cancelled again," she said to the audience.
Kwanasia "Princess Kwani" Charles took the top spot in the primary division with a song entitled "Pan," which paid tribute to all the delights of Carnival.
"All through de town, when I hear a pan play, see me jumping up on Carnival day," she sang, dressed in a shimmery pink-and-purple polka-dot outfit with matching purple pants.
The 2010 Carnival events continue Wednesday with Cultural Night, which kicks off at Lionel Roberts at 8 p.m.
