THERE IS no tangible or physical evidence to support allegations of a leak of the 18 semi-finals of the Banks/Lime Pic-O-De-Crop competition. In a release issued late yesterday evening, chairman of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Ken Knight, said there was “unanimity that there is the absence of tangible and or physical evidence to support the allegation of a leak, and further that no source of the alleged leak has been identified”. Knight said inspection of the nightly judging was “indicative” that positions were affected each night when competitors scored higher points than those who performed previously. “At the end of the preliminary judging, the 18 calypsonians scoring the highest points emerged as the semi-finalis...Readmore

by YVETTE BESTLegal concerns about songs gave some competitors an additional hump to get over at that Pic-O-De-CropSemi-finals on Friday night. Four of the 18 calypsonians in the Banks/Lime Pic-O-De-Crop competition at the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex were under legal review by National Cultural Foundation (NCF) lawyers. TC and Ishiaka told the SUNDAY SUN they were informed less than 24 hours before they were scheduled to compete, while Ras Iley said he was with his lawyers from after 3 p.m.on Thursday up to midnight,trying to sort out problems with Doan Let Kaiso Die. “They actually wanted six lines changed, we had to fight it. I had to go for lawyers [Friday]; we spent over three hours with the NCF lawyer and our l...Readmore

THE OFFICIAL START to the Crop-Over season is more than a month away, yet the bacchanal and celebration have already started for two calypso tents with headline acts from one reportedly defecting to the other. Director of Celebration Time tent, Peter Boyce, a former business partner of MADD Entertainment which operates Bacchanal Time, said that for its debut into the calypso arena he had secured quite a few headline acts previously associated with the popular tent."We have Edwin Yearwood, Alison Hinds, Mac Fingall, Khiomal, Timmy, Donnella, Rameses Browne and others," the entertainer and businessman told the WEEKEND NATION. Defending the accusation that he "carried away" artistes from his former associates, Boyce said as the entertainment i...Readmore

by Michelle SpringerNo recession can stop this year’s Crop-Over jam.  Dismal as the economic climate may be across the island’s financial sector, party revellers are out celebrating the vibes of the Crop-Over season in full force. Responding to the lack of sponsorship for their private fêtes, party promoters have been offering more free events and as a result party people have found ways to fête to their hearts content, while not putting pressure on their wallets. For the most part, they’ve gone back to the basics and found that pooling  resources makes for a better party. Dwayne Austin could attest to that. On average he attends about four fêtes per week. While cover charge is not an issue for him, as he is affiliated with one...Readmore

WHEN A SOCIETY has  to delve into its seedy side and says it is a reflection of its culture, something is wrong, warned Minister of Education Ronald Jones.He was speaking to regional representatives  of the University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Education Biennial Conference yesterday during the opening ceremony  at the Accra Beach Hotel & Resort, Rockley,  Christ Church.“So when a calypsonian has to demonstrate to all and sundry how to ride a bumper, and a newspaper is going to publish that and put it out there  – a man on top of  a woman – one has  to understand where  we are going and what  we are doing,” he said.Jones called for efforts to be made to lift the mind and spirit rather than “have every weekend now ...Readmore