National Calypso Monarch Pink Panther will on November 15 strut his stuff in style at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa), Port-of-Spain, when he premieres his Looking for Leader Ship–The Concert.
The show runs over the weekend to November 17 and will feature Panther performing his biggest hits of the past three decades. He will also give audiences a sneak preview of what he has in store for Carnival 2014 as he seeks to successfully defend his title.
Panther will be accompanied by the Joey Rivers Orchestra, regarded as one of the most versatile and professional bands on the calypso circuit. Among the special guest acts joining him for the concert are reigning National Independence Calypso Monarch Chucky, Explainer, Brian London and Cardinal.
The former President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) won this year's title with Travel Woes and Crying In The Chapel, both calypsoes looking at their respective themes from rather creatively interesting angles.
He first explored the misadventures of the People's Partnership government, while the other was a lamentation over calypsonians and other cultural icons who passed away during the Carnival season.
Panther began his calypso career in earnest at Kitchener's Revue Calypso Tent in 1983 and was groomed by the Grandmaster himself who had a special liking for the young calypsonian. Kitchener treated Panther as his son teaching him everything about the calypso art form and Panther developed a unique style that saw him injecting humour into stinging political commentary and also calypsoes that addressed social issues.
As humorous as Panther's calypsoes can be, they always successfully drive home the serious statements and point of views he wants to get to the audience. Panther won the National Calypso Young King title in 1992 and has made it to the National Calypso Monarch in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Among his songs that are considered to be classics are Laughing In The Ghetto, Mr Big Stuff, Misprint, For The Good Times, Little Black Boy and Ten Honest Men.
Looking for Leader Ship–The Concert will feature the Bacchanal Night on November 15 at 8.30 pm. Tickets are $100. A gala dress-up night on November 16 at 8 pm, in which all seats will be reserved for $150 and ladies night on Sunday, at 6 pm, where two people will be admitted on one ticket for $175.
Tickets are on sale at Napa Box Office, Port-of-Spain; Cleve's, Frederick Street; Cache, Prince Street, Port-of-Spain ; Crosby's, St James; Xtra Foods, Grand Bazaar and Chaguanas; Laxmi Jewellers, High Street, San Fernando; Foodmasters (now Discomart), Tunapuna and Michelle's, Arima.
?