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Most calypsonians opted for social commentary and shied away from political issues at the opening of Kaiso Showkase on Saturday night at Palm’s Club, San Fernando.
Performing to a sold-out crowd with accompaniment by resident band Razor Sharp, the opening acts set the bar high and earned encores. Among them was Pharoah (Darwren Greenidge) who sang offering, Wicked, and Queen Victoria (Victoria Cooper-Rahim) who sang Wrong Side of History.
Attorney and calypsonian Rondell Donawa donned a winter jacket, gloves, scarf and a hoodie as he appealed for warmth and love to return to T&T with We So Cold. Ras Kommanda’s (Steve Pascal) uptempo Saga of Lall Kissoon had patrons clapping and dancing along, while Tamika Darius sang Long Before J’Ouvert and had the crowds asking for more.
There were notable performances from reigning Calypso Monarch Ronaldo London, Daddy Chinee (Ricardo Melville), WACK 90.1 FM CEO Kenny Phillips, school teacher Alicia Richards, Mr Mack (Victor Mc Donald), Sexy C (Crystal Mitcham) and Def Prince (Keith Wason).
Phillips, who was making his calypso tent debut, earned so many encores for Wack Dem Kenny that MC Damian Melville had to intervene to get the show back on track.
There were also encores for Richards, who delivered a message about infidelity in Woman in Law and Def Prince for Pepper Man.
Other strong performances came from Kerice Pascall, Joseph Adams, Protector (Michael Legerton) and newcomers Kevan Calliste and Roxy Singh (Daniella Roxanne Singh).
San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell, former minister Joan Yuille-Williams, MSJ leader David Abdullah and Eric Butler were among the high profile patrons at the tent opening.