The stage is set for the sixth edition of what organizers say will be “a quality presentation” when nine student-calypsonians battle for top honors in the show dubbed the “Likkle Man Pelle Black History Month Calypso Competition”, beginning at 4:30 this afternoon at the school in Villa Area.
This year’s installment is being held under the theme “Stronger together as we embrace our heritage”.
Chairperson of the organizing committee Jessica Greene shared some history and background information on the competition which was re-named, this year, in honor of the late Rupert “Likkle Man” Pelle, who was a driving force from the inception of the initiative.
“Pelle always wrote songs and he would encourage the students to write their own songs. This year though, our writers include Destroyer Sr, King Zacari, Richie Francis, Kaseba, Solo and one of our teachers, who started writing a song years ago with the help of Likkle Man Pelle.”
The competition itself became an extension of fundraisers which the school would normally present. The idea of the calypso show was pitched to the then-principal, Sandra Felix, and it was immediately approved. The teacher-cum-chief organizer gives further credit to the efforts to a team of hard-working individuals who ensure that the energies and benefits from the fundraisers, which include the generous participation of the business community, go back into helping the cadre of talented students.
Greene pointed out that through the contribution of the area’s Member of Parliament, Prime Minister Gaston Browne and businessman Bertsfield Martin, the school now has a “state-of-the-art” music studio. She and her team are also grateful for other sponsors and those who accommodated them on field trips, which included Indies Greens and University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus. As part of their developmental exercises the group was also hosted by various media outlets.
Practice sessions in the studio were facilitated by one of Antigua’s well-known maestros.
“Thanks to Jagger Martin, the arranger for all the songs. He’s the expert in the field who was instrumental in getting all the songs ready. It took a long time to get the students ready. They sacrificed their lunch hour and their preparation was complemented on the weekends with public speaking and voice training sessions. They even had to run laps in order to regulate their breathing.”
Observer learned that there was auditioning for the show. The entire process commenced last October with 40 hopefuls. Any student from Kindergarten upwards was encouraged to participate because according to Greene: “We see this as a great investment in our children, apart from focusing on teenagers only. We are investing in talent.”
The stakeholders are intent on keeping the community spirit alive. The singers recently ran an Outreach program in the Point community where they interacted with residents by handing out flyers and singing their songs. The school manages a vibrant Facebook page and for this year’s competition, they launched a People’s Choice Award where visitors to the page can vote for their favorite calypsonian. This replaces the previous method of voting on the night of the show.
The committee chair remained tightlipped on the identity of the judges for this year’s show. Instead, she is urging everyone to attend the competition.
Tonight’s competitors are, in order of appearance: Jizzi “Jizzle Raiin” Payne; Jaedah “Sweet Melody” Baird; Kyra “Princess Kyky” Newton; Luke “King Quan” Joseph; Selina “Singing Selin” Murphy; Brijae “Queen Bee” Williamson; Shemon “Red Juice” Martin; Cattleya “Cutie Pie” Jackson; Rebecca “Singing Tanya” Lashley.
Among the pack is one repeat performer in the school’s competition, Queen Bee, who went on to cop a second-place spot in the 2024 Junior Calypso Competition.
