Sandra snatches Monarch title... just so

SINGING SANDRA made a mockery of Chalkdust’s calypso by snatching the Calypso Monarch title away from him early yesterday morning.....just so.

Although she captured the Calypso Queen title eight days ago, many felt that the Monarch race was between veteran Chalkdust and Revue’s Skatie. But Sandra had other ideas and at the end of a fiercely contested battle, Sandra won the Honda Civic car and $70,000 cash, leaving Chalkdust and Skatie to fill second and third positions respectively. While a new Calypso Monarch was crowned at the Dimanche Gras show at the Queen’s Park Savannah, the King and Queen of Carnival titles remained in the hands of Curtis Eustace and Alana Ward respectively. Both winners come from Legends’ Bedazzled.

But it was the Calypso Monarch title which was the highlight of the night. Singing in position No 10, Sandra scored heavily in the first round with her nation building tune “For Whom the Bells Toll.” She was easily in front at the end of the first round with Chalkdust a close second with “The Rowley Letter.”  It was Chalkdust who reversed matters in the second round with his witty “Just So”. He won sustained applause with this selection which tells how Trinbagonians operate...just so. While Sandra did well in the second round with “Ancient Rhythms”, there was a general feeling that Chalkdust had the edge over Skatie, who eventually managed third place with “In Just Six Years” and “One Man and One Man Alone.” When the results were announced at 1.40 am, a jubilant and tear-filled Singing Sandra walked onto the stage to receive the keys for her new Honda Civic from Minister of Culture Penelope Beckles. She was surrounded by supporters and well-wishers, while some astonished patrons remained in both the Grand and North Stands looking at the crowning ceremony.

The 2002 Monarch Sugar Aloes failed to impress ending in seventh position with “My Only Wish” and “Where’s Dorothy”. He even experienced audio problems during his second selection, but he was allowed to sing over the tune by the judges. But it was not good enough to seriously challenge the leaders. That was evident from the Calypso King finals and the category finals at Calypso Fiesta a week ago. Another disappointment was former Monarch Shadow who placed ninth with “Find Peace” and “Come meet meh family”. Patrons expected Shadow to perform “Go Round So” but that was changed at the last minute.

In the King of Carnival category, Curtis Eustace lived up to expectation, taking the title with “D Sky is D Limit” from the band Bedazzled. Second was Roland St George with “Schizo, the Agony of Xtacy” from Bedazzled. Third place went to Geraldo Vieira Jr portraying “Trouble in de Bamboo” from the band Gathering of the Tribes. Alana Ward walked away with the Queen title with “Fire in D Sky” from Bedazzled. Second was Inez Gould “Chalahiuhtlicue - Goddess of Lakes” from the band Gathering of the Tribes. Third place went to Peola Marchan with “Carnival Goddess of Peace and Love” from the band Forever Carnival, Carnival Forever. Tribute was paid to the late musician Andre Tanker who died last Friday of a heart attack. His name was fitted into Sparrow’s classic “Memories” just as the Dimanche Gras show got underway. Outgoing President Arthur NR Robinson and his wife Patricia attended the Dimanche Gras show.