15 chosen for Chutney Soca finals

FIFTEEN entertainers have been chosen for the National Lottery Classic Chutney Soca Monarch finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on January 22. They qualified after Saturday night’s semi-finals at the Rienzi Complex, Mc Bean, Couva, which according to the organisers, was an outstanding success, judging from the crowd in attendance and the quality of the songs belted out by the 33 artistes on stage. It was a night when saucy compositions were extremely high, as the semi-finalists displayed skill and stage performance in their quest for the $100,000 first prize.

Music was supplied by JMC Triveni whose accompaniment for all artistes proved  their versatility in such a setting. The judges’ decision in arriving at the final 15 must have been challenging indeed, considering the extremely high standard of performances by the talented artistes all of whom  made an extra effort to impress, with gyrating dancers accompanying them. Prizes for the first three places are — 1st $100,000;  2nd — $60,000;  3rd — $40,000. Among the 15 who made it to the finals are  Adesh Samaroo, (of the  “Rum Till I die” fame), one of the top artistes in the country today, Edward Ramdass, of the Tea Party syndrome,  and defending champion, Rooplal Girdharie. The 15 chosen are — Adesh Samaroo, Boodram Holass, Denise Belfon,  Edward Ramdass, Lyn Khan, Nishan Prabhoo, Rooplal Girdharie, Surendra Ramoutar, Boyie Basdeo, Carlene Wells, Devanand Gatoo, Heeralal Rampartap,  Mario Jitman, Phoolmatie Ramjattan,  and Sarika Mahabir.