Abbi Blackman wins NWAC Calypso Queen title

The top five calypsoes in the 21st edition of the annual NWAC Calypso Queen Competition came in the first half of the proceedings at SWWTU Hall on Wrightson Road last Monday. Abbi Blackman’s  grand entrance through the middle of the audience and onto the stage was just the beginning of a winning performance. Dressed in carnival costume and appearing in position six, Blackman literally rocked the house as she delivered “Ah Seeing.” Listening to Abbi sing brought back memories of her father the late Ras Shorty I, her powerful voice delivering every word clearly. The melody of the song reminded patrons of David Rudder’s “Long Time Band” and, backed by dancers and drummers, this daughter of the late soca pioneer had the audience begging for more.

Before Abbi, Heather Mac Intosh’s rendition of “Keith’s Technique” was the best song of the night, followed by Wendy Thomas Garrick’s “Tobago’s New Heritage,” both performers were roundly applauded and placed fourth and fifth respectively. Monique Hector-Weeks’ performance of “15 Talking Heads,” a song on Haiti, was also well received and placed her in third position. While Karene Asche’s sterling rendition of “Mercy” took her to the second spot behind Blackman. Music for the competition was provided by Earl Knight and Services Brass with MC duties done by Shurlaine Hendrickson and Dr Dedria Pierre. Long-standing television host Hazel Ward-Redman was honoured by NWAC for her contribution to women in the arts.

The results  are as folows:
1st     Abbi Blackman “Ah Seeing”
2nd    Karene Asche “Mercy”
3rd    Monique Hector-Weeks “15 Talking Heads”.
4th    Heather Mac Intosh “Keith’s Technique”
5th    Tigress “Mother’s Lament
6th    Wendy Thomas-Garrick “Tobago’s
         New Heritage”
7th    Karen Eccles “Faces& Masks”
8th    Marva Mc Kenzie “De Visit”
9th    Leslie Ann Ellis “Who Am I”
10th  Shanaqua “Pan On The Road Again”
11th  Shereen Caesar “World Peace”
12th Michelle Mentor “Tribute To Denyse Plummer”