Chutney Soca Monarch prelims

Last year’s winner Ravi B, who walked away with $200,000, was chosen by text votes. This year the same method will be used to determine the winner of Chutney Soca Monarch on February 19 at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

The promoter of this much anticipated competition George Singh said judges spent two days listening to tapes and interviewing singers for the prelims. This will take place tomorrow from 7 pm at the Samar’s Entertainment centre in Debe. Music will be provided for the contestants the Melobugs Orchestra led by Rishi Mahatoo. The band Mystic and Andaz International will be making guest appearances.

Singh said 40 contestant will be selected for the semi-finals of which 15 will graduate to the grand finals this year.

Soca superstar Machel Montano HD will return to the finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch with a full concert performance. Singh has been consulting Tempo Network for live broadcast of the finals to 28 countries in the world. Singh also stated that the cost of hosting this event has already crossed $9 million. While the event has grown over the last 16 years, the $2 million first prize generated even more interest. He has however been left with the task of funding the prizes for 14 other competitors in the finals

He promised “to come up with a respectable package” as prizes for other competitors and promised to make further announcements as soon as prizes are confirmed. Singh said he wants put on an all star show at the National Academy for the Perofrming Arts (NAPA) on Carnival Thursday, March 3. He said the limited seating at NAPA is not a problem for him as the event is not about making huge profits, but to promote the culture.

"I know NAPA has only about 1,300 seats, but that is not a bad audience for what we are setting out to accomplish with this show. I want to create something theatrical, taking elements from the chutney Soca Monarch finals and incorporating them into this production. We will create a format that flows smoothly and will be enjoyable to sit and look at. We are looking at this show as something we will be able to take out of NAPA and present to an international market. This event will be unique to Port-of-Spain during Carnival," Singh said.

A third new event Singh introduced is the Chutney of the Sutton on Carnival Monday night. The plan here is to present a free event featuring chutney bands and solo artistes on Sutton Street, San Fernando.

There will also be large screens set up around the area allowing for thousands of people to see what is happening on the stage that will be erected. "We want this event to eventually become the one people from across the island will head to every Carnival Monday night," Singh said.