Two pan kaiso competitions this year

THERE will be two “Pan Kaiso” competitions this year. One, to be staged by Pan Trinbago, will retain the original name of “pan kaiso,” while the other, to be hosted by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) will be known as “Kaiso For Pan”. Pan Trinbago’s event is scheduled to be held at the St James Amphitheatre on February 13 from 8 pm, and TUCO’s will take place at the Strand Cinema on February 10, together with the Unattached Calypso Monarch Final. The Pan Kaiso Competition was introduced by Pan Trinbago in 1999, but was suspended in 2003 “to review the structure in an effort to maintain its standard,” according to the pan body.

Twelve calypsonians, whose songs are played most in the preliminary round of the 2004 Panorama Competition, will be selected to compete in its contest. The criteria for judging is: lyrics 20 points, melody/progression/form 45 points, rendition 15 points, presentation 5 points, and originality 15 points. Contestants will be accompanied by a musical ensemble comprising mainly of steelpan instruments. The winner will take home $20,000; second place is worth $15,000; third prize is $10,000; fourth, fifth and sixth place winners will receive $8,000 each; and $5,000 each will go to those placing seventh to twelfth. TUCO is yet to make an announcement on the rules governing its competition. “We are in the process of finalising matters, and expect to complete everything shortly,” said its president Michael Legerton. “When everything is in place we will make it known to the public.”