Teacup brawl takes the spotlight

THE “teacup brawl” between Govern-ment minister Keith Rowley and Oppo-sition member Chandresh  Sharma  took centre stage Thursday night among competitors in the Political and Soca Chutney categories in the finals of the TUCO 2005 Extempo/Limbo categories at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Heather Macintosh’s “Keith’s Technique”  won the judges; nod in the political commentary segment for the $15,000 first prize. Macintosh, dressed in white and silver, gave a convincing performance and at one point had the judges on the edge of their seats as she literally “pelted a teacup” off the stage to shatter at the front of the judges; table.

Another teacup special sang by Winston Scarborough, De Original De Fosto, titled “De Rottweiler,” which featured a muzzled dog making a stage appearance finished in the top three spots. The overall results at the end of the competition were Devon Seales with “Mr Pan” in second place, De Fosto in third, Eric Taylor (Pink Panther) with “Leave meh Doggie” and Cuthbert Blackett (Typher) with “No One” finished in fourth and fifth. In the Soca Chutney category, reigning Chutney Monarch Heeralal Rampartap proved that he was a force to be reckoned with, beating veteran Soca Chutney artiste Samraj Jaimungal, (Rikki Jai) into second place, to take home the $15,000 first prize.

Rampartap, complete with hordes of dancers, sang “Run for Meh Life;” Rikki Jai’s number titled “Mor Tor” took second place; third spot went to Lynette Steel (Lady Gypsy) with “Lagoon Indian,” while Edward Ramdass with “Teacup Party” and Lalman Maraj with “Old Lady” took fourth and fifth positions. In the Social Commentary category, the final results were first spot Karene Asche with “Mercy Mercy,” Dexter “Stinger” Parson with “Don’t be Surprised” in second, Brian London “We Shall Overcome” in third, Allan “Bro Mudada” Fortune’s “Good Times Pioneers” and fifth spot Rondell Donawa with “Young Messenger.” The biggest disappointment for the night came when the humourous calypso category proved to be less than humourous. Singers trying to catch the crowd’s laughter failed miserably and the only artiste to really tickle the audience’s funny bone was Bomber, a veteran in the humourous calypso business.

Some of the songs were in bad taste with many patrons wondering if the artistes’ antics were the humour in the entire performance.  The final results saw Bomber, at age 77, taking home the top prize of $15,000 with “Soldier B." Other spots went to Carlston “Calypso Kerr” Kerr with “Gillian in Second,” Wilfred “Young Creole” Barker’s “Ah Got to be Tight” taking third spot, Alicia Richards “Ah Want ah Man” in fourth and Kenson “Ninja” Neptune’s “Ah Waiting Too Long,” taking the fifth and final spot in the category. The show began late and went on for almost seven hours, and this proved a bit too much for some, as patrons started filing out by the start of the Soca Chutney category.