Chalkdust’s song gets Calypso of the Year

The event took place at the Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s and was held by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC), where the veteran entertainer copped yet another distinguished accolade in the presence of his peers and dignitaries.

The weekend presentation was the 18th annual production at which NACC chairman Kwasi Mutema declared that the event, now in adulthood, needs to develop culture locally and regionally. He said, "The NACC has to commit itself to the development of artistes and the industry. If we are honest, we will see the level of unpreparedness that exists. Entertainment contributes to the GDP of nations, but the same can’t be said here."

To correct this, the NACC has proposed to mount seminars for local and international artistes as well as institutions such as the University of the West Indies and COSTAATT. The sister isle of Tobago will be venue for the seminar. "This will give a detailed analysis of the industry and point our vision of calypso beyond our shores," Mutema declared. A large audience witnessed the night’s five-hour music presentation, which featured performances from a slew of entertainers whose music made the final cut for the programme, billed as the "Grammy Awards for Calypso."

They included International Groovy Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Queen Michelle Sylvester; reigning Young King, Impulse; Calypso Queen Abbi Blackman; former Pan Kaiso Monarch, De Fosto; and former Calypso Monarchs The Mighty Duke and Singing Sandra.