Karene is National Calypso Queen

WITH a powerful voice and a passion to match, Karene Asche emerged victorious against some tough competition with her intense kaiso performance of “Spirit of Fear” in the 22nd annual National Calypso Queen of Trinidad and Tobago Competition held at the St James Amphitheatre, St James, on Monday evening. Patrons were dancing and clapping as they showed their appreciation for Asche’s performance which earned her the judges’ approval. A total of 25 finalists appeared in the competition which was organised by the National Womens’ Action Committee (NWAC).

Asche dethroned 2005 National Calypso Queen of Trinidad and Tobago Abbi Blackman, who placed sixth with her Calypso entitled “Reparation Indeed.” Second place went to Heather McIntosh with “Ma Theresa Deposit” which was also popular with the large, good-natured audience. Marva McKenzie placed third with her deeply spiritual composition entitled “Revelation Time,” while fourth place went to Singing Sonia with her “Masters of Disguise.” Lady Gypsy (Lyn Steele), who sounded a lot like her male counterpart Gypsy, placed fifth with “Come Back.” The anguish of incest was realistically captured by seventh-placed finalist Lesley Ann Ellis with her thought provoking “Dear Diary” Calypso.

Despite a strong performance by the night’s first finalist, Giselle Fraser, who sang her anti-crime kaiso “Another Youth Man Gone Again,” she failed to place in the top 12. Another solid performance on the night came from Monique Hector with a warning to mankind to save the environment, or Mother Earth will continue to take revenge against man for his continuing destruction of the natural world. She also failed to place in the top ten, however. Some of the sponsors of the 22nd annual National Calypso Queen of Trinidad and Tobago Competition were the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs; Atlantic LNG; Republic Bank; the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago; the National Lottery Control Board, and Happi Products.