Energised by the 2023 theme, Reigniting the Calypso Magic, Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) president Ainsley King and the organisation's general council sought to create a cultural renaissance in the presentation of its operations in 2024.
In keeping with tradition, all nationals were invited to compete in the National Calypso Monarch competition and with the participation of international soca star, Machel Montano, this truly created a stir in the mindsets of the citizenry, stakeholders and calypso enthusiasts locally, regionally and internationally.
The Grand Stand at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain was almost filled to capacity, which had not been seen in several years. Montano copped the first prize.
The Apollo event
This sense of transformation ensued, with the conceptualisation of a vision to promote and further globalise our calypso artform.
TUCO’s collaboration with Montano and his team, as well as other international stakeholders, realised a successful presentation of an indefatigable cultural platform, entitled: TUCO Calypso Uptown Concert, which was held on September 2, 2024, at the historical Apollo Theatre in New York, US.
This event depicted a diverse high calibre of the different sub-genres of calypso.
The performances executed by the youths and elders in Calypso, evoked a sense of immense national pride from within and outside of the diaspora, especially the extempo segment which was well executed by the extempo champions – Winston "Gypsy" Peters, Phillip Murray (Black Sage) and Myron Bruce.
[caption id="attachment_1152624" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Shirlane Hendrickson, general secretary of TUCO. -[/caption]
International soca champion Henry (Farmer Nappy), Devon Martin (Lyrikal), international soca chutney artistes Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki Jai) and Ravi B, the dynamic Olatunji Yearwood, nine-time Road March champion Austin Lyons (Super Blue), 2011 calypso monarch Karene Asche, veteran calypsonian Lord Nelson and Road March champion Mical Williams (Mical Teja), were all accompanied by the outstanding Oral Rodriguez and the Razor-Sharp Band.
The audience was transformed into a dancehall of jubilant flag wavers, because young and old could not resist the infectious calypsos being sung and performed by the legends of calypso and soca.
The experience which emanated from the Apollo encouraged the need for more effective results in 2025.
The major objective was to lift the standard of production with enhanced marketing strategies. With this in mind, promotions started early.
Rebranding of the calypso tents
The focus on the overall rebranding of the TUCO calypso tents saw physical transformational shifts of the Kaiso House from the Big Tent in the Queen’s Park Savannah to Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. Its new name, D’ Kaiso Dynasty Calypso Tent, which impacted beneficially in terms of product/space afforded the tent to feature a diverse product (calypso, groovy soca, soca chutney, the unique flavour of spoken-word and rapso).
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