Scotiabank Junior Monarch Tent Saturday at the Steel Shed

The anticipation is building as the semi-finalists in the Scotiabank Junior Monarch competition prepare for their first public appearance at the Junior Monarch’s tent opening 6 p.m., this Saturday, June 15, at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed.

Producers of the event, the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) Cultural Officer – Music Education, Kevin Moore, and Cultural Officer – Music Organisation, Aisha Butcher shared insight into the preparations that have been in full swing since last week.

This year’s Scotiabank Junior Monarch competition prepare for their first Junior Monarch tent will be staged over two weekends at the Steel Shed, the second night on Saturday, June 22. The Semifinals will be held on Sunday, July 7 at the National Botanical Gardens and the Finals Saturday, July 20 at the same location.

Moore noted that the tent performances provide an invaluable opportunity for the contestants to gain experience. So, for the 15th, the main goal is to get the youngsters acclimatised to stage and audience, get them having fun and comfortable with their plans as they take another step towards the coveted Junior Monarch title.

“Some of them are newcomers, so they have to feel out what it is to be on stage and how to use the stage. They would have been mentored, but it is one thing to do it in rehearsal and another thing to do it with an audience in front of you. But once we can get them through that by the 22nd, then they will be ready for the semifinal night,” he stressed.

Butcher explained that the rehearsals have been going great and that the meticulous planning and execution of the NCF’s mentorship programme has added much needed guidance for the young calypsonians. 

Each participant received individualised critique from a cross-section of esteemed mentors. These included: 10-time calypso king The Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire, Terencia TC Coward, Mac Fingall, Lisa Howell, Rico Grateful Co Gaskin, Rochelle Griffith and Ian iWEb Webster. The aim is to ensure the contestants were stage-ready but also to nurture the next generation of Barbadian talent. 

“The workshops allow for a stripped down, detailed look at the artistes’ delivery of the material; from correct microphone usage to internalisation of message and ways to connect with the audience. The mentors touch on these points and more, providing varied and relatable approaches and examples,” the music officer emphasised.

The semi-finalists are again separated by genre rather than age. There 26 to 13 in each category, along with two reserves, will compete in the Calypso and Soca genres. In the Soca genre, audiences can expect a variety of sub-genres. The Calypso genre will feature a diverse array of kaiso styles.

This year’s semi-finalists in the Calypso category are: Alyssa Queen A Cumberbatch – A Prayer for the Youth; Charity Murrell – Waste; Deyonte Yonte Brathwaite – School Days; Eden Potent Murrell – HOPE; Haylei Hailstorm Wise – Beautiful Nation; Kadarius King K Allen – Real Boys Does Cry; Kenaz Bit Bit Walker – Put On A Show; Khalijah Khaleesi Kellman – Girl Unseen; Rashonna Shonna B Browne – Green; Relissa N’Kyla Mitcham – Runaway; Rimiya Majestic Miya Wilson – We Need You; Sabiah Gaskin – Real Heroes and Trinity Clarke – No Joke.

In the Soca category, the contestants are: Israel John Boss Savoury – Heart Beat; Jade Leilani Roach – Home; Jayden Inniss -–Welcome Home; Jazarie Zarie B Belgrave – What’s Wrong with You?; Joshua Joshua B Blackman – Taking It Down; Joshua Josh Ox Oxley – Pandemonium; Kari-Anne Kari Holford-Sam – Sweet Pan; Kyle Twin Boy Bishop – Obey; Kymani Mr. Showman Devonish – Ready; Ranesha Stewart – Road Call; Rojani Shurland-Agard – Company; Sephon Lil Stathis Sealy – Bring It and Talisia Mottley – Put Down The Gun. (PR)