According to Henry, the show which is scheduled for 23rd December is aimed at promoting of the art-form of calypso in St. Kitts & Nevis, especially the unique styles and creativity of our witty, energetic and entertaining calypsonians.
“Calypsonians such as Unexpected, La La and Neglecter just to name a few, have little opportunity during the carnival season to have a competition in which they can sell, so therefore King Ah De Tent is designed to create that opportunity for these calypsonians to compete against each other,” he said.
“They have been the spirit of the calypso tents over the years, they have been the ones that people have gone to the tents to see but after the eliminations have taken place and the semi-finalists are announced, you don’t hear anything much about these calypsonians for the rest of the year,” the CEO added.
With regard to preparations for the competition, Henry revealed that they are accelerating.
“Early next week (between 13th to 18th December) we will be having a media launch where we will announce all the calypsonians that will be competing in the competition.”
A total of 10 finalists will be selected. The date for the selection of the finalists is Wednesday 15th December and it will take place on a radio station, at which point the songs of all potential contenders will be played, within a given time period. The online poll and text platform will thereafter be opened for voting by the public.
All calypsonians performing with the Legends Calypso Tent and or the Grand Masters Calypso Tent, whose calypsos conform to the requirements stated above, are eligible to participate.
The organiser, MiyVue.com, has absolute discretion in the determination of who qualifies and such decision shall be final. However, the general public in St. Kitts and Nevis and overseas shall select the finalists for the competition, via online polling on MiyVue.com, or any other designated website; and through a text messaging programme.
Voting will close on Saturday 18th December, at 8:00pm and the names of the finalists will then be posted on MiyVue.com and released to the general media thereafter. Each finalist will be required to perform one song, which must be the same rendition that was used for qualification.
There will not be a panel of prescribed judges; the final winners will be determined by members of the public, voting online at MiyVue.com and or via the designated text messaging program. The ultimate winners will therefore win via the people’s popular choice guided by the criteria stated above. Members of the public who are voting are encouraged to guide themselves by the established criteria and competition requirements. However, the public is allowed to use its own personal assessment and judgment to determine its choice for winner.
The winner will be presented with a trophy and a cash prize of EC$2,000, second place winner will receive a trophy and EC$1,500 and the third place winner will receive a trophy and EC$1,000.00. All other finalists will receive EC$500.00
Presentation of trophies and announcements of the MiyVue.com King Ah De Tents would be made on the night of the National Carnival Senior Monarch Competition, prior to the announcement of winners of the Monarch contest.