KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Vincy Mas 2012 will be officially launched today, Saturday, May 5, at the Solidarity Inc. Car Park at the Reclamation Site in Kingstown.
And Coordinator of Shows, Anthony Dennie, has promised that his committee “is ready to deliver another good production”, the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) said on its website.
The launch this evening will include addresses from Minister of Culture Cecil “Ces” McKie and CDC officials.
It will also see the contestants for Miss SVG 2012 making their first official public appearance.
Eight young Vincentian women will vie for the title during the show under the theme “A Combination of Passion and Brilliance” on June 2 at “Carnival City”, Victoria Park.
The ladies are Miss Super Six Jolene Bentick of Sandy Bay, Miss Lotto Shanique Browne of Enhams/Glamorghan, Miss Mustique Company Ltd. Terranza Franklyn of Golden Grove, Chateaubelair, Miss LIME Carice Glasgow of Glen, Miss Agricultural Input Warehouse Kendra Homer of Walvaroo, Miss St. Vincent Brewery Ltd. Jovonne John of Lower Questelles, Miss Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd. Dieta Tucker of Redemption Sharpes, and Miss Jergens Aziza Williams of Upper Cane Hall.
Anther highlight of the launch will be the Best New Song Competition, which will see 17 artistes competing in the Calypso, Soca, Ragga Soca, and Extempo segments.
Fitzroy”Brother Ebony” Joseph, Glenford “Azarah” Charles, Cecile “Lil Bit” Murray-King, Derek “Man Sick” Alexander, Grantley “Ipa” Constance and Noel “Defoe” Castello will take part in the Calypso segment of the competition.
Last year’s winner, Kahalia “Queen Bee” Beache will not compete in this segment.
In the Soca New Competition, Armstrong “Strong” Williams, will attempt the double even as he tries to stave off five other contenders.
The other competitors for the best Soca New Song title are Raeon “Maddzart” Primus, Keith “Lil Pain” Currency, Shazeke John, Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams and Vasitha “First Lady” Cain.
Meanwhile, the Ragga Soca segment will hear renditions from last year’s winner, Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams, a multi-talented soca, calypso, and ragga soca artiste, who is trying to retain the crown in the face of challenges from Aurella “Queen B” Beach, Travis “Wizkidd” Lynch, Tamisha Nichols, and Glenroy “Homey” Delpeche.
Last year, the Extempto Competition was won by “Blakey” Cuffy.
In other Vincy Mas news, President of the Calypsonians’ Association, Ann Miller, has announced that the semi-finals competition — Fantastic Friday — will not be held at the La Croix Boxing Plant this year but is yet to announce the new venue, the CDC said on its website.
On Fantastic Friday — June 22– 22 calypsonians will try for the judges’ nod to be among 10 bards selected to compete against reigning, first-time, monarch Maxwell “Tajoe” Francis at Dimanche Gras on July 8.
Further, eight countries have so far expressed interest in participating in this year’s Miss Carival Beauty Pageant — the 27th instalment of the regional beauty pageant, which was first held in 1985 — slated for July 6.
Chairperson of the CDC’s Beauty Shows Committee Cheryl Rodriguez said Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela have so far said they are interested in sending contestants.
The other Vincy Mas 2012 national shows are Ragga Soca Monarch, June 29; Junior Carnival, June 30; Junior Pan Fest, July 1; Junior Calypso & Soca, July 3; Panorama, July 5; Soca Monarch, July 7; J’Ouvert, July 9; Evening Street Party, July 9; and, Mardi Gras, July 10. Rural shows will be head across the country.