KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – The Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) says it is pleased with last Saturday’s launch of Vincy Mas 2012.
“Vincy Mas 2012 is off to a very, very good footing. Last Saturday, the energy that was created both on the Windward and Leeward sides of the island really was a big boost for the launch of Vincy Mas. Added to that, at the Car Park, we had all the components represented. We had a smooth flow of the show — the launch of carnival — and we at the CDC at are very pleased …” Anthony Dennie, the CDC’s coordinator of shows told the National Broadcasting Corporation on Monday.
The launch heard speeches from Minister of Culture Cecil “Ces” McKie and representatives of the various components of the festival.
The highlights of the launch were the first official public appearance of the contestants for the Miss SVG competition — slated for June 2 — and the Best New Song Competition, judged in three categories.
Fitzroy “Brother Ebony” Joseph won the calypso category of the New Song Competition with his rendition “Nothing at all”.
Second was Cecile “Lil Bit” Murray-King, who sang “Dis World In Turmoil”. Grantley “Ipa” Constance, singing “Read More”, and Derek “Man Sick” Alexander, with “Together As One”, tied for third place.
The other competitors were Glenford “Azarah” Charles who sang “On The Battle Field”, and Noel “Defoe” Castello, with “Woodlice”.
Aurella “Queen Bee” Beache, who this year opted out of the calypso segment, which she won last year, took the sting out of last year’s Best Ragga Soca New Song winner Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams.
She sang “Nice and Sweet” while “the Stinger Man” sang “Wine”.
Tamisha Nicholls’ “Goody Goody” was third, ahead of the other competitors: Travis “Wizkidd” Lynch — “Ragz Up”, Glenroy “Homey” Delpeche — “In De Session”, and Denis “Vyrus” Samuel – “That Wine”.
Armstrong “Strong” Williams out-muscled Skarpyon to retain the crown in the soca segment of the Best New Song Competition.
Strong’s “Feelings” resonated more with the judges than “the Stinger Man’s “Fun Fair”
Raeon “Fete King Madzart” Primus was third with “F.L.Y”. The other participants in the soca segment of the show were Keith “Lil Pain” Currency –“In a Circle”, Shazeke John – “Waistline Power”, and Vasitha “First Lady” Cain — Back It Up.
Meanwhile, “Blakey” beat “Ras Boo”, “Sweet 16” and “Johnny Rebel” to retain the top spot in the Extempo competition for the fourth consecutive year.
Ten of the mas bands competing in Band of the Year title displayed sections from this year’s production while the Green Hill and J’ouvert Fanatics gave a taste of what they had in store for this year’s J’Ouvert.