Quebecois pens best Calypso

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Autumn, 2002 by William Doyle-Marshall

Montrealer Dennis James has won the coveted Canadian Calypso Monarch title for the second consecutive year with the songs "Black History" and "Thunder" from a field of eight strong contenders at this year's contest held in Toronto in July. James also won four other awards with his performance, viewed by a capacity audience at the Thornhill Community Centre. "Thunder" was judged the entry with the Best Melody. It tied for the Most Original Calypso award with "Plenty Tings to Sing" by newcomer Structure. James was singled out for making the Best Presentation and he also received the brand new Louise McNeilly Award for the Best Vocal Rendition.

Macomere Fifi (a.k.a. Eulith Woods) placed second with two interesting compositions, "World Crisis" and "The Chef". "The Chef' was voted the Most Humourous song in the competition and captured People's Choice as well as the Best Lyrics prizes. Structure, a first time entrant was the second runner-up in the 2002 National Calypso Competition with his selections "Plenty Tings to Sing" and "West Indian". He captured the Most Promising and Best Composition on a Local Topic prizes and shared the Most Original title with James, the Monarch.

Lady Scorpio captured the Best Arrangement prize with her selection "Single Mothers". She placed ninth.

The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes, headed by Dick Lochan, produced the annual competition. Participants were selected from a field of four singers to challenge the reigning monarch. Each summer calypsonians perform for music loving Canadians every weekend at locations known as Calypso Tents. This year there were five venues in Toronto to meet the needs of a growing Canadian calypso fraternity.