Garve Sandy retains Tobago Heritage Calypso Monarch title

GARVE SANDY says she's dedicating her victory in the Tobago Heritage Calypso Monarch competition to her “amazing community of family and friends who continue to give me overwhelming support, love, light and encouragement through my journey.”

Sandy, who retained the title on July 26, beat seven other calypsonians during the keenly contested competition at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. She scored 636 points and won $40,000.

THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris, the division’s assistant secretary Niall George and Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd acting CEO Janelle Drysdale-Job presented Sandy with a large replica of her $40,000 cheque.

At the three-and-a-half-hour show, titled Mouth Open, Tory Jump Out, calypsonians had to perform two selections – an original composition and a vintage calypso.

Sandy sang We Come Back as her original song and Rootsman’s (Yafeu Oesi’s) 1985 hit, Rack Me, Rack Me in the vintage category.

Tobago Performing Arts Company dancer Zari Kerr, in his first appearance at a heritage monarch final, placed second with a score of 623 points. He got $30,000.

CNC3's sports journalist Caston Cupid, no stranger to the competition, came in third, scoring 622 points. He received $20,000.

Veteran singer Lesley-Ann Ellis, who got 609 points, placed fourth and received $15,000.

The results for the remaining positions were not announced.

Sandy, Ellis’ daughter, said she’s “entirely surprised” by her victory.

She told Newsday, “I did the necessary groundwork along with my dedicated and supportive team and it was evident in the overall quality of my performances and the results.”

Sandy admitted, though, that the week of the competition was especially rough.

“I had to push through it all and now I have a testimony. I must give thanks to God for blessing me with the talent and giving me the strength to execute on the night of the competition because without him it would not have been possible.”

Asked to comment on the performances of her fellow calypsonians, she said, “This year’s show had solid performances and I would like to say hats off to all the competitors for giving of their best. May we all continue to tell our stories through calypso.”

Sandy’s original composition, We Come Back, was a commentary on Tobagonians’ penchant for celebrating their heritage despite the negative talk from locals and foreigners.

“The festival continues to stand the test of time and our rich history and culture shines through. We come back to our traditions and customs. We come back to pay tributes to the ancestors and we will continue to come back to revive, sustain, preserve and celebrate our heritage which represents our identity.”

In the vintage competition, Sandy elicited cheers from the audience when she appeared on stage dressed like veteran calypsonian Rootsman, complete with mannerisms and a full, make-believe beard. Rootsman died in 2015 at the age of 64.

The calypsonian, as was the case with all of the competitors, had the crowd, cheering, waving and swaying in their seats.

Asked what next for her, Sandy said, “I have no immediate plans with regard to calypso and music in general. I am taking things one step at a time and doing so with faith and grace.

Kerr, a crowd favourite, delivered two thrilling performances to Jumby Voices and Penguin’s (Sedley Joseph’s) The Slipper, as did Cupid with Heritage Celebration and The Mighty Duke’s (Kelvin Pope’s) Thunder.

Ellis sang Back Home as her original piece and Lord Nelson’s (Robert Nelson’s) Family in the vintage competition.

Making up the cast were former heritage monarch Shamika Denoon, Keron “Kaiso Raggs” Eastman, Giselle “GG” Fraser and Wendell “Excite” Frederick.

All of the calypsonians used different elements of the island’s heritage festival to enhance their presentations.

Calypsonian Kezia Frederick and ace pannist Gerard Balfour entertained the audience.