Tobago trio eyes NWAC Calypso Queen crown

THREE Tobago calypsonians are full of confidence about their chances in the National Women’s Action Committee's (NWAC) 35th annual National Calypso Queen competition on Monday. The competition will be held at Queen’s Hall, St Ann's.

Lesley-Ann Ellis, Cavel Gordon and Roslyn Reid told Newsday they are certain their strong calypsoes will give Tobago the spotlight it deserves this year.

Ellis, who has competed seven times in the competition since making her debut in 2000, is hoping to improve on her best-ever showing at the final which was a runner-up placing. This year she believes her song, Yuh want to fight, will grant her the title.

She said, “It’s a nation-building song and I am aiming for first with this one, and even though I drop from my aim I don’t mind settling with second."

Ellis added, “I’m only going to do my best and represent Tobago at the best I can be." Whatever the judges decide, I will be fine with it but once I know I am satisfied with my winning performance, that is all that matters.”

Eilis said she was not surprised when she found out she was a finalist. She said her song speaks to a national crisis and her passion to present her piece was felt and appreciated by the judges. The song deals with issues caused by criminal elements creating havoc and fear in the country. Ellis praised songwriter/calypsonian Sheldon Cunningham for writing the song.

A powerful part of Ellis' calypso says, "Criminals make you bawl in this nation, they didn’t spring from the foundation that emerge from the fire of hope and prayer. Everyday, son and daughters fall from self-destruction, making ignorance by education and this is the Trinbago we have left here.”

Another finalist Roslyn Reid will pay tribute to the pan fraternity with her song, Thanks. Reid has been participating in the competition for six years and made the final four times. She said paying tribute to pan pioneers in a song was always on her agenda.

“I decided this year to thank them now, instead of waiting till they pass on to appreciate them. I'll do it while they are here. The song was written by me, I think the lyrics are excellent and I always looked at it (and) felt proud of the composition,” she said.

Reid said she placed first in the Tobago NWAC Calypso Queens competition when it was hosted on the island in 2013, before placing second in the national competition in Trinidad that same year. In 2014 she placed third.

“This year I believe I have a rendition strong enough to capture the title for the first time. I believe my song will be different and I feel good about my chances going into the competition and what I do now is deliver,” she said.

Gordon, 25, a debutant, said despite the short time to prepare for the final, she has high hopes for the top spot.

She said, “I keep reminding myself it is my first time in the competition and I don’t want to have very high expectations, even though I am going in with my best performance. I am reminding myself I have more years to come.”