CALO Festival

Our headline act for the CALO Festival, reigning 2011 Soca Monarch and Road March King Machel Montano is also scheduled to perform at the White House in Washington DC this afternoon as part of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, but like most events of a political nature, Montano declined to comment directly on the details beforehand. Late last week, information on the ground-breaking event was leaked to members of the media, but all attempts to confirm Montano's attendance were met with a mute wall of strategic silence.

His mother, Elizabeth Montano said Machel and the HD Team were advised to keep quiet about the event until after it was over due to security concerns and added that they were "trying to avoid saying anything which might jeopardise the opportunity, or inspire external parties to make offensive or negative comments".

"We are going to make history," she said, "but not everyone will appreciate the opportunity and celebrate the moment with us. Unfortunately, there are some people who may want to say things out-of-timing and we'd rather not invite any negativity on this grand occasion."

Passed in the US Senate on February 14, 2006, the resolution which instituted Caribbean-American Heritage Month was sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee in June 2005 and recognises "the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States". Since the declaration, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognising June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the occasion and official recognition by the US Government that "since the 16th Century, the destinies of the peoples of the Caribbean and the American continent have been inextricably linked".

In a Presidential Proclamation dated May 31, 2011, the Obama Administration states:

"The fabric of our Nation has been woven together and enriched by the diversity of our people. Our legacy as a Nation of immigrants is part of what makes America strong, and during National Caribbean American Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich history and vibrant cultures Caribbean-Americans have brought to our shores".

Another section adds:

"Caribbean Americans have prospered in every sector of our society and enhanced our national character while maintaining the multiethnic and multicultural traditions of their homelands. They are doctors and lawyers, public servants and scientists, athletes and service members. Their successes inspire individuals in the United States and abroad, and we take pride in the contributions Caribbean-Americans continue to make to the narrative of our Nation's progress. Their achievements are borne of hard work and ambition, and my Administration is committed to creating pathways to prosperity that ensure future generations of Caribbean-Americans, along with all Americans, are able to pursue and realise the American dream".

Undoubtedly, this declaration has given Caribbean nationals across the globe more reason to proudly celebrate our heritage and as part of this celebration, Reigning Soca Monarch and Road March King, Machel Montano is scheduled to perform at the White House today, Friday June 24 from 11 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. Later this evening, Montano is also scheduled to perform at the DC Star Nightclub as The Commission presents "Eyes Wide Shut Carnivale" as part of ongoing festivities for the annual Washington DC carnival weekend.

SVG Soca Monarch Results at a Glance:

Soca Monarch: Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper
Second – Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’
Third: Godwin ‘Gao’ Oliver
Fourth: James ‘Jamesy P’ Morgan

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle had undoubtedly hoped that he could have for once and for all shut up in “The Cave” the soca “Animal” that is Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper.

However, Fireman had something else in mind, after a three-year dearth during which Skinny Fabulous ruled at as Soca Monarch and attempted to expand his reign to Trinidad and Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean.

Fireman had made his message clear: “This carnival we tu’ning animal.” And with Victoria Park murky from the intermittent but heavy shower, Fireman’s fans did “root like a hog”.

Patrons “kick up like a donkey” and “climb up like a monkey” as the artiste showed Vincentian soca lovers that he still has what it takes to once again dominate the art form.

Patrons went into a frenzy when Skinny Fabulous — who a soca fan, who has followed the competition closely, said had an “innovative” performance — was announced as having placed second.

The announcement by the emcees just formalised what the crowd had already concluded: that Fireman had won the Soca Monarch title for a seventh time.

However, Miss SVG Aviar Charles came on stage crown in hand in vain. In typical Fireman style, the artiste did not show up to go through the formality of being crowned.

His fans continued to celebrate as his track was played shortly after the results were announced around 3:40 a.m. Sunday.

“The people matter. It is for them that we do what we do. When I am not crowned, it is no disrespect to them, for they know that they have crowned me already,” Fireman had told The Vincentian newspaper in 2005.

“They know I am ‘The Chosen One’ [of soca]; they have made me so by supporting me through four Soca Monarch crowns out of six tries. And I promise them twelve crowns before I retire. They will have to rename Victoria Park after me,” he said then.

Back then, he had also said that he was still awaiting “an invitation to be part of an overseas promotion team on behalf of SVG”.

He is certain to have that chance since the soca monarch in Kingstown now joins all the challengers for the crown in Port-of-Spain.

Fireman, having failed to retain his Ragga Soca monarch crown, which he lost to Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams a week ago, has a chance to add the Road March title to his 2011 takings.

Third in Saturday night’s competition was Godwin ‘Gao’ Oliver while, James ‘Jamesy P’ Morgan was fourth in the competition that included three former Soca Monarchs.

The other competitor were Lawrence ‘ Koyaba’ Jack, Montgomery ‘Demus’ LaBorde, Jamaal ‘Fimba’ Jardine, Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd, Godfrey Dublin, Edison ‘Lively’ Mc Dowall (Tek dat), Hance John, Raeon ‘Maddzart’ Primus, St Clair ‘Donkey Man’ Lewis, Armstrong ‘Strong’ Williams, Dennis Bowman, Shertz ‘Problem Child’ James, and Travis ‘Wiz Kid’ Lynch.

For a complete Caribbean experience you must enjoy a celebration featuring the outrageous, colorful stilted dancers known across the islands as Moko Jumbie. Rising above the crowd on stilts as high as 15 feet, they step to the beat of traditional African music, bringing good fortune to those who see them. Origins of the Moko Jumbie stretch back to ancient West African traditions, carried across the Atlantic by slaves and preserved over time by the diligence of Caribbean inhabitants. Dancers still perform on various islands today, but are most frequently associated with St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, and Trinidad.

Africans uprooted from their homes and sent to the Caribbean carried their beliefs across the water and through centuries of slavery. One such belief was "Moko", a West African god thought to protect his villages from harm by spotting evil spirits from the heavens. Men traditionally depicted his great height by walking on stilts. Moko was not forgotten, and emancipated slaves from Trinidad later added "Jumbie" (ghost) to the name, creating the image of a mischievous spirit walker who protected celebrations from evil. The tradition spread across the islands of the Caribbean, with each location placing its own twist on the elaborate costumes.

The modern day Moko Jumbie takes its influence from the diverse cultures of the Caribbean islands, but still remembers its African roots. The stilted dancers once traveled solo or in groups of two to the music of a small band - today, large troupes sway through the streets during parades. Costumes evolved from the traditional long dress (perhaps a European influence) to flowing, brightly colored pants, shirts, headdresses, and sometimes masks. The dancers often decorate their stilts, which can range in height from 5 feet to 15. Moko Jumbies came close to vanishing after the early 1900's, but returned in full force over the past several years, aided by the founding of schools dedicated to training young people in the ancient traditions, and breathed new life into Carnival celebrations, particularly the famous Carnival in Trinidad two days before Ash Wednesday.

For a guaranteed Moko Jumbie sighting, visit the CALO Festival between 19th-21st August and create unforgettable memories by observing this African tradition, where the old and new meld together into a surreal experience and bring a sense of mystery to the Caribbean culture. Even better, why not take part?! Our Moko Jumbies will be teaching those of you who would like to learn the art of walking on stilts...

The current reigning international Soca Monach winner Montano Montano and this full band and dancers will be gracing our presence at CALO Festival. After sell-out performances at Madison Square Gardens, Machel will be one of the featured artist at the festival.

His Repitoire spans almost 30 years and includes hit after hit after hit. London and CALO will be the last leg of a 3 city tour of Europe that will include Birmingham and a featured appearance at the Antillean Festival in Belgium.