ANTIGUA CARNIVAL

Carnival organisers will this year scrap the Carnival Melting Pot show and replace it with a Caribbean soca monarch competition.

Around 14 countries, including St Kitts/Nevis, Guyana and the United States Virgin Islands, have been invited to send the winner of their national soca competitions to the August 1 event at Carnival City. Details are still being worked out, according to Carnival Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Vaughn Walter, though he disclosed that airline tickets, hotel accommodation, and ground transportation to and from the airport would be taken care of for the overseas competitors and their managers. Government will also waive the departure tax, the Walter said.

“I think six or seven islands have already responded in a positive way, and we don’t see the need at this time to even have a qualifying round,” Walter said. “The rules and regulations would be sent out pretty soon to the various territories and (details of) the prize monies as well. I’m not in a position to say at this time what the prizes are going to be.”

The Caribbean Melting Pot, sponsored for years by regional carrier LIAT, featured local and regional talent. Introduced in 2007 as Ole Time Ting, it segued the following the year into the Melting Pot – a show that suffered from declining interest from patrons.

Last year, Minister of Culture Eleston “Namba” Adams said he wanted it replaced with a regional show that would act as a warm-up to Trinidad & Tobago’s multi-million dollars International Soca Monarch contest. Adams also said it would be a powerful marketing tool for the state.

Walter said Friday that the decision to introduce the regional competition is to build on the successes of the local party monarch show, allow artistes to gain wider exposure, and assist with the further development of the art form in the Caribbean. Giving further details of the inaugural show, Walter said LIAT, which “has played an integral role in the development of Carnival here” has agreed to transfer its sponsorship.

Article published  in AB Worldwide Connection E-Newsletter by Tyrone and can be contacted via email at Tyrone1804@aol.com.