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Whirlwind of Activities Usher in Carnival's Big Week

Carnival Queen 2012 Savannah Lyons-Anthony.Carnival is ready to turn down the home stretch, starting with Thursday’s V.I. Calypso Competition at Lionel Roberts Stadium, the opening of the Carnival Village Friday, followed by a whirlwind of activities culminating the following weekend in the Adult Parade, fireworks and the Calypso Spectakula.

Carnival is marking its Diamond Anniversary with the theme, "A Celebration for the World to See, St. Thomas Carnival’s 60th Anniversary.” The slogan was coined by Karen Blyden.

The Carnival Village, with more than 30 booths, nightly entertainment, exotic and familiar foods, and Carnival rides and games, is a centerpiece for enjoying the next week, with local and regional bands performing each night, attracting old friends and new fans.

The schedule for the final 10 days of carnival is:

Thursday, April 19

8 p.m. – V.I. Calypso Competition at Lionel Roberts Stadium

Friday, April 20

6 p.m. – Opening of Carnival Village at Fort Christian parking lot

Sunday, April 22

10 a.m. – Water Sports Activities at Charlotte Amalie Harbor
5 p.m. – Steel Band Jamboree at Lionel Roberts Stadium

Monday, April 23

7 p.m. – Village Entertainment at Fort Christian parking lot

Tuesday, April 24

6 p.m. – Pre-Teen Tramp from Rothschild Francis (Market) Square to Children’s Village
7 p.m. – Village Entertainment at Fort Christian parking lot
8 p.m. – Senior Citizens’ Quelbe Tramp from Rothschild Francis (Market) Square to Carnival Village

Wednesday, April 25

8 a.m. – Cultural Fair at Emancipation Garden
7 p.m. – Village Entertainment at Fort Christian parking lot

Thursday, April 26

12:30 a.m. – Roas-A-Time (J’Ouvert) Warm-up at Fort Christian parking lot
4 a.m. – Roas-A-Time on Veterans Drive
7 p.m. – Village Entertainment at Fort Christian parking lot

Friday, April 27

10 a.m. – Children’s Parade from Rothschild Francis (Market) Square to Lionel Roberts Stadium
7 p.m. – Village Entertainment at Fort Christian parking lot

Saturday, April 28

10 a.m. – Adults’ Parade from Western Cemetery to Lionel Roberts Stadium
7 p.m. – Village Entertainment at Fort Christian parking lot
9 p.m. – Fireworks by Grucci at Charlotte Amalie Harbor
10 p.m. to 3 a.m. – Calypso Spectakula/Last Lap at Fort Christian parking lot

Recapping Earlier Events

Carnival kicked off earlier this month and St. Thomians and visitors alike have enjoyed a wealth of entertainment. Among the highlights so far:

V.I. Carnival Prince & Princess 20122012 Carnival Prince and Princess Timoy Hodge and T’Keyjah Austrie.

The Prince and Princess Selection Show got the 60th Carnival off and running April 1, with couples showcasing their poise, skills and intellect at the Lionel Roberts Stadium in front of a large crowd.

The eventual winners were Lockhart Elementary School’s T’Keyjah Austrie and Timoy Hodge.

The young couples were judged on presentation, sportswear, talent, evening wear, and questions and answers.

Awards for Most Cooperative went to MyKelle Christian and DeZhane Amey; Most Photogenic to Justice Garcia and Marvin Johnsen; Mr. Congeniality to Timoy Hodge; Miss Congeniality to MyKelle Christian; Best Talent to T’Keyjah Austrie and Timoy Hodge; Best Evening Wear to T’Keyjah Austrie and Timoy Hodge; Mr. Intellect to Timoy Hodge; Miss Intellect to MyKelle Christian; and first runners-up were MyKelle Christian and DeZhane Amey.

Virgin Islands Carnival 2012 Queen Selection Show

The Virgin Islands Carnival continued its 60th Anniversary Celebrations with the Queen Selections Show on April 7 at the Lionel Roberts Stadium.

At the end of the evening, 17-year-old Savannah Lyons-Anthony, a Charlotte Amalie High School student, was crowned the winner.

At the selection show the contestants were judged on their introduction speech, swimwear, cultural/historical costume, talent, eveningwear and an impromptu question and answer.

Other contestants included Edysha Fredericks and Shaharah-Ann Donastorg from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, La Quanda Fredericks from CAHS, and Caprisha Richards of Antilles School.

Caprisha Richards was named Ms. Photogenic; Ms. Cooperative went to LaQuanda Fredericks; Ms. Congeniality to Edysha Fredericks; Community Service Award to Caprisha Richards; Best Cultural/Historical Costume to Savannah Lyons-Anthony; Ms. Intellect to Savannah Lyons-Anthony; Best Talent to Savannah Lyons-Anthony; Best Evening Wear to Caprisha Richards.

Shaharah-Ann Donastorg was the second runner-up.

First runner-up went to Caprisha Richards.

Carnival Coronation

The official coronation for the 2012 Prince and Princess and the Carnival Queen was held in a return to tradition at the Emancipation Garden the afternoon of April 8.

A small crowd braved the rainy weather as the new royalty was crowned by the winners of the previous year.

Newly crowned Queen Savannah Lyons-Anthony and her court, and Prince Timoy Hodge and Princess T’Keyjah Austrie and their court, boarded the “royal” boat at Yacht Haven Grande and disembarked at the waterfront. From there they were led by Sebastian Majorettes in a procession to Emancipation Garden.

Queen Savannah was crowned by 2011 Carnival Queen Elisa Thomas and Prince Timoy and Princess T’Keyjah were crowned by 2011 Prince and Princess Tyrel Richardson and J’Nee Powell.

In attendance were past Virgin Islands Carnival royalty, who lined the red carpet as the new royalty entered the archway into Emancipation Garden.

Carmen Nicholson-Sibily, who in 1952 became the very first Virgin Islands Carnival queen, and Sen. Sean Michael Malone were among those giving speeches.

A Coronation Dinner followed at Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort, with musical entertainment provided by Top Notch Band.

Calypso Revue

Rain does not stop the Carnival! Calypso lovers ignored the rain that had fallen earlier in the day and laughed at threats of more rain and strong winds, as they flocked to the Lionel Roberts Stadium on Saturday for the Calypso Revue.

Local and visiting artists sang old favorites and new compositions. Performing in the first round were Baka, King Generic, King Kan Fu Plentae, Figgy, Louis Ible, Jr. and Hunter. The second round consisted of Singing Francine, Sugar Aloes, Ajamu, Baron and Swallow.

These entertainers will vie for the crown of Carnival Calypso King on Thursday at the Calypso Competition.

Masters of ceremonies for the revue were Wilbert "Waggy” Brooks, accompanied by comedian Tommy Joseph, who kept the audience laughing between performances.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Juan Harrigan and his musicians who called themselves Popojito and the Puppet Masters for that night. Backing vocals were provided by Deitra Davis, Patrick “Soljah” Farrell and Lorna “The Fox” Freeman.

The 2012 Virgin Islands Calypso Revue was sponsored by V.I. Water and Power Authority, WSTA Lucky 13 and Avis Car Rental.

Children’s Activities 2012

The stage of Lionel Roberts Stadium was captured by 11 "Living Dolls" on Sunday, as young girls participated in the Best Dressed as a Doll Contest, part of the Children’s Activities that also included the Toddlers Derby and Traditional Games.

The little ‘dolls” were divided into three categories according to age, and all portrayed some aspect of the history of Virgin Islands Carnival.

Participating in Category 1 were Aaliyah Esprit, Telyse Aird and Louise Lynn LaBorde. The eventual winner was Telyse Aird, in her doll costume as a 60th Anniversary Carnival Queen.

Category 2 comprised Kaila George, Ke’Miah T. Frett and Se’Maesha V. Thomas. Kaila George won in her costume paying tribute to the First Majorette.

Category 3 had five “dolls,” Na’Jee Richardson, Sehkirah Cintron, Kelis Pascal, Faith S. Joseph and Angel Wilhelmsen-Saunders. Faith Joseph won in her V.I. Madras Doll costume.

Following the Doll Contest was the Toddlers Derby. Family members and friends coaxed their young ones to crawl, walk or run across the red carpet to the finish line.

Rounding out the activities were the Traditional Games, which included top spinning, jacks throwing, ring toss, and two-wheel barrows. The various cultural games that night allowed participation by children and adults. Earlier in the afternoon the ambitious ones chased and mostly caught the greased pigs.

Hospital Show

Carnival came to some of those who couldn’t get to it this year. Cheering the lives of patients and staff of the Roy L. Schneider Medical Center has become a popular Carnival tradition.

On Monday, a mini parade and performances included the newly crowned Carnival Royalty and Courts, majorettes, troupes, masqueraders, Indians, cheerleaders, cultural dancers, Calypsonians, marching bands and other entertainers.

Home Depot Junior Calypso Competition

A slate of 16 talented young singers took the stage at Lionel Roberts Stadium on Tuesday to compete in three categories: primary, intermediate and secondary divisions. The young Calypsonians were judged on lyrics, melody, clarity, presentation, originality and rendition.

Ny’Kel “Prince Short Shirt” Emanuel, who attends All Saints School, won the primary division, besting two other competitors. Emanuel sang ‘Making Mass for the 60th," a song about his intention to have fun for the 60th Anniversary of Carnival.

The other two performers in this division were M’Kayla “Princess Kayla” Eustache of Benjamin Oliver Elementary and Jah’syi “The Mighty Power Ranger” Narcisse of Gladys Abraham Elementary.

Na’Kaya “Princess Keke” Esdaille repeated as the winner of the intermediate division. She attends the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School. Singing ‘Cradle to the Grave,” Esdaille told about youths who live too fast and on the wrong track, and pleaded with them to slow down as they head for the grave.

First runner-up was Keinesha “Little Miss P” Potter of Yvonne Bowsky Elementary, and second runner-up was Kennifer “Lady Bacchanal” Edwards in her debut performance. Edwards attends Leonard Dober Elementary School.

Others in the category were Kayla “Princess Kayla” Mitchell of Leonard Dober Elementary and JahKwani “King Kwani” Williams of Nisky Moravian School.

Monae “Lil Red” Greene won a hotly contested secondary division by edging Ajahni "Soca Heavy 11” Phillips. Both attend Addelita Cancryn Junior High School.

Greene’s song was entitled “Ah Change Meh Mind,” in which she sang about changing her mind about being a politician because of corruption. Instead, she sang, she now wants to be a police officer so she can jail the politicians.

Phillips’ song, “Help Help,” told about the recent firings of teachers and pleaded with those in authority to stop because the children of the Virgin Islands are the ones who will suffer.

The second runner-up was Jason “Calypso Chef” Faustin from Ivanna Eudora Kean High.

Other performers in this category were Te’Jani “The Mighty Clever-T” Jackson of Bertha Boschulte Middle; Emil D’Andre “Mighty Trooper” Aska from CAHS, Alliyah M. “Princess Shorty” Dessout and Jalen “King Yellowman “ Fredericks, both from CAHS, and J’Delle “Mighty Stinger” Setorie from Addelita Cancryn Junior High.

The master of ceremonies was George Silcott and musical accompaniment was provided by On Target.

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