The reigning Crucian Christmas Festival Calypso Monarch title holder, Temisha Libert, who goes by the stage name Caribbean Queen, came prepared Tuesday to hold on to her crown for another year.
With impeccable performance, stage presence, thoughtful lyrics and creative costumes, Caribbean Queen once again sang her way into the hearts of the audience while establishing herself as the undisputed winner.
The yearly competition took place in the Festival Village, which this year is dubbed Alda’s Village Palace.
Samuel Ferdinand, known as the Mighty Pat, was judged first runner up. Di’Jon Baptiste, singing as John B, took the second runner up slot. Hector Alexander, known as Sawdust was the fourth contestant in the competition.
The winners received trophies and cash prizes.
Libert’s attire as she appeared on stage reflected her cultural heritage with an avant-garde flair. Her first selection, titled “Promise” was a political commentary urging elected officials to keep their promises once they get into office. Her advice to the incoming gubernatorial team of Albert Bryan Jr. and Tregenza Roach was, “Don’t do the same thing (outgoing Gov. Kenneth) Mapp did. Do your part or you will be knocked out too.”
For her second number, Libert’s attire reflected what a voodoo priest might wear as she sang “Karma.” The song told listeners, what goes around comes around. Your actions determines if positivity or negativity comes into your life, although some choose to blame Voodoo or “obeah” for their bad luck.
Singing as the Mighty Pat, Samuel Ferdinand tackled the subject of election fraud in local elections in his first selection. For his second number he sang “Humpty Dumpty,” a song that was popular during the November elections.
Ferdinand said he’s been singing since the early ’80s. In 1986 he started “getting serious” about singing calypso. Ferdinand says he is the only V.I. calypsonian to win five titles in one year.
Events in the Crucian Christmas Festival Village continue on Thursday with Puerto Rican Grammy and Latin Grammy-award winning merengue artist Elvis Crespo. Crespo is best known for his hit song “Suavemente.” The Liquid sounds band will also perform that night.
Friday is the Children’s parade, which is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. from Claude O. Markoe School. In the village that night is Elizabeth Watley and the Outta Limits Band, Poison Band from St. Thomas, and Problem Child from St. Vincent.
On Saturday, the Adult’s parade is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. from Claude O. Markoe school. Fireworks are slated to be launched at 8 p.m. Entertainment includes Spectrum Band from St. Thomas, Nikki Brooks, King Bubba Ricardo Drue, and Patrice Roberts.
The rides and games in the children’s village will continue through Monday, from 4 p.m. to midnight.
