Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  Calypso Returns with a Song And a Laugh Or Two: Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch of Canada Competition Thrills Audience           Macromere Fifi, the new queen After a seven-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch of Canada Competition made a triumphant comeback last Sunday at the Latvian Canadian Center in North York, Ontario. Organized by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), the event drew an electrified crowd that packed the venue to its full capacity. The evening began with a heartfelt tribute, as OCPA honored eight individuals who played pivotal roles in the development of Calypso music in Canada. Among the honourees were Lennox Borel, Glenda Bostic, Ken Bruzual, Dr. Rita Cox, Elsworth James, George Maharaj, Jai Ojah Maharaj, and Selwyn Woods. Their contributions to the genre were acknowledged with deep gratitude, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. The competition itself featured an impressive li...

WRAP UP OF CARNIVAL 2019 - GREAT FESTIVAL BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PARADE ANYWAY? By Stephen Weir (for the Caribbean Camera) Three months ago, plans for the 2019 Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana for all us old timers) had all the makings of a plan for a funeral parade. The festival had lost Peeks, its name-sponsor, and behind the scene sources said that the Smart Phone App had not ponied up the total monies promised for 2018 – meaning the Festival was already in the hole before the first Mas camp opened its doors. With no new major sponsors infusing big dollars into their empty piggy bank the FMC was broke. The owners of the festival were also hit by staffing issues early in 2019. The new CEO, Richard DeLima, only 6-months into the job, was dismissed even though he had been brought in to save the festival. Shortly thereafter, the number two man, Trinidad’s Gerard Weekes suddenly left the organization and the country (but he did come back to Toronto in time to be a spec...

.  The Dress :  Joel Was Man Enough To Wear It ... A nd Has Tara's Crown To Prove It. .... from Facebook  Tara Banks and Joel Davis at the Calypso Monarch contest in Toronto Last night's Calypso Monarch competition had an ending that made one cross dresser happy and had the competition's most winning singer losing to her imitator! Connector / Macomere CeeCee (Joel Davis) is Toronto’s New 2016 Calypso Monarch! He was the most popular choice at the competition, beating perennial winner Macomere Fifi (Tara Woods) with his winning composition entitled “The Dress”. He beat o ut 12 contestants on Sunday night at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre. Macomere CeeCee Joel Davis, who had hinted earlier in the year he may not compete made it into the finals by coming up with a good song, innovative lyrics and a willingness to appear on stage in drag. This is not the first time that a Calypso singer has dressed as the opposite gender, but, Conne...