HOUSE OF FIRE CALYPSO TENT - June 28th, 2006

Brooklyn, New York. – (June 27, 2006). As Grenada Carnival gets on the way, The Richard “OP” Holder House of Fire Calypso Tent is in full flame. The members and cast have accepted the challenge once again to set the tone for this year’s celebrations. The theme of this year’s carnival in Grenada is “August is the time” and the House of Fire intends to make this year a time to remember. 

This is the third year that the New York based calypso tent will be facilitating the artistes based in North America the opportunity to be judged in New York.  Calypsonians have over the past three years saved considerable time and money because of this facilitation.  This year the calypsonians are more energetic and enthusiastic than ever before because they are ready to demonstrate that they have a legitimate right to compete in the National Monarch of Grenada’s Carnival celebrations. Last year four calypsonians were selected to the national semifinals and the public is still miffed that none of the House of Fire representatives made it to the finals.

According to tent leader Mr. Val “Bumsey” Adams, the quality of the compositions this season exceeds expectations, judging from the high standard of calypso that came out of the Grenada Independence Monarch competition held in New York last February.  Grenadians and other Caribbean nationals residing in New York were thrilled by the standard and quality of the compositions they heard on February 5^th.  The show is still being talked about all over Brooklyn where Grenadians come together.  The eventual winner was Mr. Burgess McPhee otherwise known in the calypso world as Quako and according to him; he is raring to go for the ultimate monarchy.  The veteran Super Terri who gave the crowd a memorable hair – raising rendition of her song “Grenada stand Strong” is not to be taken lightly this season.  Ex-tempo reigning King, Lion; who also electrified the crowd with his classic performance is stronger than ever. 

The House of Fire casts for 2006 includes: Gia, Berbice, Quako, Lion, GG, Super Terri, Whistler, Survivor, Hercules, Raggs, Shortwave, De Original Spiceman, Derrick LaTouche,  Buddy, King Bird, Lady Mac, Pupa Leendi, Flying Cloud, Spice Rock, Praying Mantis, Dollar, Small Face, and The Mighty JoJo.

As you can see the cast is a blend of experience and youth.  The return of 1980 Calypso Monarch Survivor, adds more class and character to the cast. 

The House of Fire will officially open its doors on Friday July 1^st at the Tropical Sunset located at 1055 East 45^th street. (Corner of Glenwood Road).   The second show will take place the following Friday July 14^th at the same venue. On that night the House of Fire eligible calypsonians will face the judges from the Grenada Carnival Committee. Admission to both shows is $US20.00 and all shows begin at 10:00PM.  The judges will select the qualifying artistes to take part in the National Monarch semi-finals in Grenada on July 30^th 2006.  All artistes will be accompanied by Brooklyn’s best Lambert and the Matadors.

Many of our top soca artistes would not get the chance to be judged in New York. Under the new judging format, both calypso and soca preliminaries would be judged on the same night. However, House of Fire was excluded from that format because according to Mr. Dexter Mitchell of the Grenada Carnival Committee, he does not want to risk the integrity of the competition by affording that unique opportunity to the House of Fire.  Our better known soca artistes like the fiery and saucy Lady Mac, wild and sexy GG, and dangerous Gia among others who lobbied the GCC so that they could be judged in New York; will now have to make the extra sacrifice to go home to Grenada to take part in the preliminaries with the uncertainty of where they would be judged. 

Negotiations are on the way to rectify this problem for the future seasons. 

The Richard “OP” Holder House of Fire Calypso Tent will continue to try to make things better each year for its affiliated artistes, and at the same time continue to promote Grenada’s culture and tourism. 

Let’s all have a wonderful and great time and we look forward to see the Grenadian and the rest of the Caribbean Diasporas come out and support their favorite artistes as they compete for a place in the National semi-finals.

Let’s go Grenada - AUGUST IS THE TIME! 

For information please contact the following:

Mr. Val Adams            (212) 621- 1771or (347) 262 - 2893

Mr. Wayne Augustine (212) 830- 2029 or (347) 244 - 0521

Mr. Michael Vincent   (212) 618- 8764 or (347) 534 - 5293 

BACK  |  COMMENT