Artistes Call to Order for the Start of the Race to the Monarchy

Press Release
June 21, 2011

The Grenada Carnival Committee (GCC) has announced the commencement of registration for the 2011 GCC – LIME Soca Monarch and Groovy Monarch competitions.

Otis - 2010 Soca Monarch King

Registration began last Thursday and runs until 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011. Reports coming out of the carnival Secretariat indicates that unlike previous years, quite a number of persons have registered within days of the opening of the registration process. A spokesperson from the Secretariat indicated that she is optimistic that this is an indication that Spicemas 2011 will be a resounding success.

Telecom giant LIME has renewed their contract with the GCC as Title Sponsor of the Soca Monarch competition. Chairman of the GCC, Colin Dowe said that LIME has a track record of commitment to carnival and culture and their renewal of a multi year deal with the GCC further demonstrates that commitment. LIME, a Platinum Sponsor of Spicemas has been partnering with the GCC for almost a decade to ensure the successful delivery of the nation’s largest cultural festival. Apart from cash contributions, LIME, the only full service telecom provider on the island, has facilitated the introduction of webcast of Spicemas, which is the only carnival televised in this manner in the OECS.

Registration is also ongoing for the Groovy Monarch competition. This show was added to the GCC calendar in 2010 through collaboration with the Grenada Professional Association of Calypsonians and Tents (GPACT), the owner of the event.

Bacchanal Friday therefore, now features both the sweet and up tempo forms of the Soca genre.

Ranking Marvin - 2010 Groovy Soca Monarch King

The competitions, which are scheduled to culminate on Bacchanal Friday, August 5th is expected to be very keen with the return of a number of major acts, including Wilt Tallpree Cambridge, who will be celebrating 20 years as an artiste this year.

Competitors seeking to dethrone reigning Soca Monarch, Otis and Groovy Monarch, Ranking Marvin can collect registration forms and submit copies of their songs, on CD, to the Carnival Secretariat located at the Grenada National Stadium, Suite #133. Registration forms are also available online at www.spicemasgrenada.com/press