In entertainment news. It was a night to behold! Women in their maxi dresses, shawls and spiked shoes while the men took charge with tuxedos and the slickest of hair cuts. All of this was to look dapper for the 9th Annual Calabash Awards held at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury hotel in London last Saturday, 16th November 2013.
The proud organisers Mathew and Paulette Ross
The brainchild of husband and wife team, Mathew and Paulette Ross, the Calabash Awards is a fixture on the calendar of many Soca and Calypso lovers within the UK Caribbean community. The award categories voted for by the public include; Calabash Best Soca Artist, Calabash Best Club / Party DJ, Calabash Best Soca Promotion, Calabash Best Radio DJ, Calabash Best Young Soca DJ and Calabash Best Calypso Artist.
Cocoyea founder / director Dexter Khan presented award to Sheldon Skeete
In recognition of those who have done extraordinary work or make an exemplary contribution to the soca / calypso art-form the organisers made special presentations under the captions Golden Calabash Award for Outstanding achievement and Platinum Calabash Award for Lifetime achievement.
This year’s event was graced with the presence of His Excellency Mr Joslyn Whiteman, High Commissioner for Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique who took active part by presenting the winning raffle prize of a week stay for two to the Kalinago Beach Resort in Grenada.
Calabash Best Soca promotion recipients Soca Frenzy
Following a well organised drinks reception and dinner supported by the sweet melodic sounds of the Endurance Steel Orchestra the show kicked off with a bang! As Mathew ‘The Baldhead Grenadian’ as he’s affectionately called, proclaimed, “The Baldhead Grenadian has never let you down before and I won’t tonight!” The entertainment was fantastic and featured acts such as the sexy award winning soca dance and songstress group Muzik LIL Muzik; versatile singer songwriter Louis Van Johnson, UK Calypso Monarch Sheldon Skeete; veteran comedienne Felicity Ethnic and the hilarious UK Bajan comedian Quincy who did an unannounced and spontaneous performance.
High Commissioner for Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, H.E Mr Joslyn Whiteman
This year’s winners were:
Calabash Best Soca Artist – Triniboi Joocie
Calabash Best Club / Party DJ – DJ Matchez
Calabash Best Soca Promotion – Soca Frenzy
Calabash Best Radio DJ – DJ Tate
Calabash Best Young Soca DJ- DJ Wotless
Calabash Best Calypso Artist – Sheldon Skeete
Golden Calabash Award for Outstanding achievement- Colin Grant
Platinum Calabash Award for Lifetime achievement – Sister Monica
From all accounts the event was a resounding success and folks were asking about the 10th Calabash Awards. CaribDirect was pleased to have been associated with this event. Well Done Mathew and Paulette!!
