Entertainment News
Soca monarch finalists select judges
By IslandEvents
Feb 9, 2006, 9:25

Finalists in the TSTT International Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions were given the opportunity to select their own judges for the final show.  For the first time ever organisers of the event, the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts (CPF), presented a list of 20 persons from which the artistes will choose ten.

This took place at theVIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium on February 7.  "There are going to be ten judges in all, five for each competition," Roland Gordon, the competition's judging co-ordinator told the artistes.

"But you are not going to be leaving here knowing who will be judging which competition for obvious reasons because Trinidad is a small place and it is possible for you to get in touch with that person." Gordon said that aspect of the judging would be decided by the management of Soca Monarch.After giving background information on the proposed judges, the artistes present voted for their choice by show of hands.

Jacqueline Mc Kenzie, Leston Paul, Marilyn Hunte, John Barry, Bernadette Roberts, Josephine Taylor, Judith Clement, Denyse Gouveia, Nubia Williams and Claudette Lewis were selected as judges.  Speaking on behalf of all the singers Nadia Batson, finalist in the Soca Monarch Competition, thanked CPF for getting the artistes involved in the selection of judges.

The finals of both competitions are scheduled to take place on Fantastic Friday (February 24) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The date of the draw for performing positions is to be announced.

Shurwayne Winchester, Zan featuring Patrice Roberts, Surge, Chucky and Sean Caruth will go up against defending Groovy Soca Monarch Competition Michelle Sylvester for the title.

Reigning Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin will defend his title against Mr Vybe, Iwer George, Shurwayne Winchester, Rita Jones, Faye Ann Lyons, Sheldon Douglas, Sanell Dempster, Terry Seales, Nadia Batson and Miss Alysha.