Rudder headlines new Calypso Extravaganza

Superstar David Rudder will appear with up-and-comer Aaron Duncan at the show.
Superstar David Rudder will appear with up-and-comer Aaron Duncan at the show.

International calypso superstar David Rudder and Aaron Duncan, Junior Calypso Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago, will headline Saturday with Canada’s leading calypso performers in a new event titled Calypso Extravaganza.

The calypso and soca concert will take place at P. C. Ho Theatre in the Chinese Cultural Centre. This new OCPA event is instead of the annual calypso competition.

Last Sunday, calypsonians from Prosfessionals and Kaiso Forum Tents clashed at Fantazia Mas Camp setting the tone for this Saturday’s Calypso Extravaganza. Photo by Oscar Wailoo.
Last Sunday, calypsonians from Prosfessionals and Kaiso Forum Tents clashed at Fantazia Mas Camp setting the tone for this Saturday’s Calypso Extravaganza. Photo by Oscar Wailoo.

“We’re giving the competition approach a rest this year and reviewing various ideas for the future of the art form,” explained Colin Benjamin, president of OCPA.

“The competition has been attracting fewer entrants and the music business is constantly changing. We felt it was time to reflect and take a new direction for our signature event in the Scotiabank Caribbean Toronto Festival.”

OCPA and its predecessor Calypso Association of Canada has been producing an annual calypso competition since the early eighties. The current five-time winner Macomere Fifi will be on hand along with other monarchs Structure, Jayson, Susan G, Connector and Dick Lochan to show off how far calypso has evolved in Canada.

Fifi has captivated audiences in New York, London and across Canada and recently gained critical acclaim here for her gripping performances in the starring role in Obeah Opera, a musical by Nicole Brooks.

Dick Lochan, Canada’s top humour calypsonian, went to Trinidad and made it to the finals of

TUCO National Humor Calypso Monarch competition.

OCPA has chosen Aaron Duncan, the four-time winner of TUCO’s National Junior Calypso Monarch, a competition that attracts over 100 young calypsonians, to star in the Calypso Extravaganza concert and display the future face of the calypso world to Toronto. This will be a unique opportunity to see the world’s best on one stage.

P. C. Ho Theatre at the Chinese Cultural Centre is at 5183 Sheppard Ave. E. at Markham Rd. and holds just over 600. For further information contact OCPA at 416-391-5608.