The Organization of Calypso Performing Artists (OCPA) will hold a Calypso Monarch competition as part of its 2023 summer programme for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The Calypso Monarch competition which had been suspended due to the pandemic will return this year by popular demand with preliminary rounds on July 15 -16th and a final showdown on Sunday, July 30th.

The competition is open to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants eighteen (18) years and older.

The deadline for entering the competition is Tuesday, July 4th at 11:59 pm.

Artists must sing one song that has not been part of any previous Calypso competition. Persons interested in taking part in the competition should contact OCPA at ocpa.calypsoca4@gmail.com  

There is a competition entrance fee of $30. (OCPA members) and $40. (non-OCPA members).

The cash prizes at stake for Kaiso 365 Calypso competition are: 1st – $3,000, 2^nd –  $2,000, 3rd – $1,000.

Each contestant will also be paid an appearance fee of $500.00

In addition, a People’s Choice award is offered. OCPA is currently accepting sponsorships and donations for the People’s Choice award.

A panel of judges will assess contestants on July 15-16th in three categories and choose 8 singers who will go to the Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch Finals on July 30th at the Latvian Centre, 4 Credit Union Dr. North York (DVP& Eglinton).

In the Preliminary rounds of the competition singers must provide their own back-up tracks or ‘live’ accompaniment of their choice. For the finals on July 30th a 9-piece band, led by Musical Director Ossie Gurley, will back up all contestants.

 To participate, all artistes must adhere to OCPA’s Code of Conduct and City of Toronto Anti-Discrimination policies.

For more information or details on the Kaiso 365 Calypso competition please contact OCPA at  ocpa.calypsoca4@gmail.com or  Telephone Colleen at 519.240.2737.