Loop News by Laura Dowrich-Phillips--
Tomorrow, 40 bards will take the stage at Skinner Park to compete for a place in the National Calypso Monarch finals on Carnival Saturday.
The singers will face what the ultimate “acid test” as Skinner Park has become known particularly for the reputation of its crowd showing displeasure with calypsos via the waving of toilet paper. Skinner Park became the venue for the calypso semis in 1978, following a fire which destroyed the Naparima Bowl where the event was held prior. Since then the venue has become known for many memorable moments. Here are some of the most memorable moments from Calypso Fiesta.
- Superblue’s teeth falling out: In 1993, Superblue, a man whose music lit up Skinner Park, was in blazing form with his song “Bacchanal Time” when his dentures dropped out of his mouth. Not missing a beat, Superblue in one fluid movement, swooped down and plucked them right back in. If you blinked, you probably missed it.
- Denyse Plummer being pelted on stage: In 1986, Plummer made her calypso debut. The former pop singer wasn’t well received however and was pelted with toilet paper, oranges and everything else people could have found.
- Johnny King’s Wet Me Down: In 1988 Johnny King sang “Wet Me Down”. The song destroyed Skinner Park with people pelting any liquid on hand, even in frozen form.
- Superblue introduces “Get Something and Wave”: In 1991, fresh from the coup of 1990, Trinbagonians needed a reason to party. Superblue’s “Get Something and Wave” provided the catharsis we needed. Skinner Park celebrated in rapturous joy.
- Superblue singing “Rebecca”: In 1983, Superblue entered the semis a top favourite thanks to his song “Rebecca”. Halfway through his performance, the Skinner Park crowd swarmed the stage making it difficult for the singer to perform.
- Gypsy flirts with “Toilet Paper”: Gypsy faced the wrath of Skinner Park one year when he forgot his lyrics. The next year, Gypsy cleverly turned his fortunes around with a ditty called “Toilet Paper” and had the crowd eating out of his hands.
- Machel Montano proved he was not too young: In 1986, Machel took on the big men in calypso by competing with his song “Too Young in Soca”. His entry sparked a huge debate about the eligibility of a child in the competition with people arguing throughout his performance at the semis.
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