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Nikisha finished within 3 points of Sheldon with her original rendition “Life is worth more than money”. Performing in front of a Calypso Tent audience prepares you for any crowd.
Sheldon Skeete’s winning performance at last year’s “London Calypso” tent. Judges awarded points for topic, originality, performance delivery and audience reaction.
At its awards evening on 10 June 2023, the Association of Calypsonians and Soca Artistes’ chair, Vincent John, announced the London Calypso Tent’s schedule for the next few months. Vincent later expanded on that for Soca News, and there are some exciting developments ahead. Juniors in the spotlightThe most important change this year is a long-overdue push to develop young calypso and soca artistes. This is essential if the music is to survive and flourish in the decades to come. Youth Calypso and Soca Workshops for 8- to 17-year-olds will take place in July and August. The mentoring team comprises Vincent John…
It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Vernon Shabaka Thompson who passed away suddenly in Saint Lucia on Tuesday 4 July 2023 at the age of 65. While he was the director of Yaa Asantewaa Arts and Community Centre, Shabaka initiated and realised a major capital project called Carnival Village. He was instrumental in the formation of the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC, now ACASA) and the London Calypso Tent. He was involved in many carnival arts projects in the UK, the Caribbean and Africa. Soca News will carry a full obituary in due course. We send…
Helena B spent some years as a backing singer for numerous artistes including Michel Montana, Baron, Sparrow, Inspector and Odian Cyrus aka Skunky. Helena B started performing in The ACASA London Calypso Tent in 2005. Influenced by singers like Singing Sandra and Baron. Her favourite songs are “Congo Stay” and “Crime Does Not Pay”. In 2020, Helena achieved the rare accolade of being crowned UK Calypso Monarch and UK Groovy Soca Monarch. She has represented Association and Calypso overseas with wonderful performances at Kaiso House in Trinidad & Tobago in 2006 and twice in the “Spice Island” of Grenada. Her…
G String, (Garry Archer) has been performing in The ABC Calypso tent for the last ten years. As an energetic and exciting performer, G String has brought his slant to the art-form of Calypso, being seen as a young witty artiste exchanging song and chorus with the audience and being a regular finalist. G string is the current ABC UK 2016 Calypso Monarch, Calypso King of the Tent 2015 and 2016, Calabash Calypso Artist of the Year 2015 and again 2016. A keen musician, Studio engineer and songwriter, G String is also an enthusiastic Pannist, Drummer and DJ and is…
The Association of Calypsonians and Soca Artists UK (ACASA) is inviting young people up to the age of 18 years to participate in a series of four workshops. The workshops fall into four categories, and are being held from April to June 2023. They aim to harness the skills of the participants, who will then have the skills to be in the running for the UK Youth Calypso and UK Youth Soca Monarchs of 2023. There will be two categories for trophies and other prizes: 8 to 13 years and 13 to 17 years. Activities slated for the workshop include…