By Monique Washington
Contestants and participants who want to participate in Culturama 42 are running out of time, explained Antonio Liburd, Culturama 42 Executive Director. This year the festivities are held under the theme “Celebrating the Old, Showcasing the New, Culturama 42.”
“It has been like pulling teeth to get senior contestants to participate,” Liburd said. “We haven’t been seeing the interest in the pageants.”
“This year we have not seen the interest in participation in the senior pageant,” Liburdtold the Observer on Monday.He said they have four contestants for the Miss Culture Queen Pageant; four participants for Mr. Kool; and five contestants for Miss Swimwear.
Liburd noted that even though they have not secured their fifth contestants as yet, the committee will not open the Miss Culture Pageant to Kittitians. He indicated the sub-committee is working “vigorously to secure the contestants before the June 17 introduction.”
Rules unchanged
“The rules will remain the same, the Miss Culture and the Senior Calypso competition are only opened to Nevisians or persons who have been living on the island for the past 12 months,”Liburd explained.
Liburd said participation in other shows has remained steady or increased. The number of sponsors has remained the same. He said there is always room for more sponsors.
“People are still registering for some of the shows like soul and calypso music (soca),” Liburd said.“The Talented Teen competition will have eight schools competing this year;compared to last year when we had five schools.”
Right now there are 11Calypsonians registered in the senior calypso show.
We have had many dedicated sponsors like our platinum sponsors FLOW Telecommunication. We also have Social Security, T.D.C, Horsefords-St. Kitts Bottling Co., Carib Breweries, Housing and Land Development, Development Bank, Bank of Nevis, National Bank, National Caribbean Insurance, K.F.C, Peachicks, Lefco, O.D Brisbane and Son, Grace Foods and Scotia Bank.”
Contestants introduced in advance
Liburd pointed out this year will be the first time they are introducing all of the contestants that will participatein Culturama 42. He said this year’s event will take place in an area near the Charlestown Ferry Terminal.
“OnJune 17, we will announce the contestants competing in the senior pageants, talented teen, junior calypso and senior calypso. We will also have performances by last year’s winners,” Liburd said.
Liburd hinted new activities will be added to this year’s calendar of events.Other activities available in the area include traditional bar crawls, fashion shows, calypso tents, private promoters’ events and the popular Bacchanal Corner.
Legends of Calypso in concert
“The activities haven’t changed that much but this year we are working with a private promoter from Monserrat who be hosting a Legends of Calypso in concert. We will see artist like Shadow, David Rudder Meeko, De Bear and Hero. Also this year the food fair will be renamed as the Art, Craft, Food and Cultural Food Fair. There has been a major increase in interest for this event; we have had people from St. Kitts asking to register for it. We have also extended the hours for the food fair. This year the fair will run from 10 a.m. to 1a.m.”
The Food Fair in the past was held on the same day as the Senior Calyspso Show, but this year Liburd revealed the calypso show has been moved to a different night.
Culturama’s Contestant introduction will take place on June 17. The official opening of Culturama 42 will take place on July 21. The Culturama season will run from July 21-August 2.
