Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3736/-1/140/
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Cable And Wireless Sponsors Calypso Competition
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The Leeward Islands Calypso Competition, a highlight of the upcoming Summer Festival in Anguilla, has been given a major boost with a donation of US$20,000 from Cable & Wireless, the platinum sponsor.
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Christonie Fleming presenting cheque to Joseph Vanterpool
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The big sponsorship has resulted in a name change of the event which is now called the ‘Cable and Wireless Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Show” in appreciation of the company’s commitment to the development of calypso.
Speaking on behalf of Cable & Wireless at a press briefing on Tuesday, Christonie Fleming said the company had found that calypso was fundamentally Caribbean culture that it could not overlook the opportunity to promote the art-form. “Calypsonians are viewed in general as informal educators and ambassadors in the region,” he observed. “Over the years they have informed us of political and other events. If you want to know what is going on in the region, you just have to listen to the calypsonians.”
Mr. Fleming added that it was an honour and privilege for Cable & Wireless to sponsor the event and he hoped that it would be appreciated by everyone. The show will be held on August 12 at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre.
Replying, President of the organising committee, Joseph Vanterpool, said the sponsorship by Cable & Wireless not only demonstrated the company’s commitment to the people of Anguilla, but to the future development of calypso in the region. He listed the participating islands as being Antigua & Barbuda, Montserrat, St.Kitts-Nevis, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Virgin Gorda, Saba, St. Eustatius and host island, Anguilla.
Vanterpool stated that the cost of the show amounted to over US$30,000.Among other costs the money will cover accommodating the calypsonians and musicians and cash prizes. The first prize will be US$4,000; second prize, $2,000; and third prize, $1,000 plus plaques. There will also be conciliation prizes in the area of $375 to the other calypsonians.
The Leeward Islands Calypso Show started ten years ago. The show stages fourteen calypso monarchs and an all-star band comprising nine members: three each from St. Thomas and St. Kitts; and one each from Antigua, St. Martin/St. Maarten and Anguilla. There are also two back-up singers from Anguilla.
Barrister-at-Law, Keithley Lake, who is a committee member, said that this year the three judges for the competition would come from St. Vincent to avoid the difficulties experienced with the judges last year.
Mr. Lake commented that the name – Cable & Wireless Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Show was appropriate because the company had committed itself to be the platinum sponsor of the show from now on.
He explained that his committee, which operates under the Summer Festival Committee, had been charged with putting on the show and arranging its financing. He went on: “This is a regional competition and Cable & Wireless is a regional company so we have shared interests here. They are trying to reach a broad cross-section of the region in their adverting efforts and we are attracting calypsonians from seven or eight different islands. It is just appropriate that Cable & Wireless be the platinum sponsor because it makes a good fit.
“In terms of the financing of the show, we operate on a budget and as the President said earlier, this event costs in excess of US$30,000 to put it on. We have to justify to our sponsor why we need the money and how it is going to be spent to complete a transparent operation.”
In addition to Cable & Wireless, there are a few other small sponsors contributing from 500 to 1,000 US dollars.