Tuesday, February 9 2010

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Zoelah...

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CULTURE MINISTERS are heading contingents from various Caribbean islands coming to TT later this week to support artistes in Friday’s International Power and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions.

Word from Caribbean Prestige Foundation, organisers of the event, is that finalists from Grenada, Barbados, St Vincent, Antigua and Dominica will have scores of supporters coming in to cheer them on when the competition takes place at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, on Friday night.

TC (Terencia Coward) from Barbados has 400 fans coming in to support her. The Barbadian contingent includes Culture Minister Steve Blackett. The Culture Minister of St Vincent, Rene Baptiste, is in a large group of officials and supporters who will be here to cheer on Skinny Fabulous (Gamal Doyle) and Zoelah (Zoelah Boyde).

Also coming is Grenada’s Culture Minister, Senator Arley Gill. Culture and tourism officials from Antigua and Barbuda and a contingent from Dominica are also expected to attend.

Chairman of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation and founder of the International Power and Groovy Soca Monarch competition William Munro said more than 2,000 people from neighbouring Caribbean islands have confirmed attendance.

“Over the years the Soca Monarch has become much more than a competition that attracts thousands of local fans to the semis and finals. It has developed into a true international event that brings people from our sister Caribbean islands, North America, Canada and England. We now see people coming here from as far as Japan, Australia and European nations.

“The Soca Monarch has spread the music worldwide and introduced millions to Trinidad and Tobago. It is now a major tool in promoting tourism here in Trinidad and Tobago, no one can dispute that. I know this year will be a great year in spite of the global economic downturn. Soca is our international product and we have to support the music and the artistes that produce and perform it so that as the world becomes less dependent on fossil fuels we will have other products to offer, our music and our hospitality,” Munro said.

Defending Monarch in both categories, Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez has declared that no one will wrest away her titles. Her husband, four-time International Power Soca Monarch, Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez has bowed out of the competition to focus on assisting Lyons in the defence of her titles.