By SEAN DOUGLAS Sunday, September 9 2012

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EXTEMPO UNITY: Winston 'Gypsy' Peters gives way to 'Black Sage' after the two had a mini extempo war, as 'Lingo' takes his turn in the battle royale d...

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IT was a case of extempo love rather than extempo war as calypsonians showcased their skills in a non-competitive event on Friday at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

Some 14 persons sang in the first round during “The Golden Jubilee Extempo Show”, but unlike the usual case of whittling down the field round by round to find one winner, no one was eliminated. The show was hosted by the North Zone of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and the Ministry of Planning as part of the continued celebration of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. Guest performers were the nostalgia-evoking Willard “Lord Relator” Harris, Karen “Phoenix” Francisco, daughter of the Mighty Sparrow, who was in attendance, and the young trio of Junior Calypso Monarch Aaron Duncan, Kevan Calliste and Jeremy Rodriguez.

With the recent passing of former extempo monarch, Sheldon John, the main event saw a handful of hopefuls who have been knocking on the door for a few years, plus past monarchs Winston “Gypsy” Peters, Joseph “Lingo” Vautor-La Placeliere, and reigning monarch Leslie-Ann “Lady Africa” Bristow.

Relator also provided a show within a show, the audience eating out of his hand as they sang along to yesteryear’s favourites.

the adult extempo show saw each calypsonian pick a topic to sing about individually, and a “battle royale” with all 14 onstage together. The first stage saw singers reach varying levels of success in mastering their topics, some of which had convoluted themes.

‘Lady Africa’ gave a smooth delivery but admitted to having no idea who “Michelle” was in her topic of Michelle calling for discipline and tolerance.

Last Carnival’s second-placed extempo finalist, London, was a big crowd favourite even before he began singing, but his topic in praise of Brother Valentino and his wife, former national netballer, Peggy Castanda, did not give London any “target” to attack to score points with the crowd.

Philip “Black Sage” Murray sang of Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott, “When he won gold I was so glad it’s true; I grabbed my wife and threw some javelin too.” The crowd loved it. Sage then said his wife would prefer him to get silver, so that he would come second.