As Calypso History Month, fueled by Trinbago Unified Calypso Organization (TUCO), winds down, much of the media must be commended for keeping calypso alive through the month of October. In the forefront has been TTT, I95.5FM, 91.9FM and the WACK Network, especially TTT with its daily morning NOW programme hosted by Rawkus, Natalee Legore and Ainka Williams, and stalwart I95.5FM presenters John Gill, Sheriff, Stormin' Tom and Keith Diaz.
Anika Williams
Not since the days of radio icons like Phill "De Thrill" Simmons, Gerald Agostini, Ian "De Goose" Eligon, Glen Antoine and Ken Toppin has so much calypso music been heard on the airwaves, outside the carnival season.
I95.5FM has stood out this entire month with some excellent programmes. On Saturday, October 23, the station pushes the bar higher with its seven-hour presentation of "The Seconds of Calypso," from 9 a.m. While everyone can recall the victorious compositions of calypso competition, how many can remember the songs that placed second in the National Monarch and Road March competitions? I95.5FM will highlight them.
Former National Calypso Queen Stacey Sobers hosts another edition of her successful Crackers & Cream, via the iEnt Live Virtual Platform, on Saturday, October 30.
On Sunday, October 31, the TUCO South/Central Zone will host its Calypso Showkase - "Sweet Kaiso Memories" - extravaganza on Gayelle The Caribbean, at 8 p.m. The cast includes Ras Kommanda, Exposer, Eunice Peters, Sexy Suzie, Queen Victoria, Hamidullah, Kinte, El Drago, Mr Mack and others.
John Gill
TUCO brings the curtain down on Calypso History Month on October 31 with a special production at the Central Bank, Port-of-Spain.
Calypso History Month has a lagnaippe and come Wednesday, November 3, the much loved TUCO GALA will be held at 5 p.m.
WACK also shares a space in the Calypso History Month lagnaippe and will hold "Calypso is Christmas Too," on Friday, November 5, at 5 p.m.
One of TUCO's signal events - Extemporama - is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, on the iEnt Live virtual platform, at 5 p.m.
Natalee Legore
Also billed for November 6 are the final of "Talk De Calypso" and another edition of Calypso Showkase," at 4 p.m., on the WACK Network.
DJ Rawkus