The Calypso stage is the ‘Hyde Park' of the Caribbean Calypsonian . Poetic license guarantees immunity and gives them an opportunity to reveal all the well known'secrets' of the society. Nine calypsonians took the stage and dealt with issues such as
     
      Promoting the beauty of the Island
      Urging The print Media to publish THE TRUTH and not what the political leadership wanted them to publish.
      Corruption
      Domestic violence,
      Sexual abuse
      Asking for guidance from above to keep the ship of State afloat.
     
      The Calypsonians were backed up by the All Star Band - group of local
     College trained musicians
     
     Emerging as champion and the new calypso Monarch was professor ‘Eddie Melody' Nibbs from Sea Cow's Bay, who defeated last year's champion‘King Paido' Phillips
     
      Not surprisingly, echoes of last year's competition, reverberated in Paido's lyrics,, since last year when he won, Martino Mark and his supporters took to the airwaves to protest the judges' decision. Paido who won a Mitsubushi jeep and the crown taunted….
      ‘you want jeep
      sing for jeep
      you want crown
      win crown
      who talking , walking
      I winning and I driving'.
     
      This year's purse was much less attractive……… $3000 to the winner.
     
      Martino Mark, a brilliant song writer and calypsonian was noticeably absent fron the competition keeping his promise, at least for now, of never competing again.
     
     Shereen ‘Queen Shereen Flax' of Virgin Gorda won the calypso queen title.