The Dominica Calypso Association (DCA) has decided to have a modified Calypso competition in light of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on carnival activities.

Earlier this month, the Government of Dominica announced that carnival activities for 2021 will be cancelled, prompting the DCA to brainstorm an event to keep Calypso alive and Calypso enthusiasts engaged.

“It is my understanding that the executive has decided to facilitate a two-shows competition which will entail calypsonians sending in their recorded songs as there will be no eliminations or quarter-finals. There will only be semi’s and finals”, says calypsonian Emmanuel ‘Haxey’ Salamat.

The semi finals will consist of the finalists of the 2020 National Calypso Competition and the new competitors selected from the recordings submitted. Hence virtual patrons will enjoy 32 calypsonians in the semi-finals. 17 of these will be chosen to go to the finals in the one song competition.

Salamat said further, “This whole format is a one-off competition in the interim and it will not affect the position of the reigning monarch Jaydee, who will also be vying to win this crown”.