Just when all seemed lost for the singing competitions which form part of the 2009 carnival season, the 8th annual Inter Commercial House Calypso Competition has pulled through the calypso recession.

The event carried none of the baggage of the so called "pro/mainstream" versions, like the inclusion of too many participants, controversy over the criteria or a crowd that could not be moved. As a matter of fact, what has become one of my favorite shows, exceeded expectations, with some very wholesome contributions of satire, dramatizations and dare I say even real SINGING!

A deceased and legendary politician was noted for saying “doh put your tongue in my mouth,” and it seems that is exactly what my luciancarnival.com colleague did (sorry brother Mac) with her bang-on review of Colour Me Red on Wednesday. The show, excuse me, fete as that is what was promised, was exactly that… a fete and I dare say the best fete to date for carnival 2k whine and whined I did.

Yes it started off a bit slow with the Derek Yarde Project and yes it took too long to get a drink by the bar but the other components of the - yes I concur again REDio Caribbean International and RED Unlimited put together fete - more than made up for those minor shortfalls.

I know exactly who I am going to the next time I decide to have a fete of any kind.....REdio Caribbean International and Red Unlimited.  I have missed only one Color Me Red... and that was because I had been out of island.  I considered sitting out the one last night but something compelled me to up.  And I am glad I did.  Otherwise I would have missed out on one of the biggest and best Color Me Red fetes I have attended.  People came out in droves...decked out in all shades of red.

For the weeks leading up the party, DJ Iwa had been warning people that Color Me Red - Recession was going to be 'badd'.  He described it as the get it good fete.  Get it good we did.  I came in early so I did not have to take the long time that stretched the length the of the parking lot to get in.  I laughed at some of the folks who had decided to hang out in the parking lot before going in and found themselves trapped on a line waiting to get in.  Lesson learnt i am sure.

The island’s premiere duty free shopping facility –Pointe Seraphine (DFPS) will come alive with the sights and sounds of carnival, when for the second consecutive year Mas on the Pier is staged. The initiative is the brainchild of the National Development Corporation – owner and manager of Duty Free Pointe Seraphine - and will run from 10am to 5pm on Thursday, July 16, 2009.

Acting Operations Manager at the Complex Miss. Dinah Hipployte say, Mas on the Pier seeks to build on the tremendous successes recorded over the past six years in staging “Jazz on the Pier.” The rationale she says is to expose the increasing number of cruise ship passenger to St. Lucia’s premier cultural spectacle - Carnival. Hippolyte says Mas on the Pier serves as yet another encouraging factor to get more of the non-disembarking passengers to visit the complex and subsequently the many fine stores.

Libellous Lyrics?

Artistic license? Freedom of speech? The voice of the people?

How far is too far?

You decide.

The following calypso, as well as one other, has been banned from the “nation’s station” Radio Saint Lucia (RSL). There have been detractors and supporters of RSL’s action, which, the station claims, was taken to avoid potential lawsuits.

This has brought untold attention to the lyrics of the song sang by Lady Spice and penned by McStephen ‘Lord Help Me” Aubertine. Despite the controversy, the artiste has managed to make it to the 2009 calypso finals, scheduled for July 18 at the Mindoo Phillip Park and Spice is a strong contender for the crown.

Here, presented for you, are the alleged potentially libellous lyrics. Before it reaches the big yard and the final judgement, here’s your chance to be the judge.