- REUTERS
Revelers parade during a j'ouvert (The Beginning) parade as part of Carnival festivities in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, yesterday.
PORT-OF-SPAIN:
FOR THE seventh time Dr. Hollis Liverpool - the Mighty Chalkdust - has won the Calypso monarch crown in Trinidad and Tobago.
On Sunday night at the Dimanche Gras show staged at a jam-packed Queen's Park Savannah, Chalkdust, who swept the title in 2004, whipped 10 other singers to retain the monarchy.
His two winning songs were entitled I in Town Too Long and I Doh Rhyme.
Speaking following his crowning, Chalkdust credited his victory to the artistry of his work. "I have to set the stage for the direction of the art form. It is based upon art and I am very happy when I win because it sends a message to the younger calypsonians."
The assistant professor at a university in the U.S. Virgin Islands added: "The art form is in good hands. It is not dying once you put some art into it."
In second spot was Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins) while Singing Sandra was placed third.
In the Carnival Bands competition, Curtis Eustace created history when he was adjudged King of Carnival for the fourth time. His portrayal was entitled War Chant - The Rise of Tanaka. He said afterwards he was elated with his victory.
The Queen of Carnival title went to Pamela Gordon for her presentation Fly High Pretty Butterfly.
Phase Two Pan Groove was adjudged the best steel orchestra, with Exodus in second place.
Before the crack of dawn, revellers converged on the streets of the city to usher in two days of pageantry and merrymaking.
But the celebrations were marred by two shooting deaths on Sunday night.
Police reported that several persons were picked up after they were found with weapons during the j'ouvert celebrations.
Later in the day, the large bands with hundreds of players in their resplendent costumes are expected to cross the stage downtown and at the Queen's Park Savannah..
The festival, which began in 1783, winds down at midnight tonight.
