Ras Kommanda

 

Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister Marlene Mc Donald has mandated all tent managers to start and end their shows early. Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Calypso Organisation South/Central Zone Ras Kommanda said in an interview, “The minister has mandated all tent managers not to carry their shows beyond midnight.

“She is insisting that we start the show early, keep it tight and send people home by 11.30 pm because of the crime situation,” he said. Kommanda said belt-tightening also forced Kaiso Showkase to reduce its cast for the 2009 Carnival season. He, however, assured that the cast reduction at the San Fernando-based tent (which the zone managed) would in no way diminish the quality of the content of the package the tent had to offer.

“The public can look forward to a show packed with entertainment—plenty humour, chutney/soca, unbiased political and social commentary,” he said. Kaiso Showkase is expected to open on January 30 at its usual venue, Palms Club, San Fernando, with a cast of 20. Kommanda (Steve Pascall) said this year’s cast would be the smallest since its inception 17 years ago.

“We are not immune to the international financial situation,” Kommanda said. He said for the four weeks of entertainment the tent’s expenditure was expected at just under $.5 million. The majority of their budget would be used to pay calypsonians and musicians, Kommanda said.