Sugar Aloes Pelted with Wet Toilet Paper and Roti

unfazed: Calypsonian Sugar Aloes continues to perform his song
 "Not the Land" after he was pelted with wet toilet paper and roti at Calypso Fiesta yesterday

The second half of the Calypso Fiesta took a turn for the worse as former national calypso monarch Michael "Sugar Aloes" Osouna was pelted with wet toilet paper and wrapped rotis as he performed at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Dressed in a white and pink suit, Aloes sang "Not the Land" and continued his performance even as he was pelted with toilet paper missiles.

Uniformed police officers manned both entrances at the front of the stage while Aloes performed.

Patrons also waved placards saying "Don't Go 4 Crown With Dat Song" and "Sugar Aloo-es is Wuk Ah Wuking Fuh Curry Dollar$".

The entertainer seemed unfazed and replied, "I still love allyuh. Raise them toilet paper high."

Aloes was criticised by members of the calypso fraternity and the public after he serenaded Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Tarrus Riley's "She's Royal" at the People's Partnership's second anniversary celebrations in Chaguanas in May 2012.

Also taking insult in stride at the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) competition was Winston "The Original De Fosto Himself" Scarborough, who performed "Alloo Sing" before exiting the stage.

As the competition heightened, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal showed his support backstage to the entertainers after their perfor`mances.

But the drama did not end there.

The crowd looked on in suspense as calypsonian Eunice Peters, who sang "None of the Above"—a political commentary—took a tumble before she ended her rendition.

She fell on stage but quickly got back up before going backstage and receiving first aid.

Cheers rang out at the introduction of Khadja Antoine's rendition, "Tears for the Children", as comedian Damian Melville acknowledged the presence of former prime minister Patrick Manning, accompanied by his wife, Hazel Manning.

Also present was Minister of Public Administration Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah.

This year, no mention of Government ministers was made during the first half of the competition, from which 11 artistes will be selected for the finals of the National Calypso Monarch at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Thursday.

Crowd favourites yesterday were Henson "Calypso Prince" Wright who sang "Asylum Without a Gate", Alana Sinnette with "No Moral Authority" and Lynette "Lady Gypsy" Steele with "Brand Name".

Many of the renditions also emphasised social issues of crime and parenting. Some also recalled the stories left untold within the calypso fraternity.

In the race to the grand finals, 20 female and 20 male calypsoians, including seven previous monarchs, will hope to dethrone 2012 Calypso Monarch Duane O'Connor.

Eleven finalists will be selected for a chance to take home the $1 million prize.

Second place will receive $500,000; third $250,000; fourth $150,000; fifth $100,000; and sixth through 12th, $60,000.

The first half of the competition began at midday with few patrons, unlike the usual turn out.

Alex "Tobago Chalkie" Gift led the cast of 40 with his song "A Spranger's Story".

He was followed by Allan "Bro Mudada" Fortune's "Oh God", Kurt Allen with "Political Sin- phony", Victor "Mr Mack" McDonald with "Side Effects", Devon Seale with "Game Show Politics", Giselle Frase Washington's "Stretch Out Your Hand", Lesley Ann Ellis with "Who Runs the World", Henson "Calypso Prince" Wright with "Asylum Without a Gate", Shamika Denoon with "Let's Talk Tobago", Anthony "All Rounder" Hendrickson "Look How Trinbago Come", Sandra "Singing Sandra" Des Vignes-Millington with "Failure is not an Option", Sean Daniel with "Rainbow Race", Raldoph "Count Robin" Hillaire with "Politicians In Heaven", Alana Sinnette with "No Moral Authority", Kizzie Ruiz with "In the Age of Blood", Lynette "Lady Gypsy" Steele with "Brand Name", Myron "Myron B" Bruce with "Oscar Awards", Michelle Henry with Blind man Bluff", Marion Pamponette sang "The Last Days" and Carlos "Skatie" James performed "Prophet Without Honour".

Several renditions about political influence went down well with the audience but were slow in coming.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress