Combining pan & soca shows

St. George, Grenada – June 25th, 2019: Grenada carnival organizers are planning to combine this year’s steelbands’ Pan Xpressions competition with the quarter-final of the Soca Monarch contest. Culture Minister Norland Cox, speaking at today’s post-cabinet news briefing, said the combined shows are expected to be held Sunday, July 7, at Carnival City.

In order to “improve’’ the Dimanche Gras, which “has not been performing at its utmost best’’, the number of calypso finalists will be reduced to 10, the minister said. Finalists for the Soca Monarch and Groovy Monarch championships will also be 10.

“We believe 10 is a good number,’’ said Cox, explaining that the duration of the song competitions has been an ongoing complaint.

Cox said prize monies for calypso and soca will be increased and plans are to include a veteran as a guest artiste at the Dimanche Gras show.

The King and Queen of the Bands competition will be slotted after the first round of the Calypso Monarch contest on Dimanche Gras night.

By Lincoln DePradine
Editor, The Plain Times

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Post Cabinet briefing facilitated by Senator Norland Cox – June 25th, 2019