There is no end in sight to a dispute between the Grenada Professional Association of Calypsonians and Tents (GPACT) and the National Carnival and Cultural Development Committee (NCCDC) on the holding of this year's national calypso monarch competition.

GPACT President, Elwyn "Black Wizard" Mc Quilkin told GRENADA TODAY Tuesday that his organisation will hold its competition on the same night with the national show being planned by NCCDC. "Black Wizard" said that the body is moving "full speed ahead" with its plans since GPACT members have decided not to take part in the NCCDC-sponsored event planned for August 9.

According to the calypsonian, GPACT and GCC held discussions to try and reach a comprise on the issue and that the national body was expected to get back to them but failed to do so. He said it has been over a month now and nothing was heard from the committee leaving GPACT with no choice but to go ahead with its own show.

Wizard indicated that GPACT decided to stage its own competition because its members believed they are not getting enough benefits out of the competition organised by NCCDC. "Based on our input we are not getting the output to suit," he remarked.

Most of the island's leading calypsonians such as former monarchs Beast, Scholar, Wizard and seasoned campaigners like Mr.X, Persuader are part of the GPACT outfit.
Wizard announced that the $25,000 prize money that is offered by NCCDC will be up for grabs for the winning monarch. He pointed out that monies made at all GPACT-sponsored shows will be used to pay the competing artistes.

He admitted that if the expect amount of money is not made, the calypsonians will understand the situation, because it is not the money that really matters but the product. At the semi-final level of the show, each calypsonian will sing one song rather than the normal two renditions as was done in past years.

"Wizard" believes that a large cross section of the people will attend the GPACT show since they will be looking forward to see the performances of those artistes.

The former Calypso Monarch said that GPACT in collaboration with Fantazia 2001 night club has decided to put on another competition called Groovy Monarch competition. He indicated that the groovy monarch is taking a different approach to soca from the usual jump and wave lyrics that have dominated the charts in the past to a more groovy rhythm.

Wizard observed that some of the local artistes have already taken that path in their development such as Sheldon Douglas, the former Soca monarch champion and a host of other new artistes.

The GPACT boss announced that the launch of the season for GPACT-affiliated tents which had to be postponed last Sunday due to the inclement weather will take place on Saturday night at the Grenada Trade Center at Grand Anse, St. George's.