Things just got interesting. “Power is back”- the words of 38-year-old Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez, in the wake of news that she’d been appointed to head the International Soca Monarch Competition. Her new portfolio will afford her the opportunity to make strategic changes, to better the show, as seen fit.

The announcement, made by National Carnival Commission Chairman, Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters, Lyons-Alvarez’s uncle, has since gone viral. Peters has also disclosed that while finances to be allocated to the competition, have not yet been decided, the event’s semi finals will return to the Arima Velodrome, while the finals will take place at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Lyons-Alvarez last took part in the competition in 2011. To this day, she remains the only female to have ever won the Power leg of the competition. Both she and her husband, Bunji Garlin, removed themselves from the competition, citing unfavorable contractual stipulations in the ISM contract at the time.

Blaxx Praises ViQueen’s Appointment

In an immediate response on the appointment, fellow soca artiste, Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart said a better person could not have been chosen for the post. “Personally I had no intentions of going back into the Soca Monarch but, I think having senior artistes in the competition is very beneficial to the culture. I will say this, I will be entering this year! Just the mere fact that Fay Ann is running it, I can vouch, she is one of the most astute, straight up persons in this business,” said Blaxx. He said while many criticized her, he felt that Fay Ann would do the best job at handling the competition.

“She is a no grin, no smile person. I don’t care how the other artists feel but brother, what a choice! That girl will be one hell of an administrator. I am one of the oldest artistes in the industry and I will say this : they could not have made a better choice.”- Blaxx

Separately, Blaxx said he was certain that Gypsy too, would do a great job at the helm of the NCC. He spoke of Grenada’s Soca Monarch competition, saying that the Spice Isle has made their competition a part of the island’s tourism product and it has been tremendously successful. “A lot of our things that we have taken for granted, they have made it amazing,” he said.

Patrice Roberts, Swappi, Give The Thumbs Up to Fay Ann’s Appointment.

Meanwhile, fellow female soca heavyweight, Patrice Roberts in a quick chat with EBUZZTT while working out at the gym, said she was happy to see a female now standing at the helm of such a major carnival competition.

“I think she has what it takes to take Soca Monarch where it could possibly be. She has been in the industry and in Soca monarch for a while and I am honestly happy for her and even more happy to see a female being the chairman of the ISM.” – Patrice Roberts.

Patrice, who has unleashed a slew of hits for Carnival 2019, said she could not confirm whether she would be taking part in the competition. She said her head had not been on that, when we spoke with her.

Likewise, Swappi, who has been having a pretty incredible pre-carnival 2019 season, said he is very happy and confident that Fay Ann Lyons will do a great job. ” There is no ifs, ands or maybes. I know she will do a great job. She always strikes gold at everything she does. She is a warrior. She has a warrior’s spirit in her. I can afford to say Power Soca is back and the whole energy of the competition is back!” He said he is still unsure as to whether he would re-enter, having been emotionally affected by previous years of inclusion in the competition.

We’re not gonna review any fetes. That’s honestly for you the patron to do, all on your own. The reality is, every person experiences a fete in his own way. Three people may attend the same fete and have completely different perspectives. Now, direct from EBUZZTT’s lens, here are a few things we peeped at Tribe Ice, which was held at the Queen’s Park Savannah this past Saturday night.

Fetters Do Not Want Long Winded Performances.

The days of telling crowds to do this and do that, are long gone. Soca artistes we are here to tell you that your job has gotten a hell of a lot easier! We know you want to see crowds get wild- jump, wave and misbehave, but the truth is, there are no WASA, Fire or Licensing fetes that once encouraged that vibe, anymore. The last of the mohicans is Army Fete, so save all the long-winded stage antics for Army Fete on Friday, February 22nd. It was awesome to see acts like Shal Marshall, Vaughn and Nailah Blackman execute with consideration to this reality on Saturday night at Tribe Ice.

The Women of Soca Are All Showing off The Goods.

Nadia Batson’s already having a phenomenal season. Her hit, “So Long” has possibly guaranteed her a place at every fete this season, and beyond. Added to that, the sultry beauty is claiming her space among the Soca hotties, reveling in the saucy sexual splendor of her physical structure and showing fans, she’s just as hot as the rest, if not hotter! On Saturday night at Tribe Ice, Nadia boldly took the stage in a white outfit that left very little to the imagination. She was in charge and she feared nothing. A veteran in the game, Batson, who was once a part of Kes The Band, has been at the fore of the soca industry for many years, and knows just how to make crowds shake. She proved it this past weekend!

Machel Montano’s Often in The Mix, Chillin.

Machel Montano may not have graced the stage at Tribe Ice on Sunday morning, like Erphaan Alves, Teddyson John, Vaughn, Nadia and Nailah, but he certainly was at the event. The artiste was photographed in the Committee area with fashion designer, Neil Young. Machel’s presence continues to be a thrilling sight for many at carnival time and while he may not be on the cast at all carnival fetes, it’s highly likely that the ‘Toco Loco’ singer will be seen mingling and having fun, when stage isn’t on his agenda.

Now, all this said, there are some rumblings in various circles that Tribe Ice 2019 still lacked the kind of feting spirit once synonymous with T&T carnival. Truth be told, it’s been missing for some time. Sadly, Fay Ann Lyons’ ‘Feel Good’ on the Foli Riddim wasn’t on the DJs list of “must plays” for the night, obviously diminishing any hope of reminding folks to put away their phones and just FETE! Now, onto the next!