SEVEN MONARCHS are included in the list of 18 for the Pic-O-De-Crop semi-finals announced by producer the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) just after 2 a.m. today.These include four calypso monarchs in Adrian Clarke, Kid Site, John King and Gabby; junior monarchs Sir Ruel and Malika and reigning Barbados Workers’ Union Calypso champ Shaki-K.Cave Shepherd All Stars and De Digicel Big Show took the largest slice of the semi-final cake with four each, followed by the Kingdom of Super Gladiators with three, House of Soca and Bacchanal Time with two, while Celebration Time, Headliners and the Experience got one each.Six of the 18 who will battle against each other at the National Stadium next Friday night for a chance at denying reigning monarch Red Plastic Bag his tenth title are women. Unlike what has obtained in recent years, there was a fair-sized crowd waiting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) for the result, which could be attributed to the fact that the final judging of the preliminary round was at De Digicel Big Show, which is based at the LESC.Judges, tabulators, auditors, arbiter and other necessary personnel would usually be transported back to the NCF after the final judging is completed, where the last set of points are entered, tabulations done and the announcement made. This year the announcement was made at the LESC because of repairs at the NCF.Finalists in the Sweet Soca and Party Monarch were announced early this morning as well, and they were asked to assemble at the NCF at 10 a.m. to draw for a position with their scores, copies of their lyrics, and a CD recording of the song. The draw for the Pic-O-De-Crop semifinals will be made at noon and semi-finalists are asked to walk with their scores, lyrics and CD recording as well.The semi-finalists by tent are: Cave Shepherd All Stars Colin Spencer, Adrian Clarke, Crystal Cummins-Beckles and Tassa; Blood of the Headliners; Celebration Time, Ishiaka; House of Soca, Sir Ruel and Shaki-K; The Experience, Sammi Jane; Bacchanal Time, Classic and Kid Site; De Digicel Big Show, John King, Sheldon Hope, Gabby and TC; Kingdom of Super Gladiators, Dre, Jah Stone and Malika.
