Piton Soca Starz 2012
The third annual Piton Soca Starz kicked off this week aligning itself now as a premium event of Saint Lucia’s carnival. The song competition which afford Soca newcomers and rising stars an opportunity to shine in this genre, has received tremendous support in the first two years from both audience participation and contestants, and this year is expected to be no different.
On Thursday May 17, the new Piton Brand Manager Rohan Lovence unveiled the plans for this year’s event to the media, stating that he was excited about carrying out a mandate for an event which thus far has been quite successful.
“Saint Lucians over the past two years have been exposed to something uniquely entertaining, Piton Soca Starz. Like American Idol, it has captured the hearts of its followers through providing individuals with their own Cinderella story, the difference is this fairytale is reality,” Lovence stated. He went on to point out that for 2012 the goals for the talent search remain the same; “to provide individuals with a platform to showcase their talent, the audience with quality entertainment and Saint Lucians with an entertaining series of events in safe environments.’’ One fundamental growth initiative however is that quite apart from receiving local media coverage as in the past, this year’s event will also be aired on Tempo TV. “This will now offer participants exposure like never before,” Lovence says.
Piton Soca Starz is open to residence and nationals of Saint Lucia between the ages of 18- 35. Participants should not have reached the highest level of any previous competition in Calypso, Groovy Soca or power Soca or be holding any other winning titles in any other song competition local, regional or international.
Performances can either be individually or as a duet and preliminary rounds take place at various locations across the island Kareoke style, before a “live” audience.
Each competition is judged by a panel of three judges, and the winner of the grand finals which takes place on Friday June 29, 2012, will receive EC$3,000, a recording, and a music video produced and aired by TEMPO.
In 2011 Piton Soca Starz was won by Sergia who this week released her brand new single “Doh Tell Me Nuttin,” under the Piton Soca Starz deal.She is expected to be a guest performer at tonight’s launch along with the 2010 winner Mongstar as well as Ambi.
Following the first leg of Piton Soca Starz Friday at Double D’s on Jeremie Street, the action continues this Sunday May 20that the Laughing Fish bar, Dennery, Wednesday May 23 at Whispers, Soufriere and Friday May 25 at Anchors in Piaye.
This year’s event will feature nine preliminary events, two semi-finals and a grand final. Competition events will be held in various parts of the island including Vieux Fort, Micoud, Dennery, Soufriere, Gros Islet and Castries
Persons interested in participating in Piton Soca Starz, can register at WLBL offices Castries and Vieux Fort, at participating venues, RCI, Blazin FM and online via the Piton Soca Starz Facebook page.
