Updates

TUCO President Ainsley King has paid tribute to Brother Valentino, recognising his contribution to conscious calypso and his commitment to giving voice to ordinary people. In an official statement dated 21st October 2026, King described Anthony Emrold Phillip, affectionately known as “The People’s Calypsonian”, as a cultural figure of deep significance whose music reflected the experiences, struggles and hopes of ordinary people. “Brother Valentino’s work stood for message, s

TUCO President Ainsley King’s tribute to the Mighty Sparrow was a highlight of the memorial service at NAPA on 16th October 2026, earning a standing ovation as he honoured the cultural giant’s extraordinary career and lasting influence. Speaking on behalf of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation and the wider calypso fraternity, King delivered a warm, thoughtful address that blended humour, gratitude and pride in the art form Sparrow helped take to the world. “But S

Viewing options for the Mighty Sparrow’s Celebration of Life on Friday 16th October: TTT television and livestreams from TTT and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development.

Following overwhelming interest and further enquiries after the original deadline, TUCO is opening another opportunity for persons to express their interest in adjudicating the National Calypso Competitions for Carnival 2027. The Adjudication Management Committee invites persons with past experience and a strong interest in judging, music and culture to express their interest. Applicants can share their contact details, relevant experience and interest. Expressions of interes

Nine finalists have been selected to challenge reigning Tobago Calypso Monarch Nicole Thomas Clarke at Market Square, Scarborough, on Tuesday 27th October, 2026. The announcement follows auditions hosted by TUCO’s Tobago Zone on Saturday 10th October. The selected calypsonians will join the 2025 titleholder for this year’s final. The finalists, listed alphabetically, and their songs are: Alex “Tobago Chalkie” Gift — Nice and Sweet Jacqulin “Jackie Reid” Reid — Good Morning Ba

TUCO will host training for adjudicators and calypsonians on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2026, ahead of its Carnival 2027 Calypso, Extempo and Freestyle competitions. Both sessions take place from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the V.I.P. Room, Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Registration runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. each day. Saturday’s session is for adjudicators, focusing on consistent judging using standardised rubrics. Sunday’s session is for

TUCO South Central Zone will hold its next membership meeting on Saturday, 31st October 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Creative Arts Centre, 97C Circular Road, San Fernando. Members will receive reports and updates on the Zone’s activities and programmes, review the minutes of the previous meeting and discuss matters arising. The agenda also includes the Chairman’s welcome and other business. The South Central Zone Executive encourages members to arrive on time and

The TUCO East Zone will host its upcoming Membership Meeting on Saturday 10th October, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. at the TUCO East Zone Office, Priority Mall, O’Meara Road, Arima. The meeting will bring East Zone members together to discuss matters affecting the membership, upcoming activities, important updates and ways to continue strengthening unity within the calypso fraternity. Members will also have an opportunity to share ideas, contribute suggestions and take part in discus

Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso tradition moves into the spotlight this October as the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation presents an ambitious calendar of activities for Calypso History Month 2026. The programme stretches into November and combines live entertainment with education, preservation and community engagement. Among the highlighted events are the Brother Valentino Legacy Concert on 2nd October, Crackers and Cheese 9 on 10th October, Rubicon 4 on 17th Octobe

The search for Tobago’s next Calypso Monarch begins on Saturday, October 10, 2026, when auditions are held at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The auditions will give calypsonians an opportunity to present their material as they compete for a chance to advance in one of Tobago’s notable calypso competitions. Participants are being advised to walk with their own musical accompaniment and be prepared to perform three verses and a chorus during their audit

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) advises its membership and the wider public that nominations for the 2026 East Zone Executive Elections officially closed on Saturday, August 29, 2026. At the close of nominations at the East Zone Office, Unit 1 PTSC Building, O’Meara Road, Arima, each position attracted only the number of nominees required to fill the respective office. As a result, all nominees stand unopposed. The nominees are: Chairman: Johnson King (

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) is pleased to announce the newly elected Executive of its South/Central Zone following elections held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Creative Arts Centre, Circular Road, Mon Repos, San Fernando. Steve Pascall has been re-elected Chairman, with Makeda Darius serving as Vice Chairman. McMorris Edwards was elected Secretary, Curlissa Charles-Mapp Treasurer and Joseph Thompson Public Relations Officer. Ainsley Mayers an

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation wishes to remind all financial members of the South/Central Zone that the Zone Election is scheduled for Saturday 29th August 2026. Voting will take place at the Creative Arts Centre, Circular Road, Mon Repos, San Fernando, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members are advised to arrive well before the close of polls to allow sufficient time to complete the voting process.

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO), through its Adjudication Management Committee, has opened a call for suitably qualified persons interested in serving as adjudicators for the organisation’s National Calypso Competitions for Carnival 2027. The initiative forms part of TUCO’s continued effort to maintain high standards, transparency and cultural integrity in the judging of its national competitions. Applicants should possess suitable academic qualificatio

TUCO has confirmed the nominees who will contest its upcoming South/Central Zone Election following the close of nominations on August 18th. Victoria Cooper-Rahim and Steve Pascall are nominated for Chairman, Makeda Darius and Brian London for Vice Chairman, and McMorris Edwards and Annalisa Hudlin for Secretary. Curlissa Charles-Mapp is unopposed for Treasurer, while Andal Alexander, Joseph Thompson, Wendy Lewis and Meguella Simon will contest the Public Relations Officer po

TUCO’s South/Central Zone has extended the deadline for nominations in its upcoming Zone Election following the theft of the official nomination box. The new deadline is Tuesday, August 18th, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. sharp. The Zone says the extension is intended to ensure eligible members have a fair opportunity to participate. The election remains scheduled for Saturday, August 29th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The TUCO South Central Zone has announced that its 2026 Zonal Elections will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with voting scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ahead of the election, nominations will open on Monday, August 10 and continue through Saturday, August 15, 2026. Nomination submissions will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, with the final Saturday session running from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Nomination forms will be available from the TUCO Sout

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation has completed its 2026 National Executive Elections, with members in Trinidad and Tobago selecting the team that will lead the organisation into its next administrative term. Voting took place on Sunday, 12th July and the most closely watched contest was for President, where Ainsley King was re-elected with 241 votes. His challengers, Kurt Allen and Nikeisha Duncan-Charles, received 125 and 11 votes respectively. King’s victory

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation is reminding eligible members that its National Executive Elections will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with official polling hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members voting in Trinidad should visit the VIP Lounge at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, while Tobago members will vote at the Mt. Pleasant Community Centre. All eligible financial members are encouraged to participate and must walk with a copy of a valid

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) advises its membership and the public that the High Court of Justice has declined to grant the application for an injunction that sought to restrain TUCO's National Executive Elections. The elections will therefore proceed as scheduled on Sunday 12th July 2026. The application, brought on behalf of Kurt Allen in the matter of CV2026-02720 Kurt Allen v Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation, Ainsley King and Shirlane