Folk Presentation Guidelines 2023

2023 Folk Presentation Guidelines:

Please note these guidelines may be subject to change based on any changes to the Government’s Covid policy in the interest of the health and safety of all participants.

The Tables below show the Categories to be adjudicated for 2023 FOLK PRESENTATION

FOLK PRESENTATION CATEGORIES

MUSIC:- The group categories are to have a minimum of six (6) and no more than fifteen (15)  performers in a particular item. Tassa is the only exception with a minimum of four (4) performers.

• There is no minimum or maximum for accompaniment with the exception of Pan Solo.
• All music categories are a minimum of 3 minutes, maximum of 4 minutes
• The Vocal Chorale categories include:
• Folk Song Medley – Any combination of at least three (3) songs (of the three songs used, each must have at least eight consecutive bars of music) from Folk Songs with a traditional/authentic Folk Melody.
• Calypso Medley – Any combination of at least three (3) songs (of the three songs used, each must have at least eight consecutive bars of music) from Calypsos from 1919 to present.
• Indian Folk Medley – Any combination of at least three (3) songs (of the three songs used, each must have at least eight consecutive bars of music) from East Indian Folk Songs with a traditional/authentic Folk Melody. (egs. Chowtal)
• African-Devotional Song – traditional songs of prayer and devotion derived from the African experience. These songs, chants and melodies are specific and pays homage to the Heavenly Gods or the Orisha’s/Deities, egs – Shango, Oshun/Yemaya, Osain, Yemoja, Obatala, Ogun, Erinle, Rada Movement et al. No reference to Christian deities are permitted in this category.
• East Indian Devotional Song – traditional songs of prayer and devotion derived from the East Indian experience. E.g. Bhagan, Toomree, Ghazals and Caseedas.
• Spiritual Song – Traditional songs of prayer and devotion derived from the Christian experience. Inclusive of Liturgical, Spiritual Shouter Baptist, doptions, hymns, gospel, Negro Spirituals, Praise. Etc.

Vocal solo categories under Folk Music include:

• Original Calypso on Best Village – Original local calypso style compositions that focus on the history and content of the Best Village Programme since 1963 to present times.
• Folk Song Solo – Solo performance of a Folk Song with a traditional/authentic Folk Melody.

Instrumental Categories Tassa and Drumology to have no more than fifteen (15) performers on stage for the performance. (4 minutes)

• Tassa – Utilizing bass, cutter, fuller and ghige to play variuous hands of rhythms for such occasions as Hosay, Weddings, Ramleela, etc. Must have a minimum of four (4) performers.
• Drumology – Afro Caribbean in nature, using traditional African drums with a minimum of six (6) performers. Any one or combination of these traditional rhythms must be played during the piece (beginning, middle or end), the rest of the arrangement will reflect the creativity of the tutor.

Grand Bele, Temne, Igbo, Calypso, Avaloo, Naningo, Congo, Bongo, Banda, Winti, Shovealong, Tamboo Bamboo, Koromanti, Manding, Kalenda, Congo Bele.   

• Pan Solo – Playing a Trinidad and Tobago or Caribbean Melody. Competitors are allowed live accompaniment only (2 persons maximum).

DANCE -: All dances can have a maximum of fifteen (15) performers and minimum of 6 performers. There is no minimum or maximum for accompaniment. Dances are a minimum of 3 minutes, maximum of 4 minutes with the exception of Limbo (6mins).

• African Devotional Dance: Dances devoted to any African religious occasion or deity. No reference to Christian deities are permitted in this category.
• East Indian Devotional Dance: Dances devoted to any East Indian religious occasion or deity. Groups are expected to use traditional music as accompaniment.
• Spiritual Dance – Dances based on Gospels, Negro Spirituals, and other spiritual sounds that influence Caribbean culture. Includes Liturgical, Evangelical and Spiritual Baptist
• National (Patriotic) Dance – e.g. Creative dances based on national birds, flower, sites, history, heritage and/or Nation building themes. The flag or colours of the national flag MUST be incorporated with the dance.
• Creative Freestyle Dance – exploring themes and ideas arising from the social and cultural context of Trinidad and Tobago. Foreign forms used must not exceed local forms. There must not be less than 50% local music and forms utilized.
• African Influenced – Influenced and indigenous dances which originated through colonization and were traditionally practiced in Trinidad and Tobago. See full list of accepted dances in the 2023 Folk Presentation Rules. (see link on last page)
• East Indian Influenced – Influenced and indigenous dances which originated through colonization and were traditionally practiced in Trinidad and Tobago. See full list of accepted dances in the 2023 Folk Presentation Rules. (see link on last page)
• Limbo – Performance of the Limbo dance using traditional features.
• French Influenced– Influenced and indigenous dances which originated through French colonization and were traditionally practiced in Trinidad and Tobago. See full list of accepted dances in the 2023 Folk Presentation Rules.  (see link on last page)
• Soca Dance – Dance using Soca and/or Chutney Soca music from both local and Caribbean artists.

Dramatized Literature:–  This will feature short plays or playlets, for the duration of eight (8) minutes minimum to ten (10) minutes maximum each playlet should consist of  a minimum of six (6) and no more than fifteen (15) actors in the production  based on the following categories:

• Anansi Playlet – Story based on the character Anansi and/or his associates. He often takes the form of a spider and is the Akan God of stories, wisdom, knowledge and trickery.
• Carnival Character Playlet – Story based on the character and distinguishing traits and features of the Carnival characters of T&T. egs. Midnight Robber, Pierrot, Baby Doll etc.
• Ceremonies & Customs Playlet – Story includes a presentation of T&T custom or ceremony. Egs. Wedding (Tobago/Behar), Card Games (egs. All Fours), Christening/First Communion, proverbs, beating a bobolee and many more.

Literature:–  This will feature short story, poetry and village chat.

• Poetry/Spoken Word – Original Poem/Spoken Word performance based on our Folk and Oral Traditions. Poems may be any combination of lyrical, narrative, descriptive and dramatic. This is a solo category with a presentation minimum of three (3) minutes and a maximum of four (4) minutes.
• Short Story – Original story based on our Folk and Oral Traditions. This is a solo category with a presentation minimum of six (6) minutes and a maximum of eight (8) minutes.
• Village Chat – 5-6 Persons discuss important social issues. The objective of the chat is to deepen the understanding and knowledge of the topic and show its relevance to the community. This is a group category with a presentation minimum of 8 mins and a maximum of 10 mins. (see link to village chat rules below)

OVERALL PENALTIES – Applicable to MUSIC, DANCE, DRAMATIZED LITERATURE and LITERATURE

• Time: 1 average point will be deducted for every 20 seconds or part thereof over or under the stipulated time
• Going over or under the stipulated number of performers will lead to a 5 point deduction for each person under or over the limit.

Important links for more information:

Download a copy of the 2023 Folk Presentation Rules here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14s6wBV7iHFwGags6GADJwQa6f1MFVC6E/view?usp=sharing

Visit our website here for more information: https://mscd.gov.tt/community-development/best-village-2023/

See a county map of Trinidad and Tobago here: https://www.ezilon.com/maps/north-america/trinidad-and-tobago-maps.html