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Raw Promotions with representatives of the Dutch- and French-side Carnival committees during the launch of www.rawpromotions-tv.com on Friday night. 

PHILIPSBURG--New foundation Raw Promotions officially launched

www.rawpromotions-tv.com on Friday evening. The website presents calypso news and profiles of the island’s entertainers.

  Foundation President Fernando Clark was joined by French-side Carnival Committee President Philippe Richardson and Dutch-side Carnival Executive Director Michael Granger, who filled in for St. Maarten Carnival Foundation (SCDF) President Alston Laurens. Clark gave a demonstration of the website and its rich content.

   Calypso lovers will see the revival of two calypso tents in 2017, first in Carnival Village in Galisbay, Marigot, on February 21 and the second under the tent at Princess Port de Plaisance on March 18, featuring calypsonians who will be participating in the 2017 NAGICO Calypso Competition,

  Clark thanked SCDF for placing confidence in him and the committee to organise the Senior Calypso Competition for the next three years. “We pledge to make not only the Calypso Competition bigger, but to enhance the calypso art form in St. Maarten for the existing calypsonians and particularly to prospective/new calypsonians,” Clark stated.

  The website will allow radio stations and persons around the world to see the latest news concerning calypso on the island. He said his organisation was also looking into the possibility of having the Calypso monarch perform in other countries' calypso shows as a guest artiste.

  Raw Promotions will be introducing a Hall of Fame soon that will pay homage to persons who contributed to the art of calypso in any way. “This will not only be for performers, but musicians and DJs, etc. I encourage everyone to visit the website and share it with friends. Radio stations are welcome to get songs from calypso artistes from this year’s competition and songs dating back to 1973,” Clark said.

  SCDF continues to build on one of its core principles; to involve as many stakeholders as possible in the organisation and growth of St. Maarten’s Carnival product.

  Richardson said he looked forward to hosting the first calypso tent on the French side of the island in February.