The first heavy downpour, at 10.10 pm, had those seated and standing in the open scurrying for cover under and back of the stage, while frantic efforts were made by stagehands to cover the electronic equipment and TV cameras. The other, occurred about balf an hour later, produced just about the same result.

Kisskidee Kaiso Karavan is not a regular Calypso Tent. Rather, it is an entertaining programme of local talent with a number of interesting inputs that would seemingly appeal to many tastes.

Nineteen performers were on the programme's playbill. Some offered conventional calypso, others showcased the rapso/dub hybrid, and the remainder had the crowd partying to the "wine and jam" selections.

Earlier on the programme, Eagle, clad in a Scottish kilt, brought the crowd to life with a ditty he called. "Count In The Mirror." This was the only truly, humour-based calypso heard on the programme. But there was a singer called Valton Matthew, whom MC Errol Fabien said was given a chance to perform because of his persistency. Accompanying himself on guitar, he sang, "Just In The Meantime," and returned for a double encore.

The Karavan's calypso stars - Stalin, Shadow, Sparrow, and Duke (SuperBlue did not perform) - showcased their 1994 material. From Stalin came "Nation Of Importers" and "Let The Soca Play"; Shadow did "Poverty Is Hell" and "The Problem Is"; Duke offered "Home Cooking"; and Sparrow did "Ramgoat Advice" and "Cowboy Justice".

From the rapso/dub group, General Grant kept the youths present happy with "Sees Ram Ram"; Homefront did "Boom Generation" and "Roll It" Kindred also performed. Then there was Ajala's "Stick It Up" and "Tidal Wave"; Allan Welch with "Leggo The Bam Bam" and Anselm Douglas' "Ragga Town Poom."

Oldstagers, Viking and Pretender, gave acceptable performances, Prince Unique won the first encore with "Ouch", there were many "wider" girls to support the party songs, and Roy Cape Cape's orchestra gave solid backing to the acts.