MOULIN ROUGE
From Parisian Bohemia to Caribbean Kaiso:
The Evolution of the Cabaret
In 1889, the Moulin Rouge opened its doors in Montmartre, Paris, rewriting the rules of live entertainment. Born out of a spirit of bohemian rebellion, it collapsed social barriers, bringing together artists, aristocrats, and free spirits under the glowing lights of a red windmill. It was a space where storytelling, satire, and uninhibited expression took center stage, powered by the scandal and spectacle of the French Can-Can.
Fast-forward to Port of Spain: that exact spirit of theatrical grandeur, social commentary, and boundary-pushing performance finds its home in Trinidad's rich kaiso tradition.
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Enter Crackers & Cheese 9: Moulin Rouge – A Calypso Cabaret.
Welcome to Moulin Rouge – A Calypso Cabaret
Guest Performers
Planned Performers
A curated ensemble of five guest musicians joins Stacey Sobers to bring the Moulin Rouge Calypso Cabaret to life in a rare, one-night engagement.
Guest Performer Spotlights
bEHIND tHE cURTAIN
Terri Lyons
Terri Lyons is a dynamic Trinidadian singer, actress, designer, and songwriter. The daughter of soca icon Austin “Super Blue” Lyons, she began performing at age seven and has built an extraordinary career defined by artistic versatility and excellence.
A two-time National Calypso Monarch (2020, 2026) and multi-year reigning Queen of Queens (2022–2025), Terri made history in 2020 as only the fifth woman to capture the monarch title since 1939. Beyond calypso, her accomplishments include starring in the film *Queen of Soca*, collaborating with international stars like Beenie Man, and receiving the 2022 Ministry of Culture award for her contributions to Trinidadian heritage.
Terri tours internationally as a solo artist and continues to uplift her community through the Terri Lyons Still Here Foundation.
Maria Bhola
Maria Bhola Paul is a multi-talented creative entrepreneur from Trinidad and Tobago whose work spans music, fashion, event promotion, and business.
A former National Calypso Queen, Maria has achieved remarkable success as a songwriter, penning songs that earned two National Calypso Monarch titles. Her writing talents have also secured four Queen of Queens regional crowns and brought her to the National Calypso Monarch Finals three times.
Beyond her accomplishments on the stage as a singer and songwriter, Maria is a designer and businesswoman who has built a strong reputation for excellence across all her creative and commercial endeavors. Through her diverse ventures, she continues to inspire, entertain, and empower others, demonstrating that passion and purpose make creativity truly limitless.
mAVIS jOHN
Some voices entertain. Others become part of the soundtrack of generations.
For more than six decades, Mavis John has captivated audiences at home and abroad as a singer, actress and educator, earning her place among Trinidad and Tobago’s most beloved and enduring entertainers.
Her artistry has travelled across generations and borders, but one recording continues to have a life all its own. Her timeless classic, “Use My Body,” has amassed more than 6.5 million streams on Spotify and counting — a remarkable testament to the staying power of her voice and music.
With a career defined by talent, versatility and extraordinary longevity, Mavis represents an era of Trinbagonian artistry that continues to resonate with audiences today.
And now, that unmistakable voice and commanding presence joins us for Crackers & Cheese 9: Moulin Rouge — A Calypso Cabaret.
A true daughter of the soil. A timeless talent. The incomparable Mavis John.
Tigress
Grace Joanne Allison Rowley, known professionally as "Tigress," has been a vital force in calypso since her 1988 debut. Renowned for her powerful voice and authentic storytelling, she is widely celebrated as calypso royalty and a pioneer among female artists, notably as a former member of the iconic group United Sisters.
As a global ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago's culture, Tigress frequently performs at international festivals, conferences, and carnivals across the United States. Her extensive cultural achievements have earned her five official municipal citations.
Offstage, Tigress is a devoted mother and grandmother whose resilience is grounded in her faith and family, particularly following the tragic loss of two sons. Driven by her belief that "the stage ain't got no age," she continues to perform and inspire worldwide audiences with undiminished passion and energy.
kAREN eCCLES
Karen Eccles is a veteran Trinidad and Tobago artiste whose career spans church choirs, drama, Best Village, and major calypso arenas. Entering professional competition in the 1980s, she placed third in Lal Pasaton’s Calypso Queen Competition. Her accomplishments include placing second in the 1995 Song Festival, winning its local leg in 1996, and taking second in the regional CBU competition.
A multi-time finalist in NWAC Queens, Young Kings, and the Calypso Monarch, Eccles captured the NWAC Calypso Queen title in 2004. She has performed with top bands like Earforce and Traffic.
In 2004, Eccles became a founding cast member of Divas Calypso Cabaret International—the nation’s only all-female calypso tent—where she now serves as a Manager. She brings decades of rich experience to Crackers & Cheese 9: Moulin Rouge — A Calypso Cabaret.
Terri Lyons
Calypsonian
Terri Lyons is a dynamic Trinidadian singer, actress, designer, and songwriter. The daughter of soca icon Austin “Super Blue” Lyons, she began performing at age seven and has built an extraordinary career defined by artistic versatility and excellence.
A two-time National Calypso Monarch (2020, 2026) and multi-year reigning Queen of Queens (2022–2025), Terri made history in 2020 as only the fifth woman to capture the monarch title since 1939. Beyond calypso, her accomplishments include starring in the film *Queen of Soca*, collaborating with international stars like Beenie Man, and receiving the 2022 Ministry of Culture award for her contributions to Trinidadian heritage.
Terri tours internationally as a solo artist and continues to uplift her community through the Terri Lyons Still Here Foundation.
Maria Bhola
CaLYPSONIAN
Maria Bhola Paul is a multi-talented creative entrepreneur from Trinidad and Tobago whose work spans music, fashion, event promotion, and business.
A former National Calypso Queen, Maria has achieved remarkable success as a songwriter, penning songs that earned two National Calypso Monarch titles. Her writing talents have also secured four Queen of Queens regional crowns and brought her to the National Calypso Monarch Finals three times.
Beyond her accomplishments on the stage as a singer and songwriter, Maria is a designer and businesswoman who has built a strong reputation for excellence across all her creative and commercial endeavors. Through her diverse ventures, she continues to inspire, entertain, and empower others, demonstrating that passion and purpose make creativity truly limitless.
Maya Roberts
Maya Roberts is an aspiring and inspiring 25-year-old steelpan musician from the hills of Laventille. What began as a childhood hobby at home has grown into a lifelong passion and a central part of her identity.
Today, Maya performs with the legendary 12-time National Panorama Champions, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and functions as a Section leader. Over the years, she has also shared her talent with several other steel orchestras, building valuable experience, honing her skill, and gaining a profound appreciation for the art form.
Always eager to learn and take on new challenges, Maya continuously strives to grow both as a musician and as an individual. Though she has already achieved so much, her musical journey is only just beginning.
We are elated about her presence and this opportunity for us to make this investment in her future and that of our national instrument.
Sally Sagram
CaLYPSONIAN
Joining an extraordinary lineup of Caribbean powerhouses, Sally Sagram brings over 30 years of main-stage mastery to this elite cast. As the fiery lead vocalist of the band Xtreme and a celebrated Chutney Soca Monarch finalist, her dynamic vocal range effortlessly bridges chutney, soca, and crossover fusion.
Famous for hit party anthems like "Handyman," "Go So Nah," and "Put Some Love," Sally commands the stage with explosive energy, magnetic charisma, and seasoned artistry. Recognized with the National Youth Action Committee Top 20 Artiste Award for Excellence, her international performing experience and dedicated advocacy for female empowerment make her a standout force in Caribbean culture.
Known for her high-octane stage presence, Sally is set to deliver an unforgettable, top-tier performance alongside a stellar cast.
Omari Ashby
Omari Ashby is a Trinidadian Rapso artist, cultural researcher, and scholar with over thirty years of experience in performance, production, and community-based cultural work. As one half of the pioneering duo Kindred, he helped define a generation with the anthem "Dis Trini Could Flow" (1992) and has collaborated with artists across the Caribbean and its diaspora. Ashby is a prominent figure in Trinidad and Tobago’s creative and academic communities, bridging oral traditions with intellectual inquiry.
He has performed as a master of ceremonies at major cultural events and mentors youth through the Breaking New Ground training program. Academically, he holds a BA in Carnival Studies (First Class Honours), an MA in Creative Design Entrepreneurship, and is pursuing a PhD in Cultural Studies at The University of the West Indies, where he also lectures. His work explores Rapso, street philosophy, and popular culture as tools for knowledge production and cultural resistance.
mICHELLE hENRY
Michelle A. Henry is a distinguished Trinidadian musician, saxophonist, vocalist, calypsonian, and leader of the *Michelle Henry & D Kaiso Kaiso Encore Band*. Holding a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, she also serves as a Sergeant in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Band.
As the official accompanying band for the National Extempo and Freestyle competitions, *Encore* is celebrated for its musical spontaneity and versatility. The band has been featured in major events including *Baron in Concert*, *Vibrations at Sound Forge*, the *100 Years of the Calypso Tent Celebration*, and four consecutive years of *Hamidullah in Concert*.
Beyond performing, Michelle served as musical director for *Queen of the Road: A Calypso Rose Musical* and created **"Conversations in Calypso,"** an educational series dedicated to preserving calypso’s history. Through performance, scholarship, and mentorship, Michelle remains a vital force in Caribbean culture.
Kadija Jeremiah
Kadija Jeremiah** is a versatile Trinidadian vocalist and songwriter blending Calypso, Jazz, Soul, and Caribbean Pop. Known for her expressive phrasing, smooth tonal control, and dynamic stage presence, she delivers authentic performances across both intimate jazz settings and vibrant calypso arenas.
Her experience includes serving as a lead vocalist for Trinidad and Tobago’s national Divine Echoes Orchestra and holding a three-year tenure as the lead singer for the Louis and the Lynx Band.
As a songwriter, Kadija has collaborated with internationally renowned artistes such as Machel Montano and Patrice Roberts. She has also backed major calypsonians as a background vocalist.
Her accolades include placing 3rd in the 2025 Divas Calypso Tent Competition, reaching the Top 40 semi-finals for the 2025 Calypso Monarch, and advancing as a finalist in the 2026 NWAC Queen of Calypso competition.
Sally Sagram
Joining an extraordinary lineup of Caribbean powerhouses, Sally Sagram brings over 30 years of main-stage mastery to this elite cast. As the fiery lead vocalist of the band Xtreme and a celebrated Chutney Soca Monarch finalist, her dynamic vocal range effortlessly bridges chutney, soca, and crossover fusion.
Famous for hit party anthems like "Handyman," "Go So Nah," and "Put Some Love," Sally commands the stage with explosive energy, magnetic charisma, and seasoned artistry. Recognized with the National Youth Action Committee Top 20 Artiste Award for Excellence, her international performing experience and dedicated advocacy for female empowerment make her a standout force in Caribbean culture.
Known for her high-octane stage presence, Sally is set to deliver an unforgettable, top-tier performance alongside a stellar cast.
