Notting Hill Carnival told - 'change or you're cancelled'

Carnival organisers were told to get their act together and comply with a report on noise and safety - or the event will be scrapped.

If carnival 2009 goes ahead Kensington and Chelsea Council is determined it will be smaller and pose less of a noise problem.
Funding will be refused and permission to use the streets will be revoked if it does not implement the reports recommendations.
Rioting
Last year there was a record number of arrests, 307, double the number of 2007.
11,000 officers tackling the event in a £6 million operation were attacked, glassed, pelted with missiles and confronted all day with everything from knife wielding hoodlums and drunks to dangerous dogs.
A final decision will be made next Friday.
Organisers pre-empt report
Organisers moved to pre-empt the report by suggesting changes to this years carnival - with nearly two million people descending on the residential area of West London on the August Bank Holiday, it is the biggest street festival in Europe.
Chris Boothman, LNHC’s company secretary if trouble kicked off again they would be prepared to stop the event.
He also said they would work with police on working out a sound-system decibel limit, floats would start an hour earlier at 9am, more stewards, encourage people to decant their drink into plastic containers and hand out earplugs to revellers.
A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea said:
"If these (plans) are made to the satisfaction of the council, then we will support the ­Notting Hill Carnival 2009."

soure

PRESIDENT BARACK H OBAMA 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Mas bands forced to downsize sections

SHALIZA HASSANALI 

Models showcase different costumes at National Carnival Commission’s launch of Carnival 2009, at the Brian Lara Promenade on Friday. PHOTO: DILIP SINGH

The global financial meltdown and falling oil prices are taking its toll on Carnival 2009, as some bandleaders have seen a sharp decrease in registration, forcing some to downsize their sections. Peter Samuel, PRO of Masquerade, admitted that the global recession was beginning to throw a damper on some bands, as foreigners who religiously supported them for Carnival were now pulling back.

“A lot of these people lost their jobs abroad when the stock market crashed last year, and are unable to play mas until they get back on their feet, while others are watching how they spend their money.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning told the House of Representatives on Wednesday that the Government would issue bonds and implement further budgetary cuts as a direct result of the global financial crisis. Last year, Masquerade catered for 1,000 revellers, each of whom paid $2,000 to play in the all-inclusive section. This year, it has reduced its registration capacity to 600, but promised to maintain its 12 sections at the same price for its 2009 portrayal, Let The Music Play.

Virtual standstill

Samuel said Masquerade wanted to revamp its medium-sized band, but had a change of heart, because of the global recession. “If we had only done that, our costumes would have been a little more expensive, and people would have turned elsewhere. This, however, is contrary to what Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister Marlene Mc Donald stated during Thursday’s post-Cabinet meeting, that there was an increase—and not a decline—in registration at mas camps.

“There has been a 35 per cent increase in 2009,” Mc Donald insisted at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair. Vanessa Forde, president and bandleader of Classix Productions, a popular children’s band, complained that registration was at a virtual standstill, even though costumes were priced between $650 and $1,295. “Half of January has passed and only 30 parents have registered. By now, we should have had doubled that figure. Last year things were much better,” said Forde, who will showcase seven sections under the theme Hidden.

Approximately 140 children registered with Classix Productions last year. Next week, Forde said they would advertise at all primary schools to boost registration. South’s veteran bandleader Ivan Kalicharan said registration for this year was not as good, compared to years gone by. “People are not coming in the way they normally do. By the end of this month we would see how things unfold,” said Kalicharan, who will display seven sections, two of which are all-inclusive.

The price of Kalicharan’s costumes range from $950 to $1,800. Portraying A Spectrum in the Sea, Kalicharan said he wondered where Mc Donald got her registration figures from. Bandleader and managing director of Gerard Kelly Children’s Band said by mid-January he would already have closed off registration.

Scouting around

“But this is not the case. I have only registered under 75 per cent of my clients,” said Kelly, whose costumes are priced between $895 and $1,595. Kelly had plans of switching his band this year from medium to large, to accommodate 200 children, but changed his mind. Kelly said Minister Mc Donald had her facts all mixed up. Leader of Genesis, Ian McKenzie, said it was too early to tell if his band would be affected.

“By the end of January I would know how things would unfold. That’s when people would collect their salaries and pay for their costumes,” McKenzie explained. Involved in mas-making for more than 25 years, McKenzie’s medium-sized band will grace the streets of Port-of-Spain with its portrayal Glitz and Glamour Vegas, comprising ten sections, two more than last year. McKenzie said they had catered for 800 revellers, who would have to fork out between $2,500 and $2,995 per costume.

“Right now, people are scouting around for deals to suit their pockets. They have been taking Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s call to tighten their belts.”

TRINIDAD GUARDIAN

RIP MIGHTY DUKE

paying homage: Dr Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool speaks about the career of calypso icon The Mighty Duke during an October 2007 tribute in his honour hosted by the University of Trinidad and Tobago at the Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain. -Photo: ROBERTO CODALLO

The Mighty Duke is dead. The seventy-six-year-old veteran calypsonian yesterday died of myelofibrosis at the Ellerslie Private Hospital in St Clair around 1 p.m. He was rushed there at noon on Tuesday after taking a turn for the worse. Just last week he had undergone a blood transfusion as part of treatment for the incurable disease that prevents the body from producing new blood cells . He had battled against it for the past five years. In spite of his illness, the Mighty Duke stole the show at the Klassic Russo Calypso Tent last year with his witty calypso "Doh Say I Say", which left audiences in stitches at very show. He was the consummate artiste to the very end, commanding attention by just his mere presence. Had he survived the illness, Duke would have been performing a calypso entitled "Do Better For Calypso" at the Klassic Russo Calypso Tent for the 2009 Carnival season. Born Kelvin Pope in Point Fortin in 1932, Duke left a potentially lucrative career in the oil industry to become a full-time calypsonian, having started performing his calypsoes while still working at the Shell Oil Company. Duke's family thought him mad when he walked away from his job to write and perform calypso and his wife even left him, but Duke was confident he would make it. Duke more than made it. He went on to become the most versatile calypsonian ever and accomplished what none ever did-winning the National Calypso Monarch title four years in a row. He was promoting black consciousness before the idiom was coined and will always be remembered as the best-dressed calypsonian there was. In his time, Duke created and mastered every genre of calypso and his many classic works have explored social issues, black pride, political issues, humorous topics, double entendre and romance. He did jump and wine calypsoes, music for the steelpan and so much more music and calypsoes that were considered out of the proverbial box. He also composed hit songs for others, including Lord Nelson. Duke's professional career began at a small tent in Point Fortin during the 1950s and in the early 1960s he moved on to the Southern Brigade Calypso Tent in San Fernando. He came to Port of Spain in 1964, performing at the Original Young Brigade, quickly becoming the biggest threat to The Mighty Sparrow. In 1968, Duke claimed his first National Calypso Monarch title with "What Is Calypso" and "Social Bacchanal". He went on to hold on to the title for the next three years-in 1969 with "Black Is Beautiful" and "One Foot Visina", in 1970 singing "Brotherhood of Man" and "See Through" then in 1971 performing "Mathematical Formula" and "Melvine & Yvonne". In 1987, Duke won the National Road March title with "Thunder". In 1970, he was awarded the Hummingbird Medal Silver for his contribution to the calypso artform. express Calypso world mourns The Mighty Duke The Dying Art—penned for ’09 Monarch contest ANIKA GUMBS-SANDIFORD | 10:03 PM Published: January 14th, 2009 Kelvin Pope ...The Mighty Duke Ailing calypso icon Kelvin Pope’s (The Mighty Duke) last wish was to enter the 2009 Calypso Monarch. The four-time Calypso Monarch and former Road March winner spent his last days in the studio of his Cocorite home where he penned the calypso, The Dying Art. The song, which tells of the dying calypso culture being replaced by soca music, is one of the many tunes Duke had begun writing to contest this year’s Calypso Monarch. Originally from Handell Road, Point Fortin, Duke, 77, who was suffering with myelofibrosis, passed away at the Ellerslie Park Private Hospital around 1.05 pm yesterday, where he had been admitted on Tuesday after complaining of feeling ill. His wife Rebecca John-Pope, son Wendell and calypsonian Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, were at his bedside when he took his last breath. “He wanted to sing for Carnival...Duke had planned to enter the Calypso Monarch,” his grieving wife said yesterday as she left Guides Funeral Home in Port-of-Spain. “For hours he sat down in his office writing songs because he was determined to participate in calypso competitions this year, but it was not be.” Ensuring that he was prepared for the Carnival season, John-Pope said her husband had dropped off several yards of suiting material at his tailor in Trincity. “He bought several pieces of material and gave it to his tailor...He wanted to collect the suits in time for the opening week of the Klassic Ruso tent where he was carded to perform,” she said. “He wanted to make sure that everything was in place for his performance.” John-Pope said hours before Duke died, he was in a happy mood. “He was filled with so much of humour that when the doctor was unable to find his vein, he told him to bring a hammer and nail everyone one was laughing...I cannot believe he is gone.” As news of Duke’s death spread yesterday, the calypso fraternity extended condolences to the family. Chairman of the south region of Trinidad Unified Calypso Organisation (Tuco) Steve Pascall expressed shock over his sudden passing. Pascall said Duke’s death came on the heels of another calypsonian, Clarence Butler, better known as Saccharine who died on Monday. “The entire calypso fraternity is mourning...Even though we knew he was ailing, we did not expect his death at this time, especially during Carnival season,” he said. “Tuco will help in any way possible. ” Offering to assist with funeral arrangements, chairman of the Community Development, Culture and Celebrations committee, Councillor Sean Bharath, also expressed shock over Duke’s death. “We have lost a legend. The Mighty Duke contribution to Point Fortin has been immense and infinite,” he said. Myelofibrosis Myelofibrosis is a form of leukaemia affecting bone marrow, and is most common in people over 50. The condition gradually changes bone marrow into scar tissue, inhibiting the bone marrow tissue to create new cells. Source: www.wisegeek.com GUARDIAN

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year readers, and may Gods blessings of health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity fall upon you all, and may all your hopes and dreams be accomplished through hard work, and  unshaken determination.

Mass Assassin.

Jan 1st 2009