OVERTIMETT Interviews Stephen Derek.

This is the most eye opening Stephen Derek interview I’ve seen in a long time.  I have to give the people at OVERTIMETT.COM kudos for the foresight applied in interviewing one of the few living producing band leader/ mas men whose name is called in the same group of legends such as Minshall, Berkley, Bailey, and LeeHung.

Stephen Derek

Stephen Derek born in 1952 is the absolute mas man he designs and constructs his works and is without a doubt a cultural ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago as he has taken mas and the art form of mas around the world. In this interview Derek not only talks of his band and his contribution to mas over the years, but he also criticises the current crop of “band leaders” and bikini bands that he calls “two piece and fries “, he also

mentions some critical truths about those that market the festival to shores outside Trinidad.

Once again, kudos must be given to Overtimett.com for providing a fantastic interview with a living legend of the carnival art form mas.

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Masquerade 2000: Notting Hill Carnival 2010. 'The Gift'. Official Photos

Since yesterdays post, M2K have updated their FB page and added some official photos, with more to follow.

Carnival Art
An expression of freedom, a celebration of culture, it is who we are and what we know. Feathers, Gems, Sequins and Braids.
It's the combination of movement, Street theatre, spectacle and opinion. It's the portrayal of a single thought that becomes much more than an idea.
The art often requires a wearer to bring it to life and is classified as "costume".
Carnival art is functional, with the ability to shock, amaze and inspire.
This is our point of view
This is OUR movement.

PRICES

Cultural Artisans : SOLD OUT

Cyber Angels: Adult: £80. Children: £35

Graffiti: Adult: £80. Children: £45

Futurism: Adults: £120. Children:£55

Carnival Arts: Adults £120. Children: £55

Optical Art: Adults £120. Children: £55

Pop Art: Adults £120. Children: £55

Las Lap: Adults £40. Children: £20

There is an Early Bird offer for Adults £10 and Children £5. - Booked before May 31st

Student Price - 15% discount on all costumes deposit/booked before June 15th

T&C

Early Bird offer is for members and non-members. Once you have booked a costume using this offer you will not be able to change sections.

Children are classed from the age of 5 - 12yrs the same as the airlines

Students must show valid ID with their picture, year of study and name of college

Deposit 20% of total price of a costume paid in full. Deposits are non refundable.

All Early Bird Offer costumes must be paid by July 31st or costume will be resold

Prices vary depending on Members or Non Member Status.

Youths encouraged to embrace art of mas

Junior masqueraders continue to be true creative ambassadors of T&T, judging from the spirit they displayed during the national Carnival festival, with a standard of behaviour that is nothing short of commendable. That’s the view of Hermia Tyson-Cuffie, deputy permanent secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs. Speaking at the National Carnival Band’s Association (NCBA) distribution of prizes held at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, on April 12, she cited the energy the young revellers displayed during the 2010 Junior Parade of Bands.

In her view, the applause and positive reviews they received from both local and foreign onlookers was testimony of their quality pageantry. “Junior Carnival has the potential to become a major stimulus for engaging our youth in productive activities and to erode negative stereotypes in youth development,” said Tyson-Cuffie. She added: “But this can only become a reality if more of our youth appreciate the value of the Carnival arts to national development. Our Carnival emerged out of the skills, creativity and artistry of simple people in our communities. The pioneers of our Carnival have done an excellent job and it is now up to our youth to sustain our world-class status.”

Tyson-Cuffie said more and more young people should become involved in junior Carnival, which is now emerging as a reliable training ground for future adult mas producers and masquerders. She’s convinced that training programmes in the schools and the communities will nurture the new masquerader—one who can make his or her own mas. “In light of the global economic crisis and the increasing cost of production, the self-sufficient masquerader will be an asset. Further, a new wave of Carnival craft producers will emerge to take advantage of the opportunities in the emerging cultural industries. “Our junior masqueraders should not only play mas for enjoyment or to impress others. They must play mas with a purpose. Participating in junior Carnival must be seen as an opportunity for self-development and the development of our national culture.”

SEAN NERO

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