Mas in May

A slice of what Legacy intends to unleash on Point Fortin tomorrow.

Exactly 38 years ago, history was created when T&T Carnival was celebrated in May, on May 1-2 to be exact. Well, history is about to repeat itself with more mas in May—a double dose actually—with the snap General Elections scheduled for May 24, and Point Fortin Borough Day mas taking place tomorrow. All roads lead to Point Fortin from as early as tonight for the start of Borough Day mas, beginning with J’Ouvert celebrations at 5 am. With the festivities already at fever pitch from this past week’s daily activities, today’s events include a birthday party at Coronation Park and a Fireworks Display tonight, at the same venue.

Hopefully tomorrow’s steelband and costume parade will not be like the 1972 Carnival, when torrential rain played havoc with the people’s mas. Following tomorrow’s J’Ouvert through the streets of the Borough, after lunch will see the parade of traditional and pretty mas. There have been rumours of some stakeholders baulking at the idea at having the latter, preferring to keep the street parade exclusively for traditional costumes

Models Soowan Bramble, Candice Worrell and Karlon Richards display Chinese and African costumes for Royalty’s J’Ouvert presentation titled Real Unity.

Pretty mas on parade
Nonetheless, expected to create a sensation through the streets of Point Fortin, from 3 pm, are 2010 Band of the Year (Medium) Ronnie & Caro, and perennial favourite Legacy, led by “Big Mike” Antoine and Juliet de la Bastide. Said Legacy bandleader, Big Mike, this week, “this is a wonderful opportunity to again promote our culture and keep Carnival alive outside of the regular season. “At the same time, we also give back to our masqueraders who look forward to a day of culture, fun and another ‘jump’ in their Carnival 2010 costumes.”

Mike assured that Legacy’s celebration, like that of Ronnie & Caro, on the streets of Point Fortin, will be an all-inclusive experience, as free drinks and snacks will be provided, as well as round trip transport by bus from Port-of-Spain. Music will be provided by MK Promotions, featuring top radio DJs and personalities, and Legacy’s security will be in full effect. Carib leads a slew of sponsors, including Blue Waters, Coca Cola, Angostura and Digicel, of whom Big Mike was high in praise. To be a part of Legacy for Point Fortin Borough Day, further information can be obtained by calling 362-5959; or, Legacy Mas Camp (622-7466), between 10am-6.30 pm.

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Chairman of the National Carnival Commission Howard Chin Lee says bandleaders should concentrate more on “the injection of culture over financial gain.” He spoke in a telephone interview yesterday shortly after hosting a news conference to announce winners of this year’s Carnival at a press briefing at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Brian Mac Farlane’s Resurrection—The Mas, copped the George Bailey Band of the Year in the large category. The band also copped this year’s Band of the Year (large) in Downtown Port-of-Spain.

Second place Downtown went to Trini Revellers with its production of Festivals of the World, while Spice with its production, The Spice Route, was third. These results of the Downtown Band of the Year Competition (large) were announced by Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown during a news conference late yesterday at the mayor’s office. It was Mac Farlane’s fourth victory—starting with India (2007) Earth—Cries of Despair; Wings of Hope (2008) and Africa (2009). He was followed by Trini Revellers (Festivals of the World) and Legacy (Masala) in the George Bailey Band of the Year Competition. Mac Farlane got the judges’ nod with his fully-clothed presentation of traditional mas characters which included Blue Devils, Pierrot Grenades and Dame Lorraines.

Chin Lee said: “I am hoping the proprietors would concentrate more on the injection of culture rather than financial gain.
“It ought to be the priority. I am hoping Mac Farlane can inspire many of the new bandleaders and proprietors of large bands to become more creative and more traditional in their approach to Carnival.” Mac Farlane also co-ordinated a cultural presentation for the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference. “Mac Farlane certainly made us proud with his presentation. He enacted the glory days of Carnival and made us reminisce on Carnival of yesteryear. He made us proud to be Trinbagonians,” Chin Lee said. He had launched the band in the azure waters of Buccoo Reef, Tobago.

Chin Lee also was optimistic fellow bandleaders would take a leaf from Mac Farlane’s book. He said: “I hope it is a turning point in our presentation of mas for all bandleaders.
“Resurrection was an excellent portrayal of ‘ole time mas’ and Mac Farlane resurrected the mas.” Chin Lee said he was “pleased with the final outcome of Carnival 2010.”

Savannah results

George Bailey Band of the Year (large)
1. Resurrection: The Mas—Mac Farlane
2. Festivals of the World—Trini Revellers
3. Masala—Legacy
4. Matrix—Showtime Trinidad
5. The Spice Route—Spice Carnival Band

Harold Saldenah Band of the Year (medium):
1. Tribute—Ronnie and Caro—The Mas Band
2. The Journey—Rosalind Gabriel and Village Production
3. Call Dat George—D Midas T&T
4. Salvaje—D Krewe
5. Fire and Ice—Trevor Wallace and Associates

Lil Hart Band of the Year (small):
1. Inner Circle of the Pow Pow—Tribal Connection
2. Music—De BOSS
3. Pirates and Plunderers—The Belmont Jewels
4. Cobo Town—Cat In Bag Production
5. A Traditional Fiesta—The Original Jab Jab

Mack Copeland Band of the Year (mini):
1. Hatching Blue Devil—Rhapsody In Blue
2. Path Finder—Henry Ramdin and Associates
3. The “Premonts” Over and Beyond the Horizon—Something’s Out There
4. Apache Land—Village People
5. Ah Playing Wicked Jab Jab—2001 Jab Malassie

Individual of the Year—male:
1. D’ Head Hunter—Keith Tinto
2. King Clown Clowning Around—Albert Lewis
3. The Prince of Babtunde—Jackie Cumberbatch
4. Moon Over Venice—Mark Peno
5. Ceremonial Drummer—Aldalcio Lewis

Individual of the Year—female:
1. Dry Savannah—Elizabeth Thomas
2. Mother of Bambara—Alendra Bailey
3. Hit Me With Music—Michelle Waldron
4. Chyan Princess —Lorraine Farrell
5. Turaga-Vakama Keeper Of The Gates To The Beyond—Nakisha Mc Gillivery

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