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T&T
Carnival marks 16...not a century
I
wasn’t going to say anything about it but the crazy notion
that T&T Carnival is celebrating its 100th anniversary
in 2005 has taken root in North America and is spreading like
wildfire.
Apparently this misinformation was deliberately set during
the year by people wishing to capitalise on the surge of tourists
such an anniversary would generate.
Quite amazingly, many who hold high office in politics and
state agencies, and whose portfolios include administration
of T&T Carnival and culture, as well as their marketing,
don’t even know when our national festival started; far
less which anniversary is being celebrated in C2K5.
I also suspect that some people are deliberately remaining
mum on this miscarriage of historical fact as this will redound
to significant fiscal profits for their agencies.
For the records, T&T Carnival is directly appended to
Emancipation.
Slavery ended on August 1, 1838, with the first masquerade
on the streets held the following year.
T&T Carnival marked its 150th birthday in 1989, an auspicious
historic milestone commemorated with the publication of the
comprehensive Parade of the Carnivals of Trinidad 1839-1989,
by historian Michael Anthony.
In fact, 100 years ago, T&T Carnival was in dire straits,
as the population was upset with the administration for introducing
repressive legislation, like the Waterworks Ordinance of 2003.
The first significant parade was in 1919, titled The Victory
Carnival, with full sponsorship by the Trinidad Guardian.
So, for C2K5, T&T Carnival would be actually celebrating
its 166th anniversary, and definitely not its 100th.
Carec
scores with Parang fest
Patrons
attending Saturday’s inaugural Carec Parang Fest got
much more than their money’s worth.
Many expressed surprise, having paid $125 for the “semi-inclusive”
ticket, to turn up at Carec’s Federation Park premises
to be treated to not just a dozen super parang groups, but
a range of premium liquor, pelau and tasty cutters, valuable
giveaways of trips to Tobago and free costumes, and some risque
comedy by television/radio personality Debbie Maillard, aka
Philomena Alexis Baptiste.
It was also an evening of much fun for adults and children
alike, including musical chairs for the grown ups.
Among the bands entertaining the dancing audience were Lara
Brothers, Carib Santa Rosa, Los Paraderos de UWI, Salsa Picante,
Los Ninos de Santa Rosa, and Rui Senores.
Carec human resource manager Patrick Grell expressed satisfaction
over the public’s reaction to this initial effort, especially
as it clashed with other mega events, like San Fernando Jazz
Festival, Best Village, UWI Wine & Cheese Festival, QRC
Old Boys’ Association Dinner and the premiere of Silver
Stars’ Parang & Steel.
He said: “As a pilot effort we are more than pleased.
You can bet we will be doing this again in 2005, with maybe
just a few minor adjustments.”
Witco
Desperadoes manager Dr Finbar Fletcher takes a sip while Community
Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister Joan Yuille-Williams
(right) chats with First Secretary at the Embassy of the People’s
Republic of China, Lin Dejun.
Photo:
Andre Alexander
Playing
mas with Despers
One
highlight of the long holiday weekend was Friday’s launch
of a double CD by Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and sponsor
Witco, the latter celebrating its 100th anniversary.
The event was held at Bois Cano, Kapok Hotel, and among specially
invited guests were Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams
and Laventille West MP Eulalie James, as well as Pan Trinbago
secretary Richard Forteau.
Apart from the long and enticing repertoire performed by the
Laventille band, the speeches and delectable delicacies served,
it was also announced that Desperadoes is intent on making
a serious impression on Tuesday mas in C2K5.
Mas co-ordinator Julien “Vice” Cudjoe disclosed
the presentation is titled Of Signs and Designs, designed
by veteran artist Anthony Boland.
Cudjoe said the band will be launched at a mammoth celebration,
which will also include the public launch of the double CD,
tentatively on the Brian Lara Promenade in December.
Guests in attendance were also fortunate to get a sneak preview
of what could very well be Despers’ 2005 Panorama selection,
Action by Emmanuel “Oba” Synette.
At first hearing, I’ve decided that this is Oba’s
best work to date for pan.
BLOODNOTES
A
smiling Leandra Head poses on set with Centre Stage hosts
Richard Pierre (right) and Hazel Ward, and accompanist Maurice
Connor.
Photo: Andrea De Silva
SHUBHA
DIVALI:
Confused, I sought a verification from Hindu scribe/scholar
and my friend, Ravi-ji to determine the correct spelling of
the greeting for Divali. I wondered having seen no fewer than
four different versions of the correct term in newspapers
over the weekend.
What I did learn is that because it is a translation, some
ways of transliteration would have a stroke on the S to indicate
a sibilant “s.” The “h” should be “ha.”
Some people, not seeing the “a,” drop it in the
translitation. So it’s not Shubb Divali or Shubh Divali,
but Shubha Divali.
It is like spelling daal as dhal, all symptomatic of the corruption
we have accepted on ourselves, perpetuating our inherent laziness
and lack of enquiry on vital information on our roots as African
and Indian peoples in a plural society.
MORE MARCIA MORE:
PARANG SOCA Queen Marcia Miranda is to have even more support
as she continues her battle with breast cancer.
The former BWIA stewardess was serenaded a fortnight ago by
her colleagues in calypso at the Mas Camp Entertainment Centre
in Woodbrook.
A repeat is planned on December 10, at St James Amphitheatre,
on the Western Main Road.
Among the artistes expected to perform in this fund-raiser
for Marcia are 3Canal, H2O Phlo, BWIA Invaders and CSF Pantasy,
featuring Duvonne Stewart.
Leandra on centre stage:
On Sunday evening, make sure you tune in to Centre Stage on
NBN-TTT to catch the feature on Leandra Head.
The 10-year-old, who shot into the spotlight last year with
a guest appearance at the We Beat WeTalent Amateur Night Concert,
returned earlier this year to actually cop the title.
On Sunday evening, Leandra will be one of the star guests
on the popular programme, hosted by Hazel Ward and Richard
Pierre, with accompaniment by the evergreen Maurice Connor.
Outta de Blue:
Advanced tickets for Queen’s Royal College’s Outta
De Blue VI go on sale on Monday.
Bookings can be made via The QRC Foundation (622-2544); or
by calling the following members of the organising committee:
Mortimer—623-9291; Waaz—628-4361; Ainsley—624-4569;
Richard—795-0050; or, Tony—627-4148.
Outta De Blue VI takes place on January 8, 2005.
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