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bloodline@ttol.co.tt
Cultural
callaloo
...of
Carnival, calypso & cuisine
Beautiful
Shari Demas models Spirit of Iere, an all-inclusive section
produced by UWI Vibes in D’Krewe’s C2K9 presentation
of Iere...Virgin Paradise. Photo: SEAN NERO
THE
weekend’s major ports of call are the launchings of
three premier mas bands tomorrow and Sunday.
D’Krewe launches Iere...Virgin Paradise tomorrow at
St John's Hall, Wrightson Road Ext, Port-of-Spain, while
Harts International’s Persian Empire will be simultaneously
unveiled at Trinidad Country Club in Maraval. Music for
the latter event will be by Imij & Co, Kes the Band,
Nadia Batson, and DJs High Fidelity, Less Than Zero, Scooby,
Code 9.
Come Sunday evening, Island People Mas launches Heaven on
Earth, at the Queen’s Park Oval, Woodbrook. Word in
the mill says that the IPM is leaving no stone unturned
to assert itself as hosting the most spectacular of these
events, including having rehearsals for aerial artistes
at a secret location in south Trinidad.
A couple weeks ago, D’Krewe held a preview of Iere...Virgin
Paradise, exclusively for the media. Held at Coliseum II,
D’Krewe executive producers Robert and Sharon Amar
proved to be the perfect hosts, joined by bandleader Roland
St George and Avis, an outstanding caterer from Laventille.
Most significant were the detailed and avant-garde designs
by young artist Kyle Matas, who has been joined in the creative
department by Paulette Guy-James, Dawad Philip and Robert
Miller.
Last weekend also saw the epic launch of Casino Royale by
newcomers Elements, at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, one which raised
the bar for these much loved events. (See Page 5)
Last Saturday, I was as busy as your proverbial bee, judging
Loma’s Executives Can Cook and attending the much hyped
Cro Cro/Sugar Aloes concert, held at St John’s Hall
and the neighbouring Jean Pierre Complex.
At the cook-out, for once Clico wasn’t among the winners
as Algico’s Chicken Orientally Caribbean copped the
award for Best Tasting Dish; We Duck in de Water Taxi earned
British American the Most Original Named Dish award; and,
Beacon Insurance won the Best Presentation Award with its
rasta-influenced Iere booth.
Not meaning to spoil expectations of Sean Nero’s review
in tomorrow’s paper of the calypso show, what I can
say is that it was a riveting experience, with Baron turning
the best performance I saw during my time at the venue.
Awesome!
When
it comes to openings retire the trophy, said the awe-struck
NBC commentator.
The opening ceremony of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China
last Friday defies any superlatives and was by far the best
I’ve ever seen. In fact, aspects of it surpassed anything
I’ve seen.
It was worth every cent of the US$30 billion reportedly
spent on these games.
My one thought is what will Great Britain do for an encore
in 2012 when the modern games celebrate their 30th anniversary.
The
cauldron of the Beijing Olympic Games was lit by former
gymnastics star Li Ning in the National Stadium in north
Beijing on Friday night.
Trinis
too ‘locho’
Pan
continued to hold a place of pride on the weekend when Clico
Sforzata continued its 33rd anniversary celebrations but
there was certainly no pride in the manner in which the
national community supported the milestone.
Helping Sforzata celebrate the moment at its Curepe pan
theatre with some excellent music were Petrotrin Phase II
Pan Groove, Sagicor Exodus and bpTT Renegades.
No one could say where the so-called “lovers of pan”
were on Sunday. With some of the regular faces seen at pan
events in attendance, some suggested that it was the $20
admission fee charged that kept the fair-weather supporters
away. I cringe to think that this could be the reason as
it unfortunately supports a much bandied theory that lovers
of pan are the most loacho supporters of music on the planet.
I deem it utterly shameful that in its native land so many
people still think of our national instrument as a freeco
art form that doesn’t deserve top-dollar patronage.
Imagine, the reigning World Steelband Festival champion,
National Panorama champion, a nine-time champion, and the
Medium Band national champion in concert, at the price of
US$3, and Trinis fail to turn out in vast numbers.
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