Traditional upstages modern in the Big Yard

TRADITIONAL MAS returned to the Queen’s Park Savannah with a vengeance yesterday and showed its modern day counterpart how Carnival was meant to be played in the Big Yard. In fact, the return of traditional characters like Sailors, Red Indians, Devils and Midnight Robbers proved both entertaining and delightful for spectators who told Newsday they were fed up with the seeming obsession by Carnival bands with “jump and wine”.

As is customary at the Big Yard on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Harts was the first band to cross the stage around 8.10 am with their 2003 presentation “The Strip” and they treated the early spectators to the glamour and excitement of Las Vegas.  Next up at 9.12 am were Trini Revellers with “Gathering of the Tribes” who showcased the indigenous tribes of the Americas with their mix of colourful plumage and intricately designed costumes as they danced to the pulsating sounds of JMC Triveni with uncanny agility. They were followed by Brian Tico Skinner and Associates’ presentation of  “Kidnapping is Hell” and Funtasia’s  “Colours of the Wind”. However the stars of the Big Yard were undoubtedly Mt Hope Connection’s “A Sailor’s Dream”. They demonstrated through their well choreographed dance moves and immaculately white sailor uniforms, that traditional Carnival is truly alive and kicking. The assembled patrons in the North and Grand Stands applauded and cheered wildly as the sailors finished their routine and the sailors responded in kind with a salute.

Next up was the Midnight Robber band, Mystery Raiders with its “Ye Robbers of Marli Street” presentation. In their trademark linguistic style, the robbers warned about the looming threat of war in Iraq and the presence of “weapons of mass destruction” in Trinidad. One robber even wore a George W Bush face mask to press home his point on Iraq while another dragged around a float depicting a barricade at the US Embassy on Marli Street. Though Peter Minshall vowed that his “Ship of Fools” would not enter the Big Yard’s port of call, one of his sailors strangely found himself in the Grand Stand. When defending Band of the Year Legends arrived at the Savannah with “Bedazzled” at 11.02 am, it seemed like Big Mike Antoine had taken a cue from Mt Hope Connection. Dashing back and forth between the various sections, Antoine led his masqueraders in a frenzied but free-flowing dance instead of the normal jump and wine routine. The Legends players rose to the challenge, transforming the Big Yard into a kaleidoscope of colour and emitting waves of energy in all directions. On hand was 2003 King of the Band Curtis Eustace with a scaled down version of his “D Sky is D Limit” costume.

Also gracing the Savannah stage were former Panorama champs Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars with their sailor band while new champions Exodus made an appearance. As far as the Road March race goes, Faye Ann Lyons’ “Display” was the runaway favourite with the DJs and she even got help from fellow artistes Allison Hinds, Ronnie McIntosh and Destra Garcia who all sang her song. David Rudder and Carl Jacobs’ “Trini to D Bone” was another crowd favourite, while National Soca Monarch Iwer George’s “Ah Home” received limited airplay.
Poison’s “Fleurs de Passion” was entering the Savannah around 1.44 pm with Barbarossa’s “Comme Se Comme Sa” somewhere in their wake.  Among the celebrities playing mas with Poison was “Young and The Restless” actress Victoria Rowell (Drucilla Winters). A total of ten medium, 16 small, 17 mini and five large bands are competing for top honours in their respective categories. There was a heavy police presence at the Savannah with uniformed officers patrolling the grounds on foot and on horseback while the National Security helicopter flew overhead a few times. National Carnival Commission (NCC) security officers were also kept busy ushering band after band across the stage. Senate president Dr Linda Baboolal and her husband Michael chose to observe the festivities from the comfort of the Grand Stand, while Health Minister Colm Imbert opted to mingle with masqueraders on the Savannah track. National Carnival Commission Chairman Kenny De Silva also observed activities from the Grand Stand and appeared pleased with what he saw.