Savannah heats up after lunch

There were no deadbeats crossing the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday as masqueraders eased the tension in a romping, wining and waving frenzy. The parade of the bands at the “Big Yard” got off to a late start with a brief welcome and without the playing of the national anthem. Scheduled to start at 11 am, the first band Tribe led by Dean Ackin was stageside at 11.49 am. For reasons unknown to the scant audience in the Grand Stand and North Stand, masqueraders in Tribal Fantasy had to wait another 15 minutes before they could get on stage. The 18-section band led by Mojave comprised mainly female masqueraders dressed in blue and silver. Other sections followed to the sound of Shurwayne Winchester’s “Dead or Alive.”

While there was an attempt to identify each section with banners, the sections were a mix of costumed and non-costumed players. On Carnival Monday, judging is for the band of the day and king and queen of the day, but serious judging takes place today when revellers come out in full costume. The weather was good and euphoria was etched on the smiling faces. King of Tribe and King of Carnival Curtis Eustace, portraying War Chant, D Rise of Tatanka, was at the rear of the band. Contrasting the beads and bikinis which went before were The Original Jab Jab’s presentation of The Whip Masters.

Dressed in traditional attire — brightly coloured, black striped costumes — the jab jabs put on a brief show of their skills with the whip. Harts Ltd, which once held the distinction of being first band to cross the stage, had to settle for fourth on stage with its 19-section band Colorison after it followed Rhapsody in Blue’s Blue Demon band complete with fire breathing blue demons crawling on their bellies. The Road March race is on full speed ahead with “Dead or Alive,” a popular tune of choice.

In a repeat of last year’s competition, Destra Garcia is again vying for the title (against Winchester) with her catchy ditty “Fly.” But there is stiff competition from former Road March holder Iwer George with his 2005 hit song, “Tension,” and KMC’s “First Experience.” Last year’s Band of the Year Trini Revellers’ presentation of Conquest of the Indies was heralded with the appearance of its queen Inez Gould portraying Hispaniola. Several individuals followed before masqueraders took over. There were ten large bands registered, 12 medium, 18 small and 25 mini. Only three large bands had crossed the Savannah stage by mid-afternoon.