Carnival revelry sweeps Savannah ‘We coming!!’

THOUSANDS of Carnival revellers converged on the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday to create a cultural display of epic proportions which once again proved to the world why Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is “The greatest show on earth.” It swept away all fears that Carnival 2005 celebrations in TT would be derailed. Meanwhile,  Shurwayne Winchester was creating a show of his own to retain the Road March crown for a second consecutive year, with his energetic and infectious “Dead or Alive.” From as early as 6 am, revellers attached to the various bands were seen making their way into Port-of-Spain and towards the Savannah.  Many were seen hurriedly donning their costumes and grabbing breakfast on the run.

In stark contrast to Carnival Monday, action in the Savannah started at precisely 8 am with Trini Revellers setting the Merry Monarch’s ship on course with their 2005 offering “Conquest of the Indies” and dethroning Poison’s breakaway band Tribe, as the first band to cross the stage in the Big Yard.  One day earlier, Tribe had taken that honour away from Harts. Dressed in an assortment of colourful feathers and sequins that glittered in the brilliant sunshine which bathed the Savannah, revellers sent the already large, and growing number of patrons back in time to the glory days of the 17th and 18th century Spanish Americas. Their portrayals included swashbuckling pirates, elegant matadors and some masqueraders’ costumes were fashioned like Spanish treasure ships, complete with sails and riggings. 

They were followed by Skandal- Us which urged  the assembled patrons to get “Wicked” with them. The Skandal-Us players portrayed dons, divas and dominatrixes attired in royal blue, black, gold and green costumes. They acted out their various roles to perfection cracking whips and chains in the air, or mimicking sword duels as they danced across the stage. Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis featured prominently in Skandal-Us’ “Sirens” section, garbed in  blue feathers and silver sequins. Community Development and Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams monitored proceedings from the comfort of the Grand Stand while  National Security Minister Martin Joseph made a brief appearance at the Savannah around 9 am to inspect security arrangements there. 

There was a heavy presence of police officers in and around the Savannah while the police helicopter made regular flights over the area. The arrival of Harts’ Colorsion at 10 am was heralded by a cool breeze, some welcome cloud cover from the blistering heat of the sun, and tassa drumming. Led by former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam, attired in a body-hugging costume of shimmering silver sequins and green and purple feathers, Harts cavorted across the stage, creating a rainbow of colours. Masquerade’s Lion Kingdom arrived in the Savannah one hour later to carry all present on a “soca safari” to darkest Africa. Wearing a mix of elaborate lion skin, leopard print and zebra striped costumes, Masquerade’s players mixed well-choreographed dances with wild Carnival abandon to delight their audience.

Legacy hit the Big Yard at 1 pm and through its presentation of “We Not Giving Up,” Big Mike Antoine and Friends showed that life goes on after Legends and reminded Trinis to support the Soca Warriors in today’s World Cup qualifier against the United States at the Queen’s Park Oval. The highlight of Legacy’s presentation included Carnival Queen 2005 Pamela Gordon’s “Fly High Pretty Butterfly,” ball-juggling moko jumbies and flag-waving masqueraders decked off in national colours.  In between the appearance of the big bands, there were memorable performances from sailor band Mt Hope Connection’s “Down Mexico Way” and Brian Skinner and Associates’ devil band “Hurricane Ivan is real hell.” By 4 pm, Poison’s much anticipated “Cherchez La Femme” had reached the Savannah. Overall, there was a smooth and rapid flow of bands across the stage and during the few lulls in the Big Yard, masqueraders and spectators alike took some time to rest and sample some local cuisine.

The Road March race in the Savannah was over well before noon, with  “Dead or Alive” being the song of choice for all the bands gracing the Big Yard. Interestingly, Winchester and Traffik arrived in the Savannah ahead of a section of Legacy entitled “Victory”— as if predicting that the Road March crown would be returning to Tobago for yet another year. Destra Garcia’s “Fly” put up a brief fight early in the day but as the time passed, it became evident that Winchester would retain his title. Deceased soca songbird Onika Bostic was remembered in the Savannah with frequent playing of her last song “All is Yours” by some of the bands. Throughout the day’s proceedings at the Savannah, the announcers welcomed all visitors to TT and all revellers were urged to demonstrate safety and responsibility during the final hours of the Merry Monarch’s reign.