Bands in a rage downtown

Despite the slow start to the parade of bands yesterday in downtown Port-of-Spain, the crowds which gathered in the stands to witness the “greatest show on earth” were not disappointed as they were treated to small, medium and large bands parading at a steady pace. 

The stands on South Quay were filled by eager persons from as early as 7 am, but the downtown parade which was scheduled to begin at 8 am, did not kick off until 9.20 am, when small band “Authentic Indians — Festival of the Sun” was the first band to cross this judging point. Spectators were spared the long lull during bands as 2004 Panorama Champions Exodus crossed as 10.20 am, followed by the Solo Pan Knights, and the Rhapsody Steel Orchestra with their presentation of “Sailors Ashore.” With a little over 300 masqueraders, medium band “Utopia” crossed the stage to the music of Machel Montano and Xtatik’s “Craziness.”

Rosalyn Gabriel’s 2004 presentation “Think Trini” was the next small band to cross, with 100 masqueraders in four sections. Leading the large bands downtown was Barbarossa’s “Mythropolis — A City of Dreams, Magic and Myths,” at 11 am. Delighting the crowd with the colourful array of costumes from 17 sections, the masqueraders jumped, wined and pranced their way before the judges to Shurwayne Winchester’s live rendition of his 2004 hit “Look De Band Coming.” Although the band appeared to be scanty and lacking players, bandleader Richard Afong said there were approximately 3,000 masqueraders, though he could not say how many men had been employed for the protection of the masqueraders. Following Barbarossa was yet another small band led by Trevor Wallace and Associates, titled “A Band For All Seasons.” The eight-section band, which contained 150 masqueraders, also crossed the stage to Winchester’s “Look De Band Coming.”

With all eyes focused centre stage at noon, large band Poison paraded before the judges. The 35- section band, which registered over 13,000 masqueraders, took just under one and a half hours to cross downtown. The section titled “Waikiki” in Poison’s 2004 “Retromania” contained President Max Richards, his wife Jean, daughter Maxine, son Mark; as well as Education Minister Hazel Manning who was surrounded by five security guards (more than the President). While the midday sun beat down on persons who had lined the streets of Port-of-Spain, the masqueraders chipped along to Destra Garcia’s “Bonnie and Clyde,” Machel Montano’s “Craziness” and Shurwayne Winchester’s “Look De Band Coming.” With 18 music trucks, and artistes such as Machel Montano, Onika Bostik, Faye Ann Lyons, Naya George, and Maximus Dan, the security personnel numbered over 500, which had been divided into different teams.

The section designed by IslandEvents titled “Jungle Fever” was also a hit and recorded at least 600 players, which included Rachel Price and Michelle Khan. According to Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown, Carnival Monday this year was “one of the best” as “bands and individuals flowed back to back,” with competition concluding just before 8 pm. Up to 3 pm yesterday, large band Legends and Harts had not yet crossed the stage for judging.