Mac Farlane channels Cazabon

At the launch, Mac Farlane explained that the band celebrates the Cazabon era with classic designs from: Heather Jones, Dianne Hunt, Peter Elias, Charu Lochan Dass (CLD), Harvey Robertson (Citizens for Conservation), Sonia Mack, Fazaad Mohammed, Dayle Angus, Kaleen Sanois, Claudia Pegus, Adrian Foster, Dhisha Moorjani (House of Jaipur) and Mac Farlane himself. He also stressed that he would not be returning to Carnival full-time, but that this offering was only a catalyst for an upcoming project.

“I set the whole feeling and design of the band in that era – the late 1800s, early 1900s – Cazabon died in the late 1800s.” Mac Farlane explained. “It was the most beautiful time – art was fabulous, fashion was glorious, the architecture was amazing and full of such intricate details – so the band for 2017 is Cazabon – The Art of Living… “I’m happy to be here. The band is going to be a one-off, whether you believe me or you don’t,” he said. “So if you want to take a chance and say you want to play with me in 2018 – you’re not cause ah not coming out! If you want to play, 2017 is your chance!” Mac Farlane revealed his grand idea for a culture festival in Tobago: “This is going to be a catalyst for what I want to do – God willing – in 2018,” he explained.

“I’ve always looked at Tobago as being a diamond in the rough in terms of culture and I said that when I was asked to do their 25th anniversary of their Heritage Festival and I moved it from a little tent in the car-park to inside the stadium with an incredible stateof- the-art, world class show and since then it’s been growing and growing, which is very nice… My idea is to create an amazing festival in Tobago between five – seven days for Carnival 2018, which will focus on many things that we present: it will focus on our culture in the form of: food, fashion, art, music and mas.” The celebrated designer also stressed that he was not coming out to compete in 2017 and highlighted his favourite part of the Carnival parade route.

“I’m not coming out to compete,” he said.

“I’m not coming out to make money, I’m coming to present an offering of the people for the people. So, if the band wants to cross the Savannah stage, the band will rule us on Carnival Monday and Tuesday – show your hands. If they band wants to cross the stage, we will – providing the authorities allow me to cross. Hopefully, they will allow me to give an offering...

“One place I will definitely be going to be crossing – and again, not to compete – is behind the bridge! That has always been the most glorious place for me at Carnival time.

I’m always so excited – going across and getting in there, the breeze is beautiful, moving along the East Dry River and it’s just amazing the kind of appreciation you get there. People are all in the plannings and in the houses and you hearing them in the background screaming Mac Mac, we love you and they’re all applauding the costumes as they pass and yuh come down and I end up finding myself in every lil gingerbread house… so we will be going there for sure.” Images from Cazabon – The Art of Living received mixed reviews online and via social media over the weekend with several lively discussions centred around the style of the era depicted and its invocations of slavery and the negative memories associated with that time.

In defense of the portrayal, some persons compared Mac Farlane’s mas against that of the many “bikini/party bands” and highlighted the discussions taking place as part of the relevance and significance of his work.

Mac Farlane added that the band will rest around the fountain in Woodford Square on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and his mas camp will be open to the public within the next month.