Zebapique’s tribute to ‘Mr Carnival’

Zebapique Productions’ 2017 presentation Mr Carnival pays tribute to the life of the iconic wire-bender and masman.

Sections of the band, which was expected to participate in yesterday’s Red Cross Kiddies Carnival competition, include Out of Africa, Amazonia, D’ Midas Touch and Ebony and Ivory. The band’s manager, Anthony Alleng, said Zebapique Productions had intended to pay tribute to Derek even before his untimely passing last year.

The presentation, he said, was originally called D’Midas Touch: A Tribute To Stephen Derek, but was changed subsequently to Mr Carnival after his death.

The masman started his own band, D’Midas, in 1978. Derek, 64, died on October 6, 2016, at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, after falling ill at his home in Woodbrook. The late masman received the Hummingbird Medal (Silver) for his contribution to the development of Carnival at the 1972 Independence Awards.

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over costumes to Zebapique’s Productions’ sponsors at the Beetham Community Centre, Beetham Gardens, on February 11, Alleng gave an overview of Derek’s contribution mas and the art of wire-bending. He recalled his early involvement with late bandleader George Bailey and his subsequent decision to carve his own path.

“He did not keep the gift all for himself. Any time, anybody could go to his yard, (and) he would show them what to do.” Saying the band was challenged by a shortfall in participation because of the economic downturn, Alleng revealed that Republic Bank had agreed to sponsor costumes for 80 children.

Alleng said the band, which was established in 2004, has never had any reports of violence on the road. Zebapique Productions had always made a point of monitoring the behaviour of its young people on the road, he said, as well as the music trucks that accompany them.

“One of the things that Mr Derek has always said is to let children be children,” he said.

“He (Derek) always covered all of his children, too. He protected them. Right now, more than ever, we need to protect our children.

So, if you look at the band, you will see that not one ounce of flesh is showing and that is deliberate.” Derek’s widow, Sharon, in a brief address, urged parents to support their youngsters who enjoy mas.

“Take your children to the Treasury Building (Independence Square, Port-of-Spain) for Emancipation Day, because that is where Carnival began,” she said, her daughter Shannon at her side.