Kids raise curtain on ‘Greatest Show on Earth’

A well choreographed and captivating display by Roslyn Gabriel’s  “A Pinch of Minsh” stole the spotlight yesterday, receiving unprompted applause as the band crossed the stage at the Sunshine Snacks Junior Carnival Parade of the Bands, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Gabriel paid tribute to “master of masquerades,” Peter Minshall with each of her ten sections depicting Minshall’s presentations over the years.

“Saga Boy,” and “Tan Tan,” which depicted “Tan Ta Na” of 1990 brought Gabriel’s presentation to a grand climax when the couples paired, creating a snake-like formation before the judges in an orderly fashion and followed one behind the other off stage. Saga Boy was outfitted in flourescent green with purple patches on the knee and sleeve while Tan Tan wore bright pink with green trimmings, and ring on left fore finger. Other Minshall presentations highlighted included Papillon of 1982, Carnival is Colour of 1987, Halleujah of 1995, and Tapestry of 1997.

The first band to arrive on stage around 10.25 am was “Viev la Cou,” followed by “Come Fly With Us,” and “Fireworks in the Sky,” in the mini and small categories. Band members were being pushed in strollers, some were pulled along by parents and it was evident that the majority of youngsters were all too pleased to jump up on their own, on the big stage. Except for a ten-minute lull between the bands, the well-organised NCBA event proceeded without hiccups. Although the stands were not filled to capacity there was a significant turnout of spectators in support of the masqueraders. By 12.30 pm some 27 bands had already crossed the stage, among them children from the St Mary’s Children Home who portrayed “Tan Tan and Saga Boy” and the Princess Elizabeth Centre with their portrayal “A Taste of Africa.”

It was a sight to behold as students of Princess Elizabeth Centre wearing bright smiles, carried their standards in hand while hopping along on crotches and being pushed in wheelchairs. Tribute was also paid to “D’Messiah of Mas,” Stephen Derek by Knox Associates. The message was clear in Bossiere Village’s “We fed up of the same ting over and over,” as the sections “Plumes,” “Beads,” and “Flags” crossed the stage. “Yuh want to see plumes, take plumes!” the presenter read, from the band’s introduction. “Yuh want to see beads, take beads!” Plaques were presented by NCBA Chairman, Richard Afong to three long-standing members of the National Carnival Committee, Phyllis Mitchell, Ivan Williams and Prince Cumberbatch for their contribution to Carnival over 40 years.