Masquerade takes downtown title

“The Lion Kingdom,” a presentation by Masquerade, is “Band of the Year 2005” in the downtown Port-of-Spain Carni-val competition. The colour and splendour of the costumes displayed by its revellers got the judges’ nod over second placed “The Washing by Fire and by Water” by Brian MacFarlane. Placing third was 2004 champs Trini Revellers, which presented “Conquest of the Indies.” Making the announcement yesterday evening at the Port-of-Spain City Hall was Mayor Murchison Brown.

MacFarlane’s presentation on Carnival Tuesday brought back memories of Peter Minshall, who many times brought street theatre into his presentations. MacFarlane had a large section of his band dressed in white costumes, while Trini Revellers depicted a Spanish theme. The three top bands used a lot of cloth and standards to depict their mas, covering up the popular bikini and beads, which have dominated Carnival over the last few years. Other places in the large band category were “Legacy” by Mike Antoine and Friends and Island Events “Moulin Rouge” in fifth place. In the medium category, Rampage’s “Crossing Borders” placed first, followed by D’Midas and Associates “The Barbarians” with Skandal-Us’ “Wicked” in third place.

“Yuletide” by D Boss won in the small band category. Second place went to Tribal Connections’ “Before the Europeans” and in third spot was “Down Mexico Way” by Mt Hope Connections. In the mini-band category, A Jackman and Associates “Black-foot Sun dance” won over Rosalind Gabriel’s “Song of Minsh” and Invasion’s Rampage on the Road with “Something Out There.” On Carnival Monday, Brown said PCS Starlift’s presentation of “Once Upon a Melody” was adjudged the winner. MacFarlane’s revellers portrayed a band of blue devils to place second and Poison’s “Cherchez La Femme” was third.

The most colourful band on Monday in the large category was Masquerade’s presentation. Both the King and Queen of Carnival, Curtis Eustace and Pamela Gordon, also won the best male and female individual awards on Carnival Monday in downtown. Mayor Brown said on Carnival Tuesday, despite the lengthy lull between bands at the South Quay venue, 47 bands paraded before the judges and hundreds of spectators at the Lord Kitchener Stand. He said he was generally pleased with Carnival, but felt bands should parade at all five judging points in the city, instead of rushing to the Queen’s Park Savannah, and ignoring all other venues.