Trini style Carnival:

Germans were spellbound as this country’s cultural troupes gave them a taste of a true Trini-style Carnival complete with steelband music, tassa drums and colourful costumes in Dortmund yesterday.

From early in the morning, the people of Dortmund, the city where the Soca Warriors made their historical debut on the World Cup football stage, lined the streets and the main shopping centre to take in the parade by the TT contingent.

The entire area was blocked off from traffic to accommodate the parade which was led by popular Carnival enthusiast Junior Regrello under the direction of Norbert Fullerton. Moko jumbies dressed in TT’s national red,white and black costumes dominated the parade as they pranced to steelband music provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

The display was a big hit with the Germans and while some tried to take a jump, others were busy taking photos from their cell phones and small digital cameras. Scared children screamed as the blue devils bared their teeth and tongues at them but the Jab Jabs got loud applause from the Germans every time they cracked their whips.

As expected, 2006 Panorama champions Phase II Pan Groove with arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe had the crowds in a frenzy as the Germans pushed to touch the national instruments and to take photos and pose with masqueraders.

Not to be outdone was the Laventille Rhythm Section which was one of the groups that had encountered money problems and a fair amount of uncertainty before heading off to the World Cup last week.

The powerful sounds from the popular band from “the hills” could have awakened any neighbourhood in bustling Dortmund as scores of eager Germans attempted to dance.

The display was fantastic, with Trinis and Germans alike having a grand time as TT not only took its football to the global limelight, but also its culture.