The Ministry of Education Curriculum Division, Pan In The Classroom Unit, Pan Trinbago and the Pan in School Co-ordinating Council honoured Michelle Huggins-Watts, Natasha Joseph, Chantelle Esdelle and Nubia Williams for their contribution to steelband music over the years.
All four women have very impressive biographies and have been in pan music for many years.
Here they receive their awards on stage at the Savannah.
The finals of the competition which saw many representations, themes and of course, colour. But what it also saw was youth learning the art of masquerade while taking part in a festival which embodies the national consciousness of TT.
While some did not earn top positions in the festival, the display of creativity and ingenuity signalled that Carnival’s future is secured.
Guests were treated to roti, crab and dumpling, corn soup, bake and shark, doubles and jerk meat while they listened to the fine music of bp Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra.
The band played a medley of Black Man Feeling to Party, Fire Fire, Dingolay, Calypso Music, Bum Bum (Stush In De Bush) and Like a Boss and their Panorama song, Leave Me Alone, that delighted guests.
The senior Renegades Stage Side entertained with Tempo, Government Boots, Go Low, All Ah We is One Family, My Pussin, Fever and Rainorama.
Guest performer Peter Ram sang some of his popular hits but while singing Trinidad Good Morning, the song Renegades will play in the National Panorama Finals on Saturday night, the band took over the accompaniment for Peter Ram from the deejay. It was a nice mix of pan and soca.
Renegades then played the entire song at full pace, then cut it in half while the crowd continue to mingle and enjoy the lime.
Among Christie’s guests were British High Commissioner Tim Stew; Derek Hudson, vice president of Shell; Gervais Warner, executive director, Massy Group; Martin Daly, Ministers Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Jennifer Baptiste Primus; Brig Gen Edmund Dillon; Minister of Health, Dr Terrence Deyalsingh; former prime minister Basdeo Panday and his wife Oma; Opposition MP Rushton Parray; House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George and her husband Newman; Portof- Spain Mayor Joel Martinez, Dinanath Ramnarine and his wife Toni and former banker Richard Young.
Thousands of patrons stormed the Queen’s Park Savannah, Portof- Spain on February 17 dressed in military green for the eighthour- long fete, from as early as 10 pm, massive flags from “Two- Face Crew” and other flag-waving groups had the rare opportunity to fete with their flags still waving.
The fete included several popular artistes, such as Terri Lyons, and Roy Cape All Stars, led by Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart, who entertained the crowd. But it was performances by the Ultimate Rejects, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons, Iwer George and Machel Montano that got the best reactions.
Patrons were not bothered by the fact that Machel and Bunji did not perform their smash hit Buss Head together. They were quite contented with being treated to the song twice over the night, in separate performances.
Each performance was more than a half-hour of non-stop energy.
Patrons went ballistic over Bunji’s performance as he treated them to several of his 2016 and 2017 hits. After his set, Bunji told reporters why Army Fete continues to go from strength to strength, while other fetes which were popular over the years seemed to fall by the wayside.
“Security and safety. Plain and simple.” Bunji said. “Other than the nice vibes, the music and the artists the obvious evident presence of security is what kept people coming to Army fete. It has no way in the world that anyone from any walk of life would come here and play the fool. They will be dealt with one time. And that is a very comforting thing in the minds of many people.” “The energy in here is incomparable.
It is the energy of what a fete is supposed to be. This is the last great fete as far as I am concerned.
This fete embodies what Carnival is.” Montano’s set was met with the usual pandemonium, as he sang several of this year’s hits from his latest album. The ground shook from hundreds of people jumping and waving as Montano performed.
However, the most surprising reaction was for the fantastic foursome, the Ultimate Rejects, with MX Prime as their front man.
Their smash hit Full Extreme caused havoc, as the entire crowd jumped, waved and sang along.
The crowd was also treated to several songs from Prime’s earlier years, such as Fighter and Soca Train. Speaking to the producer of the group, Joel Aming, Newsday was told that they never expected such a great reaction from the song, when it was first released.
“We were putting this song out to simply have a presence in the Carnival,” Aming said. “We never predicted that it would have turned out like this. It is a great feeling”
In what has been billed as the first ever Minor League cricket T20 series under floodlights at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, Metronomes were bowled out for a modest 103 with Manniram Jaglal taking three for 22 and Geno Balram two for 10.
But in their turn, Treasure City were routed for 56 with Aleem Ramjohn taking four wickets for four runs and Ashwane Ramnanan three for 21 to complete a crushing 47-run victory for Metronomes.
Meanwhile, X-Men cruised into the quarterfinal round with a four-wicket victory over Malgretoute Sports who were bowled out for a paltry 91, with Brandon Saddannan scoring 42 and Shawn Rampersad 23.
Summarised Scores: METRONOMES ‘B’ 103 – Amarnath Ramdath18, Devon Balram 17, Maniram Jaglal 3/22, Geno Balkram 2/10 vs TREASURE CITY JPR 91 – Geno Balram 19, Aleem Ramjohn 4/4, Ashwane Ramnanan 3/21. METRONOME ‘B’ won by 47 runs.
MALGREGOUTE 91 – Brandon Saddaman 42, Shawn Rampersad 23 vs X-MEN 95/6 – Ronald Ramdass 22, Sylvester Subratee 12, Vivian Mohammed 4/23. X-MEN won by four wickets.
Quarter-final fixtures INTERMEDIATE DIVISION: Linx XI vs Green Arrow, 4 pm; Apollo XII vs Metronomes “B”, 7 pm, March 4.
X-Men vs Secret Storm, 3.30 pm; Punishers vs Golconda United. 6.30 pm, March 5.
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION: Central Renegades vs Buen Intento, 4 pm; Cavaliers vs Gandhi Sports, 7 pm, March 10.
Massahood United vs Debe Youths, 3.30 pm; Tarouba vs Survivors, 6.30 pm, March 11.
If any challenge would come for the early leaders it would be from their schoolmates on the Bishop Anstey ‘A’ team, and it was a matchup which did not disappoint.
One score separated the teams, as Keryce Baptiste’s two tries proved to be the decisive factor in a 10-5 win which helped the ‘B’ team preserve a perfect start to the new season.
Annalee Lucas scored the only try for Bishop Anstey ‘A’.
St James Secondary produced the largest margin of victory so far this season, when they completed a 39-0 thrashing of Bishop’s Centenary College. Jade Husbands scored two tries and two conversions, and had more than enough assistance from Patiea Paul (three tries) and Tela Waqa (two tries).
St James were comfortable winners and moved up the table to third position with 13 points from four matches, one adrift of second placed Providence Girls Catholic School. The clash between St James and Providence will be a top fixture in the next round. Providence go into that match in positive form as well, following their big win over Holy Name Convent’s ‘B’ team. The game was controlled by the Belmont team from beginning to end, resulting in a final score of 20-0.
Kyiala Simon was again among the scoring for Providence, taking the ball over the try line twice while Shiyan Cato and Charlotte Wingham scored one apiece.
The league will take a break for the Carnival festivities, resuming on March 8.
STANDINGS
School……………………………GP………W………..L………. Pts
Bishop Anstey B………………….4………. 4………..0…………16
Providence…………………………5………. 3………..2…………14
St James……………………………4………. 3………..1…………13
Bishop Anstey A…………………..4………. 2………..2…………10
Bishop’s Centenary……………..5………. 1………..4…………..8
Holy Name A……………………….4………. 1………..3…………..7
Holy Name B………………………5………. 0………..5…………..5
The Queen’s Park Oval will host three T20s between West Indies and Pakistan on March 30, April 1 and April 2.
The last international match at the Oval was a disaster with little play in the Test between West Indies and India last August during the rainy season.
The drainage system at the Oval came under tremendous scrutiny as there were long periods of sunshine in the five days but only 22 overs were possible during the contest.
As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave the Queen’s Park Oval an official warning, and rated the outfield as “poor.” A repeat offence by Queen’s Park in the next five years will draw a fine not exceeding US$30,000. Mowser, speaking to Newsday, said the club is delighted to host international cricket again and move forward from the India-West Indies Test fiasco which did not shed the institution in the proper light.
Mowser insisted that the India incident was an anomaly and the Parkites are ready to showcase their world class hosting skills once more.
“Absolutely, Queen’s Park is very happy to be awarded three T20s against Pakistan and we hope that everything would be in place to have an outstanding series.
“Serious remedial work was done since the India match, and we hope that it will bear fruit. We have put a lot of work into the field since then, and we expect to have everything back to normal in time for the series,” he said.
Mowser explained that hosting a successful series against Pakistan will create a positive image for the Queen’s Park Oval again.
“I think it is very important that we continue to be the cricket ground that the world has been accustomed too. Certainly we want to move past (the India situation).
We have been here for 125 years, and we hope that we will be here for another 125,” Mowser continued.
The Queen’s Park Oval first hosted an international match in 1930, a Test match between West Indies and England.
Asked whether he believes the Oval is still one of the best venues in the Caribbean, and maybe even the world, Mowser added: “Absolutely, the reasons for the redistribution of games has to do with the number of venues now available in the Caribbean, and the different formats of the game which provides different competitive venues.
But as a Test venue, as an international venue, we are still the leading in the Caribbean and we plan to develop the ground to be able to deliver the best possible product going forward.”
Players desirous of being considered for selection must meet the zone’s eligibility requirements and must be under the age of 19 before September 1, 2017.
The youngsters are also asked to present a copy of their birth certificate, a recent passport sized picture, and a photocopy of their Trinidad and Tobago passport if available.
The screening sessions will be conducted by coach Robert Mahabir in the presence of manager Mishri Lutchmedial.
The Central Zone selectors are Deonarine Dyal, Mishri Lutchmedial, Robert Mahabir, Premnath Ramnath and Kellman Kowlessar.
For further information, contact Neisha Enola Wildman, Central Zone Co-ordinator at 314-0178.
There was already a crowd lined up for the 7 pm start time.
The stands really began filling up by 8pm and hours later people were still coming in. At 8.15 pm the show began with emcees Paul Richards and Nikki Crosby doing the introductions. The co-hosts have developed a great rapport over the years and they brought their usual blend of information and wacky humour.
The first act was Devon Matthews and Ella Andall, singing their new hit D Journey and mixing it with Andall’s Bring Down the Power. It was a slow start as the performance lacked some energy, especially on the part of Andall.
Next up was sweet soca man Baron (Timothy Watkins) for a set of his hits like Lady, Feeling it and Sweet Soca Man. While the voice was sweet you could not hear all the lyrics and the crowd interaction was limited to him asking the audience to clap for the band – twice.
The third act was MX Prime (Edghill Thomas) and the Ultimate Rejects. They began their hit Full Extreme like a ballad and Thomas told the gathering they were there to celebrate the career of “a beautiful lady”. When they started Full Extreme at its regular fast pace the crowd began jumping up, dancing and singing line after line. Following their performance a couple of people around me said this song was this year’s Road March.
Richards described the song as the soundtrack of Carnival 2017 and you would be hard pressed to find someone to disagree with him.
The quality continued when MX Prime was followed by calypsonian David Rudder and the veteran performer showed why he is called “King”. He started off his set with his iconic tune Calypso but was not comfortable staying on the stage.
“Why allyuh over there and I here?” he asked rhetorically.
He then stepped down from the stage and walked down in front of the crowd and remained there for the duration of his performance.
After they sang along to Calypso he sang his new nation celebration tune Welcome to Trinidad.
He then asked them to “please stand and wine for the national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago” which was not the actual anthem but his infinitely infectious patriotic song Trini to the Bone.
He then hit them a one two blow with The Hammer and High Mas and had them bazodee. He ended his set by singing Calypso Rose’s name repeatedly.
The concert went regional with Alison Hinds who had the crowd thoroughly entertained with her hits Carnival Baby, Iron Have Me So Bazodee, Roll it Gal, Faluma and Togetherness as well as Salty’s hit Gyal Meet Brass. She was full of energy and demonstrated both her famous wining skills as well as great vocal range. Three elderly gentlemen seated behind me ate up her performance, with one man making a rolling gesture with his finger while Hinds was “rolling it”. She even took time out to teach Richards and Crosby how to wine with disastrous and comedic results. Before she completed her set she praised Rose as the calypso queen of the world.
“That woman is my inspiration.
Let’s you know age is nothing but a number. (And) she is the cutest thing,” she said.
After Hinds was Grammy- award winning Empire State of Mind writer and singer Angela Hunte. Her first song the crowd was not familiar with and did not react to with much enthusiasm.
She got a better response with Party Done and Mon Bon Ami but hearing her sing along with a track was distracting and a bit discordant.
After Hunte and an intermission Rose began her first set at 10.45 pm, coming on stage in a resplendent pink and gold Asian inspired outfit. She performed songs from her new album Far From Home, which won her Album of the Year at the French version of the Grammys (Victoire de la Musique), including I am African, Abatina, Zoom Zoom, Wah Fu Dance, No Madam, Far From Home as well as Israel by Bus.
She danced and hit powerful notes throughout and urged the crowd to get up and dance but most seemed to be waiting for her bigger hits.
In between her set there was an instrumental reggae performance which was entertaining but felt somewhat out of place.
Following her set the emcees and her managers presented her with her award Victoire de la Musique award and she told the crowd it had sold100,000 copies.
The show went to intermission again and by midnight some of the patrons were nodding off.
They would be awaken by the always energetic Machel Montano who pumped up the crowd with his songs Pop ah Bottle, Human and Fast Wine. He also song special verses in honour of Rose: “When you talking Calypso Rose, all over the world is a million shows, and she wears the nicest clothes.” When Machel sang “you could be 15 or 75” Rose said she is 76 and showed her vitality by touching her toes.
Rose joined him to perform their collaboration of Leave Me Alone which had the crowd on their feet dancing. The two embraced and Rose referred to him as “son”. It felt like a natural end and some patrons left at that point.
But Rose was not finished and began her second set with her hits Tempo, Fire in Meh Wire and the original version of Leave Me Alone where she was joined by members of the LeaveMeAlone anti-gender based violence campaign who came on stage with tassa drummers, moko jumbies and a dame lorraine.
To end her performance, Rose blew the audience a kiss and stretched her arms open as though she would embrace the entire audience. Overall it was an entertaining if protracted concert (it was six hours long) with mostly impressive performances especially from the calypso queen of the world.
Dressed in the national colours of red, white and black, All Stars came out with guns blazing, as they held their selection Full Extreme, and worked it like only arranger Leon “Smooth” Edwards could have them do. And the fiery effects, coupled with bars from Calypso Rose’s Fire Fire at the end of the performance, was the icing on the cake. The band scored 286 points to take its tenth title, dethroning Desperadoes in the process.
Reacting to the victory, Edwards praised his players.
“Congratulations to the band.
They worked hard, diligently and faithfully, and they got their rewards,” he told Newsday.
Edwards, who did not go to the Duke Street panyard for the victory celebrations, opting to go home at the end of the performance, said with humility, “Once the band is happy, I am happy.” Despers, as the 11-time winner is fondly called, was relegated to second position with 283 points, even after a fantastic performance of Good Morning, arranged by Carlton “Zanda”Alexander.
The laid-back jazzy version had the crowd swaying in what can be described as a feel good moment.
And having played first in the Conventional Large Bands category, Despers was a hard act to follow, until the arrival of bp Renegades.
As the lights went up for the start of Renegades’ performance of Good Morning, arranged by Duvone Stewart, the crowd saw the players dressed in sleepwear and wondered the reason for it. But it did not take them long, as the bell rang signalling the beginning of Carnival, the players woke up jumping into a dramatic rendition.
They maintained the melody throughout the arrangement which in the minds of fans was unbeatable.
However, the judges didn’t see it that way and placed them third with 280 points.
A very disappointed Stewart blasted the judges. He told Newsday yesterday: “I tried to bring something new to Panorama but the judges didn’t see it that way.
The arrangement had a story to tell, with every line saying something but they don’t acknowledge arrangers’ creativity and innovation.” He added that when he heard Desperadoes, something was missing and was not sure if it was because they played in first position.
With Massy All Stars, he said there wasn’t much variation and was confident that his band would win.
“All Stars didn’t beat Renegades, Despers didn’t beat Renegades, but I am a warrior and I m going to go out fighting. Last night, tapestry, theatre and music played a big part in the production. I am very proud of the band, and I am very proud of what I did but I am disappointed with the placing. Imagine five consecutive third places. Maybe only when the judges are changed we will be back on top.” Stewart said he has no choice but to accept the decision of the judges as final and concentrate on taking the band forward in 2018.
Another fine arrangement of Good Morning, by the Pelham Goddard/Terrence “BJ”Marcelle team for Republic Bank Exodus was a delight to hear. As usual, the band was a pretty picture on stage, canopy-less, with its name looming large as the backdrop.
Players executed the song in clinical fashion, as is synonymous with the band, earning them 277 points for fourth place, in a tie with CAL Invaders who played an Arddin Herbert arrangement of Full Extreme.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste- Primus earlier helped escort the band on stage, later supporting their entertaining performance which the crowd also applauded.
One point behind was PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars, dressed in battle gear, to play a fierce arrangement of We Are Conquerors by Professor Liam Teague.
They lived up to the task, but placed sixth.
Conventional Large Bands results
1………. Massy Trinidad All Stars………….Full Extreme…………………………. Leon “Smooth” Edwards……………………………….286
2………. Desperadoes…………………………..Good Morning………………………. Carlton”Zanda”Alexander………………………………283
3………. bp Renegades…………………………Good Morning………………………. Duvone Stewart……………………………………………..280
4………. Republic Bank Exodus……………Good Morning………………………. Pelham Goddard/Terrence “BJ”Marcelle………..277
4………. CAL Invaders………………………….Full Extreme…………………………. Arddin Herbert………………………………………………277
6………. PCS Nitrogen………………………….Silver Stars…………………………..We Are Conquerors Liam Teague…………………..276
7………. Skiffle……………………………………..Good Morning………………………. Kendall Williams/Odie Gonzales/Mark Brooks..274
8………. Hadco Phase II Pan Groove……..Red, White & Black………………. Len “Boogsie” Sharpe…………………………………..272
8………. MHTL Starlift…………………………..Good Morning………………………. Robert”Robbie” Greenidge…………………………….272
10…….. FCB Supernovas…………………….Rumble In The Jungle…………… Amrit Samaroo………………………………………………271
11……… T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps……Single………………………………….. Clarence Morris……………………………………………..270
