Traditional mas came to life as a host of Carnival characters took part in the Nostalgia Parade, which started  at the Piccadilly Greens, Port-of-Spain and made its way uptown to the Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook yesterday.

Around 10 am the bands, comprising figures from Carnival’s early history, chipped and danced their way up Ariapita Avenue toward the Square, much to the delight of many tourists and locals alike.

Even children lined the streets, as they looked on in amazement as the figures crossed in front of the judges' stand at Adam Smith Square, playing such classic Carnival characters such  as Jab Jabs, Dame Lorraines, Baby Dolls, Midnight Robbers, Blue Devils and many others. 

During the performances there was also a mixture of old Kaiso music and modern day Soca, including many favorite tunes from popular artistes.

Not even the overcast skies could have stopped the bands from transforming the city's streets into a mesmerising  sea of bright, flowing colours  as Fancy Indians and Dame Lorraines paraded to the delight of hundreds of onlookers.

Others, in true Carnival spirit, personified their  roles, adding a sense of realism to their performances. 

Jab Jabs aptly displayed their skill as they cracked and twirled their whips. One  group even staged a thrilling show of 'whip fighting' that wowed the crowd. And also keeping with tradition, many of the Blue Devil sections opted to perform without the assistance of a DJ, but rather made music by beating  tins pans as they 'stalked' in front of the judges, skillfully blowing fire into the air from their lit pitch forks and flambeau torches. 

Just before 1 pm the last of bands had crossed the stage. One judge said the Nostalgia Parade has grown over the years, as some six years ago years ago there were a handful of groups taking part in the parade. 

Now there are close to 30  groups competing  in a tradition which began, “Behind the Bridge,” a place where Carnival was said to have begun.

Yesterday’s parade took the original route of Mas, starting off at the Piccadilly Greens, then proceeded behind the bridge onto Duke Street, turned right at Edward Street, then left onto Park Street, proceeded west and finally onto Ariapita Avenue to Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook. 

With more colours, characters and clean fun than modern mas, hundreds of children flooded parts of San Fernando as it was their turn to revel on the Carnival stage.

Despite the hot sun yesterday, jubilance and energy were displayed as 18 bands from around south Trinidad enjoyed the Junior Parade of the Bands competition held by the San Fernando City Corporation, which culminated with their best performances at Skinner Park.

Children as young as 18 months old revelled with their parents, teachers and bandleaders, among them Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre who accompanied her son Shomarie, three and daughter Shayera, nine, who played mas with House of Jacqui’s presentation, House of Jacqui’s 50th Anniversary. 

Admitting that her busy schedule as a minister and MP keeps her away from her children, she said she dedicates Carnival to sharing an experience with them. She said the last two weeks have taken them to mas around the country.

“This is the third year my kids have been playing mas in San Fernando and it is great. I like the spirit, I like the energy and it’s really good that we have been able to really spread out the Carnival throughout all the villages. We will be going to St Joseph, then we will be going to Chaguanas and Couva.

“Yesterday after downtown, we went to Gasparillo. Last week we went to Barrackpore, earlier in the week we were in Penal. It is really excellent that every area has it own little children’s Carnival and that really augers well for the future of the mas. 

“The least I can go is give them (her children) Carnival. I don’t have much time for them during the year, but Carnival I give to them,” Olivierre said.

Taking the streets first was Reflexionx with their presentation of We Dancing and the children definitely portrayed their theme with style, dancing and frolicking along the road. Carivog Kids’ Mama Look Mas Coming brought back that 1980s splendour of mas with costumes that clearly depict characters such as the scarecrow and sailors.

Eckles Village AC Primary School dedicated their presentation to the late San Fernando mas and fashion designer Dexter Jennings who died of diabetes at age 47 last year.

 Jennings was the leader of Jennings Mas and Associates band, the owner of The Concepts Studio, a pioneer of the Miss Mature beauty pageant and produced Easter bonnet parades, Kiddies Carnival events and supported a host of charities.

The school’s tribute presentation, titled Dexter Laboratery featured aspects of Jenning designs from years gone by, including Knight in Shining Armour, Pan, Day or Night and Cheeky Chong. Soca star Machel Montano also had to his glory as Siparia Boys’ RC presented Journey with Machel Montano Through the Years.

The colourful portrayals represented aspects of his past music, including aliens from the song Out of Space featuring Jamaican dancehall artiste Beenie Man. The King of the band was a well made effigy of Montano.

Young anthropology graduate Renae John has been going to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery, Port-of-Spain, every single day, including holidays, for the past eight months. But there is no sinister motive behind the 29-year old’s visits to the cemetery. 

John’s deep compassion for abandoned and abused dogs,particularly the more common breeds, leads her to Lapeyrouse daily. Seven puppies took up residence among the tombs and John goes there to feed them. She has rescued four already and is searching for foster homes for them. “There are three remaining. I want to move them. People pelt them.”

John once paid $900 for nine dogs earmarked for death at the San Fernando Pound. She thinks it nothing, too, to climb down into the St Ann’s River to rescue puppies abandoned there. She is founder of the Mustapha Project, a dog rescue organisation based at her Diego Martin home named after her beloved deceased grandfather, Mustapha John, from whom she inherited her love for animals.

“I was the first born grandchild and he took me everywhere with him. Our home was like a farm with dogs, chickens, ducks, parrots. 

“Whenever my grandfather was feeding and seeing about them, I would be there with him. We shared a bond with animals.”

Mustapha died in 2000 and John founded the Mustapha Project last year, naming it in his honour. “The initial purpose was to raise funds for animal charities and increase awareness of abused dogs but the project took on a life of its own.”

With the help of her parents, Saied and Princess, sister Gabriella and volunteers, the project expanded into a dog rescue operation.

“People drop dogs for us at home they picked them up somewhere. I started to do my own rescues too.

“I keep some of the dogs at home and pay to board some at a veterinary clinic until we find homes for them.”

John studied anthropology at St John’s University in New York and did a short stint as an On the Job Trainee administrative assistant at the Office of the Prime Minister. For now, she is helping Saied run the family grocery and devoting every minute of her free time to the Mustapha Project.

“My dad and I work shifts. When I’m free, I run errands for the grocery and visit the dogs at Lapeyrouse or do other rescues. Then I come home and spend time with the dogs we have.”

One time, John even petitioned the San Fernando Pound with over 5,000 signatures asking for more humane treatment of dogs it picks up. The Pound is run by the San Fernando City Corporation and dogs picked up are put down in a matter of days. John said someone took a photograph of a dog at the Pound staring pitifully into the camera and it haunted her until she could not sleep.

She scrambled together $900 to pay for all nine dogs at the Pound at that time. But getting dogs scheduled to be put down there is no easy task. “The Pound advertises its opening hours as between 6 am and 7 am. But if you want a dog you are required to get an application from the corporation which opens at 8 am.

“A friend spoke to the Pound keeper while I secured the application and went back for the dogs the next day.

“I took them to the vet and got them spayed and neutered. They were malnourished and had skin conditions and tick fever.”

John has photos of dogs she rehabilitated on the Mustapha Project’s Facebook page and the transformation is amazing. She picks up puppies dumped on the banks of the St Ann’s River.

“People put them in boxes and bags and someone would see them and call me. Some people told me they had to dive into the river to rescue puppies.”

Since she started the Mustapha Project in February 2014, John has rescued over 200 dogs.

“We have 11 at home right now, eight of them rescues we fell in love with and could not part with.”

Rescuing abused dogs is a fixed part of her life. “I don’t know life without this,” she said.

Chairman of the Cabinet-appointed task force for the establishment of the National Statistical Institute of T&T (NSITT) Dr John Prince said Chief Justice Ivor Archie was among three leaders who requested that work be done speedily to establish the proposed National Statistical Institute of T&T to replace the Central Statistical Office.

Prince said that during Friday’s launch of the task force at the Eric Williams Financial Complex, Port-of-Spain. He said the other requests were from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Orville London.

Prince said he received a telephone call from Chief Justice Ivor Archie from Nigeria, urging him to do all he can to set up the body to replace the Central Statistical Office quickly.

He said the first to make the demand on him was Prime Minister Rowley, who via a text message to him said: “Make it quick” which was followed “two days later (when) I got a call from the Chief Justice (who) said ‘John I am calling you from Nigeria, please make that task force do its work very, very quickly because we need reliable data.”

Prince said Archie told him “We make judgments without reliable data and I was involved in one.” Prince said Archie told him during the telephone conversation that he (Archie) was an engineer before becoming a judge and “and  as an engineer we depend on reliable data. He say ‘please make it quick.’”

Prince said on Thursday he met with London in Tobago and he was also asked by him to “make it quick.” Prince said the first to ask him to “make it right but make it quick” was the Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis.

He said to her yesterday: “This task force is ready, ready to do it. We are going to get it right and we are going to get it quick.”

Robinson-Regis said the NSITT was expected to come on stream in January. She said the major issue was for the required legislation to be brought to parliament for approval.

Members of the task force were presented with their letters of appointment by Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis.

A “serious threat to Trinidad and Tobago.” That’s how secretary of the Division of Health and Social Services Claudia Groome-Duke described the Zika virus, which has impacted most of South and Central America and several Caribbean islands.

At Wednesday’s post-Executive Council media briefing at the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall, the secretary said her division will provide anti-mosquito support to the public during Carnival 2016. Groome-Duke said the division has procured treated mosquito nets to be distributed to pregnant women who can’t afford them. She also provided advice on precautions the public can take to reduce their chances of being bitten while enjoying Carnival.

“Wear long sleeve shirts and pants [and] avoid dark colours because the dark colours attract mosquitoes,” Groome-Duke advised. There will be residual spraying in communities. And insect repellent and hand sanitizer stations will be positioned at Carnival events to reduce the impact of the mosquito and encourage cleanliness. 

The secretary pointed out that Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh has declared a national health emergency due to the threat of the Zika virus. She called on all Tobagonians to assist in ensuring the disease does not come to Tobago by helping to eradicate its carrier, the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

“Our message to the people of Tobago is ‘don’t get bite’, keep your surroundings clean,” Groome-Duke said. “We have learned that no vaccine exists to prevent Zika.” County Medical Officer of Health Vishwanath Partapsingh told members of the media the Tobago Public Health Emergency Response team “is a multi-sectoral team. Given the nature of the disease or the nature of the threat, or the nature of the emergency, we will recruit different sectors.” Partapsingh said key stakeholders in the tourism sector will help deal with the Zika threat.

He added that information on the Zika virus, including signs and symptoms, has been disseminated to the public. Partapsingh said training has been scheduled for perifocal workers (those who deal primarily with infections) who conduct home visits, along with 211 workers, “so that information is available to the public if required.”

Partapsingh said the Division will continue to conduct vector surveillance.

After 11 attempts at trying to capture the Calypso Monarch crown, Devon Seale yesterday snatched the coveted title and $1 million first prize from his 11 rivals.

Seale, who sang Spirit of Carnival and Respect God’s Voice, dethroned defending champion Roderick “Chuck” Gordon at the Dimanche Gras show, Queen’s Park Savannah, before a half-filled Grand Stand.

Placing second and taking home $500,000 in the 2016 Calypso Monarch finals was 22-year-old University of T&T student and newcomer to the stage Helon Francis who delivered Paradise and Real Bandits, which were well-received by spectators. Francis also copped the Young King title in the National Action Cultural Committee’s competition last month.

Gordon, who was aiming for his hat-trick, had to settle for third position and $250,000 after rendering Fixing Time and It Eh Go Wuk.

A total of $2,420,000 in prize money will be distributed to the 12 finalists.

The theme for this year’s show was entitled Unforgettable—The Soundtrack of your Life.

As Seale was bodily lifted into the air by jubilant and screaming supporters, friends and family members, he paid tribute to the late Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts), Carlyle “Jazzy” Pantin and Lord Pretender (Aldric Farrell) for his victory.

He said these three men gave him an opportunity to audition and sing.

“They always gave me advice and pushed me to the limit. I will forever be indebted to them,” Seale said after being crowned.

In 1999, Seale made his debut in the Kalypso Revue tent managed by Lord Kitchener.

“I feel wonderful. I feel great. I have been toiling for years. Last year I put in a lot of work on stage but I disappointed my fans with my second song. I had to come back and take what I gave away. It just shows that hard work and persistence pay off. When it’s your time, it’s your time,” a smiling Seale said.

Seale admitted that many of his competitors had compelling songs.

“I think the judges got it right with the top five places.”

In congratulating his rivals, 39-year-old Seale singled out Francis who is his first cousin.

“For us it’s a double celebration tonight. Helon had two dynamic songs. The sky is the limit for him. He has a lot of potential and will certainly go far with his voice and talent,” Seale said.

He said with artistes like Francis, calypso was in safe hands.

What was the secret to Seale’s success?

“I think my songs were well-executed and balanced. They were of the right mix.”

Having sung calypso for the past 20 years, Seale said, he was fortunate to be a Calypso Monarch finalist 11 times, but victory always eluded him.

The closest he came to winning the crown was second.

“I have been knocking on the door of the monarchy for 11 years. Last year I placed second. Now it has finally opened. Victory at last!”

Seale said this year he went back to the drawing board and came with a different concept and plan, which worked in his favour.

Instead of singing strictly political commentaries, Seale changed the choice of his songs a bit.

He opted to deliver Respect God’s Voice—a political commentary written by Marlon Rondon—and an uptempo calypso entitled The Spirit of Carnival penned by Christophe Grant.

Respect God’s Voice tells of the People’s Partnership’s decision to file election petitions to declare the September 7 general election null and void.

Seale urged former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to respect the voice of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the People’s National Movement in the marginal constituencies of Tunapuna, La Horquetta/Talparo, San Fernando West and St Joseph.

Seale described Persad-Bissessar as a sore loser and accused the People’s Partnership of plundering the Treasury during their term in office.

“Thank God today in the Savannah the voice of the people was the voice of God. The people decided that I had to take this 2016 monarch.”

In the second round of the competition, Seale, dressed as a blue devil armed with a fork in his right hand, offered patrons an upbeat calypso, which he said had been lacking in the competition.

He said in years gone by calypsonians such as Explainer, Sparrow and Scrunter entertained patrons at the Big Yard with a party song, which he reintroduced on stage to entertain the crowd.

The former TSTT employee who owns an Information Technology/security consultancy business plans to invest some of his winnings into his business.

He also plans to host a show celebrating his 20 years in the calypso fraternity.

Relatives of Canadian visitor Leon Williams who was struck and killed by a car yesterday morning were left feeling even more distraught after they learnt that the driver never stopped.

Leon Williams, 70, was returning to his relatives’ home after participating in J’Ouvert celebrations in San Fernando when he was killed while crossing the Naparima Mayaro Road in Mon Repos, San Fernando.

The accident took place around 10.20 am in front of the Mon Repos Housing Development Corporation apartment buildings and within sight of the police station.

Trying to hold back the tears, his brother Curtis Williams who operates Biggie’s Mini Mart said Williams stopped by his shop to chat with him and he gave Williams two packs of nuts.

Curtis said his brother left and was crossing the road when the car came speeding towards him.

“The car was coming up with speed. Like he (Williams) went forward then backwards (when he see the car coming). I hear a bang and I look and I did not see my brother.” Curtis said when he came out of the shop he saw his brother lying on the road with blood flowing from his head. He was already dead.

On impact both of Williams’ sneakers flew off his feet and he landed facedown. His body was removed by undertakers to the mortuary at the San Fernando General Hospital where an autopsy is expected to be performed. 

Eyewitnesses said the vehicle was a brownish coloured Nissan Laurel, but up to late yesterday police had not found the car or the driver.

Other relatives who arrived shortly after could not believe what had happened. 

“It is impossible.

“This is impossible,” a relative cried. His niece, Rachel Codrington-Indar, said her uncle had been living abroad for more than 20 years and would usually come home every year to spend Christmas and Carnival with them. She said he planned to go to Port-of-Spain today to watch mas.

“He has been here since before Christmas and he would usually go back around May. Carnival is his season. Them people evil boy. They hit him and drive off,” she cried.

Williams has a son and two grandchildren. 

Corporal Langley is investigating.

Carnival Monday 2016 kicked off yesterday with some of the bigger bands crossing the judging point at South Quay with no major hiccups.

Downtown Port-of-Spain was a sea of colour and excitement as revellers defied the blazing heat in their costumes.

Machel Montano’s Waiting on Stage featuring Badjohn Republic was one of the most played songs by the bands yesterday.

Just before noon, Harts crossed the stage with their presentation of Vogue.

Harts Carnival’s band launch last year was a fashionable extravaganza for the collection aptly titled Vogue.

The collection features lots of luxurious colours and, of course, lots of feathers.

Following Harts was the band Bliss and their presentation of the Secret Garden.

This was reflected in their costumes with names such as the Tangled Web and Honey.

Tribe then followed and they presented one of their concepts this year, Lost Tribe—A Revolution of Mas.

According to Tribe, the story is told by the Spirit of the Savannah, the oldest witness to T&T’s Carnival as people know it, the centre of activities and the heartbeat of T&T’s culture.

It all refers to T&T’s “lost artistry” of Carnival which is now just a street party and not real art.

Their costume concepts included Mist, Poui Blossom, Blaze and Ava.

Other bands that followed included Island People, Ronnie and Caro and Petlemas which all passed the judges well into mid-afternoon.

The stands in South Quay, Port-of-Spain, were half empty yesterday as activities have traditionally been slower on Mondays than on Carnival Tuesday when masqueraders are out in full glitz and glamour.

A heavy presence of police officers on foot and in vehicles throughout Port-of-Spain did not prevent violence in the city, as a group of non-paying masqueraders threw bottles at J’Ouvert revellers in a band, injuring several people.

The incident took place at around 6.20 am when Cocoa Devils’ J’Ouvert band made their way along Pole Carew Street, Woodbrook.

A group of five men who were not registered to play with the band attempted to storm the band.

The band’s security staff was alerted and confronted the men, pushing them out of the roped area, eyewitnesses said.

In retaliation, the men started throwing bottles wildly toward the startled crowd, who quickly dispersed in an attempt to get away from the violence. 

While some people were hit with the bottles, others were injured from broken glass and were taken to the St James hospital for treatment.

The incident comes two years after former Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing pleaded with the Government to ban glass bottles from the capital city during Carnival celebrations.

In 2015 a man was killed after being stabbed with a broken glass bottle during an argument with two other men over his girlfriend.

The incident happened despite thorough police searches at City Gate and in downtown Port-of-Spain.

Police set up search exercises at the Uriah Butler Highway and Lady Young Road, Morvant, leaving hundreds of motorists and would be J’Ouvert masqueraders and spectators in traffic gridlocks.

The police presence was also heavy on the city streets, with officers highly visible, both on foot and in vehicles.

While violence spoiled the festivities for some masqueraders uptown, Downtown Carnival, which also had a large contingent of police officers, was event free.

Port-of-Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee with Minister of Arts, Culture and Community Development Nyan Gadsby-Dolly at his side read the declaration to officially begin the national festival.

Competing masqueraders at the downtown judging point covered politics, elections, recession and former Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran in their J’Ouvert portrayals.

Herbert Pierre, who won last year, retained his crown as King of J’Ouvert, 2016, in Port-of-Spain with his portrayal “Captain Gary Griffith didn’t make it with the third force.”

Helen Fullard was crowned the J’Ouvert Queen with her portrayal “Queen Kamla get a real cut arse in Tobago.”

While mas lovers favoured the modern and earth mas over the traditional aspect in San Fernando J’Ouvert celebrations, many observers felt this year’s presentations lacked creativity.

The thousands that came out in the wee hours of yesterday congregated at the judging points on top High Street, Cipero Street and the Southern Academy for Performing Arts (SAPA), Reinzi Kirton Highway, to witness the masses that opted to play the modern mas that was described by deputy mayor Junia Regrello as a roving street party.

But as judges and stakeholders in Carnival observed, most of the presentations were variations of printed T-shirts accompanied by powder or paint. The celebrations got off to a late start yesterday as Regrello officially launched J’Ouvert at 5.30 am at Harris Promenade in the absence of mayor Kazim Hosein.

Regrello, who is the convenor of Carnival, said while he saw nothing wrong with spectators choosing modern mas over the ole mas, efforts must be made to keep audiences interested in the traditional aspects of J’Ouvert. He lamented that the comical and interesting ole mas presentations were dying, saying that mas men needed to put more thought into their depictions.

“This year, we saw a lot of mature people sitting on bleachers, waiting for the traditional J’Ouvert mas and steelbands. My observation was that the people who play the traditional mas, that satirical or comical presentation which San Fernando has been famous for over the years, seems to be getting scarce.”

“Even the humour is going down. There were critical issues that the country faced that were depicted over the years and that created an interest and entertainment for the people. What I am seeing now is lukewarm and it seems that not enough thought is going into it. The presentation didn't really evoke anything. 

“The San Fernando Carnival Committee is offering prizes for them and they need to put thought into their presentations. A lot of it was mediocre and not the abundance of talent as we have seen in years gone by,” Regrello said.

He said the changing trend in which people, especially youths, are preferring modern and earth mas to traditional mas needs to be accepted. However, he said the prevalence of simple T-shirt mas over designed outfits may be a result of business people taking over as opposed to true mas men. 

With a few onlookers gathered outside the San Fernando City Hall for the traditional mas, Skiffle Steel Orchestra was the first act to pass 15 minutes later, playing a well-polished rendition of How She Like It by Hypasounds. Meanwhile, A&K Fashion Lab was the first modern band to reach the SAPA judging point. 

With their theme titled An Egyptian Mystery, the band’s three sections depicted various aspects of ancient Egypt.

The all-female section, Nefertiti, wearing kalasiris over their bikinis and shorts complemented with gold head pieces, depicted the style of the ancient Egyptian queen. This was followed by the black and gold-clad revellers of the Mastaba Chamber section which represented the tomb of Egypt’s royalty. The third section, Naqada, which translated means gold, represented a town on the west bank of the river Nile in the Egyptian governorate of Qena.

Jama Production’s In D Brew had a band filled with well-designed witches. Before the judges, their chief witch mixed her powerful brew to get rid of the evil spirits upon the earth. 

Although B-Man and Lord Street Fusion and Associates’ La Cooray presented T-shirt mas, their colourful outfits, especially the design depicting the “plant-like substance” found at former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s home and the Red and Ready section representing the PNM’s general election win showed some effort. 

Though clichéd, Limerz Krew’s presentation of Jail Break was also one of the few creative designs with their black and white-striped outfits.

House of Jacqui’s presentation of Where Fashion Meets J’Ouvert was packed with energetic masqueraders revelling under the artificial rain created by a water truck and hose. However, their presentation was simply variations of purple and black T-shirts.

Divas International’s Halos and Horns chipped across the judging point to Voice’s Soca Monarch-winning single, Cheers to Life. But with the “ting so sweet,” they chipped straight past the judges and had to be called back by the announcer. Penal band, DJ Laltoo’s Wet and Wild, had another year showing a variety of coloured T-shirts and vests with the only attraction being a water truck.

The celebration became a bit frustrating for spectators at SAPA who had to wait for almost an hour for bands to pass as most of them were late and having a time along the crowded Cipero Street. When mas resumed, it brought congestion at the Rienzi Kirton Highway with bands hustling to cross the judging point before the 11 am cut-off time. However, the deadline reached with many bands yet to pass.

Low turnout for ole mas

The crowd of ole mas supporters has dwindled from years gone by and though there were humourous portrayals, some of the signage used by masqueraders was sometimes crass and lewd.

With almost 30 ole mas depictions, both Government and Opposition members were the subject of caricatures. 

Finance Minister Colm Imbert was most popular, with Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Princes Town MP Barry Padarath being the other favourites.

Princes Town hair dresser Tyrone Nanan provided some humour as he presented himself as a pregnant “Colm In Birth” who gave birth to baby Al Rawee, Fitz B-Hinds, Minister of Newness and Minister of Com-U-Nee-Cation.

Mas veterans, The Blue Boys J’Ouvert Band, brought most of the political ole mas, some of which were well received by the audience while others were not. Steelbands Pan Elders, San City, and Southern All Stars also provided sweet music on the road as well as the rhythmic Gasparillo Tamboo Bamboo Specialists.

Soca star Machel Montano was the frontrunner in the Road March race at Adam Smith Square, up to press time.

During yesterday's Parade of Bands at the Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain, judging point, Montano's Waiting On The Stage was clearly the most popular song.

There were more people on the pavement than in the stands along the venue. 

When one of the music trucks of Carnival band Dream Team's presentation Magic Carpet Ride was near the stage, Montano's song was played so loudly, however, that an announcer asked the music truck to lower the music because the judges and the people needed to hear the information on the band. 

For Adam Smith Square on a Monday, action began early at 10.30 am with Legacy's Life is... which was followed by Ronnie and Caro's Tears Of... then a lull around 11.45 am and a steady flow of large, medium and small bands into the afternoon period.

Under a hot sun the revellers danced with abandon as if maximising their time onstage in one of the shortest Carnival seasons in years as if to extract every ounce of enjoyment.

There were Island People Mas now rebranded as IP Mas with its 2016 presentation Pantheon: Summon the Guardians; Yuma's Indulge In The Sweet Life; D Krewe's Loving The Mas; Roam The Mas band's Kings, Queens and Vagabonds; Showtime Trinidad's Dance Warrior Dance; Veni Friends' Devils and Angels: To Hell and Back; Frenz N Dem's We Like It So; Shhhh Entertainment & Indulgence's Satisfy Your Every Indulgence; Just Wee & Friends Celebrating Wee Own; The Belmont Jewels' Conquest De La Chiquita; Starlift Steel Orchestra's Through The Years; and The Original Jab Jabs. 

Last year, Montano captured the Road March title with Like A Boss; and if he wins this year it will be his eighth title.

Musical legend Joey “Pal” Lewis, 78, died yesterday.

Lewis was admitted to the Community Hospital in Cocorite and diagnosed as having a growth in his colon in 2011. 

In August 2012 he began chemotherapy which affected his mobility and he had to be assisted with walking. His condition deteriorated slowly until his passing yesterday.

Lewis had been playing music for more than six decades. He formed his first band—Joey Lewis & The Teenagers—at age 16. In 1964 the band toured the United States where Joey met Harry Belafonte and Dizzy Gillespie. 

The following year he did a command performance in Guyana for President Forbes Burnham. In 1976, the Solid Gold company took the band to New York for performances where it won wide acclaim.The band has toured regularly, performing in every Caribbean island with the exception of Dominica. 

According to his wife Julia, “Joey got the nickname ‘Pal’ from seeing Pal Joey, a 1957 American movie which starred Frank Sinatra, Rita Haywood and Kim Novak. He has been referred to by that monicker since, and his band has carried the name as well.” 

Veteran musician Roy Cape said yesterday: “I awoke to the news and it really shocked me. But then again, life is about living and death.

“In 1961, I did an audition with Joey in Belmont. When I first met him the awesomeness of the man overwhelmed and inspired me. I feel that Joey’s band is the longest existing band in the history of world music. That alone says a lot. But his son will perpetuate the dream.

“The first song I learned to play was Kisses by Frank Purcell. Joey taught me that song. For more than half a century I have shared stages with Joey throughout Trinidad. I will give him credit for being a good manager of human resources.To hold a band for over 60-something years and still have some of the original musicians speaks to your leadership skills.”

Pelham Goddard, leader of Roots and arranger of Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra, said: “Joey is one of my mentors; an all-round musician. He was a true musician who could play anything. He was so much that it’s difficult to say exactly who he was in one go. 

“Joey influenced several musicians, especially myself, and excelled so much that when we had Roots and began playing our own music we used Joey and his music as the model for us to follow by having our own repertoire. Joey’s music, to this day, is still alive ensuring that while he may be missed he will not be forgotten.”

Veteran radio personality Phill Simmons added: “We have lost one of the legends of Trinidad and Tobago music. He was one of the most important musicians in the stability of our music, since he began playing as a teenager. 

Joey bridged eras and generations and was one of the few musicians to own his own studio so he had a position of independence. Joey led from in front to the time of his death. 

This was a stalwart of a man; a poui tree when it came to strength and stability.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced later. 

A total of 20 people were arrested at J’Ouvert celebrations in Chaguanas. 

Head of the Central Division Senior Superintendent Jayson Forde told the media the alleged offenders were arrested for various offences including illegal drugs, weapons, obscene language and fighting. 

Forde said anyone carrying anything remotely resembling a weapon for Carnival would be arrested. 

He promised a heavy police presence for the celebrations in a bid to keep negative elements out of the celebrations.

The senior officer said despite the arrests J’Ouvert celebrations went ahead without any major incidents in the Central borough.

Chaguanas Carnival Committee deputy chairman, Orlando Nagessar, said the police did an excellent job in keeping troublemakers away from the main parade venue, Ramsaran Street, where celebrations took place. 

Nagessar said despite lower funding, Carnival 2016 was one of the biggest celebrations in the history of Chaguanas Carnival. 

Nagessar said bands were allowed to exit the stage and leave the venue via Saith Park instead of proceeding west to Ramsaran Street where a large crowd had gathered in the presence of several bars. 

Bands had in the past complained of stormers and pickpockets entering their bands.

The first band to cross the stage shortly after 6 am was Blu Hawaii, a presentation of bandleader Philip Jordan and Junabo. 

This big band out of Lange Park has a tradition of sticking to a political theme for J’Ouvert.

But this year, Jordan said, it was all about having fun for Carnival. The committee had to plead with some bands to avoid throwing mud and paint on stage. 

However, these calls fell on deaf ears and resulted in a few people slipping and falling when they crossed the stage. 

Mayor Gopaul Boodhan and Carnival Committee chairman Ronald Heera played in the band Recession Ah Cyar Come. 

Boodhan said he was pleased to see bands getting in and out of celebrations without hiccups as in previous years. 

“This is the most exciting J’Ouvert we had in years; there are 20-plus bands expecting to cross the stage.” 

Boodhan said Recession Ah Cyar Come was a community band whose players were allowed to play free.

Several bands and individuals paraded before the panel of judges at the annual Chaguanas Children’s Carnival on Sunday before hundreds of spectators.

Vashtee Persad, adviser to the Committee, said in an interview that, “this year’s Children’s Carnival has surpassed previous ones, and this is an indication that Carnival and Carnival activities would blossom during this season and this trend will spill over into future celebrations.”

“I am amazed at the creativity and artistry and originality of the bands and individuals. This year’s show is now a turning point. The crowd was encouraging,” Persad said.

Co-ordinator of the Carnival celebrations in Central Trinidad—Couva, Chaguanas, Tabaquite and Longdenville, Councillor Ronald Heera, who also sits in as Chairman of the Chaguanas celebrations, “there were differences this year because we visited over 25 primary schools in the area, and sought their participation and what we are seeing today is because of the direct contact with them.”

“Chaguanas Children’s Carnival is one of the history books. It has captured the imagination of the hundreds of patrons who accompanied their little ones, either playing mas or just looking on. The time we invested in planning and producing the programme was worth it.”

Former Mayor of Chaguanas, who is a member of the Committee, Orlando Nagessar noted that there was, “a progressive higher level in the presentations today, and we can look forward to brighter and bigger Carnival for 2016.”

Among the bands paraded were: “No Bars, Bouncy Castle. Jab Jab Whip Masters, Carol and family, Fairy Tales, Pride In Our Local Industries, Birds of A Feather Flock, Baby Dolls and Not So Traditional.”

One of the highlights of the Carnival was the presentation of the Police Youth Committee which produced three bands from Tabaquite, Cunupia and Gran Couva, and which were supervised by head of the Central Division Senior Supt Jayson Forde.

All of the bands and individuals displayed enthusiasm and creativity.

Police have confirmed that the show was incident free.

Western Division police yesterday launched a manhunt for several people wanted in connection with a cache of arms, ammunition and illegal drugs found at Cameron Hill in Petit Valley, yesterday.

Two Glock pistols, five magazines, 205 assorted rounds of ammunition, two kilogrammes of cocaine and 18 kilogrammes of marijuana, two ski masks and thousands of marijuana seeds and small trees were discovered.

Senior Superintendent for the division, Zamsheed Mohammed, who spearheaded the exercise, praised his junior colleagues for their great work.

“I want to commend the police on their efforts and it was an element of surprise,” he said.

He said some of the men were known to the police and officers believed they would be held soon.

A report said around 11 am on Sunday and 3 am yesterday, officers from the Western Division Task Force and CID went to a camp located in the forest but were fired upon as they got closer.

The officers returned fire and five people who were in the camp fled into the hilly terrain.

Investigators said they believed one of the escapees was a Spanish-speaking woman.

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams says Carnival 2016 was a “fantastic celebration” and defending Vibe CT105FM Road March champion Machel Montano and thousands of masqueraders will surely agree, as the international soca star was yesterday well ahead in the contest to retain the crown this year.

And today, Montano and his fans will wait for confirmation that Waiting on the Stage was indeed the top song, as the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation is expected to release the result.

From the start of the Parade of Bands early yesterday, the small but appreciative crowd was treated to a continuous flow of bands across the Queen’s Park Savannah stage. Among the bands to appear before 4 pm, in the large band category, was Day Dream Entertainment Ltd/A Fantasy Carnival’s presentation I Wish.

Montano was on the music truck to energize the masqueraders with his 2016 hit.

Other bands which excited the crowd were Paparazzi Carnival’s Disco Inferno, the Lost Tribe’s Secret Garden, IPMas’ Pantheon—Summon the Guardians and Passion Carnival’s Amazon.

House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George was among the masqueraders in the band K2K Alliance and Partners, which presented Searching For Shangri-La—Your Garden of Eden.

As each band was announced to enter the stage, masqueraders ran and jumped in excitement in the hope that their respective band would cop the Band of the Year title. There was also the traditional mas appearing on stage yesterday.

Montano’s song was way ahead of all challengers as the second day of competition took place under brilliant sunshine. There was a heavy police and military presence on ground and in the air as a helicopter was seen monitoring the proceedings throughout the day. However, there was one reported incident at the venue yesterday. (See other story) 

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Rodney Smart, walked the stage yesterday. Williams said he expected the celebrations to end without any major incidents, as the citizens were displaying “more responsible behaviour for Carnival, (with) people appreciating the importance of enjoying the festive period and giving the necessary support to the law enforcement agencies.”

He said their presence was also to “demonstrate our support to the citizens too...at the end of the day Carnival 2016 ending up a fantastic celebration.”

Brigadier Smart said the Defence Force would “continue to push troops forward in support of the police,” adding that while there was a significant police/army presence at Carnival venues, there was also a strong security presence along the coastlines and in the air.

“While we are here at the Carnival (venue), we continue to be up in Laventille Hill and throughout Trinidad and Tobago,” he added.

A bandit was shot and his co-accused arrested after the swift intervention of a security guard attached to a Carnival band yesterday afternoon.

According to police reports, the bandit and an accomplice were about to rob a man at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, when the officer saw what was about to happen and intervened, warning the man of the impending danger. One of the thieves then stabbed the security guard, who pulled out his gun and shot the man. Both were taken to hospital, while the second bandit was apprehended a short while later. A woman who was standing close by was grazed by a bullet. She too was taken to hospital, treated and discharged. 

In an unrelated incident, the body of a homeless man was found near the lighthouse in downtown Port-of-Spain around 2 pm. Police said the man is believed to have died of natural causes as his body had no marks of violence. While masqueraders chipped away, Crime Scene Investigators were busy processing the area for clues as to the man’s identity and possible cause of death. 

According to police, up to 2 pm yesterday, 42 people had been charged for a range of offences committed since Carnival Monday, including possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, overcrowding of vehicles and disorderly behaviour. The arrests came from seven of the nine policing divisions including Tobago, while the Western and North-Eastern Divisions reported no arrests. Tobago had the highests arrests with 14 people for various offences, while the Port-of-Spain Division had ten.

Vendors along Broadway in Port-of-Spain yesterday complained bitterly about poor sales since Fantastic Friday.

Fried chicken, fries, fried fish and pelau were some of the foods still stacked high in glass cases around 4 pm.

Rhonda Sargeant, who said it was her first year selling, told the T&T Guardian that it made no sense for her to sell food because hardly anyone was buying. On Monday she made fish broth but said the sales were also poor.

“Sales not going good at all. We renting the spots and the bands passing somewhere else,” she complained.

Sargeant, from Belmont, said she felt better arrangements for the vendors should have been made by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation.

Her stall consisted mainly of preservatives and drinks.

Next to her was Sharon Daniels, who has been selling for over a decade. Daniels said she had put out close to $10,000 and was yet to see some profit.

“Look the day nearly done and I have not made much,” Daniels said.

She was selling BBQ, hot dog sandwiches, alcoholic drinks and snacks.

“Since Friday this place just dead,” she said.

The Curepe resident said since last year sales had plummeted.

Daniels said, “Sales slow, the place quiet and no masqueraders. It real bad.”

She spent close to $8,000 in stock and about $1,000 to acquire the spot, inclusive of a food badge and licence.

Not a patron was close to Frank James’ bar spot.

“Sales not good at all. It not supposed to be so. I lose out real bad,” James said.

He said while poor sales came as a surprise last year, this year was worse.

Another vendor, Malcom Worthington, of Laventille, chimed in with “nothing doing.”

He said while food was selling, drinks were not.

“It just really slow this year.”

Worthington has been selling for five years. He just shook his head and said, “Nobody passing so nobody buying.”

Machel Montano and Badjohn Republic’s Waiting on the Stage commanded the majority of airplay at the Adam Smith Square, Port-of-Spain, judging point yesterday, as the song was played by almost all the bands which crossed the stage.

The judging point turned into an explosion of colour and revelry as scores of masqueraders crossed that stage area. 

Ronnie and Caro, which presented Tears of..., crossed the stage at about 11.35 am with masqueraders wearing costumes in fluorescent green and others in blue and pink. 

Then came large bands Yuma, presenting Indulge, and Legacy, presenting Life is..., with both bands taking 45 minutes to cross the stage compared to other bands which took 30 minutes. 

Very visible was the police presence on horseback and some on patrol, as there were instances when the spectators lining the street started to spill over onto the streets. Overhead, national security helicopters also hovered frequently. 

The stands were packed to capacity with visitors as well as locals who came to T&T specifically to watch Carnival. Tourists came from California, New York, and as far away as Australia. 

Speaking to T&T Guardian, one of the visitors from New York, who did not want to be named, described T&T’s Carnival as “awesome.” 

The Socadrome, filled with soca music and real party vibes, yesterday set the perfect celebratory mood for a young couple.

Amongst scores of revellers in the large band Tribe, at about 11.45 am, 26-year-old Kareem Ali emerged from a music truck holding a sign towards the stage which read “Carissa marry me?”

Ali’s girlfriend, Carissa Housian, who was also playing with the same section, immediately shouted “Yes!”

The on-stage proposal caused a double dose of frenzy amongst the masqueraders who witnessed the life-changing event for the young couple.

Also, for the first time in three years, the Socadrome, held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain, recorded the largest turnout ever since its inception.

There was an explosion of colour not only on stage but in the stands.

Children were seen dancing to the sound of Machel Montano’s “Waiting on the Stage,” the runaway Road March leader.

Some of the little ones, to their amusement, were seen catching the colourful confetti that came across the stage over the masqueraders into the stands. Their squeals of excitement and outbursts of laughter sometimes overpowered the music.

From as early as 7 am, spectators began arriving at the Socadrome to secure themselves that perfect spot in the stands so they could get a good view of some of T&T’s largest bands displaying their wonderfully designed costumes.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, George Baldwell, of Brooklyn, said he was basking in the Socadrome experience.

“I was here last year but this year is just so awesome. It is like one big party concentrated in one area, which is just perfect for my family and I,” Baldwell said.

Another spectator from Arima, Gemma Alexis, said she surely did not regret choosing to go to the Socadrome this year and promised to return next year. All the way from Australia, David Morgan said it was his first T&T Carnival experience.

“Socadrome is filled with so much energy. Just have to come again. The people are so friendly and I can see they love to party,” Morgan said.

South band leader Lionel Jaggessar, with his traditional mas of the Apache Indians, kicked off the day’s proceedings, crossing the stage at 8.13 am.

Rosalind Gabriel’s children’s band Another Day in Paradise then graced the stage at 8.40 am.

Large band Bliss, with their presentation Secret Garden, followed at 9 am. It took them about 35 minutes to cross the stage.

Yuma’s Indulge got on stage right after, lasting for close to one hour. A 90-minute presentation of The Forbidden by Tribe followed.

Two other bands, Lost Tribe and Harts, were also carded to cross the big stage. Hundreds of patrons passing through the Socadrome during the day were also entertained with portrayals by traditional mas characters, including Blue Devils, Bats and the Midnight Robber; extempo by Lingo and Black Sage; the Brimblers Steelband and Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx and Ricardo Drue.