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"AUGUST IS THE TIME" .....but June looking good too - June 06th, 2006 |
| By Dexter Mitchell |
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The 2006 Carnival season continues it merry march toward the big climax on August 14th and 15th with three more launches over the past weekend.
On Saturday June 03rd the Grenada Mas Band Association launched its Carnival season at the NIS Car Park with an impressive presentation of sketches of the Mas bands that will be partaking in the 2006 Carnival celebrations. A plethora of wonderful displays, both under the exhibition tent and on the big screen, certainly invoked the Carnival spirit. The presence of the traditional Vecour and Shortknee bands created quite a stir with their energetic performances and humorous chanting. The traditional bands are an integral part of what Grenada has to offer for Carnival and it is always very exciting to witness one of their performances. The Mas Band Association hosted some local Artistes as part of the launch. Former Soca and Calypso Monarchs Black Wizard and Sheldon Douglas thrilled in true veteran style with the youngsters such as Nnika, Ranking Marvin and Soca Elvis energizing the crowd. That part of the program however belonged to the young Artiste from England by the name of Soca Sterling. The English accent and blonde hair was deceiving because the young man certainly has Caribbean flavor. The Mas component of Spicemas ’06 will be markedly improved from the last couple of years. There will be more bands, more participation and certainly a general enhancement of the processional aspect of Carnival.
On Sunday the Mt. Mortiz community launched its 2006 Carnival Mas Band. The band is entitled “Traditional Values” with four Children’s section and four Adults sections. The launched was done as part of a Family Fun Day and the notion of a community working together for such an undertaking is extremely exciting. The strength and development Carnival must come from such endeavors; it has worked before and certainly can work again. Congratulations are in order for the entire Mt. Mortiz community and the Grenada Carnival Committee would like to wish them all the best for the 2006 Carnival season.
Also on Sunday the St. Andrew’s Carnival Committee launched its Carnival Season. The St. Andrew’s launch was highly anticipated with a program that began at 4pm and ended at 12 midnight. The first part of the launch featured a street parade around the town of Grenville. The official part of the festivities began about 7pm at the newly paved Grenville Car Park. The Parliamentary Representative for the area Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford must be acknowledged for fulfilling her promise to have the work at the Car Park completed in time for the Carnival launch.
Hon. Brenda Hood in her remarks re-enforced the Government’s commitment to the development of Culture and Carnival. She spoke of the Cultural events that will form part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the continuous celebration of the 25th anniversary of Carnival celebrations in August.
The St. Andrew’s Carnival Committee has committed itself to the showcasing of all aspects of traditional mas and the launch provided a preview of what is come. One could not help but get very excited about the Maypole Dancers, the Cowboys, and Shortknee.
Awards were presented some Carnival stalwarts from the Parish. Most notably was Calypsonian African Teller who is celebrating 30 years in the entertainment business. If the launch is an indication of things to come, then St. Andrew’s will be having a massive Carnival season.
“AUGUST IS THE TIME”
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