If there was any hope of the spanking new, ultra modern Carnival Centre being completed within the next year or two it was all dashed to pieces by the Minister of Culture’s revelation that “Mas on the Move” will continue for a number of years as the Centre will not be completed in the foreseeable feature. Seeing as absolutely no work has yet begun in the Savannah I expected this news, however I think it is quite smug of the Government to boast that Carnival 2007 “Mas on the Move” was a success when we were at a standstill for three hours on Carnival Tuesday. In addition several Ministers including Hazel Manning, Jerry Narace, Howard Chin Lee and not to mention the President and his wife all played with Tribe so I am bewildered as to if THEY were not affected by our long wait to cross the downtown judging area. Maybe they met the band on South Quay or spent some time lounging in their private resting bus, because there is no way they could have met the band at Stanmore Avenue and inched forward to South Quay and call that a “success” in Mas on the Move!
In retrospect to circumvent that wait if I were the organizers of TRIBE I would have taken a move like HARTS once I knew Island People was ahead of us and after the band came down Tragarete Road, turn across Park Street (or one of the streets that could be navigated) and head up Charlotte Street to the Savannah, putting the band ahead of Island People. It made absolutely no sense to put TRIBE immediately following Island People when both bands take over an hour to cross the judging point! This is something the NCC and NCBA have to look into if they want to have a success at Mas on the Move in 2008 and 2009! Send the big bands to different judging points to avoid the congestion.
Another issue I have had for a long time is that the cameras and television coverage focuses only on the Savannah. Why not set up live coverage at each of the judging points? That way viewers at home can get to see all the bands, if there is a lull at the Savannah (which happened this year) switch to downtown coverage. Even without the “lull” viewers at home could be treated to what is taking place at Adam Smith Square, Downtown or Piccadilly because as we know several bands, including TRIBE did not make it to the Savannah on Tuesday.
I have no idea why the Government is so opposed to giving masqueraders a stage. I mean am I the only one who can look at the Savannah and see a wide expanse of land where a stage can be constructed in some other area? Surely if Machel could hold his Alternative Concert on the Western End of the Savannah and Panorama facilities this year were constructed ground up in another vicinity other than where the “old” Grand Stand is, given the time we have before Carnival 2008 it is quite feasible to simply move the stage and stands to another part of the Savannah. The issue is not with wanting to hold on to the past and not welcoming change, sure, we all welcome the new Carnival Centre that is proposed but in the interim and especially after seeing the results of Mas on the Move, why not give masqueraders that one element that was missing this year; a stage. I guess that would mean some official having to admit that Carnival 2007 was NOT the “best ever” as is being touted by the propaganda and bull shit regime!
Finally, if I were a Bandleader I would really lobby to get my OWN stage for my masqueraders to cross. Yes it seems like a “farfetched” idea and one that the NCC or NCBA might frown upon, but think about it; Harts and Island People both used the Oval for their masqueraders to have a “party” why then not use a venue as such and build a stage making your own route and taking your masqueraders across that stage? I mean friends, family, tourists and other persons could be charged a nominal fee to enter the area, be it in the Oval or some private park/grounds where bleachers are set up, and masqueraders have a stage to cross. Then we could go on the streets, enjoy Mas on the Move and return to that stage to cross as many times as we like! What would be even better is if a few bands could come together to put this plan in action so that spectators would have the chance to see more than one band crossing their own “private” stage.
Of course to make it appealing to the spectators the venue could be transformed into a big lime with drinks and food on sale, entertainment and even large screens set up so that footage of bands crossing from official judging areas could be broadcasted while they wait. I know for sure my mom and all her friends would pay to see me cross the stage because as soon as TRIBE crossed downtown she went home! And I know lots of people who waited only to see their friends and family cross the stage and then left. So I am copyrighting my brilliant idea since I think it could work beautifully! When I played with Harts we made out own route every year, with the focus being on the masqueraders having a good time instead of competition. My first taste of “waiting” to cross the stage was with Poison and to me that was a waste of time, having to spend hours at a standstill, literally playing mas all day stuck on Charlotte Street. Thankfully the wait, for me, on Tuesday was not as bad as Poison days, and after we crossed downtown TRIBE took the initiative to veto the Savannah and keep moving (until they blocked once again by Island People), the best part of the day being the jump up in St. James!
So I hope all the powers that be stop patting themselves on the back trying to fool the general public that this Carnival was not without problems, go back to the drawing board with Mas on the Move and revamp the concept for Carnival 2008!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Copyright Notice:
All photos and original articles by the author of this site are copyright of www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com
therefore all rights are reserved.
Original content found within this Web site are protected by international copyright laws. No content of any type from this site may be sold, republished, modified, uploaded, reformatted or copied without the express consent of www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com
Should you require to use any of the material originally published on www. trinidadcarnivaldiary.com for personal or public use please e-mail trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com
Disclaimer
It is important to impress that the views reflected by this blog are mine alone and not necessarily views held by Triniscene. You cannot contact Triniscene and ask for their assistance in swaying or monitoring anything that is written on this blog.
All Content is for informational purposes only. I make reasonable efforts to ensure the completeness and accuracy of all content of the blog. However, I do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information on this blog. There are various risks you assume in relying on the Content. We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate Content on the blog, but at times I may not promptly update or correct the blog even if I am aware that it is inaccurate, outdated or otherwise inappropriate.
While at times, I highlight certain services, websites, merchandise and such, I do not endorse any product. Nor do I use this blog to sell any merchandise. Also, I DO NOT endorse or encourage any products, costumes or services advertised on the conversation box (e.g. cbox). Neither do I endorse the opinions of, or warrant the accuracy of facts or other Content contributed by, any third party. I am not liable for any action you take or decision you make in reliance on any Content.
As a result, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE QUALITY, SAFETY OR LEGALITY OF THE ITEMS ADVERTISED, THE TRUTH OR ACCURACY OF THE LISTINGS, THE ABILITY OF SELLERS TO SELL ITEMS OR THE ABILITY OF BUYERS TO BUY ITEMS. I cannot ensure that a buyer or seller will actually complete a transaction. You should look to the seller for any refunds, credits or adjustments to a transaction. I ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND OFFER NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, REGARDING YOUR TRANSACTION WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL SELLER(S) OR ANY PARTS YOU PURCHASE FROM A SELLER, OR ANY INFORMATION, INCLUDING CREDIT CARD INFORMATION, YOU GIVE TO A SELLER.
Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com does not assume copyright for images used that are not owned by Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com, such images are used only to illustrate a point or when they are relevant to an article written by the author of Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com .If you are the owner of the image and would like it removed please contact trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com
All Content is for informational purposes only. I make reasonable efforts to ensure the completeness and accuracy of all content of the blog. However, I do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information on this blog. There are various risks you assume in relying on the Content. We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate Content on the blog, but at times I may not promptly update or correct the blog even if I am aware that it is inaccurate, outdated or otherwise inappropriate.
While at times, I highlight certain services, websites, merchandise and such, I do not endorse any product. Nor do I use this blog to sell any merchandise. Also, I DO NOT endorse or encourage any products, costumes or services advertised on the conversation box (e.g. cbox). Neither do I endorse the opinions of, or warrant the accuracy of facts or other Content contributed by, any third party. I am not liable for any action you take or decision you make in reliance on any Content.
As a result, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE QUALITY, SAFETY OR LEGALITY OF THE ITEMS ADVERTISED, THE TRUTH OR ACCURACY OF THE LISTINGS, THE ABILITY OF SELLERS TO SELL ITEMS OR THE ABILITY OF BUYERS TO BUY ITEMS. I cannot ensure that a buyer or seller will actually complete a transaction. You should look to the seller for any refunds, credits or adjustments to a transaction. I ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND OFFER NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, REGARDING YOUR TRANSACTION WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL SELLER(S) OR ANY PARTS YOU PURCHASE FROM A SELLER, OR ANY INFORMATION, INCLUDING CREDIT CARD INFORMATION, YOU GIVE TO A SELLER.
Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com does not assume copyright for images used that are not owned by Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com, such images are used only to illustrate a point or when they are relevant to an article written by the author of Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com .If you are the owner of the image and would like it removed please contact trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com
9 comments:
Morning Sauce,
I could not agree with you more. Mas could never be "on the move" as long as there are points where bands have stop and be judged, and I said that from the jump. This was my 3rd year playing mas and that wait at South Quay was the longest. Clearly who ever worked out the logistics of the whole thing need a good lash cause they could have done much better.
And I am all for band leaders coming together and saying "screw that, we're doing our own thing!" because if this continues, the entire parade is going to become a nightmare that eventually the masqueraders will feel.
On a side note, I commend TRIBE for another good year, I had a time. I won't say it was perfect, cause by no means was it perfect, but it was great, and as long as I have breath in my body, am healthy, can walk, can wine and can pay for the costume (hey!!)....I'll see them next year!
I wasn't in Trinidad for the Carnival but nobody seems to think the mas on the move thing worked as well as they would have liked but the idea of making a stage for yourself is good and is actually something that my some older folks did last year.
A bunch of ladies - mainly in their 60s and 70s, made their own costumes, hired a truck with their own facilities and when they passed a judging point, they were hydraulically (sp) lifted down and they jumped by the judges. When they were done, they were lifted back up. Their band was called the 'MotherTruckers'.
start the lobby Saucy! Start the lobby!! because one time i get a sour vibes to rush home for 2008
Did you ever think of placing this in the newspapers? Like letters to the editor etc? It's great. (& that is an understatement). I agree with you about the stage. I miss the concept of the stage, the idea of this 'space' or special arena to perform.
As I was telling someone just now on the phone, they could have done more with the savannah this year or even where we supposedly were to parade for the judges. They could have really created an area or space a section that you KNEW was your specific stage. They could have really gone beyond the idea of stage as a ramp and done something else, I dunno, fabric hanging, etc but something to signify you reached. But there was nothing, just .. yuh moving along and chippin.
tiffany I think I am going to forward it to the Minister of Culture and NCC.. I am dead serious about that!
But my idea for the private stage is copyrighted eh lol
intellectual property rights is SERIOUS TING! Plus, yuh have your copyright notice ting ting up on your blog too! http://creativecommons.org
Hello!...Just have some patience and wait for the new arena to be built. I think all of this is just going overboard. All of this so you don't have to wait? OMG! Geez. The plans are already in place for the new venue, its just going to take time. It has worked great in the past with the one main judging point in the savannah and it will work again, its just under construction now. There must be a wait! Large bands take a longer time crossing. All these different judging points for each band is ridiculous and a bit much.
Hello!... get some facts straight this is not about ME not wanting to wait,it is about Mas on the Move needing some thought and action so that all bands can really flow freely, something that affects thousands of masqueraders of which I am one, and could potentially affect how Trinidad Carnival is seen by those overseas.
Secondly I know VERY WELL about the plans for the new Carnival Centre and I know construction has yet to begin, in fact the Minister of Culture is now seeking input from related bodies therefore a further delay will ensue.
And thirdly there has ALWAYS been 3 Judging Points.. the Savannah, Downtown and Victoria.. hence the reasons some bands win Band of the Year DOWNTOWN and don't wind Band of the Year overall.
Before you take the time to attack me, as usual, think before typing.
"if I were a Bandleader I would really lobby to get my OWN stage"
I was complaining to the b/f that the only regret that I had about this year's Carnival was that we never got to see tbe band in sections because we were refused entry to the Savannah judging point on Tuesday, and we had to rush through Adam Smith Square and never got time to assemble properly, and he suggested this very same idea of private stages for various bands. That way, spectators who are looking for certain bands will know exactly where to find them.
And masqueraders get to move freely and take as long as they want on their 'stage' without tying up anyone else.
Post a Comment