Coming from the office of the NCC I was just informed that a stage and spectator stands will be constructed at the Savannah where all pre Carnival events such as Panorama and Dimanche Gras will be held. However when I asked why masqueraders will not be crossing the stage if it will be in existence I was told that the BANDLEADERS wanted mas to return to the streets for 2008 so "that is what we will get"!!
Subsequent to that conversation I then spoke to someone at the National Carnival Bands Association N.C.B.A. and was informed that mas will be on the streets "as always" and it was even intimated that the suggested facilities currently under construction may not be ready in time. Also, when pressed as to why the N.C.B.A. took a decision to not use the stage that will be constructed I was eventually given the answer that the location of this new stage is inaccessible as it is located off the parade route ina "remote" area of the Savannah. My question to this was if the location was more accessible would the N.C.B.A. consider using the stage? I was told that discussion never came up in Carnival talks. The only decisions made for use of these new facilities were for the King and Queen of Carnival competitions, Dimanche Gras and Panorama.The Savannah judging point for Mas on the Streets 2008 has moved to the area in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Finally, I also spoke to someone at the Ministry of Culture who said as of now the plan for 2008 is for mas to be on the streets, however all possibilities will be taken into consideration. I wonder how in touch the N.C.B.A. is with the wants of masqueraders who clearly, judging from the response of the news that we will have a stage for 2008, are estatic over the idea of parading on a stage. Who are the bandleaders involved in making those decisions is what I want to know! And, as a slap in the face to all of us parading AROUND the Savannah a stage will lie in waste on Carnival Monday and Tuesday! As far as I can tell it is being constructed in the SAME area as where the "old" stage used to be, yet the N.C.B.A. is saying that will be inaccessible to masqueraders.. that makes NO sense because how will the pan men get their pans in/out of the Savannah for panorama? If they can get unto that stage then surely masqueraders can. I truly believe that the powers that be think that Carnival is "we" thing and that "we", the masqueraders will accept anything they give us because of the love of the mas!
I implore all of you to email the N.C.B.A., let all your friends and family who are playing mas as well send out a petition to protest this turn of events, let your voice as a masquerader be heard; if they are building a stage for Carnival 2008 we want to cross it!
N.C.B.A.
email: info@ncbatt.com
telephone 1-868-628-8650
N.C.C.
Keston Nancoo or Darren Marcel
627-1350
emails can be sent via the website.
Subsequent to that conversation I then spoke to someone at the National Carnival Bands Association N.C.B.A. and was informed that mas will be on the streets "as always" and it was even intimated that the suggested facilities currently under construction may not be ready in time. Also, when pressed as to why the N.C.B.A. took a decision to not use the stage that will be constructed I was eventually given the answer that the location of this new stage is inaccessible as it is located off the parade route ina "remote" area of the Savannah. My question to this was if the location was more accessible would the N.C.B.A. consider using the stage? I was told that discussion never came up in Carnival talks. The only decisions made for use of these new facilities were for the King and Queen of Carnival competitions, Dimanche Gras and Panorama.The Savannah judging point for Mas on the Streets 2008 has moved to the area in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Finally, I also spoke to someone at the Ministry of Culture who said as of now the plan for 2008 is for mas to be on the streets, however all possibilities will be taken into consideration. I wonder how in touch the N.C.B.A. is with the wants of masqueraders who clearly, judging from the response of the news that we will have a stage for 2008, are estatic over the idea of parading on a stage. Who are the bandleaders involved in making those decisions is what I want to know! And, as a slap in the face to all of us parading AROUND the Savannah a stage will lie in waste on Carnival Monday and Tuesday! As far as I can tell it is being constructed in the SAME area as where the "old" stage used to be, yet the N.C.B.A. is saying that will be inaccessible to masqueraders.. that makes NO sense because how will the pan men get their pans in/out of the Savannah for panorama? If they can get unto that stage then surely masqueraders can. I truly believe that the powers that be think that Carnival is "we" thing and that "we", the masqueraders will accept anything they give us because of the love of the mas!
I implore all of you to email the N.C.B.A., let all your friends and family who are playing mas as well send out a petition to protest this turn of events, let your voice as a masquerader be heard; if they are building a stage for Carnival 2008 we want to cross it!
N.C.B.A.
email: info@ncbatt.com
telephone 1-868-628-8650
N.C.C.
Keston Nancoo or Darren Marcel
627-1350
emails can be sent via the website.
9 comments:
we want we beeping stage
i know it was to f--ing good to be true...... STEUPS...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I want my stage back. Please!
I knew it was too good to be true!
I signed it...I WANT MY STAGE!
Saucy I done sign, but this article in the Guardian makes it sound like the stage is to be used for Mas! Why Trinidad always full of confusion so?????
TRINIDAD GUARDIAN
3rd December 2007
BY SEAN NERO
Confusion reigns between the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and Carnival special interest groups over which will be the main venue for hosting Carnival 2008.
NCC chairman Keston Nancoo told reporters yesterday that Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain would be the venue for “all the pre-Carnival shows.”
However, Owen Hinds, president of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) said activities such as the King and Queen competitions, the Junior Parade of Bands and the portrayal of individuals would remain at Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain.
The arrangement came into effect for this year’s Carnival.
Nancoo made the comments during a tour of the Savannah with Culture Minister Marlene McDonald, Junior Culture Minister Donna Cox and the ministry’s parliamentary secretary Junia Regrello, to preview construction work at the venue, for the upcoming national festival.
Michael Legerton, president of Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco), was also on the tour, but noticeably absent was Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold.
Hinds said the decision taken by the NCC on the pre-Carnival activities—as announced by Nancoo—took place before he (Hinds) replaced NCBA vice-president Felix Celestine as commissioner for mas’ on the board.
“It was a unanimous decision. I am not going to say I am dissatisfied. My vice-president was there and he spoke on our behalf. I am satisfied that it was a decision taken and I would want to wait and see what happens.
“However, we are fortunate that the kiddies, the Kings, Queens and individuals will still be taking place at the Jean Pierre Complex.”
The Kings and Queens finals also form part of the Dimanche Gras production, which also includes the Calypso Monarch title, but the Jean Pierre Complex would not be home to that mega event, according to Nancoo.
Legerton of Tuco, refused to offer his organisation’s position on the matter.
“It’s a board decision; it’s not an isolated decision. It was a decision taken by the board,” he said.
Savannah still the venue
for pan semis
While the Savannah would continue to be the venue for the Panorama semifinals, there is no decision as to a venue for staging the finals of the event.
Nancoo said yesterday a decision would be made this week.
“It’s a decision that has to be taken based on dialogue with the stakeholders,” he said.
Construction of the People’s Stand and the Northern Greens on the eastern end of the Queen’s Park Savannah has begun and the Culture Minister said yesterday she was confident the infrastructure would be in place in time.
“What I have seen this morning, I am pretty satisfied with Carnival 2008 and the preparation thereof. With respect to the seating arrangements, that could be done probably overnight, because the foundation work is now being done.
“It’s just a matter of bolting the structure.”
She would not offer details relating to the cost and other dynamics of staging the national festival, but assured culture aficionados that such information would be available during the launch of Carnival next week (December 11).
January 10 deadline
for People’s Stand
Completion date for the People’s Stand, as well as commercial and sanitary facilities, is January 10.
According to Nancoo, the People’s Stand could accommodate 6,000 patrons. The northern greens would be created just opposite.
“The huge paved area where the North Stand would have traditionally been situated will be used as a hub for bands coming off stage as well as kings and queens,” Nancoo said.
“The bands will enter on the Savannah drag, turn in a westerly direction onto the stage—a stage similar to the one we had in 2007—around where the North Stand used to be and onto Victoria Avenue.”
what is really wrong with us? why are we so comfortable in confusion? the greatest show (party more like it)on earth does not even have a stage.
why do they think we wouldn't want a stage? or is it that they don't want to incur the extra expense of having a stage for us....
I signed the petition Saucy!
wow Saucy, you rhhheeeelll heat up over dis eh!!! good luck with this! i believe it doesnt make sense, but maybe they don't want 50,000+ people jumping on the probably not strong enuff stage. come tuesday, ting fall apart!
wait! i just realised something, wasn't the original stage knocked down last year only to put it back up this year? sennnnnnse!!
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