By Martin Daly - Trinidad Express
The only remarkable thing about Carnival 2015 was the obvious acceleration of its decline into a minority sport with less and less redeeming artistic value and rapidly decreasing audiences.
In keeping with the title of my Carnival Sunday column, the debunking process that takes place outside the Trini power matrix must be applied to Carnival. The 2015 celebration certainly exposed several pretenses about the annual festival and some raw feelings beneath the masks we wear.
Perhaps, as the society crumbles, the facades that so many socially and politically mobile Trinis place in front of themselves are cracking under the stress of maintaining the invented self and delusional status.
We do not collect appropriate statistical data but, if assessed by its apparent lure as a live spectator event, Carnival 2015 confirmed that Carnival is no longer a mainstream activity no matter the claptrap about “the greatest show on earth”, a self-serving proclamation which some members of the media are obsessed to parrot. Beaches at home and malls and other destinations abroad taken together probably now have more Trinis spending their time and money there than Carnival spectators in all of Trinidad’s streets....
... In 2009, I expressed concern about the likely failure of Panorama finals as a major spectator event. That failure is now plain. The Grand Stand was not full and patrons in the North Stand were sparse. What else is to be expected if, after a 7.20 p.m. start, the first large band arrived on stage at 11.45 p.m. and results were given at 4.10 a.m.?
The star attractions must play in prime time....
Replies
“In 2009, I expressed concern about the likely failure of Panorama finals as a major spectator event. That failure is now plain. The Grand Stand was not full and patrons in the North Stand were sparse. What else is to be expected if, after a 7.20 p.m. start, the first large band arrived on stage at 11.45 p.m. and results were given at 4.10 a.m.? The star attractions must play in prime time. We have ducked this issue to a point where our brilliant musicians are pouring out sweet sounds to absent ears. There is no chance of attracting foreign visitors outside the loyal diaspora audience while this kind of scheduling persists”….Martin Daly.
If Pan Trinbago wants improve its attendance and Panorama product, here’s something to consider.
Designate a stage manager who will ensure all the bands follow the guidelines for their stage performance, penalize when necessary.
Bands mounting the stage will have 10 minutes to set-up, 8 minutes for performance and 10 minutes or less to dismount the stage. All bands should have least 30 minutes total on the panorama stage.
At present it takes an average over 30 to 40 minutes for a band to set-up perform and dismount the panorama stage.
Here’s the procedure for the International Panorama Competition, no time allotted for stage set-up, performance or dismount. This process needs serious review.
9.3.2 – Procedures to be observed by steelbands immediately prior to their performance – All competing steelbands at the International Panorama competition shall be required to comply with the following procedures immediately prior to the commencement of their performances before the judges:-
The steelband next scheduled to perform shall proceed to the “Holding Bay” while the preceding steelband is performing onstage; the “Holding Bay” shall be a location immediately adjacent to the precincts of the performing stage.
This steelband shall stop playing before proceeding into the “Holding Bay”;
Immediately prior to the commencement of the performance of a steelband, the resident disc jockey at the venue shall be allowed to play the music selected by the steelband for a maximum of eight (8) minutes;
Each steelband shall be expected to be ready to perform its selection of music at the end of the playing of its tune of choice by the resident disc jockey at the competing venue.
Each steelband must play in its position irrespective of whether the disc jockey plays the Calypso that the steelband is about to perform. However, the onus is on all bands to provide recording of their selection to the International Panorama Management Committee.
ODW in 2007 the Panorama was done by Midnight. So it can be done. check the WST report. http://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2007/interviews/withweekes.htm
odw, the main problem with the bands setting up is the fans that come with their bands, even if there is a holding area help will be still needed to when it's time to move on stage. As you said prime time is for the large bands, move the medium bands to another day.
The carnival goose is sick and need medical attention NOW before we get accustom to the tarnish egg.