MOTHER OF ALL CARNIVALS ENDS WITH MEDIA BEATDOWN
Let us go back to the ANTICIPATION and the PROJECTIONS for CARNIVAL 2023 which was to be THE MOTHER OF ALL CARNIVALS.
Daily Express October 14, 2022
“CARNIVAL 2023 is almost sold out,” Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell said yesterday.
Speaking in the budget debate in the Senate, he said: “We have been doing extremely well. Our creatives have been flying the flag abroad to all the different carnivals and people have been preparing. From all the indications, Carnival 2023 is almost sold out. People cannot wait to get back. And it is really not getting back to the wine and jam or, as Senator Nakhid describes it, as he castigates it, as ‘the stink and dutty’. It is an entire economy of people who can create and earn money from this creative sector. This is our lifeblood, our culture,” he said. The airlines are almost booked out,” he said.
Trinidad Guardian October 30, 2022
The Merry Monarch is expected to reign on the streets and entertainment arenas of T&T once again come January and February 2023. Fuelled by the pent-up energy and anticipation coming off of the pandemic which constrained festivities for the past two years, Carnival 2023 or C2K23 is expected to be a mega one. Leading the charge in declaring the 2023 festival “The Mother of All Carnivals” is the governing body for Carnival the National Carnival Commission.
Newsday November 6, 2022
Gypsy: Mother of all Carnivals, a grand festival in 2023
National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters said not having Carnival for two years took a toll on the people of TT but they “stayed the course” and now appreciate it more.
Speaking at the launch of Carnival 2023 at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Saturday evening, he said it would be the mother of all carnivals because it would be a “grand festival” of events and activities, a world-class showcase of creativity and culture, and a revelry of identity and expression.
Newsday January 14,2023
PORT OF SPAIN Mayor Joel Martinez said Carinival 2023 would be the mother of all Carnivals, and Port of Spain is ready to be at its centre.
“It will be very large and a fantastic festival that no one has ever seen in TT. The city of POS is going to be well positioned and poised to handle the mother of all carnivals. I think we deserve it,” Martinez said.
AFTER THE MOTHER OF ALL CARNIVALS ENDS IN MISCARRIAGE
TRINIDAD GUARDIAN February 20, 2023
Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain, for Machel Montano 40: One Show on Friday night, many were left upset before a note was played.
There was a traffic nightmare along Wrightson Road as patrons were anxious to see Montano’s first concert on home soil since staging his last Machel Monday show in 2020. If you were one of those patrons who listened to Montano’s urgings to reach the stadium at the 6 pm opening time, you might have been able to get a good park. Some of the usual parking venues were either closed or pre-booked. It left patrons parking on the surrounding grass, pavements or far away street where there was no security.
If you purchased a ticket for the Diamond tier, you had secured parking with a private entrance. However, many had to forsake their parking because of long queues and other issues with getting into the venue.
Those who arrived at 6 pm lined up outside the stadium waiting for the gates to open. Patrons complained heavily, but there was a lack of information from the promoter. The gates eventually opened at 9 pm. But it was not until 10 pm that the show started, which included a few underwhelming opening acts. There were some frustrating periods when a DJ would play long sessions of old soca, leaving the audience standing still.
Guardian February 23, 2023
Fewer flights post pandemic, Culture/Tourism Minister estimates lower Carnival arrivals than 2020
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell estimates visitor arrival numbers for Carnival 2023 may have been lower than arrivals for the country’s last full fledged Carnival in 2020.
Nevertheless he said, all things considered, Carnival was “excellent and thoroughly enjoyable.”
The minister spoke to Guardian Media yesterday in a telephone interview.
Mitchell acknowledged he’s still awaiting final figures from the Airports Authority, the Central Statistical Office and the Immigration Department, but he said there are simply fewer flights coming into Trinidad and Tobago than there were in 2020.
“Persons who wanted to visit to enjoy our Carnival celebrations simply could not get a flight,” Mitchell said. “Most airlines have experienced and continue to experience operational issues that are totally out of our control.”
Mitchell said when LIAT closed down, the country lost around 2,584 seats per week, while several other airlines still have not returned to their pre-pandemic routes.
“WestJet has not yet restarted out of Toronto, and neither United Airlines from New Jersey or JetBlue from Florida, Caribbean Airlines as well has also reduced its Boeing fleet to nine and this is the general state of the airline industry coming out of the COVID 19 pandemic and that has disrupted air transport worldwide,” Mitchell said.
Guardian February 21, 2023
Angry Big Mike vows to pull out Carnival 2024
Veteran mas bandleader Michael “Big Mike” Antoine yesterday threatened to pull out of next year’s Carnival festivities after what he said was the disrespect meted out to his band, Legacy, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
“You will not see me for Carnival on this stage ever, ever, ever, in life again,” Antoine announced as Legacy eventually crossed the stage, as he noted that another band had been allowed to skip the queue waiting to cross the Savannah stage in front of his band.
“There are some bands called ‘prestige’ bands. They’re doing what they want. They cut me off. I was behind Lost Tribe, and there are certain bands coming through all over, bussing the line.”
The band Antoine was referencing is Yuma, which had multiple sections to cross the main stage.
He pointed out that he immediately went to NCC organisers, who said they’d pull the offending band aside and allow Legacy to pass first, but this did not happen.
“When I turned my band in reverse, he let the band go. He lied to me. I think that is dishonesty.”
Guardian February 22, 2023
Gypsy apologises to Big Mike for Savannah fiasco
National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters has apologised to Legacy bandleader Michael “Big Mike” Antoine for the delay his band experienced in crossing the Queen’s Park Savannah stage on Carnival Tuesday.
While Legacy was crossing the stage on Tuesday, Antoine threatened to boycott next year’s Carnival after noting a prestige band had skipped in front of his in the line to cross the Savannah stage.
He lamented that he went to NCC personnel, who said they’d pull the bands aside and allow Legacy to pass first, but instead still allowed the other band to go ahead.
Peters did not answer GML calls but in an interview on i95.5 FM early yesterday, he admitted the NCC erred and asked Antoine to reconsider.
“We do want to see him get off the mass stage in Trinidad and Tobago. That’s where he belongs. So I apologise, and yes, something did go wrong. We are going to address it, and we are going to address the persons who allowed it to go.”
However, Peters said while he understood something went wrong, it was not deliberate. He explained that a shorter route was supposed to be open to all the bands to alleviate the gridlock that normally occurs.
“We know it would make it shorter for bands if they go through there. But we want it to be done in an orderly way. That did not happen,” Peters said.
He added, “We sat down in meetings upon meetings and discussed that very problem that we believe would have happened. In terms of what was with the route we had there, we try our best to make sure we try to alleviate the gridlock. Something went awry.”
Addressing Antoine’s accusations that the NCC favoured the “prestige bands, Peters said, “I want to apologise to Big Mike, who is a dear friend of mine and a masman in Trinidad and Tobago for many, many, many, many years. I would want him to know that I am the chairman of the National Carnival Commission, and with that in mind as well, there will be no discrimination against any band whatsoever.”
Guardian February 22, 2023
Masqueraders face 'ghost town' at South Quay
The low spectator turnout in Port-of-Spain continued for yet another day yesterday, as the South Quay judging points remained virtually empty.
It was an embarrassing moment for Lost Tribe - the first to cross the two judging points downtown at 8.20 am with their presentation "2023 We," as there were only 20 spectators in the Lord Kitchener Stand and fewer onlookers on the streets.
It was evident then that members of the T&T Police Service, who came out in full force, outnumbered the crowd, onlookers and spectators.
On Carnival Monday, there was also just a sprinkling of spectators in the stand.
However, Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez described Carnival Tuesday's revelry downtown as "awesome and epic."
Masqueraders from several bands expressed disappointment that they had to parade their feathered, beaded and sequined costumes in front of empty chairs.
"For the Mother of All Carnivals, we were expecting a lot more people to come out," said Wee Mas International masquerader Judy Bess.
Chipping to the beat of Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous' "Come Home" as he crossed the first judging point, Paparazzi masquerader Mike Benoit said he was disappointed.
"In all the years I have been playing mas, I have never seen the crowd so sparse...it's like a ghost town. You have to ask if Carnival is dying."
Legacy masquerader Sherry Hunt held the view that the runaway crime and murder rates had chased everyone away from downtown.
"From what I have seen, people opted to stay in the area they live to enjoy Carnival. I can't blame them."
Exousia masquerader Natasha Bethelmy said after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were expecting a "ram-out crowd" with droves of enthusiastic tourists lapping up our greatest show on earth.
"What we saw today was a pathetic turnout".
Trinidad Guardian February 21, 2023
Bandleaders troubled by low Sando turnout
Carnival Tuesday told the tale of two cities, one where the nation’s capital brimmed with people, colours, revelry and splendour, while San Fernando paled in comparison.
Shortly after midday, while several major mas bands had already crossed various judging points in Port-of-Spain, masqueraders in the southern city began chipping into their assembly position while music trucks blasted Road March contenders Bunji Garlin’s Hard Fete, Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous’ Come Home and Shake the Place from Machel Montano and Destra Garcia.
As the blazing sun warmed up masqueraders, band leaders told Guardian Media Carnival in San Fernando was in urgent need of attention from the authorities, as its future seemed to be fading.
Kalicharan Mas bandleader Ayana Kalicharan said it was time Government place focus on San Fernando too.
“They have to do a lot to pump and boost San Fernando Carnival,” Kalicharan said.
“We are trying as bandleaders but the Government needs to focus on San Fernando Carnival, all the energy, everything is pushed into Port-of-Spain Carnival. There is no activity, you are driving through the streets, there are no banners, no flyers, there is no feel of the attention on San Fernando.”
Kalicharan said while her family’s band was thrilled to be back on the road following two years of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were challenges.
“A major challenge was with people and their salaries, because remember they have not yet received their February salary so they asked us to do payment plans and we did. Another major challenge was the administrative process to get things on the road, permits, passes for the trucks, as you know we had a problem with the licensing of trucks so that delayed us a lot.”
She said a major take away from this year’s celebrations was the need to plan earlier, adding work for Carnival 2024 will begin from as early as next week.
Jagessar mas bandleader Rosemarie Kuru Jagessar meanwhile said she no longer knew what it would took to bring back mas in San Fernando.
Trinidad Express February 23, 2023
The National Carnival Commission (NCC) had two years to prepare for Carnival 2023, so we were expecting new and exciting innovations since we were promised that Carnival 2023 would be the “Mother of All Carnivals”, according to NCC chairman Winston Peters, Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi and Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell.
So, let’s see what was new. The North Stand was rebuilt and Wi-Fi was put in the Savannah. Now, as most Carnival lovers know, the North Stand is used for two days—the Panorama Semifinals, “the Sunday party”; and the Panorama Finals—and after that, a black piece of cloth is spread across the front of the North Stand, as no one goes there again for any other shows.
This year saw some neon lights at the front of the North Stand. Kitchener, in fact, sang about the North Stand over 25 years ago when he said “three million to build and four million to take down”.
The rest of the shows saw a Grand Stand with a sprinkling of spectators, all because these shows are long and boring, with the same old recycled costumes. Gone, it would seem, are the days of “real mas” and the “wow” from the audience, clearly showing this is an aspect that needs attention.
Dimanche Gras, the premium show, is anything but premium, and was appropriately opened with Lord Kitchener’s classic of “The Carnival is Over”, with some changed lyrics. Dimanche Gras requires “very, very, very serious attention”.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday should be renamed “bottom in de road”, as it was the same bikinis, beads and feathered costumes. Those who played in red two years ago, probably played in green or blue this time and could join any band since all bands looked the same, with the exception of one or two.
The music also left much to be desired, with one or two tunes playing for the whole day, leaving one with the impression we only had two or three tunes to choose from for a Road March. So different from the days of eight and nine tunes in contention for Road March; and even those which did not make it are classics today.
Newsday February 23, 2023
BACK TO BACCHANAL
THE SUGGESTION made by Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore that the children's Carnival should be moved to make way for holding only the Panorama competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Saturday was tactless and surprising.
The National Carnival Commission (NCC) and the organisers of the festival should be open to change. Anything that can improve the festival going forward should be embraced, not resisted. Without advancements, our Carnival, which is only now getting back on its feet after the interregnum of the pandemic, will be left behind. But change should not be at the sacrifice of one key element over the other.
While Ms Ramsey-Moore was right on Saturday to be frustrated by the late start of the Panorama final, the blame for this should not be placed on the Junior Parade of Bands. She attributed this to a “security sweep” that had to be done of the venue after the parade.
Daily Express February 23, 2023
Revellers disappointed as Las lap cut short
Carnival Tuesday late-night revelry, known traditionally as the Las Lap, was cut short by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, who ensured the festivities ended by midnight.
Both costumed masqueraders and spectators in Chaguanas, who were hoping to keep the Carnival celebrations going well into Ash Wednesday morning, were left disappointed.
By 9.45 p.m. the scene in Chaguanas was one of everyday life, with very little to show that Carnival even occurred.
There was no music to be heard.
All barricades were removed and the flow of vehicular traffic assumed its normal route, while the movement of pedestrian traffic was mostly those returning from the celebrations in Port of Spain or San Fernando, or a remnant of those who partook in what Chaguanas had to offer.
And based on information received from police, officers also began their lockdown of Port of Spain sometime between 10 p.m. and 10.30 p.m.
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I know that THE DIE HARD CULTURE LOVERS are too SUBJECTIVE and too GIDDY FROM THE JAM AND WINE to think PROGRESS. But there are many well-intentioned TRINIS who are looking for a more organized and civilized and progressive society in the MECCA OF PAN AND CALYPSO -- especially with our SHOWCASED CARNIVAL.And MUCH LESS CRIME.
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