Carnival rewards innovation

The following is the Ministerial Brief (verbatim) delivered by the Honourable Marlene Mc Donald, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs at the post Cabinet news conference on Thursday February 4, 2010 at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann's

Cabinet colleagues, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.
I am happy to present another update on the status of preparations for Carnival 2010.

Inspiring to say the least, have been the achievements of the National Carnival Commission, Pan Trinbago, the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation, the National Carnival Bands Association, health workers, fire, police, licensing, city officials, the ODPM, and many others, in preparing for Carnival 2010. Carnival interest groups and stakeholders alike have truly excelled in their preparations and I applaud their efforts.
INFRASTRUCTURE

Led by a team of commissioners with a proven track record for meeting their targets, the NCC has almost finished putting the infrastructure in place for Carnival 2010. By now, most of you would have seen the stands erected around Port-of- Spain.

The Queen’s Park Savannah is fully ready as was witnessed at the Panorama Semi-Finals on Sunday. The expansion of “the big stage” by thirty (30) feet proved useful, and pleased both steel pannists and spectators. I take the opportunity to congratulate the bands moving forward, and applaud the ones who, while not qualifying for the finals, will yet provide sweet music for the masqueraders for Carnival 2010.

PAN

Continuing with pan, as you know, a total of thirty (30) steelbands-- ten (10) small, ten (10) medium and ten (10) large in the conventional categories -- have advanced to this year’s National Panorama Finals.

Among the small bands, Laventille Serenaders leads the way, ahead of Merrytones and Crescendoes Musical along with seven (7) other finalists.
In the medium bands category, Steel Xplosion placed first at the semis, followed closely by Valley Harps and NLCB Buccooneers and seven (7) other finalists.

For the large bands, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove moves to the finals, ahead of defending champs, PCS Silver Stars, followed by TCL Group Skiffle Bunch and seven (7) others. My congratulations to all the finalists.
I especially wish to extend heartiest congratulations to the six (6) bands from Tobago who have advanced to the finals.

In the Medium category the following five (5) bands have qualified;
• Carib Dixieland
• Katzenjammers
• NLCB Buccooneers
• Steel Xplosion
• West Side Symphony

In the Conventional Large Category RBTT Redemption Sound Setters is among the ten (10) finalists.
Over the years the Tobago steelbands have shown tremendous improvements and this is the reward. It is the first time in the history of the Panorama that so many bands from the sister isle have made their way this far. I recall my visit to Tobago steelbands last year in which I was impressed with the high standard of performances of all the steelbands.

Of course, this unprecedented number of bands from Tobago advancing to the finals has impacted the overall cost of hosting the Panorama finals. The Ministry is collaborating with Pan Trinbago and the Tobago House of Assembly to finalise the necessary though unprecedented travel and accommodation arrangements for such a large contingent.

I take this opportunity to remind you that the National Single Pan and Small Bands Finals will take place from 7:00 pm. at Kitchener Stand, South Quay, POS, on Friday, February 12th.
Prior to this, on February 6th, (this Saturday) thirty two (32) Single Pan bands will compete at the semi finals with sixteen (16) advancing to the finals.

The National Finals for Medium and Large Bands will be held at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday, February 13th from 6:00 pm.
I go now to the matter of the new initiative by Pan Trinbago in having patrons pay in the area commonly known as the ‘Drag.’

Last year, I acceded to the request of Pan Trinbago for support in its efforts to become more self- sufficient and less reliant on the State financially. The Ministry responded by providing training in financial literacy as well as management and finance. The training was provided for the Executive and members of the Regional Bodies of Pan Trinbago.

I am aware that there were some ‘teething’ problems with the new arrangements implemented by Pan Trinbago on the ‘Drag’. We are, however, confident that those arrangements will be improved upon in the future. Even on its first trial day which was Sunday, Pan Trinbago was able to attract 1,108 patrons for that enclosure yielding $66,488 for Pan Trinbago.

The Executive of Pan Trinbago has my full support in taking this brave step during its first year in office. Clearly it also has the support of the patrons who gave tangible endorsement on Sunday. I am therefore encouraging the national community to support the Executive of Pan Trinbago, the body responsible for the development of the steelpan in this new initiative. I am sure it will ultimately redound to the benefit of all of us who claim to love the pan and the country which produced it.

Also in pan, I urge the national community and our early visitors to come out in full support of the National Junior Panorama finals, which takes place from 10:00 am this Sunday, February 7th, at the Queen’s Park Savannah. It would be encouraging to see the numbers meet or exceed the National Panorama Semi-Finals crowd of over 30,000.

Please also remember the Ministry’s exhibition on the Evolution of the Steelpan and Pan in Art which continues at the Museum of the City of Port of Spain at Fort San Andres, next to City Gate on South Quay. The exhibition, which features pan-playing demonstrations, will continue until the week after Carnival. Be sure to attend.

MAS

Last week I visited nine (9) mas camps across the country: three (3) in South, three (3) in Central and three (3) in the East. This week I visited several others in Port of Spain.

During my visit to the Showtime mas camp located on French Street, Woodbrook, I was very impressed to find a group of young people starting a new band and doing very well. As a medium-sized band, they have already reached 500 of the target of 800 masqueraders, which would comprise the medium category. Their marketing efforts and family support are seeing them through a very successful season.

During my visit to Genesis on Picton Street, Newtown, I was moved by their level of innovation and focus on comfort for female masqueraders. I applaud their use of traditional skills like wirebending, and the incorporation of new ones like plastic-moulding.

Both mas camps reported healthy registrations, as indeed many I’ve visited, with several sections already sold out. I applaud their efforts.
The Minister and its officials will be visiting a few more mas camps on Monday, including that of the reigning Band of the Year, Brian MacFarlane.

In competition, the Kings and Queens Preliminaries take place tonight, Thursday, February 4th from 7:30 pm. Citizens should not miss this opportunity to support our indigenous mas making artforms and witness this spectacular show of innovation.

Another very important date to mark on the Carnival calendar is the 1881 Camboulay Re-enactment, which this year, for the first time ever, will be held both in Port of Spain and San Fernando. Southerners can witness the 1881 Camboulay Re-enactment on Coffee Street, San Fernando on Thursday, February 11th from 5:00 am. The Port of Spain edition will take place on the Piccadilly Greens, on Friday, February 12th. Two exciting events await us all.

I turn now to the matter of Broadcast rights for Carnival 2010.

The issue of Broadcast Rights engages the attention of the NCC and Special Interest Groups each year. For Carnival 2010, the Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) acquired the Broadcast Rights, covering radio and television, for Carnival events. This means that CNMG has exclusive Rights to broadcast these events live from various venues. CNMG has also acquired Web Streaming Rights and this year for the first time, will pursue packaging select events for international Pay Per View.

All other Media have access to News coverage and this is not controlled by CNMG. The company has no Rights pertaining to Print Media. However, all applicants seeking Accreditation for the events of Carnival, including Print Media, Still Photographers and Videographers, must have the approval of the Interest Groups, Pan or Mas and COTT (where applicable) to ensure that all other attendant rights are not infringed.

To put it simply, applications from electronic media (TV, radio and web) should be submitted and applications from print media (newspapers and magazines) should be submitted to the National Carnival Bands Association.

Also related to the issue of Broadcasting Rights are concerns expressed by the National Carnival Development Foundation (NCDF). These concerns were raised at a meeting between the NCC and the NCDF. Through its Secretary, the NCDF has indicated that the matters have been resolved amicably. The NCC will now sit with the NCDF and the NCBA, the officially recognised umbrella body to represent mas, to work out any reservations which the NCDF might still have regarding the rights of member bands pertaining to the recording and/or videotaping of the Parade of Bands, Carnival 2010.

CALYPSO

With regard to the oral tradition, the Calypso Monarch Semi-Finals, also known as Calypso Fiesta, takes place this Saturday, February 6th, at Skinner Park in San Fernando. This year, we expect yet another massive crowd. Many of you may not have been to the tents, so this is an opportunity to hear thirty- five (35) of the very best calypsoes for 2010. As in previous years, there will also be guest artistes to put you in the party mood. I encourage all to come out and support our local artistes.

I must also announce that this year, the Extempo and Category Finals branded “Kaisorama” will take place at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday, February 11th, from 7:00 pm. Be a part of this event.

With regard to chutney, I wish to congratulate the Chutney Soca Monarch Mr. Ravi B, the second place winner, Mr. Rikki Jai, the third place, Mr. Moses Charles, and all the other winners from last weekend’s well-organised finals at Skinner Park. The Ministry will continue to lend its unwavering support to this indigenous artform. Due kudos must go to Southex and Mr. George Singh for a spectacular show.

CONCLUSION

In closing, I wish to reiterate my gratitude to all of Carnival’s stakeholders and remind the people of Trinidad and Tobago of the importance of our collective support. Our cultural practitioners, artistes, mas makers, calypsonians, chutney singers, panmen and women, will be as strong as the support they get from our people. We are the Home of Carnival. Let us take care of our own.

I thank you.