Trinidad 08 Carnival Roundup: Part 2

My ground troops and informants are constantly sending me snippets of Carnival happenings like "Island People was 'ok' this year; a very slight improvement from 07. We actually stopped for an official lunch break, and there were so many drinks this time around that folks were walking off with full cartons of Stag Beer and such!" Not too bad, not too bad at all. But as quickly as it began, "The Carnival is over" as the late Lord Kitchener sang. I always feel slightly bitter-sweet on ash Wednesday; I miss the buildup and the Mas, but but by the same token, I'm already looking towards the next year. Before I get ahead of myself, however, let me bring you up to date with Part 2 of Au Courant in the Caribbean's Trinidad Carnival 08 Roundup.

Road March: I told you, didn't I! I said in my last post that the only person deserving of the 08 Road March title was Fayanne Lyons-Alvarez and indeed she won resoundingly with 331 plays on the streets for Carnival. Here she is with hubbie Bungi Garlin in the band Tribe. A distant second went to Blaxx with 127 plays, and dragging up the rear was Machel Montano with 72 plays. Machel boy, that's a toughie... Congrats to Fayanne! You deserved it!









Band of the Year: This title was bestowed upon Brian McFarlane's presentation, and I can't argue with that. It was a conceptual band that was fitting with the current focus on Earth/Eco issues and was made entirely of natural materials. Good for you, Brian. I must mention that Ronnie & Caro's 'De Gulf' impressed the masses and judges alike and came in first in the medium band category.

Junior Carnival Results: BP Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra came in first in the school's Panorama competition, although I'm not quite sure what song they played. Unfortunately many of the junior carnival results havent been disclosed as yet, so I'm unclear on some details here and there. I do know, however, that the National Junior Calypso Monarch is Megan Walrond, the Non- School Junior Queen of Carnival is Jade Alleng with her portrayal of 'Black is Beautiful - Woman Of Colour' and the School Junior Queen Of Carnival is Denesha Jennings portraying 'Fiery Soucouyant Fiery'

Other Results: From the traditional and vintage competitions there were some big champs too. Our Stick-fighting Champion 08 is Anthony Bineal, the classicists in the Vintage Kaiso competition chose Anthony Emrold Phillip aka Bro Valentino as their champ. Our Carnival 2008 National Calypso Queen is Monique Hector. The art of extempo wasn't forgotten - our National Extempore is Vautor La Placeiere, aka Lingo.

That's it for our Trinidad Carnival 08 Roundup. I've still got some updates for you, namely the winners for the Kids Band of the Year and the Kids Carnival King, so look out for those. I hope you've had a fabulous Carnival 2008 and if you didn't make it to the festival, I sure that my posts for the rest of 08 will tantalize you to join me in my trek home for 09 mas!

L.M.N. Harris.