Krewe of Harambee preps for Mardi Gras parade, creates masks to - KTBS.com - Shreveport, LA News, Weather and Sports

Krewe of Harambee preps for Mardi Gras parade, creates masks to - KTBS.com - Shreveport, LA News, Weather and Sports

Creative Mas outside PoS

By LAUREL V WILLIAMS

MASQUERADERS took to the streets of Barrackpore, on Saturday, portraying traditional characters in true Trini style — wining and chipping to the sounds of music — at the launch of Regional Carnival 2015.

The event, hosted by the National Carnival Commission (NCC), transformed the southern community into a sea of revellers in a parade which ended at Cumuto Recreation Ground on Rochard Douglas Road.

Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas, addressing the gathering, noted Regional Carnival represents the “birthplace of creativity” that ushers in the season of revelry before the period of Lent.

On the lament Carnival lacks creativity and no longer attracts spectators, Douglas said there is to much focus on portrayals in Port-of-Spain and mas in communities outside of the capital is now a top draw.

“So when people in Port-of-Spain complain that they do not have an audience, I asked them to go to the regional carnivals, like in Toco, in Paramin to see the blue devils, in Gasparillo or even Cedros. That is where a lot of the action is happening,” Douglas said.

He added there are 52 regional celebrations and which are growing and getting better, and referred to Carnival as a significant force for unifying people, creating an industry to support the economy and the development of Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are working very hard on our Carnival development projects to make the transitions, not only from being one of the greatest festivals in the world, but also an industry to support all the artistes who participate in this industry,” Douglas said.

The launch featured several groups among them the Whip Masters of Couva, Blue Devils of Paramin, the Tamboo Bamboo of Gasparillo, Chatham Old Boys Rhythm Section and the Siparia Rhythm Posses. There were also several Carnival characters among them the pierrot grenades, dame lorraines, fancy Indians and sailors.

NCC deputy chairman Don Sylvester noted each year regional Carnival is launched in a different community, and the residents of Barrackpore and environs were “very excited” as it was the first time they had seen such an event.

He shared some plans to promote Carnival. “I was recently at Nottinghill’s Carnival ( London) and persons approached me for Carnival traditions from Trinidad like moko jumbies. I am also organising that. That is what people want, they want the traditions of their culture. There is a TV station in the US that is interested in visiting the island to sponsor and support stick fighting as the news sports.”

Source: Newsday

BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company’s community support in youth, sports and culture is continuing with its $1m title sponsorship of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival as it becomes the first corporate partner to join the new tourism initiative.

#CEO Leon Williams said last week BTC had been in discussions with the Carnival and a split between cash and in-kind services for a mutually beneficial $1m sponsorship had been agreed.

#“$750,000 will be in cash and $250,000 will be in-kind services to consist of joint marketing and branding opportunities,” Mr Williams said.

#“The Junkanoo Carnival will feature on the cover of the BTC’s 2015 telephone directories, which include white and yellow pages for Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco. The Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will also have articles within the directories. Furthermore, Carnival will feature on BTC pre-paid phone cards and buildings.”

#Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Chairman Paul Major emphasised that the event is strategic to the development of Bahamian cultural tourism.

#“For BTC to step up to the plate to the extent that they have speaks volume about the company’s belief in our culture and in the Bahamas,” he said.

#“The Prime Minister made it clear that he wanted this to be a primer for a more culture-driven economy.

#“Most other tourist destinations are using culture to catapult them ahead in a very competitive environment.

#“Sun, sand and sea has become old. We need something that sets us apart and I think we are well on the way to making that happen.”

#Mr Major also said that the festival presents opportunities for local artisans.

#“We hope to bring some economic relief to those who have laboured long and hard in Junkanoo and other forms of culture and yet have little to show for it materially.

#“In Trinidad, there are multiple millionaires from Carnival. I do not know of millionaires from Junkanoo, but with this festival there will be thousands of people buying thousands of costumes and putting thousands of Bahamians to work.”

#The Carnival will be a series of events starting on Easter Monday in Nassau and ending on May 7 with the “Road Fever” parade. Anchor events include “Junkamania,” a concert of Bahamian orchestras featuring Junkanoo musicians in collaboration with philharmonic musicians; and “Music Masters,” a major concert featuring a Grammy-award winning artist and ten finalists from 172 entries in a related song competition.

#Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival CEO Roscoe Dames said that in the proposed Carnival Cultural Village – an enclosed festival space at the Western Esplanade featuring food stalls and three entertainment stages – each Family Island will be allotted a pavilion to represent its local culture.

#Many of the island regattas will become involved and Grand Bahama will have its own celebratory weekend in April, including a concert featuring the song competition semi-finalists, a Junkanoo Carnival beach party and a midnight rush.

#Mr Williams said BTC is no stranger to supporting Bahamian culture, citing a long relationship with youth, sports and culture and high prioritisation of corporate citizenship.

#“We have been primary sponsors for the CAC games, CARIFTA track and swimming – the events and the travelling teams – the Golden Knights, several individual track stars, championship winning swimmer Arianna Vanderpool Wallace, volleyball and basketball tournaments throughout the Bahamas, and the IAAF World Relays, which we will partner with again for 2015,” he said.

#“We are large proponents of Bahamian cultural activities and continue with annual sponsorship of Junkanoo at Christmas and New Year to the tune of $850,000 through 2016.”

SOURCE:http://www.tribune242.com/news

Moving Carnival forward EXPRESS EDITORIAL

T marks an advance of some historic importance when the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce recognises in the field of Carnival an achievement worthy of its Emerging Entrepreneur Award.
At the Chamber’s inaugural “Champions of Business” presentation last month Dean Ackin, the emerging entrepreneur, has earned acclaim as bandleader of Tribe, but more so as innovator over such a range of management capacity and improved arrangements as to transform the “Carnival experience”.
More than just a mas maker and provider of costumes, sections, and music, Mr Ackin made it easier for masqueraders to register online, and more comfortable and enjoyable to play.
Introducing the all-inclusive facilities, he made possible the real-time supply of mas players’ wants and needs, right there, on the road, including cool-down air to beat the heat. 
The original Tribe itself has now begotten a second Carnival band, Bliss, and created support business in Ultimate Events.
Mr Ackin’s pathway, including gaining a BSc management degree, has not been exactly typical of bandleaders. But at least T&T’s primary business group has acknowledged his contribution, and that of other nominees, as the entrepreneurial way forward for Carnival, and other areas of culture, not traditionally considered as jump-off points for business development.
As the Chamber’s citation put it: “By expanding its horizons of experience and earnings, and deepening its linkages with the rest of the economy, Dean Ackin’s Ultimate Group is the industry’s first conglomerate.”
Congratulations are in order for the Ackin approach, even as other aspects of Carnival await similar vision, and relevant management and entrepreneurial inputs.
For the thousands of masqueraders who play with Tribe and Bliss continue to endorse the product produced by Mr Ackin and his support team, being repeat customers because they are getting good service and value for their money.
Ultimate Events also puts on pre-Carnival fetes that are well-organised, backed up by tight security that leaves partygoers in a good frame of mind.
So with the Tribe and Bliss supporters being mostly young, upwardly mobile citizens—joined in those bands by the many visitors from abroad who are also so inclined—there is hope the innovative attractions introduced by Mr Ackin and company will continue to make a mark on the national festival.
And this generation of masqueraders, and those to come, will insist on higher standards, so ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago Carnival can continue to boast of being the “Greatest Show On Earth”, at least in this part of the world.
We can only trust that the government of the day, through the National Carnival Commission, will nominate like-minded forward thinkers who—in conjunction with T&T’s youthful entrepreneurs—will attempt to make it better and better in the years ahead.

Story Created: Nov 8, 2014 at 3:01 AM EC

MASSASSINATION.: WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS NOTTING HILL ...

MASSASSINATION.: WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS NOTTING HILL ...: 5th Biannual Steelpan Conference University of East London Cass School of Education Stratford Campus  11 th - 12th October 2014 ...

Stephen Lee Heung laid to rest

Five-time Carnival Band of the Year winner Stephen Lee Heung was cremated on Wednesday following a funeral service at St Theresa’s RC Church in Woodbrook.

There was a surprisingly small turnout at the church for the bandleader who had devoted most of his life to producing mas.

Among the few fellow mas makers that did come out to pay their respects to Lee Heung were Brian MacFarlane, Rosalind Gabriel and David Cameron, leader of the band Trini Revellers.

Also present was National Carnival Bands Association president David Lopez and NCBA secretary Renwick Brown.

Officiating was Fr Gervais Girod, who said Lee Heung was as dedicated to his faith as he was to the mas.

The eulogy was presented by Lynn Tang, who also spoke of Lee Heung’s passion for mas and for people.

Lee Heung spent his childhood at Piccadilly Street, Port of Spain then moved to Duncan and then Nelson streets.

Lee Heung got involved in mas in 1942, having been encouraged by his uncle to do so. Together with his wife, Elsie, who passed away some years ago, Lee Heung, who was not a designer, produced bands working with designers such as Harold Saldenah, Carlisle Chang, Peter Minshall, Wayne Berkley, Follette Eustace and Brian MacFarlane.

Lee Heung, who was 93 years old, succumbed to pneumonia on Monday at St Clair Medical Centre.

He died only days after the launch of a book celebrating his work in mas. The book, which is titled, We Kind ah People, was written by cultural researcher Ray Funk from the United States and features the photography of George Tang.

The book was launched on October 7 at the National Library.

By Wayne Bowman

 wayne.bowman@trinidadexpress.com

‘His first duty was making mas, not money’

   Death of Stephen Lee Heung

    By Michelle Loubon

Retired accountant Shane Lee Heung, son of the late veteran mas man Stephen Lee Heung, 93, said his fondest memories were accompanying his father to carnivals in New York, USA. He also said Lee Heung performed “ wonderfully” during Carnival celebrations and boasted a healthy dose of creativity. Both Lee Heung and his late wife, Elsie, shot to national and international renown with their spectacular Carnival presentations. 
On Monday night, Lee Heung succumbed to a chest infection and a bout of pneumonia at St Clair Medical Centre.
He is also mourned by his daughter, Maureen, a mother of three. Lee Heung went to God’s acre a few days after his book, We Kindah People, was launched at Nalis, Port of Spain.
Yesterday, family and friends gathered for a prayer session at his home at 4 Alberto Street, Woodbro­ok.

Veteran masman Peter Minshall comments:
Via a telephone interview yesterday, Minshall said: “There are bandleaders and there are masmen

Stephen Lee Hueng

artists. The bandleader is a producer. The artist in the case of mas is the conjuror, the magician, the person who makes art out of apparel which is showcased by huge numbers of people gathered to celebrate life. As a producer/bandleader, he never forgot his first duty was the making of mas, not the making of money.”
Reflecting on his collaboration with Lee Heung, Minshall said Lee Heung and Carlisle Chang had a “fall out”. 
He said: “I was in London, when I got the call from Stephen at 5 a.m. He said: Peter Minshall (1975), yuh want to do my band for next year? It was such an awkward place to be. It was strange and bizarre. It’s like tear-jerking. One of the most powerful presence in the mas was Chang. In the years after, my greatest encouragement came from Chang. I did mas as art. Chang once said of Jungle Fever. The Savannah looks like the grasses of Serengeti in technicolour. I owe a great debt to Stephen Lee Heung, masman par excellence.”

Edmund Hart comments:
Via a telephone interview, Hart, 91, said: “He produced the best costumes. One of his best bands was China: The Forbidden City. They won their first Band of the Year title in 1967 with China. We both did a show and we were roommates in Minneapolis. He was a nice friend even though we were rivals. We both belonged to Port of Spain Central Lions’ Club.” 
Lee Heung’s trek to the top started in 1964 with Kabuki, which placed third in the Band of Year competition to Silver Stars. In 1975, he was bestowed with the Hummingbird Medal (Gold). China was the first band sent abroad by the government to the Montreal Expo in 1967.

SOURCE