Sando Carnival launched at Skinner Park

Mayor of San Fernando Marlene Coudray poses with the members
 of Ballerz and Associates
 Carnival band “Sundance Spectacle”
at Sunday’s launch of San Fernando Carnival.

Heavy rainfall which resulted in sodden grounds at Skinner Park did not dampen the launch of San Fernando Carnival on Sunday. Mayor Marlene Coudray, who officially launched festivities praised San Fernandians for staying in the city and making the 2011 celebrations a success. “I want to thank you all for keeping the celebrations alive in San Fernando,” she said. “You can easily migrate to Port-of-Spain like so many others but you have chosen to stay here and bring proper bands for Carnival in San Fernando.” Coudray said the Corporation is working to make Carnival better in San Fernando. Sunday’s event featured booths with displays by 17 bands, as well as live performances by calypsonians Niko, Brian London and Lady Adanna. Joshua Hinds, the 2011 National Arts Festival Primary School Junior Calypso Monarch also performed admirably before a festive crowd. However, the biggest hit of the evening was reigning Young Kings Calypso Monarch Benjai who had patrons dancing along to his 2011 hits, “Trini” and “Wine to the Side.” Ivan Kalicharan, winner of San Fernando Band of the Year 2011 title, filled the Skinner Park stage with costumes from his 2012 presentation, “We Going Carnival”. J’Ouvert band Ballerz and Associates also displayed costumes from their presentation, “We Walking the Plank”. Providing pan music were top San Fernando bands, Skiffle Bunch and Fonclaire.
Kevon Felmine

Queen Rose

FOR THE first time this decade, the Queen of Carnival title has been captured by the South Queen of Carnival, Rosemarie Kuru-Jagessar, after a final which saw competitors plagued with mishaps.


Kuru-Jagessar, a Carnival veteran known for her consistent portrayals of traditional Indian mas, took home the crown as “Waka-Nisha: The Sacred Water Bearer” at the Dimanche Gras, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on Sunday.


It is Kuru-Jagessar’s first victory as a national queen. Elaborately decorated with blue, white and black plumes, the costume is symbolic of the significance of water to the people of the Sioux nation, a topical theme given the water woes being experienced by many in Trinidad and Tobago.


Hours after being crowned Queen of Carnival, an emotional Kuru-Jagessar was still unable to express her feelings about winning the prestigious title.

Kuru-Jagessar was greeted by cheers and applause from spectators and judges alike as she led her band, “D Sioux Nation” at High Street, San Fernando yesterday. Speaking to Newsday afterwards, a breathless Kuru-Jagessar, who has played mas for 28 years, said she cried when she realised she had copped the national title for the first time in her career. “It was really emotional. When I heard my name, everybody started to scream and bawl and then I just started to cry,” she said.


Kuru-Jagessar said to make matters worse, her husband, veteran mas man Lionel Jagessar, had not accompanied her to the Dimanche Gras as he stayed in San Fernando at their mas camp to finalise preparations for the band’s appearance on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.


“But I feel really proud that I was able to bring the crown to San Fernando,” a tired, yet elated Kuru-Jagessar said. “You just have to believe in what you want and go for it.”


The veteran’s victory at the Dimanche Gras, comes with a purse of $120,000
By Andre Bagoo and Richardson Dhalai 


SOURCE NEWSDAY


OTHER STORY

Related articles by Zemanta

• Carnival Monday 2010: Photo Highlights (dominica-weekly.com)

The ultimate calypso at Skinner Park

THREE FORMER Calypso Monarchs are among the 35 semi-finalists taking part in tomorrow’s Calypso Fiesta at Skinner Park, San Fernando. The most popular calypso show of the Carnival season gets going at noon with thousands expected to crowd into the venue for the event.

Among those vying for a spot in next weekend’s National Calypso Monarch finals at Dimanche Gras and the chance to dethrone reigning Monarch Chalkdust (Dr Hollis Liverpool) are former titleholders Sugar Aloes, Gypsy and Singing Sandra.

Newly crowned National Calypso Queen Kizzie Ruiz is also among the contenders, as are seasoned campaigners Brother Valentino, Skatie, Brian London, Twiggy and Karene Asche.

Tomorrow’s event is likely to be a bitter sweet experience for Mr Chucky (Roderick Gordon) who is facing the judges just one week after the death of his father, well known cultural activist Roland Gordon.

The show is overshadowed by a controversy brewing over some of the calypsonians who did not make it into the semi-finals, notable among them a former Monarch, Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins), and the 2010 Young King, Kwesi Jeffers.

However, for calypso lovers around the country, Calypso Fiesta is the ultimate party and patrons will be packing their coolers and heading down to Skinner Park in droves in anticipation of an exciting blend of social and political commentaries and humour.

1. Tobago Chalkie (Alex Gift) - Cocoa Melee
2. Alicia Richards - Revisited
3. Twiggy (Ann Marie Kojo-Parks) - Give Thanks
4. Brother Valentino (Anthony Emrold Phillip) - No Replacement
5. All Rounder (Anthony Hendrickson) Female Life Guard
6. Anthony Johnson- Clean Heart
7. Brian London - A Calypsonian
8. Skatie (Carlos James) - A Cry For Life
9. Dee Diamond (Deneison Moses) - Gangsta Role Model
10. Devon Seales - De Sharer Strikes
11. The Stinger (Dexter Parsons) - Make Up Yuh Mind
12. Duane O’Connor - National Pride
13. Eric James - Justice Has Been Served
14. Heather Mac Intosh - Luta’s Advice
15. Jo-L (Joel Parsons) - Not Me Again
16. Karen Eccles - Last Call
17. Karene Asche - The Audacity of Hope
18. Ninja (Kenson Neptune) - My Company
19. Kizzie Ruiz - Aide Haiti
20. Kurt Allen - Too Bright
21. Lesley Ann Ellis - Land of Glory and Shame
22. Short Pants (Llewellyn Mac Intosh) - De Infidel
23. Protector (Michael Legerton) - My Vision
24. Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna) - Soldier of Success
25. Michelle Henry - Wicked World
26. Nicole Greaves - Where the Lions Are
27. O.C (Oaklan Lashley) - Stones
28. Count Robin (Randolph Hillaire) - Criticism
29. Mr. Chucky (Roderick Gordon) - A People’s National Movement
30. Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes Millington) - No Child Shall Be Left Behind
31. Sean Daniel - God is Love
32. Mistah Shak (Selvon Noel) - Rogue
33. Spicey (Tammico Moore) - Ah Want To Know
34. Gypsy (Winston Peters) - My Trinidad
35. The Original De Fosto Himself (Winston Scarborough) - In A Palace State of Mind

SOURCE