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Carnival is over...and call that george
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2002
By Peter Ray Blood
People who know me well know that I hate to say "I TOLD YOU SO". But, today, I simply can't help myself and ask that you "gimme ah bligh".
Today, I blow my own trumpet for successfully predicting last Saturday not just the winner of the Road March, but the top three placings, in the order they would run.
In horse racing, that is called a Trifecta, and you win big money for such a wager, though considerably more than I've collected from those who felt I was wrong and decided to virtually give me their money.
Well, for those of you with short memories, or were too busy to read last weekend's Pulse, I wrote: "Try as I may, I am resigned to say 'as it was in beginning, so it is in the end' as I feel that my first week pick Naya George's 'Trinidad' has weathered the storm and is in good enough shape to repel all challengers."
In Carnival Tuesday's paper, I also included in an article headlined Hot Soca Picks: "It's no secret that I was smittened by Naya George's "Trinidad" from the first time I heard it at a lime on Christmas Day. I told my friends that will be the song to watch this season without even hearing most of the others."
"Trinidad" was written by Naya's brother, Iwer, whose "Gimme ah Bligh" copped second place in the Road March, 64 votes behind.
Atlantik's Ronnie McIntosh put up a valiant fight in the race but his "Run" was simply overwhelmed by the brothers George.
As I am roll, today, I will hazard another prediction: "Trinidad" is going to be one of the biggest soca hits in places like North America and Europe each time Naya performs it before an audience comprising nationals residing abroad.
I only hope he has already ordered several boxes of national flags and bandanas to distribute to patriotic soca-starved nationals who are usually drowned in a sea of flags from other Caribbean countries at these parties.
While Naya and Iwer can look forward to a hectic and fruitful year of touring as Road March champion and joint International Soca Monarch respectively, it's back to the drawing board for the competition in an attempt to wrest the stranglehold the Point Fortin brothers now have on soca music.
Champs in Concert tonight
The champions of Carnival 2002 will have their moment of glory tonight at the Queen's Park Savannah when Pan Trinbago stages the 2002 edition of Champs in Concert. Traditionally, the producers of this show have the distinction of staging one of the few punctually started events on the Carnival calendar.
Champs in Concert has also been able to maintain a core patronage, with an audience that attends religiously to see and be entertained by most of the official champions of the season.
Some of the champions expected to cross the Savannah stage tonight are:
Sugar Aloes, Naya George, Iwer George, Bunji Garlin, Rikki Jai, Roger George, Marcel Bennett, Denyse Plummer, Myron B, Sheldon John, Black Sage, Heather McIntosh, Curtis Eustace ("Jab Molassie"), Alana Ward ("Dance the Butterfly"), Keigan Forde ("Pan Thousand and Ten"), Cherisse Akeung ("Fan Meh Pretty Tail, Fan Meh"), Cory Herbert, North West Laventille, Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars, Shades in Steel, TCL Group Skiffle Bunch, Exodus, Redemption Sound Setters and bpTT Renegades Youths.
Oh what a night
When it comes to setting a romantic mood, hotelier Fred Chin Lee and his family have the right formula. On Valentine Day's night, Chin Lee's Normandie Hotel rolled out the red carpet to guests as it staged the dinner and cabaret special billed as Again, Men Who Love Women.
Dinner at The Vidalia Restaurant was oversubscribed but like the episode of Jesus and the five loaves and two fishes, Chin Lee worked some form of magic and the 250 diners seemed satisfied by the time dessert was served.
But, an even more delectable morsel awaited the diners and 500 more patrons seated in the open air Under the Trees showplace. That main course featured performances by Sparrow, Baron and Kenny J, ably accompanied by the likes of Errol Ince, Pelham Goddard, Tony Voisin and "Sunshine" Diaz.
For approximately two hours, save a 15-minute intermission, the trio kept patrons thoroughly entertained by their mix of vintage calypso and ballads.
There was Kenny J keeping all enthralled with his perfect rendition of "My Girl" and "Unchained Melody"; Baron sugary "Help Me Make It Through the Night"; and, Sparrow at his best, having women swoon over his Spanish ballads, including "El Reloj."
To complete the romantic mood, Chin Lee had his disc jockey play some great love songs, taken from the repertoires of people like Isaac Hayes, Barry White, Teddy Pendergras, Lionel Richie and Roberta Flack, during dinner and intermission.
Show host Wendell Constantine advised guests that they should make reservations from now for the dinner and show for Valentine's Day 2003. He also presented to the audience a couple from Aruba who celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on Thursday night.
Non stop soca and mas for 2002
With some of our prominent soca artistes already abroad doing gigs, the countdown is for Carnival in Guyana. The Guyanese will have their taste of abandon next Saturday with a costume parade and shows planned for Georgetown.
From now until Miami Carnival in October, our local soca stars and mas designers will have no rest, with at least one Carnival per month in some foreign land. In April, Trini-styled Carnival will be held in Cayman Islands (13); and, St Marteen (25-27).
Other Carnivals scheduled in the region include St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (July 8-9); St Vincent & The Grenadines/'Vincey Mas' (July 15-16); Barbados /'Kadooment' (July 29-Aug 5); Antigua/Barbuda ( July 29-Aug 5); St Lucia (Aug 5-7); and, British Virgin Islands (Aug 12-13).
By the way, Carnival Monday and Tuesday, 2003, for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is March 3-4. So, to all concerned, you have an additional fortnight, compared to this year's festival, to prepare.
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