THE MODERN FESTIVAL
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ndoubtedly the biggest street party in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago carnival is not just about the two days (Monday and Tuesday), but the entire season. Although it is celebrated over the two days before Ash Wednesday, the season kicks off on Boxing Day, the year before. This is generally the starting point for high energy carnival parties (aka fetes), cultural competitions – e.g. Panorama (steelpan competition) and new soca music flooding the radio airwaves. By this point most costume bands (mas bands) designers are at their peak, having already launched the new costume or working tirelessly to launch, to maximise on participation over the two day festivities. It is often said that if the people of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinbagonians) aren’t celebrating 10
carnival, they are most likely busy preparing for it. Fitness centres are usually fully booked and buzzing, as most people work on getting their stamina levels up and bodies in shape ( usually trying to fit into their extravagantly designed, eye-popping, jaw dropping, imagination bursting, “where the HELL is the rest of it?”-type, costume.) These centres/gyms are a saving grace and often a place for repentance, for those of us who overdid it during the Christmas season. Carnival is the busiest time of the year as the country’s culture, talent, creativeness, diversity, love and warmth is on display. It’s a blaze of colour merged with insane levels of excitement, fantastic rhythmic music and the loving togetherness of the people. You will never get bored (most likely burnt out) as expectations levels are constantly exceeded. There are numerous events to choose from, which often creates a headache trying to decide which ones to attend. The simple solution, according to one of the biggest Soca artist in Trinidad and Tobago -Lyrikal, is “ to be in this, that and everything”. Some of the must attend cultural shows and parties are – Panorama – an annual steel band competition, consisting of small, medium and large steelpan orchestras, usually playing a Calypso piece arranged to create an amazing rhythmic tune. JANUARY 2020
