Rain fails to dampen mas launch in La Brea

Regional Carnival 2006 Launch - Photos

November 21, 2005
by Terry Joseph

Continuous showers from late Friday left the La Brea Recreational Ground soft but that did not stop king sailors, bats, a lone jab mollasie, blackfoot and authentic American Indians and other varieties of traditional Carnival characters from executing their choreography last Saturday as the National Carnival Commission (NCC) launched its regional festival.

In an outpouring of love for legendary Carnival characters, sailors from north west Trinidad, tamboo-bamboo from the eastern counties, bats, clowns, speech bands, warahoons, gorillas, midnight robbers, burrokeets and soumayree dancers, gatka boys, dames lorraine, baby-doll seekers of delinquent fathers, ghosts and, in the sum, more than 100 species of traditional mas took part in the event, which attracted thousands to the route and its focal point at the recreation ground. From 10 a.m., the overall activity, titled Tombay Levay (patois for: "If you fall down, get up) started in the village, with input from 53 regional groups, who trotted out their unique presentations as part of the 12-hour soiree, which officially dedicated traditional mas 2006 to the centennial of Dragon Portrayals first introduced by Patrick Jones (aka "Chinee Patrick").

Tombay Levay was attended by Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams, NCC chairman Kenny de Silva and Board directors Sigler Jack and Paula Atherly, whose portfolio includes responsibility for regional celebrations. Chairman of the sub-committee, Lennox Toussaint functioned as operations manager for the show, which comprised additional elements of stick-fighting and calypso contests.

Music for the street parade was provided by 20 acoustic groups including tamboo-bamboo, tassa, single-pan steelbands, African drums, rhythm sections and the Mayaro Scout Troupe marching brass band (led by Patricia Lezama), North Eastern All Stars single-pan band and the Point Fortin Iron Giants: all of whom took participants from the Brighton Anglican School to the parade square at the La Brea Recreational Ground, where a cultural show was staged. Public participation was limited on the ground itself. There were performances from calypsonians Mighty Duke, Trinidad Rio and Young Zandolie in the vintage kaiso section; all backed by the Joey Rivers band, Rhythm and Moods.

In addition, parang came from La Divina Pastora, while festival music was supplied by Maximus Dan and Invazion and the chutney component provided by veterans Heeralal Rampartap and Drupatee Ramgoonai.

Dance Master Torrance Mohammed prepared a special piece of choreography for the Arawak Dance Company, interpreting the folklore and myths associated with the Pitch Lake.

The Carnival launch Album:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=37851

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