Glenville Ashby
One more week before the big day, and Carnival fever is tightening its grip on West Indian Brooklyn. Registrations are up and many band sections are closed—a good sign in these pressing economic times.
The following list will never truly convey the passion and devotion to the craft of mas making, or perfecting the art of steelpan music. Every single effort is testament to the love of the art form in a distant land—worthy of praise—every participant a cultural ambassador.
Elegance:
Veteran masquerader and former section leader of Borokeetes, Maximin Nurse, is disappointed that her presentation, Rhythms of the World, is without a Queen. But she feels that the appeal of colour will make up for the unexpected setback.
“My queen suffered a stroke just a week ago and this threw things off somewhat. But I feel that the addition of a rhythm section to our regular DJ band will work magic.
Indeed the sections, T&T Tempo and African Diansa, stand out in the impressively spacious showroom, with backyard to boot. Elegance didn’t place last year, but hey, 2010? You never know.”
Ramajay:
La Femme is a stunning portrayal of women through the ages—their mystery, seductive powers, and imperial stature. How pleasantly ironic—a presentation by an all women managerial team. It’s hard to fathom the meteoric rise of this band in only its second year. Ramajay is rivetting—a well-oiled machine that rivals the best of the more seasoned contenders.
“This year we are 850 strong and we are coming out with a vengeance,” says Alicia McKenna, creative consultant.
She jokingly adds, “People are shaking and we are out for blood after we were cheated last year.”
The band placed first in the medium band category, although it was registered as a big band. When the error was pointed out, they were placed second, after big band winners, Sesame Flyers.
Ramajay’s camp is as busy and “tech” savvy as they come, with a constant stream of customers and well-wishers. Young women behind lap top computers. And that ubiquitous theme song: “Ramajay” by Lyrikal is audible—as if a call to arms. My pick for Band of the Year 2010. Big band category that is!
Odyssee Blu:
The baby among the veterans. So it seems. This is Cyre Celestine’s first venture as a designer. She is just 22-years-old, but has been involved in Carnival for 20 years. It’s in her blood, as they say. “I was a section leader for Sesame Flyers and picked up a lot in terms of organisational management from them.” Her designing prowess she credits to her stint with Legacy in Trinidad.
Cyre was born in Brooklyn, of Trinidad parentage, but you will never guess it with her Brooklyn accent. But viewing her designs and listening to her knowledge of the art, you know where her roots are. “Things are a bit slow,” she says, “but starting to pick up.” Her presentation, Ancient Greek Myths, is creating a buzz with its sheer creativity and some help from twitter, facebook and other forms of social media. Cyre Celestine—Remember that name. May just be the future of Brooklyn mas.
TNT Boyz:
TNT Boyz started out as a T shirt band, so when they told me that last year they were caught between two non-masquerading bands (one a T shirt band,) and was never judged, I smiled.
But Phyllis Wyllie and her team have put that mishap behind them, and are all business in their basement workshop and show room.
Their presentation, Four Seasons, is interesting and a creative concept. Sales have picked up in the last two weeks and only time will tell if they can translate this genius of an idea, to a competitive force on Labour Day.
Raw Essence:
Ah Day in Brazil may seem predictable, but the busy showroom with stunningly clad mannequins tells half the story. Beverly Selman does a great pitch and invites director, Frankie Woods, to join us. He downplays any competition with other bands, especially his neighbour, Sesame Flyers.
“We are all one, representing the culture of a people and an entire region.” I am given a tour by the band’s president, Richard Gilkes, around the building and downstairs to a stupendous working area. This is the engine room—the brain of Raw Essence. There is no out-sourcing with this band. Every wire, every bead, ever feather takes form in this area.
“Here we feel and live the art here. This is where the passion is,” says Gilkes.
Impressive indeed!
San Juan Eastside Steelband:
Admittedly very small, but a perfect fit for J’Ouvert competition. Its arranger, Edmund Bunny Nurse, is upbeat about the future. “We are playing Caribbean Queen and Pan in A minor, and it’s a perfect combo.
We are conducting a lot of pan workshops for the kids in Fulton and it’s a great feeling…and we are also getting bigger and stronger as a unit” May be not now, but a sure contender in a few years!
Glenville Ashby is a New York based correspondent for the T&T Guardian
