Savannah Invasion
Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2004

By Clint Chan Tack, Newsday TT

LOOK DE BAND COMING summed up the climax of Carnival 2004 celebrations at the Queen's Park Savannah yesterday as band after band invaded the Big Yard, transforming it into a explosion of infinite colour and unbridled euphoria.

However, the only masqueraders who may not share that view are those from Poison (including President George Maxwell Richards, Education Minister Hazel Manning and several visiting US sports and entertainment celebrities), who were reportedly stuck in downtown Port-of-Spain and did not cross the stage until 5 pm. From as early as 6 am, masqueraders were spotted emerging from different parts of the city, frantically calling their friends on their cell phones to find out where their respective bands were.

In stark contrast to Carnival Monday's proceedings, yesterday's programme at the Savannah began promptly at 8 am and the assembled patrons had little time to digest their breakfast as Trini Revellers arrived at 8.19 am to dazzle them with the mystery and splendour of the Middle East with their 2004 presentation "Arabian Nights." Normally categorised as a medium-sized band, Revellers competed this year as a large band due to an influx of masequeraders from Peter Minshall, who opted not to participate in Carnival 2004. Harts was the first of the traditional big bands to cross the stage. The Woodbrook-based outfit entered the Big Yard at 9.06 am to unleash its "Wild Thing" upon unsuspecting patrons in the North and Grand Stands. Every conceivable savage from North American Indians to warriors from darkest Africa filled the hearts of locals and tourists alike with a mixture of awe and joy. Of course, Harts would not be Harts without its bevy of beautiful women and leading the way was former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam, clad in a maginficent crimson and gold costume, urging the Harts' masqueraders to play, ramajay and breakaway. The Harts players rose to the occasion and the rhythmic shaking of their gold sequins, glittering in the brilliant sunshine which bathed the Big Yard, could have been heard clearly above the din of the accompanying music trucks and musical entertainment of Imij and Company.

Mount Hope Connection cooled the tempo briefly with its 2004 presentation "Out of Africa" and reminded the audience of the glory of mas of yesteryear with its traditional sailor mas. Masquerader flowed into the Savannah at 10.34 am with "River Dance" and the audience was treated to a lively dance number to the tune of David Rudders' popular calypso "The Ganges and the Nile." In the middle of this band was Natuc president Robert Giuseppi, who showed that he could organise a Carnival demonstration as well as he could organise a labour demonstration. Dragon Renaissance and Mystery Raiders brought back some more traditional Carnival with their respective presentations of "The Dragon Returns" and "Robbers and Bankers of TT." However, it was the arrival of defending Band-of-the-Year holders Legends at 1 pm which had the crowd at the Savannah in uproar as they showcased their 2004 offering "Freedom." Led by "Big Mike" Antoine, Legends staged an impromptu street theatre production showing the struggles of African slaves and East Indian indenturers in TT which climaxed in the releasing of several doves into the azure blue skies above to symbolise their freedom and their subsequent fusion to create TT as it is today.

With added assistance from Superblue, Legends then unleashed a rainbow presentation of freedom in its various forms from "Angels of Peace" to "Spirit of Mandela." However, some patrons expressed open disappointment that Poison was seemingly stuck downtown behind SkandalUs and at least three large steelbands. Several were seen on their cellphones trying to locate the whereabouts of Poison in Port-of-Spain. Security was tight throughout the day's proceedings with National Security Minister Martin Joseph on hand to personally ensure that the large contingent of police officers at the Savannah did their job while the police helicopter made regular sorties over the Big Yard. National Carnival Chairman (NCC) chairman Kenny da Silva was also busy as a bee, literally rooted stageside to ensure a free flow of bands through the Savannah. The only persons busier than the police were the Savannah's clean-up crew who hastily cleaned the stage between bands.

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