It’s the much anticipated jump off to Caribana weekend and Thursday night’s King and Queen Show did not disappoint.  Sounds and smells of the Caribbean filled the air above Lamport Stadium as fans quickly filled the seats for an evening of high drama and high fashion – literally. 

Eve in the Golden Garden of Eden

Rodeo Dreams

For many of the night’s contestants, playing mas was all about family pride – celebrating Caribbean heritage. Sway caught up with a few of the male and female individual competitors backstage.  

Shane, who competed as the Gladiator’s Maximus for Tribal Knights’ Hollywood Glitz and Glamour theme, has been with the band five years, but he’s been playing Caribana for 23.  ”Since I was 13. This is our culture, and I’ll pass it on to my children.”  Shane said his five-year-old daughter is just starting to get into the festivities. “It’s a labour of love, definitely,” says Shane.  He designed and constructed his own costume for the competition. 

Camille, 18,  represented Pleasure Players in a bright yellow Indian sari.  She’s been playing Caribana with the same band for over 16 years.  As far as she’s concerned, there’s nothing not to like about mas.  “Meeting new people every year, the beautiful costumes, the competition…everything.  I just like dancing and Caribana. I’m celebrating my culture.”

For Nicholas, 2010 is a year of firsts.  ”It’s time for a change, time for something new.” The Louis Saldenah reveller was completely new to the mas experience.  “This is my first year with the band – first year, actually playing male individual for a King and Queen show.”  For the rest of Caribana 2010, he can celebrate another first.   First place in the male individual competition.

The 70s came back with a vengeance when Albert hit the stage for a disco routine complete with ’fro, cape and bellbottoms.  The 23-year-old said he was hand-picked by Jamaal Magloire and has been playing mas since he was 6 or 7 years old.  “It is a family thing.  When you’re Trini, it has to be a family thing.”

Ladies and Gentleman, your King and Queen….

Dexter Seusahai, “Predator Returns”
Pat Horsham, “D’Chandelier – A Portrait in Crystal”

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