Prolific mas designer Brian MacFarlane–who emerged the winner of the Queen of Carnival 2013 competition and tied for first place with Ted Eustace for the King of Carnival 2013 title–says he'll be bowing out of the competition for good after this year.
MacFarlane's win yesterday morning at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, ended in controversy and complaints following the announcement of the results for the king competition.
MacFarlane's king Ai To Yujo No Yorokobi (The Joy of Love & Friendship) portrayed by Gerard Weekes clinched the first-place title along with Moko in Flames, a Eustace creation.
The results did not go down too well with MacFarlane, who openly complained that the National Carnival Bandleaders Association (NCBA) seemed not to know what they were doing.
Ten senior kings and queens were finalists in the competition, while 15 junior kings and queens graced the stage.
MacFarlane said he was "confused and puzzled" by the judges' results.
Last year, MacFarlane said, his king tied for first place with Roland St George's king and the judges insisted on a tiebreaker.
"We lost by one point to St George. So how could we now tie again this year?"
MacFarlane called on the NCBA to explain why the rules suddenly changed for 2013.
Noting that he will no longer take part in the competition, MacFarlane said he was now free to speak his mind. He complained that the show was far too long and terribly disorganised backstage, while designers, crews and competitors had to mount costumes in darkness minutes before the show got started. He also said there were no chairs for them to sit on backstage, coupled with technical problems which could have been avoided.
MacFarlane said while the attendance was good for the first time in years, the show needs to be developed in certain areas.
Weekes, MacFarlane's king, said the judges were breaching their own rules.
"Let us look at the fairness of the adjudication system. This is something the NCC needs to look at. I am totally disappointed. There are several ways you can determine a winner. Two kings this year sends the wrong message. This is a lack of transparency. This was something I had been clamouring about even before the competition."
Diaz rates show seven out of ten
NCBA president Keith Diaz, flanked by National Carnival Commission chairman Allison Demas, said both winners will have to split the first prize of $250,000.Noticeably absent to congratulate the winners was Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Dr Lincoln Douglas. Diaz said to his recollection, this was the first tie in the kings category.On a scale of one to ten, Diaz gave the show a seven-point rating, admitting that there was room for improvement. Diaz said, "I think it is a good start. There is work to be done."
Results and points obtained in Finals?
Queens Junior
1 Beauty Of D Mang–Nekilah Thomas–408
2 Round And Around We Go–Vaughnecia Mieres–406
3 Adelta Flower Of D Prairies–Anniya Johnson–405
Kings Junior
1 Hyarima–Amerindian Cacique–Gyasi Philbert–428
2 Ama Zulu–People Of The Sky–Yanick Holdip–418
3 Space Eye 2013–Michael Barnes–413
Queens Senior
1 Rakuen No Yorokobi (The Joy Of Paradise)–Charrisse Bovell–429
2 Danis Wantaim–The Dance Of Reconcilliation–Liselle Frauenfelder-413
3 From Darkness To Light–Kay Mason–406
4 Hera's Sacred Bird–Gloria Dallsingh–390
5 Symphony In G, The Heavenly Mix–Charmaine Enile–384
6 Lady Of The Day–Cherry-Ann Patrice Valere–382
7 Goddess Of Light and Beauty–Laura Rampersad–382
8 Aurora: A Luminous Phenomenium of Light and Beauty–Roxanne Omalo–374
9 Pte-San-Wi (Teesanwi) Carrier of the Peace Pipe–Rose Marie Kuru-Jagessar–371
10 The Evolution of the Amazon Lady–Avernelle Johnson–357
Kings Senior
1 Moko In Flames Ted Eustace; and Ai To Yujo No Yorokobi (The Joy Of Love & Friendship) Gerard Weekes–438
3 De Agony of Human Bundage–Ronald Blaize–421
4 Kinyan–Rise Of The Thunderbird–Glenn Turnbull–409
5 Rising Of The Ancestor–Roland St George–404
6 Let There Be Light–Earl Thompson–395
7 Spirit of the Underworld–Marlon Rampersad–389
8 Ligahoo Nightmare of The Planters–Jeremiah Raymond–387
9 Out Of The Darkness–Earl Beckles–379
10 Creature Of The Wonder Garden–Radcliffe Forester–369