Masqueraders "palanced" before judges during yesterday's Parade of the Bands in downtown Port-of-Spain soaking up the sweltering heat. Each time the DJ trucks blasted the popular soca tune, Palance, masqueraders jumped in a frenzy from left to right, singing along. The song seemed to intoxicate them as they let loose and went in a trance.
Sung by radio presenters JW and Blaze, the infectious tune captured the Power Soca Monarch last Friday. At all points around South Quay, there were police officers–on foot, in jeeps and mounted on horses. There was also tight security in the bands. Recession or not, the energised mas lovers showed their loyalty to Carnival, as thousands of them made their way to South Quay before the final judging point. Bands began making their appearance around 1.30 pm before a scanty crowd of spectators who were busy taking their photos as some "wined" low to the ground.
Among the scantily-clothed masqueraders there were individual portrayals of traditional sailors, midnight robbers and Red Indians. The Lord Kitchener Stand was not entirely full and the erected stand opposite the judges was almost empty. However, about two hours later the crowd began to increase as intrigued tourists with cameras in hand, smiling Chinese labourers trying to "wine" and locals came trickling into the lively scene. At 3 pm Brian Mac Farlane's band Resurrection The Mas stormed the street "palancing" in their dry muddied bodies. The band took about 15 minutes before turning off onto Broadway.
