Earlier this week, organisers of Miami Broward Carnival (MBC) were keeping fingers and toes crossed that Hurricane Matthew would not negatively impact the US East Coast this weekend and affect celebrations.
However, it seems the storm will affect the US panhandle, so much so that on Wednesday, Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared schools in that area would be closed that day–Miami-Dade must have painful memories of the devastation caused in 1992 by Hurricane Andrew. MBC is the last of the T&T-style global carnivals for the year, and Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee is its producer.
Because of the hurricane, the stoic organising committee has moved around engagements, and events scheduled for today will be held tomorrow.
Following last Saturday's successful children's carnival parade, held at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, today's Fantastic Friday Duck Work Lunch Time Bacchanal & Food Truck Invasion has been cancelled, and the King, Queen and individuals competitions and the Panorama finals have been postponed to tomorrow at 3 pm at the same venue.
The eight steelbands in the final are defending champion Pantastik Steel Orchestra, Lauderhill Steel Ensemble Inc, Karibbean Knights, Melo Grove, Resurrection, New Generation Branches, Sticks 'n Tones Steel and Tamboo Bamboo Steel.
Celebrities Stacy Ann Rose, Third World's Stephen Cat Coore and R City are MBC's Celebrity Grand Marshals this year.
J'Ouvert will still be held tomorrow morning at 7 am, also at the Regional Park, followed by a party. One of the headline attractions in this year's carnival is the participation of T&T 2016 National Panorama champion Desperadoes as a guest artiste at the Miami Broward Panorama competition, J'Ouvert and in the parade of bands. Another headline act this weekend is Kees Dieffenthaller who is billed to perform on the Concert Mega Mainstage on Carnival Day.
On Sunday, hopefully with improved weather, an estimated 15,000 masqueraders are expected to descend along 10901 SW E Street for the parade of bands, from its 11 am start until Las Lap at 11 pm. Carnival celebrations will actually culminate at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds.
Some of the bands and their portrayals are Bajan Fuh Evah (Evolution–Celebrating 50 Years of Independence); Euphoria Production (The Warrior Within); Generation X (Erotica); Revel Nation Carnival (Realm of Dragons); and Mascots International LLC (The Last 20–Do You Remember When).
Recognised once again by the Miami New Times as one of the Top 100 events in South Florida, MBC is highly anticipated by South Florida locals and the tens of thousands of visitors who breathe and live the Carnival culture, who travel annually every Columbus Day weekend to Miami to celebrate.
This year, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc has partnered with the Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Barbados' Independence in Miami. The top soca stars of Barbados, including Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood and Lead Pipe & Saddis, have been flown to Miami for the occasion.
In a release this week, William D Talbert III, CDME, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), said: "The Miami Broward Carnival continues to be one of our most highly anticipated annual events, attracting residents and visitors from around the globe for this multi-day celebration.
It is one of the top events to highlight the great diversity and rich Caribbean culture woven throughout the Greater Miami area. Each year the pageantry is more spectacular as the Caribbean community proudly displays its traditions of elaborate costumes, vibrant art, music, dance and spicy flavourful foods–a proven formula for continued growth and popularity."
Locals radiate forSunshine Awards
Veteran Trinidad Guardian journalist David Cuffy is in esteemed company as he has been selected to be the recipient of a 2016 Sunshine Award along with legendary West Indies crickets Sir Garfield Sobers and Lance Gibbs. Other nationals to be honoured are Earl Crosby (posthumous), Carnival icon Canute Spencer and Professor Ken Julien.
The Sunshine Awards Organization announced in New Jersey, USA the nominees for the 2016 Sunshine Award this week. The 28th annual gala ceremony, a black tie event, is scheduled for Saturday, October 15 at the AXA Equitable Center, 787 Seventh Avenue at 51st Street, in New York City.
The Sunshine Awards was founded 28 years ago to recognise excellence in the performing arts, education, humanity, science, and sports of the various Caribbean countries.
Over the years, the programme has expanded in depth and breadth with a global view, including countries from Africa, South America, Central America, Europe and India. Last year's recipients included Prof Dr Gordon Rohlehr, Massy Trinidad All Stars arranger Leon "Smooth" Edwards, Charlie's Roots musical director Pelham Goddard, playwright Rawle Gibbons, songwriter Winsford "Joker" Devine and Trinidad Guardian Entertainment Editor Peter Ray Blood.
Dr Hollis Chalkdust" Liverpool, co-founder of the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame and chairman of the Nomination and Network Committee, said this week: "What an array of bright minds and thoughtful souls for this year's Sunshine Awards event. Our institution and all the nominees are to be commended for making this world a better place, given the many atrocities we face daily."
Gil Figaro, Sr, chairman and founder of the Sunshine Awards, said: "We are privileged to be able to recognise the accomplishments of these stalwarts and their contributions to our lives. Generations to come will embrace their legacy to accomplish their own goals and objectives. We must remember, without them life would be without excitement and purpose. They have enabled us to engage in dialog and debates and sometimes shape a point of view. My congratulations to them all."
SUNSHINE AWARDS NOMINEES 2016
Father Richard Ho Lung–Jamaica
Father Ho Lung will receive the 2016 Nelson Mandela Human Rights Achievement Sunshine Award for his contribution and unselfish commitment to humanity. This will be the inaugural presentation of this Award.
Professor Ken Julien–T&T
Professor Julien will receive the 2016 Dom Basil Matthews Sunshine Award for his contribution to education, human and national development.
Canute Spencer–T&T
Mr Spencer will receive the 2016 Friend of the Arts Sunshine Awards for his contribution to the performing arts.
Earl Crosby–T&T (posthumously)
Mr Crosby will receive the 2016 Friend of the Arts Sunshine Awards for his contribution to the performing arts.
Eddy Bourjolly–Haiti
The world renowned jazz guitarist will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his over 40 years of contribution to the performing arts–creole music and jazz.
Jacouba Sissoko–Mali, Africa
A world renowned kora player/musician, Sissoko will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his contribution to African music.
Pascual & Gema Nieto-Forteza–Spain
A Spanish clarinetist (Pascual) and pianist (Gema) will receive the 2016 Sunshine Awards for their contribution to the performing arts, and in particular, Latin music. In 2001, Pascual became the first Spanish musician to become a member of the New York Philharmonic orchestra. Gema is a music consultant, a music promoter and artist manager. In 2003 she began performing with Pascual and made their New York debut, at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. Nieto-Forteza has also played in chamber groups with other Philharmonic musicians.
Kirani James–Grenada
He will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his contribution to sports. He is a sprinter who specialises in the 200 and 400 metres. He won the 400 metres at the World Championships in 2011 and the 2012 London Olympics. He was Grenada's first Olympic medalist in any sport. He was also a silver medalist at the recently concluded Rio Olympics.
Caldwell Taylor–Grenada
Taylor will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his contribution to education and research. He is a teacher, trade unionist, diplomat, historian, journalist, lecturer and cultural commentator. He studies calypso and carnival in depth, two ways, he says, of seeing the world from street-level.
Sir Garfield Sobers–Barbados
Sir Garfield will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his contribution to sports. His first class cricket debut was at the age of 16 and he played for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974 and is regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the game of cricket.
Lance Gibbs–Guyana
Gibbs will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his contribution to sports. He is a former West Indies cricketer and is regarded as one of the most successful spin bowlers in Test cricket history. He made his first-class debut at the age of 19.
David Cuffy–T&T
Cuffy will receive the 2016 Sunshine Award for his contribution to journalism. He spent more than 40 years working as a journalist. Along the way, he reported on politics, labour and entertainment. For the past 20-plus years, he has been working exclusively in the arts and entertainment sector, writing on all aspects of the nation's cultural diversity.
Samir Chatterjee–India
Chatterjee is a virtuoso tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. He is also the founder of Chhandayan–a non-profit, charitable organisation which promotes and preserves Indian music, dance and culture.