GEISHA KOWLESSAR-ALONZO
In the political arena he is known as Brian Manning, Minister in the Ministry of Finance.
However, what is not really known is that he also wears the hat of fete promoter/soca artiste.
Manning is bringing the legacy of his father, the late Prime Minister Patrick Manning, back to life with “Manning Fete” which will be held today at the base of San Fernando Hill.
What started as a small house party in 1982 developed into a Carnival staple for the southern city and Manning is adamant that the fete would not only be kept alive, but that it remains an important part in the fabric of T&T’s tourism sector.
He spoke to Sunday Business about the genesis of the event and his plans for taking it, and this country’s Carnival product, forward.
“It was started by my dad at our home in Gopaul Lands, Marabella around 1980 or 1982 when it was small house fete. And then it grew into an event where we had to block off part of the street for people to enjoy themselves and then it just outgrew our entire neighbourhood and eventually we had to move to different and much larger venues,” Manning explained.
However, it stopped when the senior Manning died in July 2016.
According to the San Fernando East MP, the revival of the event came as “the people had been clamouring” for its return.
“As an MP I listened to the people and we decided to bring it back this time around,” he said, noting there is much anticipation for the event.
“People are filled with nostalgia because it had been decades of Manning fete and we have made it sort of a home-coming event.
“It was always known as ‘Manning Fete’ so it’s the return of Manning Fete, which had become a southern institution for the Carnival season. Every year since I was a child we would have the Manning fete. It was meant to be part fundraiser for the constituency but also a way of giving back to the people of San Fernando for their support and that’s why the ticket price has been as low as it is, which allows everyone can attend to enjoy themselves,” Manning said, adding that many of the artistes and DJs at the event are from San Fernando East.
About 1,500 plus people are expected to attend.
Tickets prices are $250 and $300 at the gate and most of the funds generated from the fete will be ploughed back into uplifting the community in different ways which was the tradition set by Manning’s late father.
Manning, who is continuing that tradition, said such work is never ending and also costly; whether it’s outreach programmes or assisting young people with various initiatives.
“The monies do not go to me specifically. It goes to the executive of San Fenando East.
“We would go into different communities and try to make them accessible in terms of Government programmes and other initiatives that we run throughout the year, including hamper drives. All this requires funding. We are improving the service we provide,” Manning further detailed.
He said feedback from tickets sales has also been overwhelming as the diaspora based in different countries are also expected to be in attendance.
“Ticket sales online are doing quite well. People have been reaching out to us from all over,” Manning added.
The fete was initially scheduled to take place at the top of the hill, however the tragic death of school teacher, Renee Mitchell, has resulted in the event now being held at the bottom of the iconic San Fernando landmark, which would allay the fears of patrons.
Manning said plans are also in place to make the area safer.
“Going forward we will have several discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, the City Corporation and others to ensure the venue becomes as safe as we would all like it to be. When the investigation is completed we would then have an idea as to what is needed to do this,” Manning added.
In this vein, he said there are also plans to make San Fernando Hill more accessible and more of a tourist-oriented destination.
“If you see San Fernando Hill you know exactly where you are. It is something that we have always taken seriously as a landmark and part of our culture and our heritage. It is something we would want to preserve and share with the national and international community.
“We are talking about having the waterfront project, having cruise ships even come,” Manning added.
Carnival city
A couple years ago there were calls to establish a Carnival City in Trinidad, showcasing the country’s rich product not only during the two day reign of the Merry Monarch but throughout the year.
Manning agrees with the idea, saying this can come to fruition with proper coordination.
“We are doing our best trying to diversify our economy and tourism plays a major role in that. We do have scheduled more cruise ships to Trinidad in the future and we have to ensure that the product that we have here is something that tourists would enjoy and return and also tell their friends to come see.
“People should not only be able to enjoy the Carnival culture, during one small part of the year, but be able to do so year round,” Manning emphasised.
He noted while there were major setbacks with T&T’s tourism sector when COVID struck, he assured that the Government was doing all that it can to ensure the infrastructure is there to ensure the industry remains viable and continues to develop.
“We have to realise we are competing against several of our Caricom neighbours who have been in the tourism game for a very long time so we have to ensure our product is right and what we are offering is something is distinct..we have our challenges but we have our own individual product we can sell abroad,” Manning maintained.
More than a fete promoter
Manning is not only a fête promoter.
He is indeed a true Carnival aficionado as reflected in his lyrical offering titled, “Get Festive.”
It is a collaboration with San Fernando PNM councillor Nigel Coutier which Manning described commemorates the return of “Manning Fete” as it embodies the Carnival spirit.
“It is one big event and I wanted to be a part of of our local culture and I said ‘Why not give it a try.’ I decided to go into the studio with Nigel Coutier and we made a song and I am very proud of what we have done and it is actually getting radio play and we are actually getting to perform the song at different events,” Manning added.
On whether he intends to enter into any competitions with his song Manning declined, chuckling.