Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez's "Hard Fete" was out front yesterday as the leading song for this year's Road March, but faced stiff competition from Nailah Blackman and Gamal "Skinny Fabulous" Doyle's "Come Home" at judging points in Port-of-Spain.
Several of the big bands stayed away from the Queen's Park Savannah on Carnival Monday, but those who crossed the stage expressed exuberance over the return of Carnival after the two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The safety and security operations put in place for the Mother of all Carnivals have been successful in preserving law and order during yesterday’s J’Ouvert celebrations which marked the official start of the Carnival 2023 street parade.
Powder, water, paint, mud, foam, music, and J'Ouvert-hungry revellers. All these ingredients came together to produce what was described as a bumper J'Ouvert in San Fernando yesterday.
We Dutty Hush Naughty and Nice, a presentation of Embling O’Garro is the 2023 Chaguanas J’Ouvert band of the Year. The band also won the Large Band of the Year title. Placing second in the Large Band category was Colours Erupt, a presentation of La Penca Entertainment and I Candy’s Jam 2023 placed third. The Small Band category was won by The Escape Deladed a presentation of Red Army J’Ouvert. In second place was Wet is Wet, a presentation of DJ Voom Voom and third, It Calling Me, a presentation of Rehab J’Ouvert.
Revellers and spectators turned out in large numbers flooding the main street in Sangre Grande for J’Ouvert. But before they were allowed to enter the main area to enjoy the revelry, they had to pass through security checks set up by officers of the T&T Police Service who were out in full force.
The low spectator turnout to see J'Ouvert celebrations in Port-of-Spain was seemingly mirrored by a similar decline in the number of competitors in this year’s Old Mas Competition.
Even though Carnival 2023 has been dubbed the Mother of all Carnivals, yesterday’s opening of the two-day revelry failed to attract the usual crowd of spectators that often line the streets, anxiously awaiting the official 4 am start of J’Ouvert.
Jacqui Koon How’s Dat is a Trini has copped the Kiddies Band of the Year title for Chaguanas Carnival 2023.
Raymond Mark and Priya Nagassar eclipsed nine competitors in each competition to cop the top prizes at the end of the Dimanche Gras show at the Queen's Park Savannah, a short while ago.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is urging citizens and visitors to have a safe Carnival.
Machel Montano and the One Show team issued a statement to the public this afternoon, apologising to patrons of the show who experienced various challenges getting in and enjoying the show.
+1 (868) 225-4465
Ext: 5113, 5116, 5117
newsroom@guardian.co.tt