For those who were in North Trinidad last holiday weekend, it was beautiful: blessed with perfect weather for all outdoor cultural events. It came as a surprise that no steelband or individual was given a national award. Pan Trinbago Inc did nominate two steelbands (birdsong, NLCB Buccooneers) and three individuals (former president Arnim Smith [posthumous], Curtis Pierre and Sterling Betancourt).
However, the national instrument received no tribute or recognition. Congratulations nontheless to the cultural awardees though, inclusive of Dil-e-Nadan, calypsonians Composer, Bro Superior and All Rounder, parang singer Sharlene Flores and crooner Kelwyn Hutcheon.
This year's Independence Day military parade seemed to have something extra than those of previous years. Not only was there a larger than usual attendance by the public along the parade route, sometimes the crowd being three people deep on the pavement along Tragarete Road, but the armed personnel were more people-friendly, especially with the children.
It was beautiful seeing soldiers and police motorcyclists stopping to have children sit on their bikes to have photos taken. Many a driver in the large military carriers also had children taking pictures seated in the hubs of their vehicles.
At one time, a fire tender stopped for a while on Tragarete Road to be refilled to put on a water display, much to the delight of the children. If there was anybody who thoroughly enjoyed the sunny conditions and Monday's parade it was the children, the mood being actually set early on the day at the Queen's Park Savannah by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar when she stopped after the parade to greet children in the mammoth crowd in attendance.
The national instrument did shine on the weekend, not only in every military marching band on Independence Day, but at various pan events. Despite giving up its Tragarete Road panyard, Woodbrook Playboyz staged yet another successful edition of Indepan Fest, held annually on the eve of Independence Day from Colville Street to Maraval Road.
Strategically mounted on stationary stages were International Panorama champion Massy Trinidad All Stars, runner-up Super Novas, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, Republic Bank Exodus, PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars and White Oak Starlift.
Also performing on a main stage, erected at the corner of Picton Street, were calypsonians Baron and Scrunter.
All the steelbands performed repertoires which enticed the large crowd to dance gleefully but, performing first on the roster of bands, Super Novas seemed to have that extra spark to its playing. Led by Amrit Samaroo, the band had Tragarete Road jumping, its set including a spicy Penguin medley and Organiser's Doh Tell ah Soul. The Lopinot band remained in Newtown overnight, its instruments stored in a tent off the roadway, to again share the spotlight on Independence Day with Republic Bank Exodus and Phase II at Playboyz's post military parade brunch.
Not to be left, CAL Invaders and White Oak Starlift also hosted lively Independence Day brunches at their respective panyards. While Port-of-Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee was seen at Playboyz, in attendance at Starlift were past winning Band of the Year bandleader Raoul Garib, dancer Adele Bynoe, Hazel Franco, hosted by Starlift executive members captain Michael Franco and secretary Rhona Harris.
Former Finance Minister/Olympian Wendell Mottley and pan arranger Ray Holman were seen at the Invaders brunch.On a note of correction, last week I stated that Ray Holman was the arranger of Starlift's Du Du Yemi (Natasha) in 1978 when in fact it was arranged by the late Hershell Puckerin.
Go out and vote
It is the weekend before another general election and what an acrimonious lead up it has been to the big day on Monday. It is the 13th such exercise since our republic was "freed" of the yoke of colonialism to venture into the challenging fate of self-rule. Since 1956, we have survived changes in parties and leaders; a Black Power uprising; an attempted coup; three States of Emergency; and we have attained Independence and Republicanism.
It is our civic right and duty to go out and vote on Monday to decide which political party should manage our future for the next five years and beyond. The huffing and puffing, accusations, both true and false, innuendoes and rumours reach a high point tomorrow when the three major political parties–UNC, PNM, ILP–hold their final rallies at strategically located venues.
At the end of the day, Monday is not about personalities but about policies and issues indicated in the manifestoes and on the hustings by all the parties, and us deciding who will be the best representative in our constituency to provide sustained, consistent and stable public service for our children and families.