SUN SAND & SEA 2023 CARNIVAL MAGAZINE

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SUN SAND & SEA MAGAZINE

PRODUCER / EDITOR: DONAVAN ALVAREZ

PHOTOGRAPHER / WRITER : DONAVAN ALVAREZ

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EMAIL: sunsandandseamag@gmail.com

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Contents

TRINIDAD CARNIVAL

BEHIND THE CAMERA

BAND LAUNCHES

CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH

SILIVER STARS

KIDDIES CARNIVAL

JUNIOR PAN

JUNIOR KING & QUEEN OF CARNIVAL

A FISH TALE - THE STORY OF UNCLE

SAM

CANBOULAY

J’OUVERT

DIMANCHE GRAS

JUNIOR KING & QUEEN

SENIOR KING

SENIOR QUEEN

Special Thanks: Trevor “Paparazi” Clarke & Davrielle Valley

PANORAMA FINALS

PAST PAN WINNERS

MONDAY MAS

SAIED ALI - A FLAIR FOR

BARTENDING

JUS FOR LAUGHS

K2K

RONNIE & CARO

BLISS

TRIBE

SHOWTIME

CARNIVAL RESULTS

After an absence of two years, the annual, carnival festivities made its triumphant return to the streets and venues of Trinidad and Tobago, much to the enjoyment of the residents and visitors to the island.

Overall responsibility for staging the various shows/ competitions and parades, with a government mandate, was given to the NCC (National Carnival Commission), with Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters as its chairman. Working with a budget of TT$147million, the NCC experienced a slight delay towards erecting the North Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah, (a project which had been sidelined for the past 4 years), when several steel beams and components for its construction went missing. However the North Stands were completed in time for the Panorama Semis.

Expectations of a bumper carnival was high, with the NCC (National Carnival Commission) labelling this year’s event as “The mother of all Carnivals.” As everyone probably knows by now, carnival is not only the actual “Parade of the Bands” that occurs on Carnival Monday and Tuesday but a series of events over a period of time culminating on Carnival Tuesday night.

Masquerade (mas), Band Launches, which can start as early as June/July of the previous year, are usually the first indication of the coming carnival season. The Tribe franchise of mas bands (Tribe, Rogue, Lost Tribe, Harts, Bliss and Pure) was among the first to showcase their 2023 presentations and had their band launch in July 2022.

This year’s (2023) first, official, NCC sponsored event was held in November last year, with the staging of the National

Steelband Competition in the Single Pan Category. The Semi-Finals in this category was cancelled due to bad weather and all 30 semi-finalists were allowed to perform in the Finals. The Finals, held in December, was won by Chord Masters Steel Orchestra playing KMC’s “First Experience” and arranged by Andre White. First prize for this category was TT $250,000.00 (US $36,873.00). History was made when, for the first time, the Panorama Finals of the Medium Band Category was held in Tobago. This was won by Tobago band, Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra.

It came as no surprise to many when it was announced that this year’s (2023) “Soca Monarch Competition” was cancelled due to a lack of funds. The government offered the organisers of the competition TT$3million in assistance but this was refused by the organisers on the basis that it was not enough to fund the show. Earlier, soca superstar, Machel Montano had announced his intention to host a show on Fantastic Friday, the same night as the Soca Monarch Competition had always been held. This led to much speculation and debate as to the true cause of the Soca Monarch Competition’s demise. Then, on Carnival Tuesday, Big Mike, Legacy’s bandleader, announced that his band would no longer be crossing the Savannah Stage due to a delay in crossing the stage. It seems that another band behind Legacy broke the que and was allowed to cross the Savannah Stage ahead of Big Mike’s band.

Deceased: Between 2020 and this year’s carnival, a number of high-profile figures that made significant contributions towards the development of calypso, steelband music and/ or culure succumbed to various illnesses. More popularly known by their on-stage sobriquets, Black Stalin, Shadow, Singing Francine, Blacks, Explainer and Kenny G. each left a legacy of music, unique to Trinidad and Tobago culture and a beacon for others to aspire to. Karen Codrington, co-founder and matriarch of the family steelband, The Codringtons and Michael Franco, captain of Starlift Steel Orchestra both passed away recently. All will be sorely missed.

After two years of isolation due to the Covid Pandemic, it is truly a great feeling to welcome everyone to this year’s historic, Carnival presentations as seen through the lens of this photographer’s camera.

Although Covid is still among us, I had to put aside my fears of catching the virus and focus on doing my job. Kinda like a war photographer who has to ignore the shells and bullets flying around and get the job done. My main feature story this year is the history of Silver Stars. In the past, I had always gotten my information straight from the horse’s mouth, (or so to speak). This year, I did it a bit different. I got my hands on a copy of an old magazine about Silver Stars and did my best to piece together an accurate account of what transpired. I also searched the Internet for anything written about Silver Stars. Let me tell you; I should have gotten my head examined. Firstly; the author of the booklet seems to have gotten things mixed up. The various accounts of what transpired all those years ago do not co-relate with each other, and on many occasions the years do not match. I have gotten around that problem by not being specific when mentioning the year something occurred. I would report it as “the late fifties” or “around nineteen fifty something” or something like that. I had a hell-of-a-time going back and forth trying

to verify each version of Silver Stars I came across. Although I think I got most of it right, I would welcome anyone with input, different to what I’ve written here.

My second feature story covers a bartender I met, with great skills in mixing cocktails and Flair bartending. His name is Saied Ali and I found his story quite interesting. I hope you do too.

This year I almost did not produce this magazine. The promises people made to me in terms of advertising and other means of support did not materialise. I will only say I was sorely disappointed and will not be so gullible in the future.

People always ask me as a photographer, “how do I get all these beautiful pics.” The answer is quite simple. I ask nicely. Every single photo I take is done with the consent of the person I shoot. If someone does not want their picture taken, I simply move on. I always get more photos than I actually need so it is not a problem for me to accept someone saying no to me. This year’s “Mother of all Carnivals” was dominated by women in every event I covered. I can fill fifty magazines with the pictures I took. I hope you enjoy the ones I selected for the magazine. See you next year and be safe.

Pupils of St.Gabriel’s Girls RC earned 3rd place performing Chasez Webb’s arrangement of “Happy Place.” 244 pts.

Guaico Presbyterian students celebrate their first place win in the Primary Schools’ Category. Their tune of choice was “Same Way,” arranged by Triston Marcano. 261.5 pts.

Secondary Schools’ Category:

1st place: Naps Combined Steel Orchestra

Tune of Choice: Big Bad Soca

Arranger: Shaquille Vincent & Desree Seecheran 282 pts

Dancers from Naps Combined perform a choreographed piece in support of their band’s performance.

SILVER STARS

by Donavan Alvarez

Imagine it is the late1940s and you live in Trinidad. The island is not yet independent and is ruled by the British Crown. Racial prejudice exists on a large scale and the steelpan is frowned upon by nearly all members of society. That is the scenario that confronts a small group of schoolboys, most of whom attended the prestigious St.Mary’s College in Port of Spain. The group consisted of Roy and Ramon Young, Ronnie and Ray Chan, Peter Quong Sing, Selwyn Gomes, Hugh Maze, Hollis Rodriguez, Courtenay Guillen and Maurice Alvarez.

Excitement was thick in the air where the boys were liming, in Roy Young’s yard, 54-56 Woodford Street, Woodbrook. They had in their possession two tenor pans given to them by Ellie Mannette of Invaders Steelband and were fascinated with the instruments. One pan called “el Maestro” had been given to Hollis, in appreciation of a good deed he had done, by hiding Ellie from a rival group of panmen. The other pan, had been delivered by Maurice, using his car. In the following weeks the Young’s yard became their personal music room and soon, another request was made to Ellie, who loaned them more pans. Their next move was to relocate to the more spacious backyard of the Chan family, at 80 Picton Steet, Woodbrook. Held in high esteem by the other youths, Ramon Young was accepted as captain of the band. One of the band’s first engagement, organised by the Guillen family, was to play music for a carnival band called Valentinos. Soon, people began referring to them as “The Newtown Boys Steelband” and sometimes, “Valentinos.”

Meanwhile, another story was developing which helped shape the band’s future. In 1950, another St.Mary’s College schoolboy, Edgar ‘Junior’ Pouchet, received a tenor pan as a birthday gift from his parents and together with some of his schoolmates, formed a band called “Gold Coast.” The boys gathered what money they could and bought more pans from a St.James band called Tripoli. During the Jouvert celebrations the following year (1951), Junior’s group (Gold Coast) met the Newtown Boys (Valentinos), resulting in a decision being made to join forces and become one steelband. That union boosted the ranks with players that included Fred Penco, Carl Cabral, Kenneth ‘Grief’ Saunders, Edgar ‘Junior’ Pouchet and Everard Pouchet.

For a while, the band was allowed to use the Chan’s residence for practice sessions but knew they would have to move, as the Chan’s wanted to extend their home. They did so in 1951, after getting permission to use the backyard of Mr. and Mrs.Halfhide at #7 Warner Street, Woodbrook. During their stay at the Halfhides, people began calling them different names like “the Chinee Band” and “the white-boy band” because of their affiliation with St. Mary’s College and the fact that many of the boys were of Chinese ancestry. This did not go down well with the boys who wanted to be respected and accepted by the other steelbands who viewed them as interlopers in their territory. Roy Young explained how they acquired their name. “Our name came about by chance. There was this magazine we used to read called “Silver Screen,” in which a lot of

Cont’d on Pg 117

Panorama Finals t

RENEGADES Steel Orchestra of 135 Renegades Way, Port of Spain, won its 12th National Panorama title at the “Big Yard”, Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Saturday night. Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Earth,” champion arranger Duvone Stewart, with his arrangement of Black Stalin’s “Black Man Feeling To Party,” won over every pan lover in the North and Grand Stands with deceased Stalin’s wife, Patsy, coming on stage. The band now ties Desperadoes Steel Orchestra with 12 titles. Despers was defending its title but placed ninth. Renegades led from the preliminaries, into the semi-finals, scoring 283 points in the final.

The precise acceleration from the introduction to the first change key helped Renegades front line players to ramajay, some “really sweet music.”

Exodus, led by Ainsworth Mohammed and playing Antiguan, King Short Shirt’s “Tourist Leggo” finished three points behind, scoring 280 points. Another fantastic piece of music from Terrence “BJ” Marcelle. “BJ” is getting closer.

The respected Silver Stars of Tragarete Road, led by Christine Pouchet and playing Olatunji Yearword’s “Engine Room” arranged by Ojay Richards and Kersh Ramsey, placed third, scoring 276 points. From start to finish, the Silver Stars players worked in accordance of drills while playing. According to one pan lover, ”that engine really sound fabulous.”

Shell Invaders’ led by Michael Dinchong, playing Black Stalin’s “Bun Dem,” placed fourth’ scoring 275 points. Arddin Herbert is also getting closer. His arrangement of “Bun Dem” grew from prelims to the finals. Renegades was awarded TT$1,000,000 for its victory. Second-placed Exodus with ‘covering’ canopies and Silver Stars, snagged thr second and third place prize purses of TT$700,000 and TT$650,000, respectively.

First band up, Starlift, cast its musical spell from the get-go, playing the Mighty Sparrow’s “Witch Doctor,” arranged by Danté Pantin. The passion for pan was in full effect. The band scored 267 points and placed 12th.

1st Place: Daddy Chinee

2nd place - Kenneth Supersad

3rd place - Imran “GI” Beharry

1st Place: Raymond Mark Portrayal: The Feathered Serpent Creature “Ku Kul Kan”

THE STORY OF UNCLE SAM

When we think of a sunny day at the beach we immediately associate Maracas Beach with the world famous Uncle Sam Bake & Shark. This much anticipated local, culinary delight is sought after by thousands of beach goers who journey along the scenic north coast on any given day to relax and have a day of fun in the sun.

The world famous recipe was created over fifty years ago by one Adelta Pierre, mother of Michael Pierre, now known as the ever popular Uncle Sam. Mrs. Pierre had seven children, and in order to feed them, she would approach the fishermen who came in with their daily catch and collect all the sharks they were about to throw back into the sea. This she would give to her children after cleaning and cooking them. She began experimenting with different ways of preparing the fish on her coal pot, and evaluated her cooking by offering shark and hops bread to the taxi drivers and their tourist charges who came to the area. Everyone loved her shark & hops bread and

she began to charge six cents for it, later raising it to eight cents. At the beginning, like many pioneers, she was highly criticized, as the villagers believed a long-standing myth that sharks sometimes eat humans, therefore, they themselves were not fit to be consumed by humans. Adelta however, continued preparing meals and discovered a new and exciting dish- “The Fried Bake & Shark.” She then added condiments which served to enhance the taste of her new discovery. Over the years, her popularity grew and she was able to provide a better standard of living for herself and her children. She even saved enough money to purchase the property where the Maracas Gas Station now stands. Now, more than five decades later, the famous coal pot where it all began, can be seen at the Uncle Sam Restaurant & Bar, Upper Maracas beach.

While his mother was struggling to make ends meet, Michael was having a hard time himself at school, dealing with friends who liked teasing him with a nickmane, Sambo, which they got from a reading book. By the time he left school and started working as a lifeguard, everyone was calling him Sam. At age 22, Sam was married and owned a small, run-down shop on the same spot Uncle Sam now occupies. He and his wife, Kamini, decided to add his mother’s Bake & Shark menu to the other items they were selling and taking the $280 he

Fine Wines and Extra Virgin Olive Oil