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Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade 2011

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Reveller
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Reveller

I’m not sure the 44th Annual Formally, Caribana Parade, now renamed the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival 2011, was something to brag about this year. Although it had its usual hype and vitality the stress of getting there and obtaining a proper view of the festivities was more than difficult. If you didn’t arrive early then be prepared to have to park and walk a significant distance away from the parade. Subway and the street car was the best option although at one location a street car did get into an accident and access to another one was nearly impossible so taxi cabs were the way to go.

There were some unnecessary block offs along the parade which resolved in long walks around, I must have walked for about 45 minutes before I finally arrived at a decent spot with a decent view. Another disappointment was the disorganization from some floats. Some mass players waited a long time before they finally got their costumes, and were not even informed on how to assemble it. But the biggest disappoint this year was the news of the shooting that occurred after the parade. It’s a shame to have such a tragic incident happen at such a joyous event that is supposed to represent unity and celebration among the West Indian Culture.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Revellers
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Revellers

They came from East and West, they came from North and South, They Came from Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia – De Entire Caribbean, North America, South America, Europe, Asia. I Believe Destra Garcia said it best, “It’s All about Unity, Togetherness, Carnival time we love de jamin’ all o we, collectively, in de bacchanal time to start de fete”.

The costumes this year were just as crazy as ever, it was great to see people pushing their creativity and creating something different and new. The girls did not disappoint either with less than barely there outfits, I don’t think at any other part of the year you see as much skin as you do at Caribana and there is no complaining on that. I can say the best part of the parade this year was …. The alcohol, a nice cold beer on this day was a great compensation. As for the food there were too many hot dog stands and not enough “food” stands available all along the parade.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Guyanese, Grenadian, St. Lucian
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Guyanese, Grenadian, St. Lucian

Although barricades go up every year people still find a way to jump the fence, or break it open, which causes the crazy stampede of people, so if you’re going there to relax, go early find a spot under the shade and enjoy as the parade passes by. If you plan on participating and playing Mass I suggest you do your research and find a float that knows what they’re doing and that you’re comfortable with. I’m sure next year will have the same and plus some more disappointments but at the end of the day we all look forward to meeting up with friends, family and for a great show and Caribana will never disappoint on that.

By – Luanna Pedro

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Living Legends Boat Ride: Featuring Byron Lee’s Dragonaires

Empress of Canada
Empress of Canada

Last Friday Night, the Byron Lee’s Dragonaires Boat Cruise, fourth year running was a huge success. Unless we count the detour from the original location or the hour delay before we finally sailed off, but that didn’t seem to bother most of the eager patrons from starting the festivities on the Empress of Canada’s three Decker. Once on Lake Ontario the party went into full gear. If you were lucky enough or forceful enough you might have made it to the top deck where the live band was performing, and well since I grew up in NYC I made it no problem. There wasn’t much stage space so we were pretty much at fingers length away from the band which gave us some great up close and personal pictures, so make sure you check those out!!!!

The second deck was the place to be when the band wasn’t performing and the DJ was killing ’em with the beats. There were a lot more “mature” adults on this cruise than young people but you would not be able to tell from the dance moves that were surfacing, at one point the band was performing a song about salt fish and every “mature” adult knew the words and everyone else’s face was priceless, including the few white people that were there. I was preparing myself to pay an arm and a leg for some food on this cruise even though I think it should have been free since $50 admission was required. I wanted to know what I was paying for if food and drinks wasn’t included? However, for $5 bucks I got a huge BBQ jerk chicken burger which I didn’t even finish, so with my belly full and my feet itching to dance I headed up to see Jumo, Lima, and Oscar B perform.

Living Legends Boat Ride
Living Legends Boat Ride: Having Fun

I can safely say that everyone on that boat, Black, White, Guyanese, Trini, Jamaican, old and young enjoyed themselves, due mostly to the amazing talent of Jumo, Mr. Rubber Waist himself. He went from singing Night Shift and One more Night, to the crowd dancing the twist and mash potato, then took it back in the days to the Tati and the Butterfly and then somehow Jail House Rock, and the crowd loved every minute of it. There was a lot of audience participation and one lucky guy got to wine up on the sexy Lima. By the end of the cruise no one seemed to notice the time of 2 a.m. since everyone was busy Palancing and I was busy rubbing my toe from the big lady next to me who Palanced right onto my feet, talk about a dangerous dance and then when the boat started to sway and tilt I thought I would be writing another article about Palancing ‘The dance move that sunk a boat”.

Byron Lee's Dragonaires
Living Legends Boat Ride: Byron Lee's Dragonaires

With a band being around for over 50 years I was expecting to just jam to some oldies all night but I was surprised at the range in variety of music played. After chatting up with long time member Mr. Neville Hendes, I got a crash course in the legend that is Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, learning that the name came from Byron Lee’s school at St. Johns. Their Mascot being a dragon and linking that with the musical term Aires he formed Byron Lee’s Dragonaires, and having had about 200 members over the years, I can see why their called Living Legends, their musical legacy is filled with the rich Guyanese and West Indian culture and I hope they never stop cruising. I was thoroughly entertained being taken on a literal and figurative, musical voyage.

By – Luanna Pedro

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PAHF Pan American Challenge: Hockey ladies open with 2-1 victory over Paraguay in PAHF Challenge

Team Guyana
Team Guyana

A diving finish by right wing Amanda Garnett sent the Guyana ladies into wild celebration as the goal signaled their first lead in a game that saw them drop behind from the outset.  The Guyanese ladies played the second match of the opening day as the PAHF Challenge began on July 31st in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Despite a good start, Guyana conceded in just the third minute to Maria Servian Giosa of Paraguay when Guyanese left back, Marzana Fiedtkou, lost her footing and the ball deep in the Guyana half.  Paraguay made good on their counter-attack and were up by one goal in just the third minute of the match.  Guyana controlled most of the possession for the rest of the half and forced the game into the Paraguayan half but a number of corners and run-of-play chances were squandered as the Guyanese, in their golden Dixie Lee gear, tried to settle their nerves and the pressure of being down.

The second half would see an improved performance by the Guyanese who earned their 7th penalty corner of the match and first of the second half in the 61st minute.  Striker Kerensa Fernandes, who was unfortunately on the substitutes’ bench during the penalty corners of the first half, blasted home a rocket of a shot past the Paraguayan goalkeeper to draw her team even.  Fernandes would have a golden opportunity to put her side ahead when she intercepted an errant Paraguayan pass in defense but found the sliding goalkeeper with her hurried shot.

Gabriella Xavier, who had been enjoying a productive game in midfield received the ball from the right and made a long through pass to the Fernandes high on the left wing.  Fernandes, noticing the Paraguayan defenders being caught out, threaded her pass across the face of goal to find the sliding right wing Amanda Garnett for the winner in the 60th minute.  Although Paraguay would threaten through a few long counterattacking runs, the Guyanese looked firmly in control of the match and maintained their lead for the rest of time.

Earlier in the day, hosts Brazil made light work of Bermuda with a 3-0 victory after gaining a 1 goals lead at the very end of the first half.  Favourites, Uruguay, take the pitch for the first time on Monday August 1st against Bermuda at 10:00 while Guyana faces Brazil at 12:00 in the following match.

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Hikers Hockey: Hikers Juniors Excel in Trinidad Leagues

Trevon Younge, Jamarj Assanah
From Left: Trevon Younge, Jamarj Assanah

Hikers Hockey Club junior players Jamarj Assanah and Travon Younge have been creating quite a stir in Trinidad over the past two weeks, where they have been competing for the Queen’s Park Hockey Team in under 19 and Trinity leagues. In their first under 19 match against Petrotrin, Queen’s Park playing without a goal keeper and two players short, went down 4-8. However Assanah announced his arrival in that game by scoring a hat trick for his adopted team in their loosing effort. Their second match took place in the Trinity league where Assanah was once again on the scoring sheet along with fellow Guyanese Jerazeno Bell, as the pair scored their team’s only goals in their 2-0 defeat of Notre Dame. On Wednesday evening Queen’s Park overwhelmed Fatima 8-1 in the Trinity league, with Bell, Assanah and Younge all contributing one goal each.

From all accounts the young pair have been performing exceedingly well, with Younge producing solid performances in his mostly defensive roles, while Assanah has been reeking havoc on opposing defenses with his silky smooth stick work from his attacking midfield possitions. The two players are expected play several other matches for Queen’s Park before returning to Guyana on August 8th.