Vincy Mas 2012 will officially be launched on Saturday, May 5

Vincy Mas 2012 will officially be launched on Saturday, May 5, at the Solidarity Incorporated car park in Kingstown, with the showcasing of the various components of carnival.{{more}}

Anthony Dennie, Shows Coordinator/Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), has indicated that patrons will be in for a good show.

“We are quite already prepared to deliver a very good production – first and foremost with our launch and with the shows at Carnival City, Victoria Park,” Dennie said.

“Starting with the Miss SVG show to Mardi Gras, there were one or two hiccups, but we would have learnt from our experiences in the past and we can assure that in 2012 things are going to be better,” he continued.

Activities on the day will get underway with the usual whistle stops on the Leeward and Windward sides of the island.

However, security will be an added feature to this year’s whistle stop activities to quell potential acts of violence.

According to the shows coordinator, last year’s event was marred by one or two skirmishes that broke out along the Leeward route and the CDC, along with the assistance of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), will be paying special attention to security.

“Of course, the security of patrons is very much important and, therefore, the police force will be working along with the CDC to ensure persons who revel and move behind the truck are safe,” Dennie said.

One other change to this year’s activity is that the CDC will not be focusing in on any activities in the Heritage Square.

There will be appearances by nine of this country’s Mas Bands and will include a display of J’Ouvert.

Dennie further explained that the new song competition has become a feature which includes competition in Soca, Ragga Soca and Calypso.

Auditions have been completed and the finalists in each category named for the new song competition.

They are as follows: Calypso: Fitzroy ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph, Glenford ‘Azarah’ Charles, Cecile ‘Lil Bit’ Murray- King, Derek ‘Man Sick’ Alexander, Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance and Noel ‘Defoe’ Castello.

Soca: Raeon ‘Maddzart’ Primus, Keith ‘Lil Pain’ Currency, Shazeke John, Armstrong ‘Strong’ Williams, Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams and Vasitha ‘First Lady’ Cain.

Ragga Soca: Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams, Aurella ‘Queen B’ Beach, Travis ‘Wizkidd’ Lynch, Tamisha Nichols and Glenroy ‘Homey’ Delpeche.

Patrons will also be entertained with performances in the Ex-tempo competition.

Immediately following the launch will be the turn of the various rural carnivals throughout the country and will run up to June 16.

The official Carnival shows begin on June 2 with the staging of the Miss SVG show, to be followed by Fantastic Friday on June 22, Ragga Soca – June 29, Junior Carnival – June 30, Junior Pan fest – July 1, Junior Calypso/Soca – July 3, Fire Fete – July 4, Panorama – July 5, Miss Carival – July 6, Soca Monarch – July 7, Dimanche Gras – July 8, J’ouvert – July 9, Evening Street Party – July 9 and Mardi Gras – July 10. (DD)