SVG begins Spirit of Fun, 30th year of Mas in the July sun

With the slogan “Power of Culture, Spirit of Fun, 30 Years in the July Sun”, Vincy Mas 2007 promises to be the biggest Carnival to hit St Vincent and the Grenadines if Saturday’s massive launch at the Chamber of Commerce Car Park is anything to judge by.{{more}}

From 10 a.m. Heritage Square was a beehive of activities with Steel pan music from Elite and the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) Sion Hill Euphonium Steel orchestras. Harmonites String band along with Roses Crew’s monkey band and the Bois Bois dancers on six foot stilts, trilled pedestrians during Saturday’s hustle and bustle.

From Georgetown and Barrouallie, street jump ups headed into Kingstown simultaneously making whistle stops on the way while revellers joined the processions.

Those who arrived early at the Chamber’s car park were treated to steel pan music from Rhythmix Steel Orchestra and drumming from Agape Drummers. Rhythm and Soul Dancers, Chatoyer Youth Movement and La Gracia Dance Company performed various numbers while the Bois Bois dancers and the monkeyman did what they do best.

Just before the official start of the programme, the Emcees chronicled 30 years of road march hits from Lord Hawk in 1977 to Beckett Poorsah and Touch to DJ 20’s megga hit “Guga Guga” last year.

To mark the official launch, Dominique John, Jasmine James and Rodney Small rendered the National Anthem on pan The Rev Andrew Roach of the Catholic Church invoked blessings on the proceedings.

Remarks were then made by the Carnival Development Corporation’s Chairman Dennis Ambrose, Minister of Tourism the Hon Glen Beach pledged his Ministry’s support to carnival.

A noticeably slimmer Minister of Culture René Baptiste danced her way across the stage to Beckett’s “Vincy Mas” before addressing the standing room crowd.

She urged the audience not to support the pirates as they take bread away from the calypsonians and soca artistes. “If someone mash yo do not retaliate, take it in the spirit of carnival, let’s have a violence free Carnival,” she said.

The Secondary Schools’ Teen Models made appearances, followed by Miss SVG 2006 Sheridan Lewis and the 2007 Miss SVG contestants. Various sections from the mas bands made appearances.

Six contenders vied for the Best New Song – Calypso title: veteran calypsonian Mighty Toiler copped the top spot while newcomer Zoelah Boyde emerged winner of the best New Song – Soca competition from among six contestants. The band Akcess backed the singers and Colin Graham was the Emcee.

The event started and ended within the allotted timeframe and there were very few hitches. CDC Chairman Dennis Ambrose told SEARCHLIGHT that the Windward and Leeward whistle stops invoked a lot of interest and hype and brought a lot of patrons to Kingstown to attend the launching. He also said that more money was collected at the gate this year than last year.

“So all in all a highly successful event and a splendid start to Vincy Mas 2007.”