Trinidad Band Leaders: WE NOT GOING SOUTH!
Port of Spain, Trinidad: Dec 30, 2007 Source: Trinidad Express A NUMBER of Carnival bandleaders have slammed a proposal by the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) to hold the semifinal round of the Kings and Queens competition at Skinner Park, San Fernando, saying that they will not be going south. The bandleaders met on Friday night at the mas camp of new Carnival band D Krewe in Woodbrook to discuss their concerns over the proposal. Roland St George of D'Krewe explained that the move to San Fernando was a retrograde step, impractical and would result in high transport costs. He also noted that the infrastructure at Skinner Park was inadequate for the 50 to 60 feet high costumes, and was doubtful that it could be improved within such a short space of time for Carnival in February. He added that most of the Kings and Queens were from Port of Spain and the bandleaders criticised NCBA president Owen Hinds for not consulting them on the proposal. Also present at the meeting were Earl and Roger Patterson of Masquerade, Mike Antoine of Legacy, Dean Ackin of Tribe, Wrenwrick Brown of Stampede, Stephen Derek of D'Midas T&T, Trevor Wallace of Trevor Wallace Mas and Ian McKenzie of Genesis. Derek said the bandleaders' other main issue was receiving increased prize monies for Carnival 2007 as bandleader Brian MacFarlane, who received $450,000 - firstly $100,000 then $350,000 - for George Bailey Band of the Year award, an increase from $100,000. He stressed that there were four categories in Carnival band of the year - large, small, medium, mini - and it was a "slap in the face" for MacFarlane alone to receive increased prize money of 350 per cent. He said that bandleaders had said nothing about boycotting Carnival, despite media reports, but they want their "fair share". Felix Celestine, NCBA member and commissioner on the board for Carnival 2007, said that during his meetings with then Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams and National Carnival Commission chairman Keston Nancoo prior to Carnival 2007 there had been an acknowledgement that there would be increases for mas players - similar to those received by panmen and calypsonians - though the amount of the increase was not agreed upon. He added that prize money was a yardstick for the level of respect of bandleaders who represent the largest number of shareholders. The bandleaders said they are willing to meet with new Culture Minister Marlene MacDonald on their grouses

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