There is an underlying hum from a place of historic preservation that is calling the masses of Trinidad and Tobago to remember carnival’s tradition and history. This hum, while ignored by some, speaks bluntly and forcefully to the hearts of purists, many of whom seek little to no acknowledgement.
A festival born out of emancipation but, over time, evolving to encourage mass appeal while earning, Carnival’s authenticity by standards of origin, is sometimes questioned. Cultural gatekeepers in T&T understand the role evolution plays and the fact that nothing ever stays the same, but even so, historic preservation, they emphasize, is important.
Burt Marcellin is the son of musical pioneer Mano Marcellin. He is the bandleader of Brass 2 The World – a brass band that brings life to the streets of the city of Port-of-Spain, come carnival. Burt has taken it upon himself to create a space in carnival for cultural preservation, a space that allows for the inclusion of people from all walks of life.
The advent of contemporary masquerade costuming has all but shelved traditional, economic mas bands. In the 90’s and certainly earlier, Monday-wear equated to T-shirts and shorts, an economic option for every masquerader. In today’s carnival eco-system, the Monday-wear cost is a separate one, borne on the shoulders of masqueraders who fork out in excess of $800TTD for a sequenced monokini.
In one week’s time, on October 21st, Marcellin’s Blow Mano Blow Monday mas band will reveal their theme for 2024 – McCarthy Party. Soca artiste, Lil Bitts says while she understands that Carnival must evolve, she appreciates that Blow Mano Blow has brought back the T-Shirt mas. “Kudos to them for bringing back this aspect of the culture. It now allows anyone and everyone the opportunity to experience mas – to play mas! I feel as though every person should have that experience at least once in their lifetime.” Bitts will be a part of the launch at Estate 101. Other artistes who are carded to hit the stage at the launch of McCarthy Party are Sanelle Dempster, SuperBlue, Viking Ding Dong who is now a part of the AllStarz band, Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony and Brass 2 The World which features Snakey, Amrika and Kyle. Excited to showcase their version of a true Trinidad and Tobago carnival on Carnival Monday next year, Blow Mano Blow is pushing full speed ahead, recreating and refashioning an age- old custom that many once enjoyed and will comfortably enjoy again.
