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Brilliant Costumes, Great Spirit, Wonderful Atmosphere. But ......?
I did not heed the very advice I was given which I'd sought. I did not go to Food Fair after reading a list of the foods being offered in the newspaper the day before. I was aware of, but had not tried many notable known dishes. My mistake was in not taking advantage of this opportunity to try some of the best of these, given the competitive nature and long tradition/reputation of many of the booths contributors. I guess I was turned off about the idea of Goat Water! I had heard about Fish Water, but was not prepared to imagine what on earth Goat Water might be???? I have goat milk soap, but goat water to drink or slurp? I realize that I missed a great fun experience and will not miss it next year.
I watched the Children's parade, or some of it to be more accurate, on tv and ventured to town for the Adult Parade on Saturday.
I was, I thought, fashionably island-time-late for the slated 10am start of the parade - arriving shortly after 11am. However the Grand Marshal didn't get the signal to enter the area in front of the post office, the reviewing stand block, until almost 12 noon! Okay, not a problem. Rain gave a fleeting freshing to the morning and then got out of the way - for the moment. No problem. But immediately it became evident that something strange was going on that I just didn't fathom. Pace, or rather a total absence thereof. A parade from my stateside view of them, is something that begins and proceeds with some pace up the street - once it starts, it KEEPS MOVING! This way, all spectators lining the parade route are treated to the performance and infection of energy from the participants. A good parade builds the momentum like good theater.
Alas, any semblance of pace, real, intended or imagined, was totally absent - and thus from my limited perspective, was not achieving the desired infusion of energy between participant and spectator that I think would have brightened more peoples day, had some reasonable pace been established. Mardi Gras, and Rio come to mind as great transfers of carnival spirit between one and all, and all are caught up in it.
How difficult would it be to achieve that atmosphere here - which I think is a desirable thing as it was attested to having happened by all I heard after it.
What if one tiny change was made - to allow only 1 song or a maximun time limit for each group to perform in front of the reviewing stand? (I am not aware of any time limits now?) I mean, come on, how many of the spectators actually saw the "peformance" aspect of each troupe? Not many from my POV. Why not keep the parade moving and perform all the way up the entire parade route so all can be caught up in the spirit?
Next year I will attend much later in the day as the really great Troupes and Floupes (do I really know the difference between the two - no) came fashionably later in the parade which I watched on tv when I returned home. I did not realize that the parade was intended as an all day affair.
Getting a Carnival booklet the day after the parade give me much needed insight into some of the historic troupes, allowing me to approach next years affair with more knowlege and thus a greater appreciation.
I don't understand, nor will I ever fully appreciate Majorettes! - but I now know their tradition goes way back - Happy Carnival!
Paul,
This one takes some thinking here - a troupe is a group of people. A floupe is a group of people who have a float .. cute, huh?
I think it did really start on time, at least close to it, but it does take some time to arrive to Grand Hotel Square when Paul was.
Yes, Paul, I do agree, a lot is lost in the waiting. We can talk until we are blue in the face about changes and it falls on deaf ears. Tried to join the committee one year and they moved the meeting place at the last minute, and only told those they wanted!
My suggestions would be:
1. Only have the damn majorettes one day, Friday. They are children and belong only in the children's parade.
2. Queens, kings, young old, older, senior, whatever. Apart from the current queen who should get her do, all others should be grouped on one or two floats.
3. Time in the square. Must be limited to 3 minutes per group. This was the rule. We had to sign agreements when I used to run the Gypsyy Troupe. It is abused by everyone. If a majorette group or floupe or troupe has 'sections' they could be some stretching of the rule, but to have them all use up a song apiece to demonstrate is ridiculous!
It's almost useless to propose these items. Maybe one of the majorette groups cousin is in charge of the parade, or the Carnival Commite Chair's girlfriend has a friend who does this. Who knows. I heard the Administrator on the radio saying that it seems like we have perfected carnival and now we need to fine tune it. When I see him next I will ask him what he is thinking and let hime know my thoughts!
When I looked at the official parade line up, it was 4 pages long, only the last page had anyone you really wanted to see! So, it would have been best to come out after 3 or so maybe to catch that stuff! Would have missed the Rising Stars though which is usually impressive although I have issues with their budget and policies, they do sound nice!
Ronnie
Oh ho! So - for once I am not really out of step!
1. 100% agree on the majorettes - they do NOT belong in the adult parade. And as you noted, instead of entering to perform together they had several diffrent 'sections' (3 if I recall correctly) that each entered and demonstrated how NOT to perform CO-Ordinated lame 'choreography' (hardly the right word for the arm waving silliness!).
2. Grouping the kings and queens - absolutely! What a bore! Who are they? Who cares? They won a contest - Get over it - this is a brand new event! And who was that lady with the American flag dress that opened a panel of it to reval the USVI flag? No one seemed to be cheering all that much and she just blew her horn and sashed back and forth, waving a copy of her cd! Marketing a personal product in a parade???? Shouldn't that be a no - no???
The carnival queen was lovely, but I wasn't sure why she and the other 'contestants' - perhaps calling them the Queens Court would give them a bit more of a Royal edge than merely labeling them as 'contestant 1, 2, etc.' (how demeaning!) - got off the float and walked up the Square? I guess to be presented - the rain came at this point and I ducked under the Post Office roof.
3. SOOOOOOOOO the time IS supposed to be limited. Perhaps it's time for island time to get a kick in the pants, admit that it's blowing the good fun for ALL, and enforce the rules! No Carnival has not been perfected - and for anyone to suggest that has his/her head in the sand. Admit NO ONE appreciates the all day affair so streched out - admit the energy and good time that is desirous has been LOST!!!! Someone should really get over themsleves or their cousins or aunts or whomever and step up and make a difference for all of us - newbies and oldbies alike!
I think the horn blower was "I'm Every Woman 2004." I caught a peek while we were unpacking.
You know, I was suprised by the length too (this being my first).
At least I had the chance to walk around, take a break, leave early. What about the officials on the review stand. Do they really sit there for 10 hours?? UGH!
"Tried to join the committee one year and they moved the meeting place at the last minute, and only told those they wanted!"
Ronnie: I am ROFL!!!! I know you were one of the ones they wanted. 😉
Paul: The 50th anniversary parade in 2002 lasted until way after the fireworks were scheduled to start- 9:30 pm or so. They were tramping in the dark. And that year there was only one song that was played all day "Happy Birthday to you" (but not the traditional one) so you got to hear that song for almost 12 hours!!!!
Okay, my question is: what is a "cultural door"? Something like a cultural roogoodoo, I suppose.
East Ender A cultural door is for people like you who do not understand the essences of the culture of the VI so that you could probably get a better understanding of the culture. It actually opening up the culture so that you could walk in and enjoy it, and be part of it.
I don't see any of you complaining when Macy's parade last all day or when the particiapant stops in front of of the Macy's store to perform.
Carnival is VI culture and we like it that way it has been like that for over 50 years and believe me it's not going to change.
Big clue - how long do they perform in front of Macy's? The attitude that it's been like that for over 50 years doesn't mean that it has to remain in a time warp without being true to the real intention and value.
Everything in life changes - with intelligent choices change doesn't have to be at the expense of all things good - especially culture. But majorettes - culture? Sorry, I don't see any shred of a connection between the majorettes and VI culture - other than the fact I learned about the St.Croix Majorettes - that they had been formed 30 years ago.
Case in point - from the Carnival booklet about the 'traditional' Zulu Troupe that first appeared as early as 1883. "The Zulus did not survive as a viable carnival troupe although they were occasionally revived." "The decline may be due to their caricature-like appearance which is a far cry from the real Zulus of South Africa.......in the early years of the twentieth century......they "blackened their faceds and whitened the area around their mouths. But as the twentieth century progressed the Zulus seemed more of an obsolete relic". Following a reappearnce of traditional Zulus in ther 1997 adult parade, Leba OlaNiyi (an art teacher and Indian troupe drummer) was prolmpted to write a guest editorial in the The Daily News which criticized the Zulu carnival entry and asked, "Can't we represent our African heritage with dignity?
Bring on the culture - restore the reason for the celebratory nature of the event that will embrace participants and spectators alike! and we will truly have a Great Carnival!
Who said that VI culture was all african. Virgin islanders comes from all different races and it actually a melting pot. Get off of the Majoretttes it actually a wonderful experience for the young ladies to look forward to it keeps them out of trouble, it an activity that they practice all year long for until the big day. Again over 50 year we like it like that it's not going to change.
Sometimes it's best to leave thing alone whenever you move to anyother place. Island Paul you may look at it at progress but that's your opinion.
Typical Statesider wanting things to be just like what you left behind in the states I wonder why you like that states in you are not willing to except that things are different in different places you may not like it but that the way it is.
LOL!! 2002 Carnival was our first time in the VI and our first Carnival. I can still hear "Happy Birthday to You" in my dreams!
Er, Rhea. I am one that was here for the first carnival when it was revived in 1952. My family has been an intricate part in the development of carnival. There have been changes made in the past, some for the better, some worse. It is time for some more changes. You don't speak for all islanders, as I can list off quite a few that believe in the majorettes being on both days a little too much!
Not nice berating others about giving their opinion, as it's their opinion. Try being constructive.
I tried to introduce some visitors to the carnival parade last week. They were bored totally long before the middle of the parade and left for the beach. Changes need to be made to make it more attractive and managable. It was even a topic of discussion on radio talk shows. where were you?
Ronnie
Ronnie may be too modest to mention it but I'll go ahead and offer up this bit of information.
The Carnival Village this year was officially dubbed "Freddie's Calypso Kingdom" in honor of Alfred H. Lockhart Sr. Mr. Lockhart is generally regarded as instrumental in the revival of Carnival and Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd recently noted that Lockhart was "part of a dynasty – part of a carnival family" and credited him, as did others, with beginning the Children's Village.
Alrid Lockhart, a high school classmate of my sister's, is well-known for his costume designs and has won numerous Carnival awards over the years.
I think Ronnie is aptly qualified to offer up an opinion of what is and what isn't right with the Carnival parades.
Personally speaking, I attended my first Carnival parades in 1968 and was involved in some manner or another thru 1976. However after graduating from high school I avoided the parades for some of the very reasons being espoused in this thread. I see some aspects of the parades haven't changed in almost 30 years.
Richard
Ronnie who said that I was speaking for all Islanders. It my opionion and I am entitled to it. Just as your family has been in carnival for may years so has mine. Just as your family is about fourth ar fifth generation islanders so is mine. it mine opioinon and I have a right to it
Rhea,
You wrote: "Again over 50 year we like it like that it's not going to change."
If "we" isn't all Virgin Islanders then who is the "we" you speak of?
Rhea said: "I don't see any of you complaining when Macy's parade last all day or when the particiapant stops in front of of the Macy's store to perform. "
Lol! We always watch it from the comfort of a nice warm home sitting on the couch. I see no point in being out there in 30 something degree weather with 3 little kids to watch a parade.
As for how long they stop in front of the Macy's store is 'recommended' by the tv industry. They try to find the right balance between satisfying / not boring the viewer and running ads to make money
Rhea - I'm sorry that my writing was so badly misunderstood. I will try harder to more carefully articulate the simple point that I was making that had absolutely NOTHING to do with my wanting the parade to be like anything stateside.
I will not belabor my point. It was made in my opinion....and it is pro-VI!
With all of this Carnival history, I wonder if anyone knows where I can find the list of road marches going back ,say, 30 years.
There is this one song (I think it was the road march aroudn maybe 75, 76, 77) that I can't get out of my head....though I don't know who it is by....
it went something like....
"lah lahhhhh - lah lah laaaay lah lah lah lahhh - lah lah laaaay lah lah lah lahhhh - lah lah laaay lah lah lah lahhhhhhh....
repeat
Can anyone name it?
Island Paul wrote:
> Rhea - I'm sorry that my writing was so badly misunderstood. I
> will try harder to more carefully articulate the simple point
> that I was making that had absolutely NOTHING to do with my
> wanting the parade to be like anything stateside.
>
> I will not belabor my point. It was made in my opinion....and
> it is pro-VI!
La La Jam Back!
Should be able to find it somewhere. I would start at Parrot Fish on Back Street.
Ronnie
Lord Nelson I believe.
