The Mighty Sparrow (left) and Byron Lee

"CARNIVAL 2002: For Me and For You" is the theme of this year's celebrations, being put on by Jamaica Carnival. 2002 marks the thirteenth year for Jamaica carnival.

Soca maestro, Byron Lee, says that this year he has two main objectives: to further spread carnival activities further into rural parishes, as well as to create a stronger bond between calypso/soca and Jamaican music; in both genres highlighting vintage music and artistes.

Sanelle Dempster

Jamaica Carnival had a 'soft launch' Wednesday, of its spectacular, eye-catching road band costumes for this year's Carnival Road March at it's Marketplace, Constant Spring Road centre.

But as he looks ahead to the Road March, set for Sunday, April 7, carnival will be faced with the problem of where to end the street parade. The government announced recently that the Liguanea Park in New Kingston, where the parades have traditionally ended and the road bands judged, is to be converted into a 'green area', which may well make it unavailable this year.

Marvin Brooks

An alternate venue which has the capacity to accommodate the huge crowd -- usually numbering upward of 20,000 -- will be difficult to find.

"We're lucky we got it the last two years ... and we've tried (to obtain it this year) but they say they are going to turn it into a green area and they're going to start breaking the road down. It's a dilemma, because what do you do with 200,000 people?"

He said other possible locations, such as Skateland in Half-Way-Tree Cinema II in New Kingston would not be large enough.

Crazy

Rather than terminating in one main venue, Lee said, one possible solution may be to permit the sound trucks to disperse in various directions at the end of the march, taking various groups of revellers with them.

"The most we can do is slow the parade down so that people have a chance to dance and everything; and because we're not having Liguanea Park, just calmly quiet it down and run away. You build them up for the whole day, you can't just let them go like that..."

One major innovation this year, Lee says, is the introduction of a big concert/fete, rivalling the now traditional Chukka Cove bash, on the South Coast. This show, which he says will feature a string of top-class artistes for half the cost of the St Ann affair, is set for Old Harbour, St Catherine, at the Old Harbour Sports Club on April 23. To be produced in collaboration with local promoter Carlos Waul, the rationale behind this event, Lee says, is to have something which can attract a less affluent audience, while not sacrificing the quality of the entertainment.

"The sponsors agree (to supporting it and that) it must be an annual event ... We feel that the people from St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine and Portmore will be able to say, this is our Chukka Cove ... They want to get the atmosphere like Chukka Cove, balloons and everything, big sound system, foreign artiste...," Lee said.

Legendary calypsonian, The Mighty Sparrow, could be among those gracing the Old Harbour stage.

"Sparrow has never been there (to Old Harbour) and the young people want to know who Sparrow is."

Jamaica Carnival also wants to spread its wings into Portland and to that end the organisation is working with a number of government agencies, including the Jamaica Tourist Board as well as a Portland-based promoter, to try to host an event in Port Antonio. The major stumbling block, Lee says, however, are the deplorable road conditions in the parish, the state of which would have been worsened by the heavy flood rains which severely affected the parish during December last year.

Lee says that, all being well, however, it is hoped that another Chukka Cove-style bash could be held at Folly, just outside the parish capital, some time in May.

"...And the acts we bring from overseas won't be any of the acts, shown in town (Kingston)."

On that score, Lee says that in addition to many of the younger calypsonians, Jamaica Carnival will also be bringing in a number of older stars. In addition to The Mighty Sparrow, the other older acts include Crazy and Colin "Dollar Wine" Lucas, The Mighty Duke, last year's Trinidad and Tobago Road March Monarch Shadow

Among the younger stars on show this year: Sanelle Dempster, after a good first outing last year, returns, Blue Ventures' lead singer, Lee McAlby; Ronnie McKintosh, Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, Iwer George, and whoever is crowned 2002 Road March Monarch and Soca Monarch.

Lee also disclosed to Splash, that he has just signed singer Roger George, until lately a lead singer with the popular band Xstatic, as one of the frontmen for his Dragonnaires band. This, he says, is in keeping with the concept of Byron Lee & the Dragonnaires as a Caribbean band, adding another Trinidadian to a group that already boasts members from The Bahamas, Barbados and Guyana, as well as Jamaica.

"He brings to the band a new flavour...He's a singer who can sing everything."

George will have his first outing at the second blowout fete, set for February 24. Blowout number three is set for March 24.

One of the major events for Carnival Week, Vintage Meets Soca, will boast David Rudder, Morvin Brooks among others, while the lineup for Calypso Tent will also include Montserratian, The Mighty Arrow.

Events for Carnival Week this year include:

- Chukka Cove - Sunday, March 31

- Pan Night, Hilton Kingston Hotel

- Tuesday, April 2

- Soca In the City, Asylum Night Club - Wednesday, April 3

- Calypso Tent - Thursday April 4

- Kiddies Road Parade - Saturday, April 6

- Vintage Meets Soca - Saturday, April 6

- Adult Road Parade - Sunday, April 7

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!