It is Carnival and we are smack dab in the middle of the cauldron widely regarded as "de Fete Season."
The season began on January 11 when Tribe ICE was held at the Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain. A big success, this was quickly followed and equalled by Trinity College's Soka in Moka the following weekend.
Since that weekend, there have been mega Carnival fetes like Fantasy and Fire Heat, and all-inclusive parties by ex-students of Queen's Royal College, Bishop Anstey High School, St Mary's College, Presentation College and San Fernando.
Another fete that is certain to be a winner is Let's Escape to A Slice of Paradise on February 27, at Playa del Este Sanctuary in Salybia, from 1 pm.
This venue is easily accessible with four levels of secured parking, and round-the-clock shuttle service. Patrons are also being enticed to stay over, either before or after the event, to enjoy the natural ambience of flora and fruit trees overlooking the Gulf of Paria.
Billed to provide music are Roy Cape All Stars, featuring Blaxx, Ricardo Drue and Darnella Simmons, JMC 3Veni, featuring KI, Oscar B & Vibe, Tunapuna Vibrations Engine Room, Point Fortin Engine Room and St James Tassa, plus popular DJs and soca artistes.
This year, there will not be the traditional Carnival Sunday Sanctuary fete in Valsayn. Instead, Friends of Saghs and ENunes are hosting the brand new Astra at Centre of Excellence, Macoya. Signed up for this are Roy Cape All Stars, Blaxx, KI & JMC 3Veni and more.
In terms of traditional fetes, three have maintained their place in Carnival–Army, Ice Picks and PNM. This year's Army Fete, titled Heatwave, will be tomorrow, at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. This fete is widely regarded as being "the safest fete in Carnival," manned by no-nonsense military personnel.
Known as the fete which reunites locals with visiting relatives and friends from abroad, Ice Picks Sports Club will hold its We Fete on Monday, at Harvard Club in St James.
Usually packed from wall-to-wall, music will be by DJs Cutting Crew, Sir Charles, Crosby Sounds and Carib Woodbrook Playboyz.
PNM goes red
Also on that night, PNM holds its annual fete at Balisier House, Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain. This is the 40th year of the fete and as the party prepares for its internal elections all members are expected to come together and celebrate what has been dubbed the "Red Day."
Music for the night includes Roy Cape All Stars, Blaxx, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons & Asylum Vikings, Shurwayne Winchester & YOU, 5 Star Akil, Lyrikal, Cassi, Devon Matthews, Anslem Douglas, Chucky and Ziggy Ranking.
Tickets are available at Balisier House; PNM south office, Navet Road, San Fernando; Cleve's Frederick Street; Ramsingh's Sports World, Couva/ Chaguanas; Majestic's, Arima; Japs, Sangre Grande; Crosby's, St James; and, all Cache's outlets.
Speaking of traditional fetes, Paragon Sports and Cultural Club holds The Greatest Fete in the West, on Carnival Wednesday, February 26.
One of the oldest Carnival fetes, dating back to the days of fetes at Guardian Sports Club, Winsure and Portuguese, this party is known to be one of the most energetic, and music will be supplied by Roy Cape All Stars, featuring Blaxx, Dil-e-Nadan and more. The fete will be held at Paragon Sports Club, off WMR, Cocorite.
On Saturday Adam and Eve, and Karma Sutra Committee are holding the erotically named fete Naked at The Anchorage, Chaguaramas. This gig will feature Bunji Garlin, Iwer George, SuperBlue, Mr Killa and Shurwayne Winchester.
That same evening, the Mendez Drive Carnival Fete will be held at its usual roost, Mendez Drive, Diego Martin.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Fatima Old Boys' all-inclusive fete on Saturday, at the college, Mucurapo Road, St James, from 5 pm to midnight.
Music by Roy Cape All Stars; Dil-e-Nadan; Destra & Bakanal; Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons & the Asylum Vikings, supported by DJs Flame, Hurricane George, Hi Fidelity and Nuphoric. St James Tripolians Steel Orchestra will be closing off the fete.
Fatima organising committee member Keith Simpson said: "Patrons can be assured of sumptuous, mouth-watering dishes as never before, and top of the line alcoholic beverages.
Dinner will be available at Grand Central Ballroom where a limited number, from a choice of two full meals–Thai and Italian–can be had in the College Hall, which will be appropriately decorated.
Simpson added: "All proceeds from this fete and other fund-raising ventures are channelled towards education, sport and developmental programmes in the college to ensure that Fatima College remains number one."
Come Sunday, the Hearts on Fire will be held Under the Trees, The Normandie, St Ann's. Each year the fete benefits many charitable ventures, including the people of earthquake-stricken Haiti.
Music will come from 3Canal, David Rudder, SuperBlue, Black Stalin, CAL Invaders and others.
One of the most talked-about fetes, Friends to the Max 2014, is also on Sunday, at O2 Park, Chaguaramas, at 3 pm.
It is an "ultra premium all-inclusive" and its musical menu includes Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons & Asylum Vikings, Dil-e-Nadan, Roy Cape All Stars, Imij & Co, Point Fortin Engine Room Rhythm Section, St James Tassa Drummers, Nuttin Big Pan Groove and DJs Kaotic and Destruction Sounds. Guest artistes include 5 Star Akil, Kerwin Dubois, Mr Killa and Sekon Sta.
The food stations will also be slamming with creole, local and authentic Indian, Italian, Japanese, Arabian, Chinese, Mexican dishes, matched by the liquor bars with champagne, premium scotch, vodka, rum and gin.
St Anthony's College is also holding Feteing Tigers all-inclusive on Sunday at the school grounds in Westmoorings. In attendance will be Roy Cape All Stars, Blaxx, Karma, Ravi B and DJ CIN.
Triniposse is moving its annual Carnival Saturday cooler fete to Pier 1, Chaguaramas. Music is by Machel Montano HD and his full band, featuring Patrice Roberts and Farmer Nappy; Chutney Soca runner-up Ravi B and Karma; Mr Killa; 5 Star Akil; Snakey & Mayaro the Band, Skinny Fabulous and others.