Mike explained that when the stage was taken away, he felt that it was a loss to Carnival. "We are the mother of all Carnivals. That big venue, for many years, was there to showcase what we had and it was taken away," he recalled. Mike said the new government's decision to bring back the stage was indeed a step in the right direction, but indicated that there remained a lot to be done for the culture. "There's a lot more to be done and hopefully we can raise the bar and go to the next level," he said.
Driven by passion
As a mas man, Big Mike Antoine said he's always been driven, and if he had a choice, he would do it all again. "I'd do it the same way, just with a little more money and I'd be a little wiser," he laughed. With some 45 employees hired for the season, and 25 on staff during the year, Big Mike explained that his mas camp was an institution, highlighting that throughout the year his team worked for presentations across the Caribbean, North America and other parts of the world. "I'm not making a killing. I'm making an honest living," he said, adding that just like the rest of the population woke up and went to work, he did the same. With a love for children, the Legacy team led by Mike, has worked at ensuring children at homes across the country were treated well at Christmas time and at other times during the year. "I believe in giving to children. Children never asked to be here. Culture has been good to me, and this has been my way of giving back quietly," he explained.
From mas to fete - nothing stops Mike
With the final destination of his Carnival journey on course for C2K11, Big Mike and the Legacy team are hard at work with their presentation of South Pacific. "There's a buzz in this year's Carnival and we think it will be nice -the music will be good," he said, adding, "registration has been going really good, the Strongmen and Rude girls section is all gone, and the frontline of Waikiki is sold out." With 16 sections to choose from, masqueraders are being guaranteed a special experience with the Legacy crew in 2011. On February 4, the band will present its Cooler Fete at the Queen's Park Oval. With big name soca artistes and sheer fun on the agenda, there's no doubt that this too will be another amazing experience with the Legacy family. " I can't ask for too much. I have been fortunate. I thank God for the health and strength that keeps me going," said the culture lover.