As it has in previous years, the big band Legacy will launch its C2K12 presentation just a few months prior to the festive season. While other large bands like Tribe, YUMA, Island People Mas and Harts Int have shown off their wares already, Legacy's presentation-Flight-comes amid the climatic yearning for the season among masqueraders who revel in the delight of the Carnival build up. For Legacy bandleader, Mike "Big Mike" Antoine, the road show has never stopped. In fact, he has just returned from the West Indian Day parade held in Brooklyn, New York where the band secured its 12th Band of the Year title in the Labour Day festival.
Now, as his attention turns to T&T's much touted "Greatest Show on Earth," Big Mike is putting the final touches on his designs for the unveiling on October 16. Club Katalyst in St Clair will open its doors to patrons from 3pm and, according to Antoine, the somewhat early showing is owed to the ongoing curfew on the island.
He however promised that it would not impede the party vibe, assuring that patrons will have more than enough time to party hard and get a taste of what the band has in store for the season ahead. This week, Antoine revealed that the concept of Flight for his upcoming mas presentation came to him while on a ride at a theme park abroad. "I was on a ride called Soaring. It made you feel like you were a bird flying over the state of California. It was a wonderful experience," he said.
With that experience at the top of his mind, the cultural visionary who as taken mas around the world from the islands-to Europe, Japan and the US-highlighted that sections will include Bird of Paradise, Monarch Butterfly, Victoria's Angels, Titania and Oberon, Scarlet Macaw and Magic Dragons to name a few. He also said the designs would depict birds, butterflies, angels, fairies, mythical creatures and any other creature that has the ability to soar freely over the earth. With their eyes set on the 2012 Band of the Year prize, Antoine and his team at Legacy are working arduously to provide patrons with something spectacular for 2012. In C2K11, the band captured the King of Carnival title, placed first and second in the Individual of the Year category, reaped the reward of Uptown Band of the Year and placed third in the Large Band of the Year category.
Thanking his masqueraders and all others who've continued to support Legacy, Antoine said, in keeping with the band's tag line of offering the best time ever to patrons, his team's focus in 2012 is to provide masqueraders with all the necessary ingredients for a truly memorable Carnival. "We are constantly seeking new ways to enhance the Legacy Mas experience," noted Antoine, adding that people wishing to get further information on the launch can call the mas camp at 362-5959 or 622-7466.