As the temperature falls and the bitingly cold wind trashes against bodies weighed down by layers of clothing,T&T never looked so inviting. It is the dead of winter-one of the coldest on record and Trinbagonians are leaving in droves. To get some sun-no doubt-but there is something more compelling. Carnival celebrations. TakeAnn Marie Hunt, who works in Manhattan as an au pair. She boasts of "playing mas every year," and this year is proving no different. "De weather make meh feel like I have to go back now," she said, holding the two children for whom she cared. We walked along First Avenue as she related her plans for this year-her every emotiontelegraphed-her broad smile, saying it all.
"My first official Carnival show will be de semifinals calypso, then Panorama, then de Soca Monarch... and ah must go to some all-inclusives." Hunt, who hails from Rancho Quemado in Santa Flora, has played for every big-name band it seems-Poison, Peter Minshall, you name it. And although she is a south gal, Port-of-Spain is where she finds the "real action." "South eh have no mas," she said, then recanted, managing a rueful look. "You know what ah mean...Port-of-Spain is really Carnival...but ah also enjoy Borough mas," referring to Borough Day celebrations in Point Fortin. "Ah go play with D Crew this year," she told me. While Hunt has been living in New York for over two decades, Alicia Lennard, 31, has seen a mere five winters in the Big Apple. Originally from Trincity, she is a marketing analyst at Credit Suisse in midtown Manhattan. Lennard anticipates a whale of a time in either Bliss or Yuma mas bands.
"I may have some problems getting into Bliss because it's about who you know sometimes, especially being so far away. But I wasin Trinidadfor the launching of Yuma and it looks great," she said.
She talked with excitement about the large group of friends who were heading for T&T Carnival, and about Poison, Island People and Tribe. She relishes living in New York where cultural connections to the islands are so entrenched. "I was in London and did not get that same West Indian spirit we have here-the parties....everything is here for us." And of the winter? "Really, it is for the love of the culture that we are all heading back home. Winter? There is a time for everything..it's only for a while," she said. I board the number four train to Brooklyn, and in 40 minutes or so, I am in the heart of a West Indian enclave-Nostrand Avenue and Fulton Street.
It was there I met music producer Franklyn Grant at the famous Charlie's Record Studio-the one-time home ofthe who's whoin the world of calypso-Shadow, Swallow, Scrunter, Blue Boy and Explainer.
"It was when calypso was real calypso," many still say. Tyro Matthews was putting the finishing touches on a song that would be on a compilation to be produced by Franklyn. Matthews tookfive and Grantramped up the volume on a new chutney recording "that will be hitting T&T airwaves in a week," I was told. "It's called Thirty,"Grant said, with a wry smile. "You know what I mean," suggesting a vulgar twist to the title.
It's driving, the melodic sounds of tabla and harmonium fever pitch at times. With Gemini as his band in tow, Matthews should create a stir at this year's Soca Chutney competition. Another of Grant's production, Dhulahin, also excites the imagination. "I and the crew heading to Trinidad to support Tyro and make plans for some concerts,"he said. It was only hours earlier that I had caught up with ace calypsonian Keith Prescott, who goes by the sobriquet, Designer. He was uncertainabout joiningthis year's festivities. But he was making his presence felt, lending his distinctivevocals on two pieces-Alston Jack's Bamboo Man, and a tribute to Ray Holman by Miguel Reyes, entitled Ray, soon tobe releasedback home. "I wish everybody a safe Carnival," he said, adding, "Enjoy it to the max."