It started in 1980, as a mas camp. Not any old mas camp, mind you-Minshall's mas camp!Immediately thereafter to be visited by the sacred and by the profane, by believers and by critics alike, by conformists and by reckless iconoclass. They came, some saw and believed some understood, some steupsed, some vilified. And some went away in awe.Five years later, in 1985, one night during the launch of The Golden Calabash, a friend, his tone betraying his wonderment, asked: "In what other mas camp grog flowin', music jammin', ooman winin', can you find people engaged in serious intellectual discourse about a display of mas pictures and drawings?" It was a piece for socialising and arguing and fantacising. Reality seemed suspended in a time bubble. The fantasy was the essence. Come Carnival morning, it became a place of madness and comprehensive chaos -smiles, greetings, music, cussing, and the steady almost palpable beat of excited hearts. Indeed it was "the midst of the whirlwind's radiance."After being Minshall's mas camp, The Mas Camp Pub (now De Nu Pub) was founded in March 1986 at its French Street location in Woodbrook. Brothers Mac, Frank and Roderick Ward are among the individuals credited with the vision to establish this popular "home of calypso," and a meeting place for all culture lovers.
For the love of local culture
For 25 years, the Ward brothers have staged live calypso shows every Wednesday night (approximately 1,300 shows), most times operating at a lost due to poor patronage. The Mas Camp is probably the only showbiz establishment in the country that opens every day of the week, inclusive of Good Friday.Oh, it was one hell of a mas camp!"So why not continue the experience?" someone thought. "Why let the gaiety and the spontaneity and this magnificent effervescence die in Wednesday's ashes?"The answer came almost before the questioner had finished. A mas camp was to become , yes The Mas Camp. Don't stop the Carnival. Play our music, hold our people, keep the spirit.The Mas Camp was born, March 6, 1986, less than one month after the ashes, in the heart of Lent, the doors were flung open, officially. The intention was clearly to use the advantages of :
(a) An already much frequented retreat.
(b) A willing and available clientele.
(c) An atmosphere conducive to relaxation or gaiety or abandon on bacchanal (circumstance and mood permitting.)
For all seasons
It is a small wonder, then, that The Mas Camp has become, if patronage was a reliable indicator of popularity and/or success, the leading pub in North Trinidad, if not in the whole country, a position attributable to several factors.The management does not apologise for its inclination toward local entertainment, live or other wise. In fact, The Mas Camp, one member of the management team boasted, quite justifiably, it is the only pub in Trinidad and Tobago which rigidly adheres to its initial intention to promote local music and art.The picture of The Mas Camp is this then, as astutely organised and managed "watering hole," evolving out of Carnival, with chameleon-like adjustability to circumstances and clientele, performing a vital social and cultural function.
The people's choice
Who are its patrons? The hungry soul needing a full meal (home-food, towards lunchtime, a "serious bake-and-shark" in the evening).The pair of friends needing quiet retreat before facing the traffic jams on the way home. The group of office workers needing a "live" after the horror of completing the week's schedule at 4.05 pm on a Friday. The party people at 10.30 pm Friday or Saturday night. The ballroom dancers in their Sunday gowns and patent brogues.What is your pleasure, sir? Madam? The Mas Camp exists, awaits you. Step inside, nuh.To mark its achievements and salute the hundreds of artistes whose careers have benefitted because of The Mas Camp, the Ward brothers are hosting a gala 25th anniversary celebration on June 19, beginning at 6 pm.
Preceding an evening of live music, eating and dancing, an awards function will be held, to honour veteran cultural icons Holly Betaudier, Joey and Ansel Wyatt.Also on Father's Day, before the anniversary bash, popular Woodbrok steelband Brimblers is hosting "It's Pan & Laughter...with good Sunday Food, from noon. Fathers and guests can look forward to an afternoon of not just good food, but good entertainment provided by pannist Earl Brooks, comedian Nuts Landsing, host Brimblers and a special surprise guest comedian.