Preparations for Couva Carnival celebrations for 2017 move into top gear with auditions for both Senior and Junior Calypso Monarch Competitions carded for January 21, at the Balmain Community Centre, Balmain, Couva, starting at 10 am.
A release said defending monarchs, Georgia McIntyre (Senior) and N'Janela Duncan-Regis (Junior) who registered an historic beaver-trick in 2016, have indicated that they would be pulling out all stops to retain their titles.
Wilton "Flex" Griffith, coordinator of the calypso element, said that the customary contenders for the competitions have been fine-turning their offerings for the 2017 season. "Both senior and junior calypsonians who have participated in the show in past years have been calling to find out the date for auditions. We expect a full-turn out and a high standard of calypsoes since most of them have already done their recordings," Griffith pointed out.
Meanwhile, Ramchand Rajbal Maraj, chairman of the Couva Carnival Committee (CCC), said he expected Carnival celebrations in Couva to be as "bright as ever" despite the downturn in the economy.
"Although our allocation from the National Carnival Commission (NCC) was drastically reduced in 2016, we were still able to deliver a fantastic show last year. However, Couva cannot sustain another cutback in 2017. Our celebrations are unique among regional carnivals and people come from all over T&T, and further afield, to savour the Couva Carnival experience. We are pushing the envelope this year to deliver."
The CCC chairman said the committee had planned its customary six-day Carnival extravaganza for 2017, with several pre-Carnival events in store. "We are making a special appeal to the corporate entities in Couva and environs which benefit from the patronage of the various communities to step up to the plate and deliver on their social responsibilities. They need to give back. We cannot do this alone," Maraj pointed out.
Following is the calendar of events for Couva Carnival 2017, with the major shows taking place at Carnival Centre, Couva Car Park:
January 21
Auditions for Calypso Monarch Competitions (Senior & Junior), Balmain Community Centre
Time: 10 am
February 17
Sponsorship for contestants of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant, Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber Hall
Time: 5 pm
February 18
Motorcade of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant
Time: 11 am
February 23
Tuco South/Central Calypso Tent
Time: 7 pm
February 24
Calypso Monarch Finals (Senior & Junior) and Extempo Competition
Time: 7 pm
February 25
Grand Finals of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant
Time: 7 pm
February 26
Kiddies Carnival
Time: 1 pm
February 27
J'Ouvert
Time: 5 pm
February 27
Monday Nite Mas and King & Queen of the Bands Competitions
Time: 7 pm
February 28
Parade of the Bands & Band of the Year Competition.
Time: 11 am