BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHAIRMAN of the recently concluded 2010/11 ‘Sugar Mas’ Carnival Clement ‘Monarch’ O’Garro said that he felt the overall events were a tremendous success.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, O’Garro said he and members of the new committee had put in a lot of hard work to ensure improvement of the annual product.
He said there are still some concerns regarding the stage at the new venue, Sugar Mill, but they intend to improve on that in time for the next carnival.
“I think the venue would be one of the legacies from the staging of Sugar Mas this year, and I want to thank TDC, Sunlink, the Electricity Department, Toucan Sounds, Lester Ible and his crew, S&L Lighting, Dennis for decoration for their help, and the SKNFA and Ministry of Sports for allowing us to use the facility,” O,Garro said.
One of the factors that have contributed to the event’s success is the fact that the shows started on time and ended also in a timely manner.
“In terms of the events starting on time and ending early, we didn’t want to look like an amateur organisation. And that would be an amateur who would schedule something to start at eight and around nine or 10…not sure if they’re ready to start yet.
“We were determined to start on time even if it means changing certain items on the programme. People needed to get that first impression, and the first impression was to start functions on time. Also there were people who did not want to be at a calypso or queen show all night; they wanted to go to the Strip or to Party Central and we understood that,” he said.
Sugar Mas officially ended on Monday (Jan. 3) with the Las’ Lap celebrations and the announcement of individual winners of the street activities and the Road March.
Two competitions came in for heavy debate - the J’Ouvert Troupe which was won by Mudsunami and the Road March title won by Konris Maynard.
Mudsunami is owned by Shannon Hawley, who happens to be the Vice Chairperson of the Carnival Committee.
In terms of the J’Ouvert Troupe, many people felt that there need for transparency in the competition and that Hawley should not have won it because of her involvement in the Cpmmittee.
In defending his Vice Chair, O’Garro said that before Hawley was announced as a member of the Committee, she had already set in motion plans to bring forth a J’Ouvert Troupe.
“If we can get five other persons to produce a troupe there would be no need for Shannon to bring one. We were struggling for participation for many years in order for us to improve our carnival product. We need more than one J’Ouvert Troupe, but I understand the concerns of the people,” he said.
According to the criteria for the Best J’Ouvert Troupe, judges looked at design, concept, originality, use of colour, accessories, presentation and performance.
In terms of the Road March, O’Garro said that for the first time he had witnessed the employment of strategies to win the title.
O’Garro said he saw Maynard going from trailer to trailer promoting his song and recalled Smiley, lead singer of Grand Masters, doing the same.
“I thought we were in for something different this year. I think that’s one of the reasons why Nu Vybes was so far behind as they were and Small Axe was edged out.
“People fell in love with Small Axe’s song, and I think if Small Axe had done half the work Konris did to win the Road March, they would have walked away with the title with ease,” he said.
The Chairman said that for the next Sugar Mas they may look into implementing new competitions.
“In terms of revamping, we might look at a Most Popular Song, Best Road Band or even a Bandorama, featuring the top bands. And, of course, these wouldn’t preclude them from entering Road March but at least they’ll have the other options,” he declared.
O’Garro is of the view that the controversy which surrounds the Road March title is based on the fact that, in the past, winners were determined by the size of the band.
“Maybe if we create other competitions it will give them their bragging rights,” he added.
May implement more competitions to complement Road March
