Did someone say J’ouvert? As in the all-night-til-morning party that leaves you high on, well party vibes, we hope, though many persons out there probably have stories to tell of getting high on something else? But we did hear J’ouvert and already we are feeling the vibes.
Honestly, who has never fantasized about the ultimate soca party here in Guyana that doesn’t end when the organizers say it is over and you leave feeling as though the $3,500, or worse more, could have been better spent. That is the appeal of J’ouvert, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago — the land of the Caribbean’s hottest Carnival. When J’ouvert ends there is hardly anything left in you, that is, if you last to morning, to question where your money went. The only thing you will be questioning after it all ends is, which way is home.
Now ingrained in Guyanese nightlife is the need to “wash-down” after a fete. So spots like Jerries and Palm Court are usually run over with persons craving just a little bit more action. Imagine persons wanting a little bit more after a J’ouvert Soca concert, not likely right? We didn’t think so either.
But this is where it gets interesting, seriously interesting because we are about to have a true carnival experience compliments of Concept Entertainment. Just over a week ago, the new Mash camp announced its arrival and in the same breath offloaded a schedule that is so hot, it is generating heat just to regurgitate.
And you guessed it, a J’ouvert Soca concert just so happens to be part of that schedule.
Yes, you heard right, our first J’ouvert. Makes you wonder what we have been doing all this time to only have our first in 2008. But better late than never and we take comfort in knowing that Krosfyah will be here to christen our fete.
Based on the information out of Concept’s Mash camp Krosfyah is just one of two big bands expected since it is currently in talks with a band from Trinidad and Tobago. A local band is slated to play alongside the two imports – sounds like one heck of a pre-Mash fete.
And Concept seems to have it all figured out by offering breakfast just after the concert then a short break before its street revelry begins. Just the kind of interesting, mad fete that makes you Mashramani crazy more than a month ahead of the celebrations.
Concept launched its Mash band – Nature’s Way under its label, The Alternative – and is planning to take the road by storm come February 23. Did we mention how hot the costumes are?
What we are wondering is whether they will make it to the starting point on time and we are genuinely concerned because tardiness is no longer going unnoticed, actually it is now draws a penalty.
Frankly, we agree with the penalty because every year it only seems to get worse. Mash camps, particularly private camps, saunter into the parade at any old hour dragging the action on and killing the momentum at the same time largely oblivious to the thousands who leave home early to line the streets in anticipation.
They are actually the reason many people just go to the National Park and wait for the bands to show up there. But where’s the fun in that? And really, how much of Krosfyah can you get after they would have poured everything into the street revelry that truly defines the celebrations. Just what we were thinking — not enough to say you got a fill of the band or any band for that matter.
But we are not telling anyone how to pass their day. If isn’t obvious how we have planned ours, here it is spelt out. J’-o-u-v-e-r-t! thescene@stabroeknews.com
