Got PCD at Latin Quarters

A quiet Palm Sunday evening in Manhattan was interrupted by an epic soca event starring the Viking and the Viqueen, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons.  The posh Latin Quarters on 47th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan is not known for hosting powder-flinging soca fetes, but with the city's West Indian community suffering from PCD (Post Carnival Depression), that's what they got.

A DRAMATIC CARNIVAL SEASON

The music of Carnival is usually the basis for the drama that accompanies Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.  However, this year, the drama is happening behind the music.  With Machel Montano being found guilty of various assault charges right before the season began and soca power couple Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons choosing to bow out of the Soca Monarch competition, the battle is not just on the stage.

MIAMI CARNIVAL 2012

When thousands of West Indians descend on Miami, what do you expect to happen?  You should expect fetes, parties, and half-naked flag-bearing people all up and down South Beach.  Well, that is exactly what took place this past weekend.  The good thing was that the locals were expecting it this time.  It seemed that there was more awareness about the Carnival this year than any other year I’ve gone.  It was great that the airport staff, the hotels, and the cab drivers knew that Columbus Day weekend was Miami Carnival weekend.

BROOKLYN’S LITTLE CARNIVAL

Every year, I look forward to Labor Day weekend in Brooklyn.  I look for fetes to attend, I get my crew together, and I pick out what I’m going to wear to comfortably shake my assets on Eastern Parkway. I’m a girl that likes to jump and wave all weekend and I was not able to do that this year.  Usually, I have to comb through flyers, check Twitter, and listen to every West Indian radio announcer in Brooklyn to find out which of the many hot events I will attend. This year was slim pickings. 

CARIBANA...SORRY, TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL WRAP-UP

I know there has been a lot of buzz about the “Soca or Die” fete on August 4th, and I have not heard Dr. Jay’s response to know his side of the story; however, I must say that I was disappointed in this event. I flew to Toronto in May 2012 just for “Foam Fete” and was very pleased with the event, the crowd, and even the security. I cannot say that the source of the problem at “Soca or Die” was Dr. Jay since he also promoted the highly-successful “Foam Fete.”  I will say this, this was a bad way to end my Caribana weekend.

Trinidad Carnival 2012

This year, my intention was to go to only 3 fetes: Licensing, WASA, and Soca Monarch Finals.  Well, I found myself in 7 fetes instead: Inferno, Licensing, WASA, Army, RAMA, Machel Monday, and Soca Monarch Finals.  Throughout the week, I also stumbled into pan yards, Woodford Square for lunchtime shows, and onto the promenade.  What happened to my plan?

It’s not my fault. There was such a buzz in Trinidad around the music, the artists, the controversies, and the - as Trinis love to say - bacchanal. 

So, this year I felt like Nadia Batson: It was time to make up for what I lost. 

ISLAND POP CULTURE VS. SOCA PURISTS

The soca we've grown to know and love is taking on a different sound this year.  Be prepared for a new class of music called Island Pop.  Listen out for the 40-foot Riddim, the Cosmic-Shift Riddim, the Popso Riddim, and the Antilles Riddim.  With the demand high for unique music, don't be surprised if you hear artists with very different styles with tracks on the same riddim.  Good news for producers.  MadMen Productions has worked with Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Kes the Band, Destra Garcia, Swappi, Maximus Dan, etc.  Recent releases are not just jump-and-wave fete songs, but also songs for clubs, parties, and perhaps for those of us logging on from the U.S., London, and Canada.