The Roman Catholic Church in Trinidad has launched its first ever Carnival band for the 2011 season saying it is aimed at matured beyond the need to be high on alcohol to enjoy Carnival and life.
The band, which will feature 12 sections with a maximum of 100 masqueraders per section, is entitled “Genesis 1—Creation” and is being presented by The Word and Associates, a new mas entity made up primarily of parishioners from St Anthony’s RC Church in Petit Valley, west of here.
The band was officially launched on Tuesday at the Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) with Roman Catholic priests Fr Jason Gordon and Fr Joe Harris present. The band is sanctioned by the head of the local Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop Edward Gilbert and according to Monsignor Jason Gordon, who represented the Archbishop “there was a time when Carnival was blessed with creativity and we want to go back to this time. We want to show we can take part in Carnival without alcohol and excess”.
Word and Associates chairman, Derek Walcott said the band would also cater to children and it would also be crossing the stage at the Queens Park Savannah on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. “The Word realises that as Trinbagonians, we cannot escape the Carnival atmosphere and want to enjoy it in a safe environment conducive to fun,” Walcott said. The band has attracted a number of prominent local designers including Rosalind Gabriel whose children’s band has won band of the year on several occasions.
Carnival will be celebrated on March 7 and 8. (CMC)