Grenada Carnival 2001 Calendar

Tip of the Month: August.
(Yes, yes. We know it’s July. The Caribbean's always had trouble with timing, though, hasn't it?)
This is the tip of every August: it has to be. Carnival.

For a fuller introduction to Carnival, the phenomenon, do look at last year's Tip of the (same) Month: the carnival events are pretty much the same. But to stop you from switching to and from too much between the millennia, here is a summary of this year's events (along with some of last year's pictures!)

Also check out the Summercrew Site for Parties & Events

Whatever happens, Carnival is the annual outpouring of the nation's cultural expression: visual, theatrical, musical, and satirical. It is always worth checking on this just before the day, though. Location and timing are subject to change.

July

Friday 20th - 1st Soca Monarch Preliminary - Victoria Park, Grenville
Saturday 21st - 2nd Monarch Preliminary - Cuthbert Peter's Park
Sunday 22nd - 3rd Soca Monarch Preliminary - La Sagesse, St.David
Friday 27th - Launching of Carnival Shack
Saturday 28th - Junior Semi-Finals - St.Joseph's R.C., Pomme Rose
Sunday 29th - National Calypso Semi-Finals - Seamoon

August

Wednesday 1st - National Women Calypso Semi-Finals - Trade Center
Thursday 2nd - School's Soca Monarch - National Stadium
Friday 3rd - Soca Monarch Semi-Finals - National Stadium
Saturday 4th - Children's Carnival Frolic (a.k.a. 'Kiddies Carnival') : at the National Stadium.
Sunday 5th - Afro Queen Show - Rainbow City, Grenville
Monday 6th - Emancipation Calypso Finals - Rainbow City, Grenville
Tuesday 7th - St.Andrew's King Show - Grenville

	Wednesday, August 8th:
	Queen Show at the National Stadium Time to be announced. The Queen contestants will be judged on modelling clothing, performing a 'talent', (some showpiece skill), and answering a question. The Calypso King of the world, The Mighty Sparrow will be making a special guest appearance on the night of the show.
	Friday, August 10th: Soca Monarch Finals/ Old Mas: National Stadium
	'Soca' is a contraction of 'Social ' and 'Calypso'.

Saturday, August 11th.
Panorama. National Stadium

A treat for lovers of steel bands, or indeed anyone who is not a musical philistine. The Island's six biggest showpiece bands play set pieces that have been specially written for the occasion. Do not expect to hear familiar tunes: do expect to see some bands with 100+ players show what steel pans can do. The range and versatility of pan are astonishing, moving, energising. (Don't be surprised if it starts late.)

Sunday, August 12th:
Dimarche Gras - National Stadium

Ole Mas is a visual form of the political and social satire that has so far been represented in song. Walking punning tableaux, often consisting of people walking around with a cardboard 'subtitle' strung around their necks, to explain what they are representing. The Carnival King and Queen are presented. 'Bands' have nothing to do with music, but with the costumed marchers.

Monday, August 13th.
J'Ouvert (pronounced Juvé)

This is the day that the road from the Lagoon into St. George's gets a bashing. Twice. And the people who live there.

1. Jab-Jab (at about dawn): Black & blue devils, interspersed with pans on wheels, and the odd ole mas visual pun. All well lubricated with engine oil (from the black devils), paint (from the blue devils, who are quite often yellow or green), and Carib (the local beer.) Not an occasion to wear your best frock for. Your worst wig, definitely.

2. Pageant: Time and venue to be announced. (Usually mid afternoon.) The various bands (=costumed dancers representing various themes, historical or spiritual) present themselves.

3. Monday Night Mas: different 'bands', this time loosely based on a place of work, the band members wearing T shirts to identify themselves and each accompanied by a truck blaring the year's successful 'road march' song, and all just out of synch with each other, march (well, shuffle) from the Lagoon into town. Start around 8 p.m., though do not be surprised if it is much later. If you intend to get involved, bring earplugs. Seriously.

Tuesday, 14th August.
Early Afternoon. Lagoon - St. George's (Again.) Parade of the Bands.

This is the Grand Finale. The Bands (i.e costumed marchers, as in Pageant) and the Bands (steel on wheels) move along the road for the last time, a visual and audible feast. A lot of fun, a lot of 'winieng'.

(Wineing is nothing to do with wine, and is easier to identify than to explain. 'Pelvic gyrations' would serve as a technical description.....)

The worst thing about Carnival is that you have to wait a year for the next one.

Is it worth coming for? YOU BET.

But bear in mind that it’s the middle of the rainy season. The glossy brochures didn't tell you that, did they? Bring an umbrella.

Grenada Carnival 2001.
(written & photos by Ian Blaikie - Sunsation Tours)

If you took part and would like to tell everyone about it, send e-mail to........ tip@grenadaexplorer.com

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