Southside groups overcome obstacles
Four southside bands will compete in this year’s carnival. Like their counterparts on the north, there have been problems getting sponsors. Some band leaders even pawn their jewelry or use their syndicate money to buy supplies. To compound the problems one southside band had all their costumes stolen. But despite the obstacles, the bands will all be there on Saturday, and they want you to be there too.
Carnival day is fast approaching and the camps on the southside of the city have been burning the midnight oil, and heating up the glue guns, to get ready for the spectacular road march.
Georgette Staine, Leader, Racoon Street Junior Band
“We will hurt your eyes because the color bright bad, right, so if you can put on glasses.”(laughs)
William Usher, Costume Designer, C-Jamm
“For now let me just say our costumes will be portraying sexiness and the freeing of ones mind and ones spirit.”
Jump Street Posse has added a senior group this year. Band Leader Marina Welcome says people are amazed at the work involved.
Marina Welcome, Band Leader, Jump Street Posse
“Sometimes some of them come around and they think carnival is very easy. They see the costumes, they don’t know the effort, the sleepless nights that we have. Some people they come, they join with you and they leave you because they think it is easy and when they come to the camp and they see the work you do then they realize I cannot cope with it, “Miss Marina how you do it?” It is very hard.”
One group which almost did not make it in the Road March is Raccoon Street Posse. Three weeks ago someone stole all their costumes. But thanks to some kindhearted businesses and other carnival bands, the children won’t have to miss out.
Georgette Staine
“The day after I think you broadcast it, we got support from Victor L. Bryant, he gave us some money and Archie’s Restaurant from across the boulevard, he gave us some money. The Carnival Association they gave us some money and C-Jamm, they gave us some of the glitters and some material.”
The band leaders have been doing more than just making costumes, they are also getting the masqueraders ready for the long haul.
Dorla Vaughn, Band Leader, Black Pearl Junior Band
“From four until six I would give them a workout right here in here so they can sweat and they love it; they enjoy it.”
Q: “So you are set for Saturday?”
Dorla Vaughn
“We are all set.”
William Usher
“When we go out there in the morning we make sure that everybody get something to eat. We have sweets and stuff to give them energy and we give them that good old pep talk.”
While the carnival has been enjoyed over the years, the band leaders say they believe the parade is in need of some changes.
Marina Welcome
“I think with the Road March, the problem we keep having is with the police because they keep hurrying you up and it is very hard and you can’t hurry up in a big costume especially in some parts of the street that have little cracks. The costume cannot move as fast as they want it to move.”
William Usher
“I think it could do with some changes. For example I think they could start later in the day. I think the sun plays a part in the way we look when we finish. We are always tired and I think we could do with a later start.”
Despite the dreaded heat, all the bands promise a great show on Saturday.
William Usher
“I think we have outdone ourselves again and our fans and supporters won’t be disappointed.”
Q: “So you guys are set and ready for Saturday?”
Marina Welcome
“All the way.” (laughs)
The bands are ready and all you need to do is to get out early, pick a good spot and enjoy.
The Carnival Road March gets underway at one Saturday afternoon at the Yarborough Green. It goes over the Yabra Bridge onto Queen Charlotte Street, continues onto Caesar Ridge Road then makes a right into Central American Boulevard. It will cross the Belcan Bridge, move onto Princess Margaret Drive and end at the National Stadium.
