BLAZE OF COLOR

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Frankie Moreno|Army Fete|Frankie Moreno|Frankie Moreno|Photo by Azad Ali

Thousands of masqueraders paraded through the streets of Trinidad and Tobago during the two-day festival described as the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

In total, 76 Mas bands in various categories were registered to cross the stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

The Savannah stage was transformed into a theatre stage with grand choreographed performances by both medium and large bands with colorful costumes.

In the build up to grand two-day festival there were various competitions, including the King and Queen of the Bands; Kaisorama competition to crown the Calypso Monarch and Ex-Tempo King; Fantastic Friday; the National Panorama competition and Dimanche Gras, which this year was a cultural show. Previously there were the King and Queen of the Bands competition and the crowning of the Calypso Monarch and Ex-Tempo King in the Dimanche Gras show.

Two relative newcomers were crowned King and Queen of Carnival 2019 — Joseph Lewis, who portrayed “Ghelgath” — The Demon Lord of Ice — copped the King of Carnival King and the Queen of Carnival was Shynel Brizan, who portrayed “Mariella, Shadow of Consciouness.” In total 10 Kings and 10 Queens took part in the finals of the competition.

In the Kaisorama competition Ronaldo London, 21, became the youngest Calypso Monarch with his composition “Man’s Imagination.” A week earlier he took the Young Kings title.

His uncle Brian London won his second Ex-Tempo title when he also crushed for the second time Black Sage (Phillip Murray) in the final competition.

In the Soca Monarch and Power competitions on Fantastic Friday, Grenadian national, Mr. Killa (Hollice Mapp) became the first non-Trinidad and Tobago artiste to win the TT$1 million International Soca Monarch.

Mr. Killa, whose tune “Run Wid It” had even the police warning people in fetes about committing criminal offences as they were picking up various objects, including women and running with them.

Soca veteran Iwer Neil George came in second with his 2019 fete anthem “Water Blessings.”

It was a good night for Grenadian artistes as they placed in the top three positions in the Soca and Power sections of the annual competition.

Their performances were hailed by Grenada Prime Minister. Dr. Keith Mitchell.

Mr Legz (Hector Thomas) was third in the Power Competition, while Jevaughn John, also known as “V’ghn” was third in the Groovy, which was won by Trinidadian Swappi (Marvin Davis) took the Groovy Monarch title with “De Party Start.”

BP Renegades took the National Panorama title, while Pan Elders won the medium bands category.

In a marathon Panorama finals, 19 bands — nine large and tem medium- thrilled pan lovers with scintillating music.

Renegades played Farmer Nappy’s “Hooking Meh’ one of the popular songs for the Carnival. The Charlotte Street, Port of Spain steel orchestra continues its dominance with its now 11th victory and a three-feat of wins since 2017.

Pan arranger Duvone Stewart copped the Panorama triple crown- leading BP Renegades and Pan Elders to victory in the large and medium finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah. His first victory was the Defense Force Steel Orchestra which won the small steelband finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando a few days before.