If you haven’t been waking up hearing Soca and Carnival music replaying from constant exposure for the past few weeks, you’re doing this whole thing wrong. If your clothes don’t smell like grill smoke from last night’s activities, you’re not a reveller. If you can’t see flashes of colours as you carry on your daily routine… okay, that might be a sign of a serious problem, but you get the idea of where this is going. It’s about to be the second week of intense activity for Carnival and everyone involved.
This is the week everyone is sick, getting better or just regaining their voice. People’s eyes are red from lack of sleep and they’re most likely wandering around during the day like Whyte Walkers. Don’t lose hope, bacchanalists, jouvert is right around the corner and with it comes memories you will cherish for years to come and use as cautionary tales for your future children.
This evening, Thursday, April 25, at 8:00 – Soulful Company Concert
St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) will present a line-up of R&B music, hip hop and local soul on April 25 for the “Soulful Company” concert. Headlined by Grammy Award winning artiste Ashanti, R&B and Soul songstress Keri Hilson and rapper Ja Rule, “Soulful Company” is meant as a “smooth, groovin’ and boppin’” night in Carnival Village. The concert will be presented in collaboration with Motorworld.
The three US based, international artistes will be joined by two of St. Maarten’s best young singers and their bands. Natisha Hanson, blessed with a powerful voice and the ability to sing ballads as well as Zouk music, will join Kenyo Baly, the reigning Soca Groovy King and R&B/Soul singer on stage as the acts representing The Friendly Island.
Tomorrow evening, Friday, April 26, 8:00 – Night of the Hit Makers
Legendary zouk band Kassav will feature this year’s TelCell’s “Night of the Hit Makers”. Dubbed as St. Maarten’s Carnival flagship show and premier dance experience, Night of the Hit Makers, promoted by Fleming’s Xtratight Entertainment company, is slated to be bigger and better than previous years with the line-up including Kassav; St. Maarten’s own Youth Waves; Soca sensations Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah and highly anticipated band, Buleria, out of Aruba.
For 50 years, Night of the Hit Makers is going to another level with the inclusion of the legendary zouk band Kassav. “Hit Makers’ formula is designed around the ‘vibe and the artiste’ – the crowd feeds off the artistes and the artistes feed off the crowd. Also, this year, Aruba’s #1 band Buleria will be performing for the first time at TelCell’s Night of the Hit Makers. Farmer Nappy will grace the Carnival Village stage on April 26 alongside Youth Waves, Buleria, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah, and KASSAV.
Saturday, April 27, at 8:00pm – One Love Reggae Concert
St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is hosting five international-level concerts for Carnival 2019. Of the five, the foundation admits that the One Love Reggae Concert holds a special place in the hearts of its members, and this year the one-two punch of legendary reggae star Beres Hammond and dancehall superstar Popcaan is expected to once again thrill concertgoers.
The One Love Reggae Concert, a DeWar’s production, will be held at Carnival Village on Saturday, May 4, with the two major headliners, supported by local reggae bands and entertainers.
“Beres and Popcaan are two big artistes perfect for the 50th anniversary of Carnival. Beres is legendary and Popcaan is blowing up right now. Different generations, different flavours – it should make for a very impressive night,” SCDF President Alston Lourens said. Lourens said SCDF is putting together a “great” line-up of local acts and possibly another surprise to complement Beres and Popcaan, which will be released at a later date.
Do not be deceived by Beres Hammond’s cool profile. The playful smile, the unassuming demeanour, the beard, the cap and the spectacles might lull you into forgetting that you’re in the presence of an awesome musical talent, Jamaica’s greatest practising singer/songwriter.
Advance tickets for the One Love Reggae Concert cost US $35, with a higher price at the gate.
Saturday, April 27, at 4:00am – Jouvert Morning Jump-Up
This is the morning you’ve been waiting for. This is the night that defines who the real party animals are and who just can’t hang. Get ready for water and powder and so much bacchanal you won’t be able to keep yourself away. Whether you come straight from the Village after Night of the Hit Makers or you’re resting up for the big morning ahead, just know it’s your time to get on bad! No money required; just lots and lots of debauchery.
Saturday, April 27, at 8:00pm – Caribbean Flag Fest
78 Inc. Entertainment Foundation is back with one of the most sought after and well-attended shows of all Carnival seasons – another great line-up of bands in collaboration with Presidente Beer. Together they present the annual Caribbean Flag Fest, which will kick off the post-jouvert turn-up.
This year’s concert features the likes of Grand Masters Band out of St. Kitts; Vayb out of Haiti; Triple Kay, the Original Bouyon Pioneers from Dominica; NBO out of Aruba; world-famous Kes the Band out of Trinidad; and our very own locally-grown Badd Boyz out of Sunshine City – The Friendly Island – St. Maarten. DJ of the night will be the Riddim Master himself – DJ Vybz; and the host will be none other than our very own MC So Hype and special performances by 2017/18 Soca Rumble Power Monarch –King Vers.
Sunday, April 28, at 8:00pm – Junior Parade/Cultural Showcase
Everyone should come out and support the little ones as they prepare for the future of Carnival. That’s right! It’s the junior parade and it will start at Grand Marché on Bush Road, onto Pondfill Road as they make their way into the Village. The theme for the day is Family as booth-holders prepare for the 1st Village Cook-up to see which booth’s cuisine reigns supreme. The kids will have a chance to splash around and cool off after the hot day. Think “G-rated version of Bacchanal Sunday”.
Monday, April 29, at 8:00pm – Band Clash/Road March 2019
The bands aren’t the only ones clashing on Monday, April 29, as the Road March Competition joins the big trucks in the Village again. So head to the Carnival Village and rep your artistes. At 8:00pm, all competing singers and bands will face off in a Battle Royale of Carnival sized proportions. The trash-talking alone is enough to entertain you for five lifetimes! The prize for the Best Band is of course bragging rights for the rest of the year. Don’t miss the defending champions, Big Bad XP Band, as they take on TG Band, No Limit Band, and more!
The current reigning Road March Monarch, King James, will be defending his crown from the likes of King Rumer, Kenyo Baly, Dice Maejor, Da Big Bad XP Band, Ambassa Da Lion, The Mighty Bal, Baker Jr and more. Admission is $10, and there will be food and drinks all over the Village, so you can pick up some food and enjoy the show! Come out and support your favourite artistes!
Bands must play a 30-minute set consisting of SCDF’s Classic Pick, as well as other local songs. Each band must start by playing the intro, first verse and one chorus of SCDF’s Classic Pick as it is played in its original recording. Afterward, the song can be played in the band’s own style and rendition. After performing SCDF’s Classic Pick, the band can then play any set of local and original songs. Bands may play songs from other bands once the songs are considered local. By participating in Band Clash, a band can win up to 100 points towards the Band of the Year title. Band Clash will be judged by a three-member panel of judges.
Tuesday, April 30, at 10:00am – Grand Carnival Anniversary Parade
The route runs from St. Johns, as the beautifully costumed men and women make their way onto L.B. Scott Road. Jamming their way onto Bush Road, they will then head onto Front Street, after which they will make a turn at Emmaplein, around the corner and into the Village. If you’re tired after Day 1, don’t worry because Day 2 is a much shorter trip!
Wednesday, May 1, at 12:00 noon – Labour Day Parade
There are slight changes today as the 2nd day of Mass starts at the Carnival Village by the Post Office, then up Pondfill Road, making a left at the old Van Dorp location then moving directly onto Front Street and then down the same path and back into the Village. This is when everything gets emotional as you start to realize that in just one more day, it will all be over.
