This Sunday, April 30, the long-awaited return of the King and Queen of the Band competitions will take place. The Daily Herald spoke to multiple-time Queen of the Band winner of Carnival costume competitions in the 80s and early 90s, Jacqui Coram-Labega, who has heart-warming memories of her participation in this much-loved event that will last her a lifetime.
Rewinding the clock in history, Coram-Labega said she participated as a reveller when Diane Velasquez first started her Carnival troupe in 1984 or 1985. Velasquez had asked her to “play mas” in the “Queen of the Band” costume in 1987, due to a last minute unforeseen circumstance when the designated person at that time was unable to fulfil that role. It was the start of a rewarding journey for Coram-Labega.
“Displaying the ‘Q of the B’ costume continued for me until approximately 1996, being a timespan of approximately 10 years, whereby for several years, unexpected issues/circumstances would arise that would render the prospective ‘Q of the B’ unable or unwilling to participate for that particular year. In this way, I became ‘the standby or substitute’ in the early years, never able to let Diane down – and it became a sense of duty on my part, especially after observing and experiencing the daily difficulties and struggles she experienced in getting all details in place for her Carnival troupe. It led to me eventually becoming a fixed face for the ‘Q of the B’ costume in Diane’s troupe,” she explained. “I only recall not winning one year that I participated in the ‘Q of the B’ costume, but approximately seven times would be fair to say that the costume I wore received the winning prize.”
The costumes she displayed were many, over the decade that she played Queen of the Band. “It was one of the most colourful and awe-inspiring highlights of the Carnival season, especially to be viewed and enjoyed during the parade as well. The memories most vivid to this day would be the applause from the crowd and their joyful and happy interaction and response – from the very young to the elderly. For me, that was the ultimate goal/purpose of the Carnival parade.”
Coram-Labega is happy that the competition is making a comeback. “I’m delighted that the president and the team of the SMCDF are focusing on reintroducing the “King and Queen of the Band” because it is one aspect of our Carnival that is surely missed. Every year, I am still asked by random people in our community if I’m ‘coming out’ this year – as if it was yesterday and not 30 years ago for me.”
