Over the past week, carnival enthusiasts have been treated to a series of exhilarating events at the Saab, Vigie, and the excitement is set to continue into the upcoming weekend.
Giovanni St. Omer wowed the crowd with his portrayal of the ‘King of Dragons’ from Fusion Mas and was rightfully crowned King of the Bands. Meanwhile, Sharon Tanner of the Tribe of Twelve captivated the audience with her depiction of ‘Sisters in the Stream’ and claimed the Queen of the Bands title.
A total of 17 talented contestants, including 10 women and 7 men, participated in the National King & Queen of the Bands contest, adding to the spectacle. Despite challenging weather conditions, the atmosphere at the Saab on Monday was electrifying as patrons showed unwavering support for their favorite teams.
Band leaders and crew members showcased their exceptional skill in weaving together a stunning array of colors, fabrics, and metal structures to create breathtaking costumes. The passionate displays and intricate costumes from each group were met with rapturous applause from the enthusiastic crowd.
On Monday, Giovanni St Omer with his portrayal of the ‘King of Dragons’ from the band Fusion Mas was crowned King of the Bands, while the Tribe of Twelve’s Sharon Tanner won the Queen of the Bands title, with a depiction of Sisters in the Stream.
Top performers in the King of the Bands category were: – 1st runner up – Tribe of Twelve – Jordan Augier – Exodus 14 – 2nd runner up – Xuvo – Lamar Sifflet – Predator – 3rd runner – Island Tribe – Cedric Leroux – Leave the World Behind
In the Queen of the Bands category: – 1st runner up – Tribe of Twelve – Kim Desir – Rivers of Blood and Memory – 2nd runner up – Xuvo – Maier Sifflet – Serie – 3rd runner up – Fusion Mas – Rose Marie Harris- Teffity and the Dragon Lady.
At a post-show interview, St Omer – the returning King of the Bands – spoke about his longevity in the art form, participating for the past 40 years. He described his ’40th anniversary in carnival’ as “Many wins …and tonight felt different because I just wanted to enjoy myself. It was no longer about competition, it was about giving people something special to see.”
In preparations for the portrayal of his character on stage, St Omer declared: “I grew up in a family where we were surrounded by creative people. So, growing up in that environment, you learn to have respect for the arts and respect for the audience. And, when you’re out on that stage …you become the animal that they want you to become, and that’s what I do. That is the passion and dedication which we put into it.”
[R.A].