GRENDAD MAS pre

On the road to Spicemas 2016
By Linda Straker
“. . . I welcome them to Spicemas and encourage
you to play mas this year in your favourite band.”
housands gathered at the Roy St.
John’s playing field on April 02nd to
witness the launch of SpiceMas 2016.
Traditionally, Carnival is launched the first
weekend in June, but with a new vision
and a new Chief Executive Officer, Kirk
Seetahal, appointed in October, the Spicemas
Corporation for the first time decided to launch
Spicemas during the month of April.
Though there was some apprehension among
some of the stakeholders there were positive
vibes, thumbs-up and approving head shakes
as many described the event as the best
launch in recent times.
The launch was a reflection of all things
Carnival as Carnival lovers and cultural
enthusiasts experienced the best of soca and
calypso tunes and the parading of costumes
from three of the mas bands. The orderly
display from a group of jab jabs covered in
“jab oil” and dancing to the sound of jab jab
rhythms, reminded all present why Grenada’s
Jouvert is unique. There were also traditional
short knee and vieux croix bands as well as
group of moko jumbies.
Declaring the Carnival season open was
Culture Minister, Brenda Hood, who in her
address disclosed that there will be several
non-competing bands on the road this year
in addition to the bands which regularly
participate in Carnival.
“. . . I welcome them to Spicemas and
encourage you to play mas this year in your
favourite band. The experience of Spicemas is
extraordinary in many ways from our unique
Jouvert with our Jab, Parade of the bands to
Monday Night Mas; the ShortKnee, the Vieux
Croix and the Wild Indians, all are part of
the Spicemas brand that is authentically
Grenadian,” said the Minister who herself
is always leading a band on Carnival
Monday and Tuesday.
Focusing on the other stakeholders to the
Carnival product, Minister Hood further stated,
“We cannot forget our calypsonians who
continuously keep our music center stage in
many destinations. The Ajamu, Inspector,
Tallpree and all the others who year after year,
season after season continue to be in high
demand. We are grateful for their continued
great works and excellent representation and
therefore need to do all that we can to secure
and protect their worth.”
As culture minister, Hood spoke about the
importance of the creative industry to the
development of the economy and called for
users of creative works to recognize that
intellectual property rights protection laws
are mandatory legal regulations that must
be complied with as failure to do so is an
infringement which is subject to legal
ation.
“Our artistes and their material must be
protected,” she reiterates, while calling
for respect for creators and innovators.