More bands for Grand Kadooment

THIS year’s Republic Bank Grand Kadooment is expected to comprise the greatest number of bands it has had within the past five years.

Producer of this aspect of the 2016 Crop Over Festival, Adisa “Aja” Andwele, revealed this as he addressed yesterday’s press launch at Republic Bank on Broad Street, The City.

“This is my seventh or eighth year of co-ordinating Grand Kadooment, and this year is the biggest Grand Kadooment in a number of years. We have 27 bands registered, and then we have the Republic Bank 200 strong band – that makes 28.

“Two bands are coming from Guadeloupe to play mas’ this year, so we have 30 bands parading at the National Stadium, and from the Stadium down to Spring Garden.”

Last year, a total of 21 bands paraded crossed the stage in the Stadium. Aja also revealed that during the 2015 Republic Bank Grand Kadooment, “an additional 2400 masqueraders” were judged at this point.

Additionally speaking during yesterday’s launch was General Manager, Corporate & Commercial Credit with Republic Bank, NCF committed to preserving traditionional elements of Festival Sean Husain, who highlighted the bank’s support of the Festival over the years.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Cranston Browne, in his remarks, highlighted the evolution of the Festival. He also voiced the NCF’s commitment to keeping traditional costumes a part of the annual event.

“The Festival is [continuously] evolving. This is not only a positive, but also a challenge that we at the NCF face. We are not unique in this... other Festivals in the region are grappling with the same issues – The Trinidad Carnival Commission recently lamented similar concerns.

“We have to keep the heritage bands alive, and we are in discussion with the bands on the best way forward. We have got to recognise that there will be some who would want the traditional costumes and the heritage masquerade, [or the] traditional masquerade. And there are also some who want the party band and that aspect of Kadooment, where they really [can] let it all out. Preserving this element of our Festival is just as critical as any other aspect of our heritage.”

During yesterday’s launch, a cheque in the sum of $85 000 was presented to the NCF by representatives of the bank.

The year, the Republic Bank Grand Kadooment Day will occur on August 1st. Proceedings will kick off with an Emancipation Walk at 8:30 a.m. This will be followed by the Blessing of the Road. The Republic Bank T-shirt and two gospel bands will be next to take to the streets, followed by the costume bands in the order that they drew.