It's Carnival, Baby!

So I have been working (yay!) this year which means no food fair, no j'ouvert no late night parties.... well, there is the weekend!

This Saturday is the adult parade and fireworks. This means I can have my fireworks party at my art studio!!!!! Carnival is 60 this year and the parade is sure to be filled with fantastic costumes and fun dances. The fireworks promise to be spectacular as well. If you didn't know, I am fortunate to have rooftop access at my studio and I overlook the harbor: perfect fireworks vantage point. I may not have been able to do all the other fun Carnival things, but I will finish it with a bang. Food, friends, fireworks! What more could I ask for?

J'ouvert 2010

J'ouvert (pronounce JOO-way) is a massive street party held before the final parades of Carnival. It is a conjugation that literally means daybreak or open day and starts at the wee hours and works it's way until around noon. We march and dance down the street behind bands until we get to around the Carnival village or stadium where we have the Jump-up. It's just what it sounds like. People come in silly costumes and tramp all day. Even though ours is big, it is actually considered one of the (gasp) lame ones of the East Caribbean. It is still, however, the largest in the VI and we always try to make it a good time.

J'ouvert was going to be shut down because of a lot of misbehaving, but they pushed it up this year and everything was cool. That is what happens when you get 10,000 drunk people together at once: someone fights. This year was pleasant and started after 6 am so there was lots of light and not enough time. People still had a great time and I think everyone realized that we shouldn't lose one of our local traditions because of stupidness.

Usually there is powder and dye thrown as well. I saw a few people in curry yellow dye, but not too many. I was a bit disappointed. I did boogie and break in my boots for sure and had a blast the whole time. Sorry about the lame picture and video quality. I had my camera in a housing for fear of beer, water, and/or dye being spilled. Today is the Children's Parade and tomorrow is the super popular Adult Parade. I hope to catch one. Happy Carnival!

TOGA!

I'm really excited that our bands next show is a toga party. It is right during the peak of Carnival festivities so I am hoping someone comes! Carnival is one of my favorite times of year here and I am hoping this years doesn't disappoint! Parades, pageants, food, and concerts abound this time of year so the competition is rough. I hope we can compete! Any excuse to wear a sheet usually gets people out though.

One of the highlights of Carnival every year for me is the food fair. Food is good. Rising Stars Steel Pan Orchestra is better. These kids are the only reason I go. Imagine a double decker open air bus filled with kids from age 6 to 16 all jammin' and swinging' and playing steel pan with a few adults thrown in for supervision. It is a sight and sound to behold and I can't wait!!!!

If you happen to be on the Rock for carnival these are your two best odds of finding me. Either that or I will be tramping it up at the village and maybe dancing until my feet bleed for j'ouvert! Gotta love Carnival!