South Coast Carnival returns

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

After taking a three-year break, the South Coast Carnival is back and ready to jam. The carnival that included the Junction Carnival and the May Pen Blow Out were on hiatus from 2007 to 2009, primarily because of economic reasons, but according to organiser Ray Porter, both will be back this year and better than ever.

Set for April 24 at Roye's Plaza in Junction, St Elizabeth, the South Coast Carnival is mostly about fusing Trinidadian flavour and dancehall and the organisers are striving to maintain that standard. "You have to have the spectacle of Trinidad," Porter argues. "You have to look pretty."

With that in mind, Porter reveals that this year there is going to be a major soca act from the Caribbean, a top dancehall act, as well as contributions from some local sound systems. Some of the island's top disc jockeys will also be on show, namely, FAME FM's Arif Cooper and DJ Billy, a resident disc jock at Cuddy'z Sports Bar and one of the top soca deejays on the island.

Ricky Reds, whom many consider the top deejay from Junction, will also be on hand to build the vibe. Porter says there will also be a reunion. A popular sound system from the community, Nite Traxx, and one of its top deejays had parted ways.

The deejay, known as Teet-A-Pow, had left to venture out on his own. "They are going to be reunited for the carnival," Porter said.

Roye's Plaza, the spacious new home of the carnival, is right in the middle of Junction and has more than ample parking for the thousands expected to attend. Organisers have also worked out how patrons can get easy access to the bars, hence no long lines, and they are assuring that security will be more than adequate.

Exposure

Porter explained that in its heyday the Junction Carnival attracted up to 3,000 people to Pines Plaza in Junction on an annual basis. It was the only soca carnival that did well in that part of the island. "It had a lot to do with the acts," Porter explained. "Nite Traxx gave us the exposure that we needed and we had a high level of production, delivering a high-class carnival, bringing that Trinidad vibe."

Acts over the years have included Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Iwah George, Chris Martin and One Third, comedians Apache and Sarge, and fire dancers from the north coast.

The May Pen Blow Out is set for April 30. Fans of the South Coast Carnival are invited to join the carnival's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Southcoastcarnival.