Held on the national stadium’s lawn on Saturday, February 15th 2020, the newcomer to carnival bands in Grenada, Oro Luxury Carnival Mas held its launch. A 100% Grenadian owned band comprising of local business people and professionals, backed by designers and carnival professionals from across the region. With an absolute interest in raising the standard of Grenada’s Spice Mas, the group decided to put their heads and pockets together resulting in a successful introduction so far.

Skepticism on the other hand still pierces the air as it is a new band. Despite having an early start with their pre-launch on December 19, 2019; past experiences have made Grenadians wary of new bands looking to call Spice Mas home. When asked how revelers can be guaranteed the golden experience advertised, Head of Marketing, Sheldon Keens-Douglas simply said “The directors, they’re all professionals in their own right, so their reputations are also at stake. They’re working 110% to ensure things run smoothly and we actually do give people that golden experience we’ve been advertising”.

He continues, “Oro you know is the Spanish word for gold and that was the whole thinking behind the name of the band. It’s literally establishing a different level of professionalism”

In regard to receiving costumes in a timely manner, Mr. Keens-Douglas further said, “the Oro team is based here in Grenada helping ensure that they (the band) meet those production deadlines”.

One of the professionals referred to is Trinidadian designer, Sandra Hordatt, who is a major designer for Tribe and the person behind the design of 5 out of Oro’s 11 sections.

Speaking of sections, the night’s presentation started out with a dance performance which can be deemed mythical in theme. This was immediately followed by the main purpose of the occasion, the costume presentations. In the midst of the eight (8) designers is lone Grenadian designer, Aniona Hamid, known as Lady Irie. The section she designed is called ‘Amara’ which also comes with a section for the men and even features a ‘Couples Package’. In the end, all sections came together on stage with mesh of colors and fireworks in the background. What A sight!

Most performances during the course of the event were well received. The festive energy rippled throughout the crowd, especially when the ‘ever relatable’ song “Ah Doh Have” by Deno Outta Rage Mason and Temptress was performed much to the crowd’s delight. The screaming of the lyrics, the running left and right; such a vibe! Other artistes on the performance list included the veteran Inspector, Jab King who performed a couple of his hits and Oro’s Brand Ambassador himself, Terra D Governor; who performed his hit, ‘Black Power’.

Fun fact: Terra D Governor’s ‘Black Power’ was featured in Fe Noel’s catwalk at New York Fashion Week.

Being the first event to ever be hosted on the stadium’s lawn and the assurances put in place to ensure that the experience is indeed golden, the standard has been set.  Even the VIP experience with a price tag of $150XCD included freshly made Italian dishes, Antonio’s Pizza and free champagne. According to Keens-Douglas, “the whole idea is to give people more than they expected”

All in all, the feedback from Oro Luxury Carnival’s launch continues to be strong and positively repetitive. Costume pre-orders are slated to begin Tuesday, February 18th 2020 and can be done either online or via Mas Camp drop-ins at GCNA’s top floor. Attendees of the event were also given the option to pre-register at the event.

 

Photography | Videography | Editing: Careem Gilbert | Instagram: @careem.gilbert