The decision this year to return to some level of normalcy in the entertainment sector, even if it was just a taste of carnival, was greatly needed and appreciated by carnival and soca lovers locally and abroad. ‘Taste of Carnival 2022’  was indeed a welcomed success. It included, Calypso, Soca, Extempo, Chutney, and Steel Pan shows and competitions which were well attended by only vaccinated persons in “safe zones” as stipulated by Covid-19 pandemic protocols.

The season came to a close with two of the most anticipated and highlighted events- ‘The Pan Event’ held on Carnival Saturday night, February 26th,  and of course ‘Dimanche Gras Déjà vu’ on Carnival Sunday at Carnival City, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

What’s a Dimanche Gras celebration without the Glamour, the Glitter, and the Glory of Kings and Queens of Carnival on display. Yes, (10) Mas Kings and (10) Mas Queens competed as they all vied for this year’s crown. (see the full album below)

Congratulations also goes out to this year’s King & Queen of Carnival winners- Joseph Lewis and Shynel Brizan. Joseph’s presentation, ‘Kreegorseth – Mystic Guardian of the Amazons’ amassed 434 points to place ahead of Curtis Eustace’s ‘Master of the Mantras’ and Keston Benthum’s ‘Cernunnos Reborn’ both tying for second with 432 points. While Brizan’s ‘Olugve-Rere Ko – The Spirit Who Brings Good Things’ won with 431 points followed by Ruth Mendez’s ‘Madame Cocoyea’ and Dana Rampersad’s ‘Fantasy The Phantom Queen’ with 421 points each.

This year’s ‘Dimanche Gras Déjà vu…Echoes of Carnival Coming’ celebrations featured a star-studded cast of some of Calypso’s top entertainers chosen from the ‘Clash of Tents Showdown’ at Naparima Bowl, San Fernando performing their winning selections. The lineup included Aaron Duncan, Ta’zyah O’Connor, Bevon St. Clair, Jeffrey Thomas (Prince Unique), Joanne Rowley (Tigress), Neville Brown (Bunny B), Errol Ballantyne (Bally), Winston Peters (Gypsy), Irwin Johnson (Scrunter) and Johnson King (Johnny King).  Not to mention the Extempo Face-off between Kevan Calliste and Myron Bruce (Myron B) which was full of entertainment. Check the playlist below for most of the performances.

Not only was the sweet sound of calypso music on full display, but patrons were also treated to live entertainment from top soca and chutney music acts such as Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous, Lyrikal, Swappi, Iwer George, Blaxx, Bunji Garlin, Nadia Batson, Raymond Ramnarine, Drupatee, Farmer Nappy, and Nishard M.

According to Pan Trinbago, (83) steelbands registered for “The Taste of Carnival 2022”- Pan Event” which included 16 Large, 23 Medium, 23 Small, and 27 Single Pan Bands. The first event ‘Pan in De Sancoche’ featuring the Single Pan and Small Conventional Bands took place on February 19th, 2022. On Carnival Saturday, February 26th, 2022 patrons were treated to a ‘Musical Showdown in De Big Yard’ featuring the Medium and Large Conventional bands each performing two songs, a Panorama type arrangement, and a Bomb tune, totaling not more than 15 minutes.

Several Pan Trinbago Special Awards and Prizes were also awarded in the categories of the People’s Choice, Best Performing Band and Best Flag Waver (see the full list of prizes below).

• Prize sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank – Lord Kitchener Award for Steelbands in the Digital Space – * Winner- Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra
• Best Performing Band – Pan in De Sancoche- *Single Pan – World Wide Steel Orchestra, *Small – Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra
• Best Flag Wavers- * Single Pan –D’Original Woodbrook Modernaires, * Small Band – Road Block Steel Orchestra, * Medium Band – Pan Elders Steel Orchestra, * Large Band – Nutrien Silver Star Steel Orchestra
• People’s Choice  – Musical Showdown in De Big Yard, *Medium Conventional Band – NGC Couva Joylanders Steel Orchestra, *Large Conventional Band – Nutrien Silver Stars Steel Orchestra
•  Special Award presented to Mrs. Helen Scanterbury-James (40 years of Dedicated Service to the Organization)

 To check out some more highlights from the night with some of your favorites bands in the Large band category check the playlist below which included performances by Massy Trinidad All Stars, Bp Renegades Steel Orchestra, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Carib Skiffle Steel Orchestra, Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra, NLCB Fonclaire, Republic Bank Exodus, Nutrien Silver Stars and more.

We at Caribbean Entertainment Hub will like to say a special thank you to the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC) and Pan Trinbago on their commitment to culture and giving us a much-needed Taste of Carnival. To all the performers, special awards recipients we congratulate you all, and to all the stakeholders involved, congratulations on a job well done. We encourage you all to continue being safe.

Sources Include- https://www.pantrinbago.co.tt, http://ncctt.org,

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