Waiting for the Lighting Parade to arrive at our Carnival settlement on the
boulevard just below Caribbean Town Resort brought back the joys of eating peanuts in the
street. Two varieties were for sale by street vendors pushing supermarket carts, the dry
roasted and the one boiled with salt. The latter, with soggy shells, tastes like crushed
kidney beans, yet absorbs beer quite nicely, just like dry cement.
The Lighting Parade, once an exclusive Tivoli Club production, opened a
few years ago to outside groups. The invitation extended injected new blood and fresh
creativity into the undertaking.
At the head of the
parade a Brass Band, sponsored by the Energizer Bunny, surrounded by a troupe of g
old and white
feathered body pieces pushed by gorgeous young dancers. That Indian-themed group stocked
their refreshments in a red Mercedes convertible and closed the first segment with more
three-colored body pieces setting a standard of luxury and glamour for the affair.
Five queens and the
Carnival Joker followed; Carnival Royalty may always be found at the head of the parade.
Le Groove, a band
from San Nicolas rolled up in their super-charged trailer. A traditional soca band, it
stars Black Diamond, Antonio Gario, a sometimes politician/activist/musician/bar keeper
from the oil town. Drummer/composer Clive Burks, reedy guitarist Franklyn Huntington,
singer Anthony Minguez, and versatile band members Franklyn Warner and Chris Watts are all
soca legends on the island. Manager Ricky Felix predicts they will go international with
Groovin’ a number very well received on the street.
Los Laga Bai is a
regular feature on parade routes, loosely translated as Let’s Let it Go.
Accountants, banker clerks, white collar bureaucrats all find redemption here, dancing and
drinking to the music of Robert & Su Solo Banda Show. Robert is a serious musician and
he orchestrates an old style Latin Big Band. Los Laga Bai recreated an underwater scene
this year, wearing iridescent green/blue costumes with frilly skirts/pants topped by
marine head-pieces representing sea stars, sharks, dolphins and star fish, all speckled
with light. The cheeky Road March, Frega Riba Dje, Rub on
It, was never played more enthusiastically, complete with grito, as revelers raised
their voices to cheer.
The Ice Princess
followed, a nine year old in a gorgeous white road piece and gown, winner Best Costume
during the Carnival Queen Elections.
Very well promoted
was Champagne 2001, an outstanding Africa-themed group whose queen Xianthe Jansen,
insiders insist, should have won the coveted Youth Carnival Queen crown. She earned first
runner up, perhaps because she was no underdog! Champagne 2001 featured young and old,
hundreds of teens and adults, sipping their cocktails out of long-stemmed flutes –
don’t get outraged, only adults sipped cocktail! Organizer Linche Merryweather is
well known for her ability to attract folks with deep pockets capable to footing bills for
spectacular creations. The group had a few breathtaking African 
pieces one with giant Giraffes &
Cobras the other with awesome Witch Doctor Masks, Patsy Mansur in the center. Sex-kitten
Xianthe in a leopard top had her oversize glamour shot poster pegged in lights over an ABC
tours, extreme off-road jeep.
Zodiac by Thunder
and Lightning provided the music for the many swinging jungle chicks and colonialists, Dr.
Stanley and Dr. Livingston look-alikes, while Dream entertained the brave explorers in the
back. In honor of Carnival, singer Jenny Conde, forfeited her mike and served as bartender
to the group!
H
ospi-Jollies in blue and silver had
more elaborate costumes this year. The hospital staff participates every year and this
year was no different with old faithful, Original Band, piping in the sound. Fantastic
Garden and Total Cleaning generously sponsored the bar vehicles.
Texaco launched a colorful group of
cowboys, naturally, their queen Rochelle Oduber and Mrs. Carnival, Elsa Krozendijk, as
forerunners. Brothers Making Wisdom a very contemporary band of young rap musicians
cranked out the decibels. Costumes flecked by cow spots, by John Fleming, cowboy boots and
red hats made the “pump your own gas” company more popular on the road, than in
real life. Climaxx was Texaco’s second band with you’re beggin for more
scribbled all over their brand new truck.
Rusty their star singer, with his signature silly skullcap, was seen driving most of the
time. The Texas Saloon a giant road piece pulled by a toy tractor and what looked like a
six-year-old driver featured a three-tiered extravaganza, resembling a Dolly Parton movie
set.
Tivoli’s
Queen, Mrs. Carnival and the Joker were on display in the middle of a rain forest
waterfall. Zukus with popular singers Nando Chirio, Ofo Escudero & Melvin Garcia
fueled dozens of dancers in skimpy bikinis and feathers, which took the attention away
from the new silver Chrysler, pulled by Drive Motors for promotional purposes.
A group of red
worriers and Musical Times went by, the band flaunting a full brass section on board. Some
Carmen Miranda sashayed past us then a masterpiece of a white peacock road piece. It was
way past midnight and partygoers looked worn out; they have been shuffling since 8 p.m.
One of the most beautiful creations a pavilion, an illuminated garden gazebo, appeared
sparking new life into the night.
Just then Oreo,
with singer Claudius Phillips and a group of hundreds, wearing
skull-hugging feather-topped helmets in light baby blue, flooded the street. The group put
together by politician Otmar Oduber received loud applause for the genuine spirit of
Carnival they exhibited.
The last group
sponsored by Johnny Walker had Boeffi Barbour of Aruba
Trading Company strutting his stuff with some of town’s most influential people
in tow, all wearing Johnny Walker’s tails and hats. TIGO entertained those
party animals before the Creators
came along as the last lap band to sweep everyone off the sidewalk and into the street for
some great communal dancing. We live in quite an extraordinary place, was my conclusion.
Lighting Parade 2001 was fantastic.
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