The Tobago Carnival Experience

While extreme energy, euphoria and expensive skimpy costumes characterise Trinidad Carnival, Tobagonians enjoy a season that is less intense and focuses more on the theatrical and folk elements of Carnival. It is very unlikely that thousands of dollars will be spent on beads, bubbles and bikini costumes (though these are designs you see on the streets) and one is more likely to find that the majority play the traditional mud mas, (which naturally means a delightful sea bath after to wash off).

Don’t be fooled though: the calendar of events is just as packed and varied as that of Trinidad, with an equal mix of both the traditional and contemporary aspects of Carnival. One major difference though is that there are not as many fetes or all inclusive parties, the latter usually costing more than the average Tobagonian is willing to spend. Tobago is usually the place to go to "cool down" after the hectic "wining season". Really, Tobago is for the "last lap" after Trinidad for those who need to be weaned off the frenzied energy and ecstasy that is Carnival.

The official launch of Tobago Carnival takes the form of a street parade in Scarborough in October/November and represents Carnival of yesteryear and today. The first party for the season is the Soca Spree featuring Machel Montano as the headline act. This takes place before any other Carnival fete in Trinidad, before the party season in Trinidad really starts. The next major party for the Carnival season is Soca Under the Samaan Tree, produced by Tobago’s only radio station, Radio Tambrin. Other organisations like the Lion’s Club, the Soroptimist Club also have an annual event.

The street theatre starts on Carnival Sunday with the Junior Carnival held in Roxborough. By far the biggest bands on the street on J’Ouvert morning are the Mud Mas bands. It’s literally a sea of mud that slithers through the streets of downtown Scarborough from as early as three o’clock. As the sun rises, costumed bands and ole mas bands that have been gathering uptown just before sunrise begin to make their way to down town Scarborough, while in Roxborough there is also a parade of bands through the village. Both the children’s bands and the adult bands parade on Carnival Monday and one can literally watch revelers cross the streets until well into the night. Carnival Tuesday is for the serious revelers. All the adults turn out in full costume (very few children today!) and there is non-stop action until just after midnight.

Main Events

• TUCO calypso shows every week, including clashes of Tobago calypso tents, Tobago Soca Monarch shows, Tobago Calypso Queen shows
• Soca Under the Samaan Tree (2nd week in January)
• Soca Spree (1st week in January)
• Pan Trinbago preliminary Panorama judging in pan yards throughout the season
• Department of Culture’s Carnival Caravan – a traveling show which takes traditional carnival characters and music in villages around Tobago for three weekends preceding Carnival weekend
• Junior Carnival Xtravaganza – panorama, calypso, speech band and school masquerade finals
• Mas competitions – kings, queens, individuals of the bands and ole mas competions
• Tobago House of Assembly’s Inter-Divisional Show – arguably the most attended and watched show on the island at Carnival, it features a Ms. Personality and Calypso Monarch competitions
• TUCO Mas – the Windward Calypso Monarch finals and Windward Afro Queen Show; one of the best shows for Carnival in Tobago

Some Carnival Icons

• Winston “The Shadow” Bailey: inimitable musician born and raised in Les Coteaux; took the national Calypso Monarch Crown in 2000, and national Road March title in 1974 (“Bassman”) and 2001 (“Stranger”)
• Linda MacArthur “Calypso Rose” Lewis: groundbreaking musician born in Bethel; first woman to win national Road March title in 1977 (“Tempo”) and 1978 (“Soca Jam”); and forced Calypso King competition to be renamed Calypso Monarch when she danced away with the 1978 crown
• Shurwayne Winchester: Signal Hill native; two-time national Road March winner – “Look De Band Comin” (2004) and “Dead or Alive” (2005); and three-time International Soca Monarch – Power Soca and Groovy Soca titles in 2006 (“Can’t Wait” and “Don’t Stop”) and Groovy Soca title with “Please Stay” (2008)

More Information

• National Carnival Commission: 627-1357
• Pan Trinbago: 639-1402
• Tobago Carnival Bandleaders Association: 635-0396
• Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisations: 623-9660

Mas Camps

• D Hardest Hard Sports and Cultural Club (Moriah): 660-0373
• Gloria Stoute and Associates (Montgomery): 631-0419
• Judith Aguillera-Nero and Friends (Caanan): 392-1228
• Marcellin and Friends (Scarborough): 639-2543
• Sanaa (Scarborough): 727-7204 (Dianne McCrimmon)

Panyards

• Buccooneers (Buccoo): 795-4875
• Dem Boys (Mason Hall): 686-6984
• Dixieland (Mt Pleasant): 774-1255
• East Side New Dimension (Belle Garden)
• Euphonics Steel Orchestra (Calder Hall)
• Katzenjammers (Black Rock): 639-1349
• Our Boys (Scarborough): 683-5169
• Redemption Sound Setters (Mt Gomery)
• West Side Symphony (Patience Hill): 639-5186