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Peter Minshall speaks to members of his production team at a briefing session at the Callaloo Company Headquarters, Chaguaramas on Sunday.

Calling his troops together on Sunday at the Callaloo Company Headquarters in Chaguaramas for a briefing session on plans for Carnival 2006, Peter Minshall seemed wary over the presence of the media although they too had been invited to attend. No fewer than two photographers were told that enough is enough by Minshall who was easily irritated by just about any voice or movement as he spoke to the various artists, artistes and dedicated Minshall disciples gathered before him.

Holding up sketches then quickly pulling them down as he instructed photographers not to shoot and if they had already done so, don't publish, Minshall slowly revealed the philosophy and plans for his C2K6 presentation entitled The Sacred Heart. As he went through the plans, Minshall would throughout the morning turn off the main road to explore avenues relative to mas that brought him either joy or sorrow, pain and anger, but all the time taking him back to the journey towards The Sacred Heart.

Minshall defined the session as a call to arms for the artists and those who share the same concerns he has for the nation, which he said is in a terrible state of affairs. The Sacred Heart, he said is much more than a Carnival mas band and is a means through which there can be a form of salvation for this nation.

The band will present nine sections, all of them having as its centerpiece a motif featuring a valentine, which is symbolic of the human heart. Over the coming weeks while the Callaloo Company team is working on both the construction of the costumes and the presentation of the mas, ads will be placed in the newspapers revealing each of the sections and presenting the rationale for each. The sections include "The Broken Heart", "The Heart of Hearts", "The Nine of Hearts" and "The Heart of Courage".

Minshall also showed a sketch of the King of the band named Son of Saga Boy, which he said will be portrayed by an HIV positive male. There is also a Queen and Minshall hinted an interest in having Wendy Fitzwilliam portray that costume and showing off her pregnancy in all its glory. Also revealed was the basic structure of the costumes, which would all feature the masquerader wearing denim either jeans or skirts of preferred lengths, bra tops or whatever one desires.
The headpieces will be done with the donut-styled fitting for around the forehead designed by Minshall some years aback. Upon this will be placed an aluminum cone with a wedge cut out at the front and these will be adorned accordingly. Leather-like chaps will also feature in the design to reflect the cyber cowboy persona that Minshall is looking for. As expected, as the weeks towards Carnival Monday pass by, Minshall will continue to adapt and be inspired, making adjustments.

During the session, Minshall for at least the second time referred to the Government's plans to demolish the Grand Stand and erect in its place a dome that will serve as a National Carnival Arts and Entertainment Centre. Minshall commented that what the Government is actually doing is further Europeanising the Carnival and also taking it further from the common man on the streets to the elite who will continue to look down at the masses as they pass by across the stage.

As is traditional with Minshall mas, one can expect a theatrical-like presentation when The Sacred Heart takes to the Streets come Carnival Monday and Tuesday and one can also be certain that Minshall and his people will make a poignant statement concerning the state of society.

Among the people who attended Sunday's briefing session were; Wendel Manwarren who is serving as media liason, Roger Roberts, Stanton Kewley, Penelope Spencer, Jeffrey Chock, Noble Douglas and Meiling.

I'm really excited and can't wait to see the designs...

why why this is the year i not going home for carnival

I've always admired this man's work, truly can't wait to see his presentation.

Can't wait to see his King & Queen, for once something to be excited about at the Kings & Queens show.

I hope that he is able to complete his band. I lament that I won't be able to join in.

all i could hear in the background while reading this was machel and Zan "hear of a man...." dey pumping by d' fence....
Oh gawdddddd minshall yuh bring back some excitement....into the carnival....

keep up the good work