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Leggy Lee Bridgette Hay depicts the Spanish influence among Trini Jewels.

As China prepares to commemorate its bicentennial anniversary next year, mas designers and bandleaders are giving this historic event the due attention it deserves. Tribute to China in mas commenced on Sunday when newcomer to mas, 2 Ha’quai, unveiled its presentation of Trini Jewels, assisted by the Pacific Food Company at Lions Cultural Centre. Although failing to attract as huge a turnout as the launchings of the other established mas bands, like Poison and Harts, or Tribe, bandleaders Stephanie Johnson, Erica Jackman and Rawden Graham left no stone unturned to ensure that everyone in attendance had an enjoyable evening.

Stephanie, a Bee Wee flight attendant, disclosed that she is looking forward to a close collaboration with the Chinese Association in the production of Trini Jewels. She also expressed gratitude to Sun Up International for its assistance with the launch.

Trini Jewels is designed by the artistic team of Paulette Alfred and Ann Marie Akeung, while Michelle Williams designed the Soca in de Parang section. Other sections displayed on Sunday were Amerindians, Spanish, British, Indian, African and of course Chinese.

Apart from having a well stocked and efficiently run bar and food area, 2 Ha’quai’s music on Sunday was strictly top-drawer stuff, featuring Roy Cape All Stars, Shurwayne Winchester, a troupe of Chinese dragon dancers, and DJ Crosby Sounds, featuring Mr Desmond.

Among those seen supporting 2 Ha’quai were Christine Tanker, DonMarie Reveillac, Pat Selman, Marcia and Marguerite Miranda, Norvan Fullerton, Peter Pena, Allan Huggins, Penny O’Brien, Chris Humphrey and Kelly Green.

Another newcomer to the Carnival fraternity and which is also paying tribute to China next year is Tout la Monde. Led by the husband and wife team of Lt Col Neil Bennett and Dr Michelle Trotman-Bennett, Tout la Monde is presenting Trinee Chinee.

Also honouring China’s bicentennial for C2K6 is Excellent Stores Silver Stars with its presentation of From China with Love. On its own this year, after two years of being part of the Bacch-a-nalia triumvirate of steelbands, Silver Stars’ Lorraine Pouchet this week said that the band’s mas would be something special and would be launched on Sunday, at the band’s 56 Tragarete Road panyard in Newtown, at 4 pm.

Silver Stars is the only steel orchestra in mas history to ever win the coveted Band of the Year title, doing so in 1963 with Russell Charter’s Gulliver’s Travels.

Lorraine also said that Silver Stars’ leader, Edwin Pouchet, has finished composing the band’s Panorama ’06 selection, High on the Pan, recorded by Eunice Peters, with lyrics by Alvin Daniell.

Previous memorable tributes in mas to China have been China, the Forbidden City; and, Land of the Kabuki.

New mas band:

Questions as to why there was no 2 P’s and D Pod at the recent launch of Masquerade’s C2K6 presentation of Atlantis were answered this week when principals behind the section producers revealed plans to produce a mas band. Headed by record-breaking King of Carnival Peter Samuel and artist Patrick Roberts, 2 P’s and D Pod plan to hit the streets with Colourseum. Already having hosted a “sneak preview lime,” Colourseum’s launch date is October 1, at the Minshall mas camp, on Western Main Road, Chaguaramas.

An email to Pulse this week, disclosed that the response to the drawings for Colourseum has been “fantastic, way beyond our expectations.” The release also claims that five sections have already been booked and with enquires being made into a further two. For its overseas masqueraders, the 2 P’s and D Pod Web site (2peasanddpod.com) will be up and running from October 3.

Persons interested in joining 2 P’s and D Pod for C2K6 can collect complimentary tickets at the mas camp (corner Roberts and Carlos Streets, Woodbrook), which is open every evening, except on Sundays, from 4.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Registration for Colourseum is scheduled to commence on October 3, at the mas camp.

For further enquires call 2 P’s and D Pod at 628-1545; Peter (688-9452); Patrick (767-0302); or, Marie (686-5226).