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Aye folks! The reigning 2 time "Band of the Year", Trini Revellers, launched its 2006 Carnival Presentation "Rome - The Empire" at Pier 1 on Sunday 16 October. Well the TJJ crew, being true Trinis, like to take we cool time when it comes to getting to events. This is not really a good idea when it comes to attending band launchings. The scheduled time for the presentation was suppose to be eight o clock, but thank God they too were operating on Trini time!! We reached down to Pier 1 at minutes to nine, and may we add, just in the nick of time. Their 2k6 Mas Presentation was just about getting started. With no time to waste we quickly maneuvered through the crowd and headed stage side.

With a stage set to create and depict a Roman like ambiance, some fireworks were set off and the presentation began. Models took to the stage displaying the costumes which looked very rich in colour and style. After seeing some of them, one could have easily wondered if they made the right choice in choosing another band to play mas with come next year. Decisions… decisions. Too late for those who dun sign up! The display went on for about half an hour and ended with a "wine-out" competition - where the crowd's participation was needed, but well rewarded. The two lucky winners of the contest both won a trip to Tobago.

This launch had a ram out attendance! The crowd was mixed, consisting of the usual die hard Trini Revellers supporters & masqueraders, who could somewhat be differentiated by their age, plus your younger working class folks and even some foreigners. Regardless of the mixture, people enjoyed themselves, jumping to the sounds of JMC Triveni and the Trini Revellers top DJs. There were also live performances from artist such Adesh Samaroo, Iwer George and Sanelle Dempster who were totally welcomed by crowd. It being a Sunday, this jam went on till a little after 12 am. The place cleared up pretty quickly, but we got the feeling that people’s expectations were not let down. Who knows... maybe Trini Revellers could make that hattrick come next year!

The band’s secret ingredient for success next year could very well be the presence of veteran mas’ designer Wayne Berkeley who co-designed ten of the 25 sections of the presentation. Berkeley has produced ten Bands of the Year between 1973 and 1998. After suffering a stroke in 2000, he had a two-year stint with Trevor Wallace and Associates. With Trini Revellers, he will be designing alongside Aaron Schneider, Sanelle Dempster (local Soca diva), Yoko Fong and number of other local celebrities. Some of the sections include Gladiators, Chariots Of Fire, The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, Foot Soldiers, Roman Feasts, Dancers Of Rome, The Trumpeteers, Eagle Bearers, The Destruction Of Pompeii, Roman Maidens, Slaves, Roman Baths, Astronomers, Senators, River Tiber, Saturnalia and the Burning Of Rome among others.

According to the band’s public relations officer, Enrico Rajah, Trini Revellers has been famous for its historical presentations. He revealed that next year’s presentation is in fact a modified version of Harold Saldenah’s winning band of 1957 “Quo Vadis.” Trini Jungle Juice would most graciously like to thank the Trini Revellers Committee for allowing us access to their launch, especially on such short notice. See you guys on the road for Carnival 2K6!

For more information on the band, log onto their website www.revellers.com