Optimizing Masquerade Tradition: NCF Chief Calls for Authenticity and Innovation in Crop Over Celebrations

Bring back the mas’ to the masquerade. Stop with the carbon copy and the cut-and-paste.

That is the conversation chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Carol Roberts wants to have with Crop Over bandleaders and stakeholders.

She admits there are some Grand Kadooment bands struggling, but wants all to come to the table.

“It’s not the Carol Roberts show, it’s not the NCF show, it’s not even the Government show. It’s the people’s festival. If you are talking about a festival that’s contributing, which is something else we’re working on, a study to show the real economic impact over $50 to $80 million every year, isn’t it worth having those conversations? Isn’t it worth making some tough decisions?

“Isn’t it worth taking pride in the content that you put in the festival, or is it enough to just carbon copy, carbon copy, cut and paste, cut and paste every year?” she asked in an extensive interview.

Roberts said masquerade was a “collective responsibility” and could not be only at the NCF.

“The foundation this year has been extremely, extremely accommodating of and generous with bandleaders [of Junior and Grand Kadooment] . . . and will continue to do so, but it is time for a conversation, a real, no-holds-barred conversation, and there are a lot of questions that I, certainly as the CEO of the NCF, want to put on the table.

“We talk about there is no vibe in the festival, but we, the people of the country, make the vibe. There are very few bandhouses. There are very few band fetes. Once upon a time you had to go to a Baje band fete. The whole thing is quiet, mostly, until the costumes come in at the airport. So now you look to the NCF to create the vibe?”

Last Monday in Grand Kadooment, 18 bands paraded before the judges at the new starting point of the Helipad, The City, before moving off along Princess Alice Highway, Prescod Boulevard, President Kennedy Drive to Eagle Hall, Black Rock and ending up on the Mighty Grynner Highway.

The start time was pushed back from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. but some bands still did not start on time.

“For Grand Kadooment the pushback time was two hours and that was a collective decision. We would have had discussions in the morning, did a couple of conference calls, consulted the Met services and then there was consensus that we start at 11. But even with the 11 o’clock start, some bands still were not ready. If you’re not ready for an 11 o’clock start, you’re gonna butt up on some issues on the road,” Roberts said.