If there is any indication that Carnival 2023 is on its way, it is the ongoing preparations for band launchings.
Several bands like Yuma, Tribe and Kinetic Mas have set or projected dates for their launchings, along with many others.
Although some Carnival-type events were held over the last two years, 2023 is expected to be the first physical Carnival as it once was.
Some bandleaders shared what it is like hosting launchings again and preparations for next year.
Ronnie and Caro’s bandleader Ronnie McIntosh said its last two launchings in 2019 and 2020 were virtual and this year is no different.
“Our launch is close to the end of July. We do not have a specific date as yet. We are now working on designs for 2023.” He said physical launches were expensive.
“Before you sell a ticket, you have to pay. It was not working out for us so we decided from 2019 to go virtual.”
Things are looking great for the band and Carnival itself comes next year, he said. McIntosh said the band held a book-your-spot promotion and got great responses.
“People are not taking any chances not to get the costume of their choice. So there is a lot of excitement throughout the world. Carnival 2023 will be one of the bigger ones,” he added.
But the pandemic has also brought economic challenges such as increased shipping costs.
“We just completed Atlanta carnival in terms of costumes. We have some other projects coming and are already feeling the pinch, so to speak, with shipping. Shipping has almost doubled.”
He said there were no discussions about price increases and, if there were, it would be minimal.
“We are definitely trying because we still have to take into consideration that a lot of people are recovering from the pandemic. We are not here to do like everyone else.
“As long as gas goes up, bread gone up, everything gone up. We are not falling into any pattern just because things are going up, we are just going to increase prices. If there is any increase we will be very considerate and paying attention to the masquerader,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_960263" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ronnie and Caroline McIntosh lead their band Ronnie and Caro's portrayal The Serengeti on stage at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Carnival Tuesday February 25, 2020.
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While many are looking forward to Trinidad’s Carnival, McIntosh shared some thoughts on Tobago’s upcoming Carnival in October. He said the separate event was “long overdue.”
“Rather than clashing with Trinidad’s Carnival, where half of Tobago would normally come, it is a great thing that they are doing, having their own Carnival.”
While, this too, has been generating global excitement, McIntosh hopes there is sufficient transportation to get people to Tobago.
“That is normally a problem. Even for Easter it is a big problem, so far less for Carnival. I think Carnival will be ten times bigger than Easter. I am hoping even
