VincyMas 2023 is set for June 30 to July 11 and mas bands here have already kicked into gear led by one established band, which has already launched its presentation for the occasion.
That has hastened, it seems, the need to reach out early with another Mas Band making its intention known.
For this year’s Vincy Mas festivities, a ‘new’ mas production group will join the list of masquerade bands which will parade around capital Kingstown, on Mardi Gras, July 11.
The new entity on the block is Energy, led by Norman Quashie and ready, as he says, to test the waters and whet its feet in the mas arena.
Quashie brings to Energy and the art form, twenty-six years of experience, informed by working with established mas bands like Owen Ralph and D Professionals, Lynx Mas Band, High Voltage, My Imagination, Mirage and Nelson Bloc.
Cognizant that the band will have to serve its two-year ‘apprenticeship period’ before it becomes eligible for entry into the competitions opened to mas bands during VincyMas, Quashie stated that “showing what we have and having fun on the road partying,” are the band’s main objectives.
And Energy will do that through a production, entitled: “Watch out for Dis”, that features six sections, all designed by veteran mas designer- Oswald ‘Ossie’ Constance.
The sections include Red Moon, Cowboys and Indians, Black and White, Pretty Woman, Jack-O-Lantern and Beautiful Night.
According to Quashie, “For our first year, we are looking for about 75 to 100 masqueraders… We know we have to be around for two years, so we are looking to build a clientele.”
And as far as the prices for the costumes are concerned, Quashie revealed, “Our costumes are relatively cheap, “For example our children sections, which are Red Moon and Cowboys and Indians, they go at $175, while the others are $450”.
Energy was launched on Saturday, March 25 at the Sion Hill Intersection.