Cayman is home to an exciting success
story in the world of Carnival.
Mas Band Swanky International, sponsored
by What’s Hot, has for six years been a central part of the Cayman Carnival
Batabano street parade, from humble beginnings to a band with over 200
followers last year.
Craig Frederick of Swanky told What’s
Hot of the elements that come together to make a vibrant, colourful and
enjoyable parade experience.
“Mas is short for Masquerade; you can
expect to see a lot of colour, extravagant costumes, skimpy costumes and a lot
of energy and fun coming down West Bay Road. We do a lot of interaction with
visitors by the side of the road, dancing with people and taking pictures.
“It’s about letting loose and enjoying
culture – Carnival is a part of Cayman’s culture. We are Caribbean and
sometimes people lose focus or don’t want to see that. But we’re the most
Caribbean island in the West Indies – smack in the middle of the Caribbean
sea!”
As the sounds blast out and people of
all cultures and backgrounds wine and wind their way round the parade route,
the sun-kissed joy is evident, not least in the soca rhythms and tunes that set
the hips shakin’.
Wild Wild West
Craig revealed this year’s theme is Wild
Wild West Cowboys and Indians – Yee-haw!
“We have different costumes depicting
different historical figures of the Wild West; Belle Star, the notorious female
outlaw, Calamity Jane and even though she’s from a different era, we have
Pocahontas. The guys are Wild Bill.
“When you see Swanky International
everyone is included and you see all types of people. We have lawyers, we have
accountants, bankers, business owners, college students returning home, blue
collar workers, teachers involved. It’s such an array of people that it’s a
concept that doesn’t matter where you work or who you are we’re all together as
one on the road. We don’t discriminate: if you can buy your costume you are one
of us and that’s the whole mentality of Swanky International. We’re about
sharing our culture with everyone.”
Swanky had at least 200 people involved
during 2010’s parade, and 2011 looks set to break all records. It’s gonna be
quite a feast for the eyes and ears – and you might just pick up some cool new
dance moves, too. WH