MARIGOT--Frédérique Porier’s Hot N Spicy troupe looks to be dead certain for a slew of awards once judging is complete after the flamboyant troupe, all feathers and finery in glorious colours, produced another spectacular show during the adult Carnival parade on Sunday.
The troupe, seemingly raising its level up a notch again, was the largest outfit on the streets and brought up the rear of the parade. Its theme this year was “Candy Land.” Some of its revellers were at the St. Martin Tourism Office on Friday for the open house Carnival warm-up there under the theme “Karnaval under the Sea.”
The adult parade had 10 troupes this year and was led out by the District Number Four troupe “La Fôret Tropicale.” Its motto on its banner written in Creole was “Everything under Control.”
“We put this troupe together about a month ago,” disclosed District Four representative Nadine Francis. “All the individual costumes are made by the children from Concordia, Agrément, Hameau du Pont, Galisbay to represent the tropical forest. The children are representing items from the forest; animals and flowers, etc.
“We’ve also had help from the parents for the choreography routine and we are very grateful for that.”
Locomotiv Band, normally at the rear of the parades, this time was performing behind the Tropical Forest troupe.
The second troupe to pass, “Woualicheez United Nou Mem” was undoubtedly the smallest, with just six revellers dressed in costumes made entirely out of shredded newspapers.
A troupe depicting “Olympus and the Greek Mythology” followed with the Collectivité’s Director of Human Development Thierry Gombs jamming with other troupe members as he does every year at Carnival time.
Another new troupe was “Les Fleurs” presented by Dayanah’s Creations and followed by Survivors, the Dutch-side invited troupe.
The Dominican Republic was represented again with its troupe members in traditional costume. Territorial Councillor Antero de Jesus Santos Paulino was seen giving his enthusiastic support to his fellow countrymen and -women. Territorial Councillor for culture Rollande Questel also was spotted in Carnival attire.
District Number Five for the first time came out with a new troupe The Happy Crew –Caribbean Heat and Water, followed by the Haitian troupe “NU Style Chacha Dancers.”
Youth Waves Band brought up the rear of the parade.
Emcee for the parade was Ricky Da Phox in a different costume entertaining spectators with his comical antics.
The parade also had its usual oddities: the car that is two cars welded into one that can’t make up its mind whether it wants to go forwards or backwards, a lead truck that had an effigy of US President Barack Obama on its roof, and scary face masks that blur the lines between Carnival and Halloween.
Troupes are awarded up to 60 points for their choreography routines. They are judged in six categories; Performance, Respect of timing, Coordination of movement, Synchronisation between rhythm and movement, Cohesion between theme and music, and Originality.
International journalists invited by St. Martin Tourism Office will be taking part in the Mardi Gras Parade on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, live music continues in Carnival Village tonight with a Zouk show.
