Melting Pot (n.) 1a: a place
where a variety of races, cultures, or individuals assimilate into a cohesive whole b: the population
of such a place..Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
One of the premiere
events of the 2009 Antigua Carnival was the Melting Pot, sponsored by Liat Caribbean Airline. Hundreds
of carnival participants flooded the Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) on July 29th, eager to see
performances by a number of the Caribbean’s greatest artists. As the event title reflects its
definition, the night of musical revelry consisted of a mix of various artists from different genres
and islands across the Caribbean. Each artist brought a different vibe to the event, contributing their
share of West Indian culture and music to the 2009 Antigua Carnival scene.
The night launched with several performances by local Antiguan artists. Although crowd
enthusiasm was lacking in the very beginning, each performance was superb. The first appearances were
made by Tonik Band and Final Drive along with several artists including Maddness, Lion King, Fucha Kid, 3 Pac Banton and Promise. Many
of the local artists who performed for the Melting Pot competed during the Groovy/Jumpy Party Monarch
competition later on during carnival.
The night’s
emcees Ibis and Supa Dymond kept the audience highly entertained with comical conversation, laughter,
and audience giveaways. Throughout the evening, ticket holders were entered into a drawing for a trip
to any Liat destination, courtesy of the airline. Also, between each performance the DJ heightened the
energy of the crowd with a sweet mix of popular tunes.
Dominica Bouyon band, WCK, was the first band from
abroad to perform. Within the sea of Antiguan & Barbudan people, the Dominican crowd gathered front
row, center of the grounds, representing for their country and music. With flags high in the air, the
front-stage crowd jammed to popular band songs including ‘Balance Batty’ and ‘Conch
Shell.’
Next, Calypso icon Lord Nelson of Tobago celebrated his
78th birthday with the audience by putting on a spectacular performance. A unique addition
to the Melting Pot lineup, his routine was vivacious and far from what one would expect of a person of
such an age. Shortly after, St. Vincent’s Kevin Lyttle
hit the stage, and serenaded the crowd with his melodious voice and hits such as ‘Home for
Carnival’ and ‘Turn Me On.’ He encouraged crowd participation, pausing for the people
to finish parts of his lyrics.
Later on in the evening, more local artists returned to the stage with more great performances
for the ARG. Leijah Band and Party Monarch competitors Samoya, Jashon Hughes, Byke and Blade sang their
most popular carnival tunes, giving the stadium a great idea of what to look forward to for the
competition that Saturday. Though not in the line-up for this year’s competition,
El-A-Kru’s Tizzy performed many of her past and present hits creating a boost of energy
throughout the crowd. Bottles of water were tossed at the audience, and water was launched everywhere
as she sang her 2008 hit ‘Rocket Launcher.’
Bringing a
different vibe to the ARG, Jamaican Dancehall artist Demarco received a great response from the
audience, who sang along with him while he performed. Some of his tunes for the night included
‘Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten,’ ‘Listen to Your Girl,’ and ‘Fallen
Soldiers,’ all of which received great crowd response.
The finale
performance was by Trinidad’s own Shurwayne Winchester, who put on the most dynamic show of the
night. Requesting that the front barricades be removed, Winchester brought the people closer to the
stage to enjoy the remainder of the show with him. Singing hits such as ‘Carnival Please
Stay,’ and ‘De Band Comin,’ the vibrant performer lit up the stadium with most of the
much-anticipated energy for the night.
Although the crowd’s immediate response to most of the performances was not as intense as
anticipated, the night was enjoyable. People of all backgrounds, races and ages attended the Melting
Pot with the common desire for harmless entertainment. The event confirmed that regardless of
nationality and flag colors, all Caribbean natives are united under one common umbrella:
music.
