By Damian Sogren

Harts Carnival 2010 Media/Band Launch ... "A 50^th Anniversary Celebration"!
Date: Sat 15th August 2009
Location: The Country Club, Maraval, Trinidad
Promoters: Harts

The month of August in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago is not only known for last minute vacations and pre-back to school blues, it can also be classified as a month of extreme “heat”. Not just the heat of the soaring temperature but a burning spirit generated by the anticipation of the following year’s Carnival celebrations. Adding to this heat wave, yet another one of T&T’s celebrated Mas Bands launched its Carnival 2010 presentation. This time popular band Harts presented “50”which celebrates and highlights the band’s 50^th carnival presentation.

Harts, originally spearheaded by the famous Edmond and Lil Hart and now managed by their children was once labeled “The Fun Band” in the 1960’s and still holds true to that title. Upon entry to the Country Club, the DancehallSoca team saw evidence of this natural fun spirit in the forms of Moko Jumbies, Fire Breathers and Tassa Drummers which greeted guests as they sauntered into the fete area with coolers in hand.

Yes I did say coolers! In keeping with the party atmosphere, the band launch was also a cooler fete, meaning that in addition to the pay bars at the venue, patrons were allowed to bring coolers filled with their choice of per-purchased refreshments. This worked well for all in attendance as those who came to party did so to the fullest.

The band that prides itself for creating history and achieving numerous firsts in the mas arena has fused its themes of the past 50 years to create a 25 section extravaganza.

With combined section names such as: Brazilian Fiesta/Latin Fire, Lets Make Waves/Whe Whe, Mas Sweet Mas/ American Indians, Was this Greece/Before 2000, Persian Empire/Mesopotamia, it’s easy to predict that next year’s road parade will certainly mark another milestone in Carnival history.

Good vibes and entertainment were clearly the order of the night, as DJs for the night Tweez and Hi Fidelity/Less than Zero kept pumping out the hits of Carnivals gone by including this year’s biggest road tunes. Dynamic, live entertainment was delivered by Soca superstar Shurwayne Winchester and long time Harts associates Imij and Company.

Imij’s vocalists Russell Cadogan, Michelle Xavier and Gregory Ayuen gave excellent renditions of modern and classic Soca as well as other popular songs. The set also consisted of appearances by former Second Imij singer Tricia Lee Kelshall and former Taxi front woman Cathy Ella who delivered her hit “Frenchman (Sokie Sokie).

Harts’ 2K10 band launch definitely was an enjoyable event with a huge infusion of the fun factor that its masqueraders have grown to know and love.

DancehallSoca sends thanks to Luis Hart of the band committee for ensuring our media access to the event, congratulations on the launch’s success and all the best on the road for Carnival 2K10!!!.