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D'Carnival Corner

BERLIN CARNIVAL 2008 COVERAGE
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Masquerader having a time!Berlin Carnival 2K8 - Jump, Wave and Misbehave!
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Every year we follow the "Soca in we Veins" and go to Trinidad for Carnival. We go "Fete After Fete" and enjoy watching the beautiful masqueraders in their costumes "Get On" on de road. So after returning to Germany everybody had one thing on their minds ... "Can't Wait" for "Carnival to Come Back Again"!

Well we have a Carnival in Berlin, the capital of Germany, too! The "Carnival of Cultures" at the beginning of May has more than 1.5 million visitors each year. It's a symbol to the world against racism and for tolerance, equality and unity. Based on this idea it became one of the biggest cultural gatherings in Europe since it's launch in 1996. The majority of the bands are traditional folk groups from numerous countries all over the world, each representing their own tradition and culture. So, the Berlin Carnival became a whole weekend of melting cultures, with a Road March on Sunday, which is definitely the highlight.

"Pan Man"  designed by Olaf DannekerThis year, the Berlin Soca massive and DJs launched their first Mas Camp where everybody could come, listen to Soca, have a drink, lime and sew and glue their own costumes. Big respect to all the beautiful ladies who took matters in their own hands! Also, a Kings Costume, the "Pan Man", was designed by Olaf Danneker who learned at the Peter Minshall Mas Camp in Trinidad. The glamorous 14 feet tall Pan player is inspired by the Trinidadian national instrument and the style of the Calypso legend "Lord Kitchener"!

The warm-up of the three day long Soca-Marathon was held on Friday at "Icon" with the annual the "Carnival Jump Up" party where Soca Twins - Europe's No.1 Soca Sound - and Mashup Crew were hyping the crowd into Soca heaven.

Saturday Night, Soundbwoys Destiny, Soca Twins and the first female Soca Sound "Bacchanal Sisters" prepared the people for the road at the "Heads Up High" Party at "Maschinenhaus".

Trini flags amongst the sea of revellers at Berlin Carnival ParadeBecause of the late starting number of Truck 97 - the "Yard Gear/Bohannon" Soca Truck - there was plenty time to get in the right mood for the road. With pure sunshine at about 27° C, the crowd was feeling the Caribbean vibes from the first tune. At 4pm the "Soca Train" finally started moving and rapidly the crowd joining the truck was getting bigger. Hundreds of Soca Junkies where "chippin" down the road. Right in between: Franky Fire from Soca Twins was playing the "Pan Man". Many international Soca DJs like Alex Jordan (BBC 1Xtra, UK), DJ Baccha (Sweden), Herbalize It (Netherlands) and others joined the frenzy crowd. The highlight of the Road March was the live apperance from Soca Monarch King "Bunji Garlin" and Road March Queen "Faye Ann Lyons" on the truck. After the "last lap" the music had to be shut down at 9pm.

Bunji Garlin at Carnival Glow feteBreathless? No way! The biggest Carnival party was still coming up Sunday night. At the "Festsaal Kreuzberg" Germany's finest DJs: Barney Millah, Mashup Crew, Supersonic Sound and Soca Twins hyped up a crowd of over 600 Soca fanatics dressed in white, armed with rags and flags for the live show of the year: Bunji Garlin and Faye Ann Lyons on stage! "The Lyrics King and Lion Empress" clearly teared down the place which heated up to about 50° C! After the concert the crowd was partying until the early morning light.

Can't wait until next year! What a night, what a weekend, what a Carnival!

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Written by Anne J. for TJJ

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Alex Jordan"It rates in one of my top 3 Carnival experiences of all time, simply because of the innocence of the Carnival. Everyone involved from promoters to punters was psyched, excited and hype - that was the beauty of the Soca in this young Carnival. In some ways I don't want people to discover it so it stays that way! I had the time of my life."

Alex Jordan (BBC 1Xtra, UK) about Berlin Carnival 2K8

 
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