`Mash 2000' launched with challenge to tourism sector
by Linda Rutherford
MASH 2000 officially kicked off yesterday at the Umana Yana with a challenge to the airlines and tourism sector to come up with innovative ways of inducing customers to savour both the local version and Trinidad's Carnival. The call came from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Ms Gail Teixeira, who based her argument on the fact that both Mashramani and Carnival occur within days of each other. "We feel that Mash can be made into a major investment for cultural tourism and the fact that we either come before or after Carnival means that it's up to the creativity of the tourist industry and airlines to figure out how to do a package that you can come to both Carnivals," Minister Teixeira said. One of the reasons why Mash is structured the way it is this time around, she said, is to allow visiting revellers to enjoy a full week of activities and to give the hoteliers and airlines something they can sell. The fun proper begins on February 19 with a Children's Costume Road Mash, one of the several innovations this season to give the public a chance to see the children from the outlying administrative regions. The parade begins at 10:00hrs and concludes around 13:00hrs. The route, however, is yet to be finalised. The Calypso/Soca finals are billed to be run off on the evening of February 20, followed by the Steel Pan Competition the following day at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 16:00hrs. An item that has made a come-back after a long hiatus, the Steel Pan Competition, is set to see several innovations for Mash 2000 in terms of categories. These include ping pong and jazz solo, and church, school, small and big bands competitions. The masquerade preliminaries are to be run off on February 22 but a venue is yet to be decided upon. Flag-raising will be held at the Public Buildings on the morning of February 23, Mash Day, at 7:30hrs. The traditional revelry, floats and costume parade begin at 10:00hrs. Auditions for the Calypso/Soca competition are on December 19 and January 3 at the Critchlow Labour College from 13:00hrs. The Minister warned that to miss either date is to be out of the competition. The quarter finals round is set tentatively for February 5 and the semi-finals for February 12. The Children's Competition finals are to be run off between February 16 and 18 at the National Cultural Centre on Mandela and Homestretch Avenues. The `Dance and Masquerade' sequence is to be held on February 16, followed by the `Costume and Masquerade' and `Calypso and Physical Display' sequences on February 17 and 18 respectively. The theme for the turn of the century is `We Mashin' As One in 2000'. Though not as catchy as this year's `Free up your mind in 99', the theme could be made popular by the musicians, lyricists and composers, the Minister said. Ms Teixeira said that full use should be made of both theme and logo since they are not protected by copyright laws. "It belongs to us; there is no copyright involved; you don't need permission from us [Mash Committee]; this is awe dese ting," the Minister said, affecting creolese.
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