The Trinidad and Tobago Guardian already reported on “Which fete really starts Carnival?” The response is a tie between Tribe ICE cooler fete and Trinity College’s Soka in Moka. But now that those parties are over, Carnival goers are focusing on “Under the Trees,” a backyard entertainment space at The Normandie in St Ann’s (Trinidad)—with the theme “Carnival Coming”—starting on January 31, 2014. The Guardian states:

On that date the intimate, backyard entertainment space opens its 2014 season with Bacchanal, the launch of popular Rapso group 3canal’s annual production, this year themed Carnival Coming, at which patrons can expect to be invited to Take A Wine, title of one of the trio’s musical contributions to this year’s festivities.

Under The Trees has increased its exposure of the calypso tent at the venue this year with a Calypso Tent Week. In addition to the Kaiso Karavan, Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation’s (TUCO) East Zone tent, that has a slot on the playbill every year, also appearing will be Kaiso House, TUCO’s flagship tent, and Klassic Ruso, operated by the organisation’s North Zone.

Instead of the traditional lengthy duration of a calypso tent, the shows are of two hours’ duration, and feature selected cast members, among which will be up-and-coming young calypso talent. Their scheduled dates are: February 17—Kaiso House; February 18—Klassic Ruso and February 19—Kaiso Karavan. [. . .]

Other highlights on this year’s programme schedule include: Dancing Under The Trees on Valentine’s Day, February 14, featuring Baron (Timothy Watkins); The Ministry of The Arts and Multiculturalism’s Trinidad Interactive Music Expo (TIME) Concert on Thursday, February 27, featuring Calypso Rose (McCartha Lewis), Mungal Patasar, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin (Ian Alvarez), and Faye Ann Lyons-Alvarez; Mini Veni all-inclusive party on Sunday, February 9; and Hearts on Fire all-inclusive fete on Sunday, February 23.

Patrons will also experience other performances in calypso and steelband music by some of the top practitioners of the arts, including David Rudder, Black Stalin, SuperBlue, Karene Asche, and David Bereaux. The house band is Pelham Goddard and Roots, and show time is 8.30 pm.

​For complete article, see http://m.guardian.co.tt/carnival/2014-01-23/calypso-tents-under-trees

Photo of Pelham Goddard from http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2013-02-25/roots-perform-mas-camp