Lynx flies off with 2019 Band of the Year title

After 13 years of trying, the Xtreme FM 104.3 G&T Enterprise Lynx Mas Band has won their first junior mas band title.

Last Saturday, Lynx, with their portrayal of “Come Fly With…” (two sections portraying LIAT and Air Canada) won the Sylvia Wilson Junior Band of the Year title.

“I feel great. I ain’t all 100 per cent joyful because that is the kind of person I be, but it is a great achievement,” band leader Cornelius “Pete” Thomas told SEARCHLIGHT on Monday.

He said the band was formed in 2005, but skipped Vincy Mas in 2011 and 2013 and the highest position they ever managed was in 2005, when they placed fourth in this same competition with “Books We Love” and last year when they placed fourth in the Winston “Samo” Samuel Band of Year competition. They also won Best Junior Section last year with “Wildfire”.

Second in the Sylvia Wilson Junior Band of the Year competition Nelson Bloc with “Fete Fo So”

Thomas said this year’s theme was something he had in mind for a while and decided to do it. “I usually have themes lined up and this theme I had given another mas man three
years ago and he did not bring it, so I decided to bring it,” explained Thomas.

He noted also that he usually gives ideas to other bands as Mas is not only about competition but also about unity.

“Not because it is a competition, we have to share ideas,” he said while also revealing that about 70 youngsters were part of last Saturday’s winning outfit.

Thomas noted also that while some people are still embracing the traditional mas, some are gravitating to the type productions which feature feathers.

He said he uses feathers for decorating traditional mas costumes as when he looks at the criteria for judging, in his opinion, feathers alone are not capable of winning the various competitions.
Thomas is looking forward to the Mardi Gras celebrations next week Tuesday.

Third place went to SVG Players International Mas band and “Wonders of Nature

Second in the Sylvia Wilson Junior Band of the Year competition was Nelson Bloc with “Fete Fo So” while third place went to SVG Players International Mas band and “Wonders of Nature. In fourth place was BMC Amerijet Magic 103.7 FM in association with UNDP GEF Small Grants Blondie Bird and Friends with “Climate Change – The Evolution”.

The day saw six other competitions. The individuals 5 to 9 category was won by SVG Players International Mas band’s “White Peacock”, while Xtreme FM 104.3 G&T Enterprise Lynx Mas Band was second with “Air Canada”. Third place went to Nelson Bloc’s “Dust to Dawn”.

The individuals 10 to 15 category was won by Nelson Bloc with “Gala Fete”. Second was Tribes Mas Band and “Vincy Parrot” while in third place was “BMC Amerijet Magic 103.7 FM in association with UNDP GEF Small Grants Blondie Bird and Friends and “Harmony”.

The Junior Queen of the Band title went to SVG Players International Mas band’s “Bird of Paradise” portrayed by Celina Clouden, second place went to Nelson Bloc’s “I is a Feter” portrayed by Rafika Sardine, Imagination Mas Band’s “Ocean Queen” placed third with Unika DaSilva’s portrayal of “Ocean Queen”.

The Junior King of the Band title went to Blondie Bird and Friends’s “Vortex” portrayed by Dale Batson, in second place was Nelson Bloc’s “Color Fete” portrayed by Jaime Stephenson while third went to Metrocinth High Voltage Mas Productions “White Squall” portrayed by Rowan John.

The Best Junior Section went to Lynx’s “Air Canada”, followed by SVG Players International’s “Spiro Branches”. Coming in third was Blondie Bird’s “Hibiscus” while fourth went to “Fun Fair” from Nelson Bloc.

The uptown competition saw a tie for first place between Blondie Bird’s “Climate Change – The Evolution” and SVG Players International’s “Wonders of Nature”. Third went to Lynx’s “Come Fly With…” while fourth place went to Nelson Bloc’s “Fete Fo So”.